The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Fairview gains experience in summer league
After losing four of five starters from its 2021-22 district finalist team, Fairview got back to work in the FunGame Locked In High School Summer League.
“Other than the (scrimmages in the preseason), you really find what you are and aren’t as a team in the summer,” said Warriors coach Ryan Barry. “You know what you can get to and know what does and doesn’t work. You can find out the pieces a little bit. … (FunGame Summer League) is a really good foundation of a way to figure out where we are at.”
They played six regular games and a playoff game in the league, falling to the host team Garfield Heights, 67-58, on June 30 to finish with a 4-3 record.
The Warriors kicked things off with a 20-4 run to start the game. But the Bulldogs fought their way back
to cut the lead to 32-25 at halftime. Garfield Heights took the lead and held on in a tight game.
“We got off to a quick
start. I like that we weren’t afraid of our opponent. They obviously have a lot of really good talent (at Garfield Heights),” said Barry. “We were down some guys. We always talk about no excuses and next guy up. I thought (the team) really embraced that. Everyone who was on the floor tonight was ready to go and hit shots.”
Starters J.R. Beato and Nolan Davis did not play for Fairview as juniors Sal Rizzo and Owen McMonagle filled their shoes. Barry thought they filled their roles to contribute.
Losing four starters is a challenge, but Barry gives his players credit for putting in work in the weight room this offseason.
“They are dedicated to the weight room. I don’t know if anyone understands the importance of that. When we are a little undersized height-wise, but we are strong, we can hold our ground to rebound, we can move bodies and defend,” said Barry.
“They are great in the weight room. They have been coming to all of the skills sessions and had a pretty good run in summer competition… We are really happy with our progress (so far).”
Jacob Rehor (20 points), the lone returning starter for Fairview paired nicely with his fellow senior teammate Colin Meany (10 points), who came off the bench last year.
“(Rehor and Meany) have been playing together since they were little. That is one of the benefits of the way Fairview has been over the years,” said Barry. “The success is (because) they played together their whole lives. Instead of jumping ship and trying to go other places, they stay where they are at and believe in Fairview. That helps in the chemistry.”
In typical Fairview fashion, they played the same way the Warriors have always been under Barry, which is fundamental team basketball with sharpshooting on the perimeter.
“That (style of play) is one of coach Barry’s main points. Work as a team, get people open, drive and kick (the basketball),” said Rehor. “All of us have been great shooters since middle school. (That style of play) comes naturally.”
Despite falling in the first round, Fairview thought they have learned and improved from their summer league play.
“We had a pretty good summer, even from the first game to the last we have improved a lot,” said Rehor. “A lot of people weren’t counting on us being that good as we lost four of our five starters from (2021). I think that we surprise a lot of people and are definitely going to be on their radar.”
Colin Lucas finished the game with 10 points for the Warriors.
In 2021-22, Fairview went 18-7 (8-2 in GLC) to finish fourth in the Great Lakes Conference en route to a Division III district final appearance.
They fell to Norwayne in the championship game.