The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
RJ Sunahara: Don’t take him for granted
Bay senior dazzles crowd while leading Bay to win over Westlake
Since his arrival to Bay, RJ Sunahara has dominated the high school landscape. His eyepopping numbers have become the norm around Bay Village. It’s nights like these that some may even become numb to his brilliance.
The senior’s talents were on display once again, propelling the Rockets (3-3) past host Westlake, 70-53, in a nonconference matchup on Dec. 22.
Sunahara, a verbal commit to Fairmont State, stuffed the stat sheet, helping Bay to stay one step ahead with his overwhelming power on display. Whether it was a crushing block to help the Rockets preserve their lead, a textbook post-move that seemed nearly unstoppable at times, or an unforgettable alley-oop slam, Sunahara did it all.
He amassed 30 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and one steal, while going 7 of 8 from the free throw line.
Bay coach Jared Shetzer continues to be amazed by Sunahara’s production, but most importantly his drive and desire.
“When it comes to RJ, he just works really, really hard. There is not a lot of time spent doing other things. He just works on his game,” Shetzer said. “We made the comment at halftime that he just works so hard. He is drenched in sweat after the first quarter and it’s the same way to the fourth.
“You know, his stats are incredible. I’m not numb to it at all, because it is incredible. I think when you become numb to those types of things, you start to take things for granted, and we don’t want to do that.”
As he always has, Sunahara quickly credited his teammates for his stellar play.
“Yeah, we played well as a team,” Sunahara said. “We emphasized coming out with energy. The first half didn’t go the way we wanted to, so we wanted to come out in the second half with a lot of energy.”
Though the Rockets looked sluggish at times, they bolted out of the gate to a 15-3 lead behind a flurry of 3-pointers from Erik Painter. The junior had a smooth stroke all game, finishing with 19 points, while snagging three rebounds.
Shetzer continues to see Painter evolving at the point guard position.
“He played really well at the beginning of the game because he gave it up,” Shetzer said. “He gave it up and then he got it back, and got shots that weren’t contested. They were open shots. The more he can progress offensively getting other guys involved as a point guard, he is going to get more looks.”
After Bay took a 15-3 lead, Westlake’s Anthony Rego put the team on his back with three first quarter blocks and a pair of layups. The junior’s resilience is something Westlake fans have grown accustomed too. After the run, the Demons (2-5) cut the lead to 18-12 at the end of the first quarter.
Demons coach Shawn Hood was not surprised
that Rego stepped up when his team’s back was against the wall.
“Yeah, he is good. He is our best offensive player,” Hood said. “It doesn’t surprise me when he scores points. He puts the time in. I want him to play a little better defense, and he is trying.”
Rego finished with 21 points and five blocks on the evening.
Westlake hung tough in the second quarter, not allowing the Rockets to pull away. While Sunahara was dominating the paint, the Demons were scrapping and clawing on the other end, with hard fought possessions.
Hood felt his team’s fight was indicative of who they are trying to become.
“To come back is good,” Hood said. “We’re a team that is transitioning into who we are. For the first half we were able to be who we are, and that is why we were able to come back.”
Neil McGrogan chipped in 12 points for the Demons.
Bay took a 31-27 lead into halftime.
With the game tight, Sunahara took over the third quarter. He controlled the flow as the Rockets looked to push the tempo off turnovers. With Bay starting to pull away, Sunahara sent the crowd into a frenzy. The senior knocked in four quick points, followed by a thunderous alley-oop in which he methodically trailed Painter down the center of the floor. Painter threw it up off the back board and RJ hammered it home.
“Yeah, great pass by Erik,” Sunahara said. “I don’t even know what to say. It was just crazy, just crazy.”
As the third quarter continued to play out, Bay turned on the afterburners, leaving Westlake far behind.
“I thought the big turning point for us was in the third quarter,” Shetzer said. “You know, defensively we were able to get out and get deflections and get some pressure on them and make them throw the ball around. When we did that, we forced those turnovers, it led to easy offense, and the rest is history.”