HERALDS BOUNCE BACK AGAINST ROCKETS
Photo Credit: Kristy Call
Saybrook, OH- The Saint John Heralds (8-7) delivered a well-rounded performance on their home court, defeating the Maplewood Rockets (4-13) by a decisive 67-49 margin in NAC conference play. With contributions from multiple players and a strong defensive showing, the Heralds built an early lead and maintained control throughout the game to secure the win.
The opening quarter was a competitive back-and-forth battle. Maplewood came out aggressive, keeping pace with Saint John’s quick offensive start. Senior Dyln Newsome led the way for the Heralds in the early minutes, attacking the basket and setting the tone with his aggressive drives. Grayson Petros also made his presence felt with timely scoring and solid execution. Despite Maplewood’s efforts, Saint John held a narrow 17-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Heralds tightened their defensive grip and found their rhythm offensively. Maplewood struggled to penetrate Saint John’s defense and was held to just nine points in the period. Meanwhile, the Heralds added 19 points to their total, extending their lead to 36-23 by halftime. Chase Newsome, a sophomore, made several key plays during the quarter, contributing to the team’s strong run.
Coming out of halftime, both teams battled evenly in the third quarter, scoring 15 points apiece. Maplewood’s Nivenski and Kern worked to cut into Saint John’s lead, with Nivenski knocking down key shots to keep the Rockets competitive. Despite their best efforts, the Rockets couldn’t gain significant ground as senior Vin Narducci made crucial plays to help Saint John maintain their advantage.
The fourth quarter saw Saint John maintain composure and finish strong, outscoring Maplewood 16-11 to seal the victory. Freshman Gus Petros and junior Donald Crawford added contributions on both ends of the court, showing the depth and balance of the Heralds’ lineup. Even with Maplewood’s continued effort, Saint John’s consistent scoring and disciplined defense ensured the win.
Nivenski led all scorers for Maplewood with 17 points, followed by Kern with 14. Despite their contributions, the Rockets were unable to keep pace with the Heralds’ efficient attack.
This win marks an important step for Saint John as they continue to build momentum in NAC play. The Heralds will stay at home for their next game on February 4 against the St. Thomas Aquinas Knights. Maplewood, meanwhile, will look to bounce back when they travel to face the Pymatuning Valley Lakers on the same date.
Saint John Player Scoring Summary
- Dyln Newsome: 19 points
- Grayson Petros: 16 points
- Chase Newsome: 13 points
- Vin Narducci: 12 points
- Gus Petros: 4 points
- Donald Crawford: 2 points
- Carlo Fasano: 1 point
Maplewood Player Scoring Summary
- Nivenski: 17 points
- Kern: 14 points
- Webster: 7 points
- Shipman: 6 points
- Clover: 3 points