Kenston races past US in sectional semifinal

When defense creates offense, success follows.

Kenston’s defenders forced turnovers, ran in transition and built an early double-digit lead in a 73-65 win against University in a Solon District sectional semifinal on Feb. 28.

Michael Swartz led four Kenston players in doublefigures with 15 points.

“I think our defense kind of sparks everything,” Swartz said. “Once we play defense, the offense just starts flowing, passes are there, shots are there. We get rebounds and everything just kind of goes the way we like it to go.”

Kee-Shaun Merrill added 11 for the Bombers. Senior forwards Ryan Kooser and Ben Batista finished with 10 points apiece.

Regular-season tuneups against high-caliber teams like St. Ignatius and Benedictine reinforced one of Kenston coach Matt Vespa’s philosophies. Regardless of circumstance, the Bombers must remain consistent in their approach — especially on defense.

“We talk about pounding the rock,” Vespa said. “You just keep doing the same thing over and over and over again. Sooner or later that rock breaks, it might not be the first time, it might be the hundredth.”

The rock broke early on Feb. 28. After the teams were tied, 9-9, halfway through the first quarter, Kenston used an 11-0 run to open a 20-9 lead after eight minutes. The Bombers’ edge ballooned to 25, 45-20, at halftime.

Kenston’s lead peaked at 29, 64-35, headed to the final quarter.

The Bombers feature lethal 3-point shooters like Swartz and Kooser on the perimeter, but created most of their half-court offense with drives to the basket.

“When we get by people, we always know we can kick,” Swartz said. “A lot of teams like to trap us and close the middle a lot. When we can get into the middle, everyone’s open outside and we have shooters who can knock down shots for us.”

Vespa and University coach Sean McDonnell emptied their benches early in the fourth quarter. The Preppers proceeded to outscore Kenston, 30-9, in the period and cut their final margin of defeat to singledigits.

No. 7 Kenston advances to play No. 2-seed Cleveland Central Catholic in a sectional final on March 3.

“They’re going to pressure us,” Vespa said. “They’re going to try to impose their will. We need to handle that and play our game. Just keep pounding that rock, doing the same thing over and over again. That’s going to give us a shot at the end.”

Sophomore O’mahn Dobbins led all scorers with 16 points and Kelly added 14 for the Preppers.

The Preppers were without junior Grant Pawlikowsky, the team’s leading 3-point shooter, who was unable to travel with the team due to a tailbone injury.

McDonnell is confident headed into the offseason about University’s future. The Preppers flashed potential in a win against an 18-win Mayfield team this season.

Kelly, second-leading scorer Dobbins and Pawlikowsky all figure to return to next year’s team alongside freshman Ricky Radtke and junior Jack Voudouris among players who logged significant minutes this season. Kelly scored all of his points in the second half, an effot that encouraged McDonnell.

“He is such a competitor,” McDonnell said. “I thought his will certainly just made it where, if anybody else was going to get on that court, they’d better do their best to sort of match his will and his gumption.”