RESERVE LIGHTS UP THE NIGHT
BERLIN CENTER OH- A Friday night of boys basketball in the valley saw The Western Reserve Blue Devils (6-9) go to battle with MVAC rival The Waterloo Vikings (2-8).
In a rematch of The December 14th clash. That one saw The Blue Devils come away as the one-point victors over Waterloo that night, leaving The Vikings with revenge on their minds.
Western Reserve left nothing to question, with a hot start that saw The Blue Devils score 25 points, missing just 2 shots in the first quarter!
The hot start was thanks in part to Gabe Platt, who scored 11 in the first quarter alone, with a deadeye from distance.
Luke Simons was keeping Waterloo in the game early on, as he finished with 17 points on the night, his shooting in the first half kept The Vikings in striking distance.
The Football Star in David Altiere was a star on the hardwood as well! Being described by Coach Serensky as “The Blue Devils Dennis Rodman”. A statement that was exemplified no better than on Friday night. With a multitude of phenomenal defensive blocks on the night, paired with pure dominance on the glass.
Joe Serensky Jr. has been a welcome addition back to the team, as he contributed with 15 points of offense, while playing as the team’s point guard a few times during the game.
With balanced scoring, it looked like Reserve was set to run away with this one. Then, with a tribe of Vikings on his back, enter Anthony Podojil.
The Junior Podojil was responsible for 23 points on the night, with a majority of them coming in the fourth quarter, as he was hotter than a blowtorch from distance! Shooting from where the pros do it, Podojil helped bring Waterloo all the way back to within a single possession of Western Reserve.
However, it was Gabe Platt’s shooting that helped seal this one in the fourth. The Senior finished with 19 on the night, one of three Blue Devils to score double digits.
Leading his team in scoring, including nailing down some clutch free throws in the fourth was enough to earn Platt The Player of the Game!
The loss for Waterloo will have them refocus for a cross tier MVAC battle with Garrettsville Garfield on Saturday, January 22nd.
The win for Western Reserve marks their fourth in a row, as they have a big road test on Tuesday, January 25th in a matchup with The Lowellville Rockets.
*Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell
Postgame Interview With Joe Serensky:
Postgame Interview With Gabe Platt:
