by Steve Batko
Correspondent
Cuyahoga Falls -- Veteran CVCA boys basketball coach Jay Peters was pleased with his clubís play heading into the Dec. 18 showdown at Canton Timken.
In many seasons in the Principal's Athletic Conference, both present and past, that game decides the PAC champion. Final results werent available at press time.
Peters saw his troops move to 3-0 overall with 54-37 non-league home win over neighboring rival Woodridge (1-1) on Dec. 12. On the night before, CVCA beat Fairless 46-41 in the PAC opener.
The Royals have been playing well, but many of CVCAís players have not played in a big game like the Timken battle.
"It is a big game and we have a lot of inexperience on this team, but I have been very pleased," said Peters.
Man defense continues to pace CVCA as Woodridge was held to just 13 field goals. CVCA forced 21 turnovers and out-rebounded the Bulldogs 34-19.
Senior guard Alex Mosteller poured in 16 points to pace the Royals, but the locals were sparked by the play of junior forward T.J. Heginbotham. He scored 11 points and snagged a career-high 12 rebounds.
"Woodridge was behind the 8-ball with most of its team getting a late start because of playoff football," Peters said.
"I think T.J. (Heginbotham) is doing a nice job rebounding, and he had a nice overall game," noted Peters, who starts three guards with senior Greg Kutchin, junior Drew Peterson, and Mosteller.
Rugged senior forward Xavier Douglass added 12 points and nine boards while Kutchin had nine points. Peterson added four points.
"Xavier is just a workhorse for us -- he does a lot for us under the basket," said the coach.
As CVCA has another tough road trip looming Dec. 22 at Manchester. The Royals host Triway Dec. 29.
The Royals will look to convert more shots at the free throw line. CVCA is shooting just 56-percent at the stripe in the last two games.
"We have some big games coming up and that will be key for this inexperienced group," Peters said. "Those are probably the best three teams in the PAC and we have them in the next three games."
Kutchin sank two free throws in the final minute to ice the PAC opener. He finished with 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, two 3-pointers, and two steals against Fairless.
Led by its defense and rebounding, the Royals led 23-14 at the half, but scrappy Fairless fought back to close the game to 29-24 heading into the fourth period. Douglas muscled for nine points and seven rebounds.
Fairless only had two conventional baskets in the entire game. The Falcons hit nine triples and CVCA had six by four different players. Fairless was 10-20 at the free throw line while the Royals were 10-17.
"Our defense continues to be pretty decent and we always like to make the opponent play to our pace," said Peters. "We're starting to play with more confidence and we always talk to the guards about working not to turn the ball over."
Brian Merrill helped Fairless fight back with as he had a strong outing of 16 points, four rebounds, and three steals. He buried five 3-pointers in the loss as Dennis (12 points) had four.
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