By A.J. Atkinson | Correspondent
In their final home game of the season, the Coventry Comets recorded their highest point total of the season, defeating the Ravenna Ravens 90-68 in a Portage Trail Conference Metro Division matchup.
The win was veteran Coventry coach Lynn Wess' 300th of his career.
"We were ready to play," Wess said. "We were coming off three tough losses to Norton, Streetsboro and Mogadore -- three really good teams. We had two good days of practice and really focused on Senior Night. I thought the seniors played well and the underclassmen played for (the seniors). This win is to them."
The win improved Coventry to 10-9 overall and 7-5 in the PTC Metro Division, while dropping Ravenna to 10-8 overall and 6-6 in the Metro Division.
With Sunday's tournament selection looming, both coaches realized what an impact the results of this game could make.
"Streetsboro and Norton have the first two seeds, but third is still up for grabs," Wess said. "Third is a great place to be. This is a great win for our program."
For Ravenna, the attitude was not as equally positive.
"This really hurts," Ravenna head coach Phil Starks said after the game. "We had a chance to prove something with this game. We played below our level tonight."
Wess was very pleased with how balanced his team was on offense. Four players scored in double-digits. JJ Morrison led the team with 19 points, Bryce Hargrove followed with 17 points and led the team with 12 rebounds, and Jim Holmgren finished with 15 points.
Wess was very impressed with Hargrove's performance under the basket.
"He's just a freshman, so he's not used to playing this many games," Wess said. "If we can get this from him every game, we're going to be a fun team to watch."
Wess went on to say that if his team continues to share the ball and play as strong defensively as they did against the Ravens, he believes his Comets can make a run and possibly surprise some teams in the postseason.
Starks said the reason Ravenna lost was very simple.
"We didn't come to play," Starks said. "I sensed it in warmups. We just didn't come ready to play. It all started in the first (quarter), defensively. We gave up 20 points. There's not much I can say. We took a step back tonight."
Wess, who is in his 26th season as head coach, did not dwell on the milestone 300th win, continually reverting all the attention back to his players.
"They did a little (party) for me in the locker room, but like I told them, I didn't do anything," Wess said. "I'm not a player. I'm not out on the floor. This game is no different. I'm happy because of how well they played. All the credit goes to them."
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