MIDDLEFIELD—Crestwood used a big third quarter to extend its winning streak to six straight after downing host Cardinal on Wednesday, 78-53.
The Red Devils outscored the Huskies in the third quarter, 27-17, in improving to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division.
“We said at halftime the first four minutes of the third quarter was going to dictate the rest of the game,” said Crestwood head coach Josh Jakacki. “The kids came out and made some plays in those first four minutes.”
Crestwood led 36-31 at halftime but turned up the heat to start the second half and cruised into the fourth quarter leading 63-49.
Dekota Johnson led the charge as he finished his night with a game-high 28 points with three steals. He shot 8-of-13 from the floor.
Brody Durham also scored in double figures with 12 points, and he converted 4-of-5 free throw tries.
“We just space them and let them go to work,” Jakacki said. “They make their teammates better.”
James Durham and Steven Lincoln each contributed with eight points. Durham was stout defensively, finishing with three blocks while Lincoln connected on a pair of three-pointers.
Charlie Schweickert pitched in seven points and Augie Schweickert added six as the Red Devils kept alive their undefeated season.
“We told the kids after the game it was just another notch in our belt,” Jakacki said. “Our goal is to get to 1-0 every night.”
Cardinal dropped to 0-5 on the season, but the Huskies are playing better basketball as of late.
“Our goal is to be better by the end of the season,” said Cardinal head coach Kyle Deckerd. “I think we’re showing that growth every game.”
Troy Domen led the Huskies with 25 points on 8-of-19 shooting from the field and three steals, and he also notched the 1,000th point of his career in the third quarter.
“It means that I’ve pushed myself, I’ve put in the work and achieved it,” Domen said. “It feels very deserving and it’s humbling.”
He joins Cardinal legends Jake Bean (2023) and Todd Hill (1998) on the 1,000-point leaderboard, adding another accomplishment to his legacy.
“I want to be the hardest-working guy on the court,” he said. “Whatever I do, I want to be the hardest working guy.”
Charles Soltis also scored in double figures with 17 points on four 3-pointers.
“I have the most confidence in Chuck,” Deckerd said. “His growth has been exponential for us.”
Landon Gallagher and Dominic Naples pitched in with four points each. Gallagher added eight rebounds and Naples ended with three assists.
Despite the loss, it seems there are good things on the horizon for Cardinal.
“If you watched us tonight you wouldn’t think we were winless,” Deckerd said. “That’s what I’m preaching to the guys, it’s a process; It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
Crestwood returns to action on Dec. 27 when the Red Devils host Rootstown while Cardinal will look to bounce back at home on Saturday against Garrettsville Garfield.
