Fallsnewspress.com - Sloppy Bulldogs boys cagers stumble down the stretch

by Steve Batko

Correspondent

Turnovers will decimate a basketball team and that is what the Woodridge boys squad has experienced in the final weeks of the regular season.

The Bulldogs, 8-11 overall, have showed some flashes in a busy schedule against some quality foes, but Woodridge can't seem to get over the hump.

Woodridge has committed a whopping 68 turnovers in the last three games. The latest being an ugly 57-42 non-league loss to Independence on Feb. 23.

Independence (7-12) had lost five in a row coming into the game as forced 26 Bulldog turnovers as Woodridge managed just 15 baskets. It was 34-16 at the half as the Dawgs never got untracked.

However, the locals played well in two other back-to-back losses to Norton (18-1) and Streetsboro (13-5) on Feb. 20 and Feb. 19.

For the first time in over a decade, Woodridge returns to Division II action and moved from Elyria (D-III) to a closer Stow Division II district tourney.

In first round action, ninth-seeded Woodridge plays March 1 at 6 p.m. against Warrensville Heights (5-15). The winner plays March 5 (7:30 p.m.) against University School (16-3)

"It was a pretty good draw," said head coach Dave Krusinski. "We just need to cut down on the turnovers and we will be in good shape."

Woodridge has played 15 games against Division III or Division IV schools, while Warrensville Heights is 4-13 against division I schools.

"That is a big difference playing that many Division I schools like Warrensville has, but we have played some quality teams," said Krusinski.

"Most of the other teams at Stow will have played maybe five or six games against division III-IV schools. Weíre on the edge of division III and itís a lot better going to Stow than to Elyria with the long drive."

Junior post Brennan Owens was the only Bulldog to shine against Independence as he had 18 points. Junior Randy Foster had eight.

Guard Chris Mathews added four points while seniors A.J. Graham and Nick Barracato each had two.

Independence was led by the guard trio of Aaron Mathews (16), Greg Zuber (11), and Allen Schroeder (nine).

Woodridge did a good job on 6-5, 205-pound Evan Lentz, who had eight points after averaging 14.0 points and 9.0 rebounds.

On Feb. 20, the host Bulldogs fell 58-54 to Norton (18-1) as the locals had a strong second half comeback paced by a fourth quarter advantage of 21-16.

Senior guard Derek Morgan led with 21 points with five treys while Foster hit for 16 points, including four triples.

In all, the Bulldogs hit 10 three trifectas as Graham (five) also had one.

Owens added six points and eight rebounds while Anthony Kelly had four points and Mathews had two.

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