Fallsnewspress.com - Sloppy Bulldog boys smashed by Ravens, Jackets

RPC Photo / Andrea Galucci Woodridge senior Anthony Kelly battles for a rebound with East Canton’s Sam Elsesser during the Bulldogs’ 85-45 loss Jan. 29.

by Steve Batko

Correspondent

It was a rough two-game stretch for Dave Krusinski and his Woodridge boys basketball team. The numbers don't lie.

In all, the Bulldogs committed 52 turnovers combined in lopsided losses to visiting Ravenna (69-43) and at East Canton (85-45) on Jan. 30 and Jan. 29, respectively.

As of press time, Woodridge fell to 5-7 overall and is 5-4 in the Portage Trail Conference County Division.

"We're just going through a rough stretch," said Krusinski.

Besides turnovers, Woodridge is also struggling with its shooting and on the boards.

"This team is just having way too many turnovers and we are making a lot of poor decisions," said Krusinski.

Woodridge had 22 turnovers against Ravenna and a whopping 30 against PTC County leader East Canton (14-0, 10-0), Ohio's third-ranked Division III team.

Ravenna's Stephen Wilmington (20 points) converted half of the baskets that the entire Woodridge team had. He was helped by Andy Skilton (16) for the Ravens (9-5) while Anthony Kelly led the Bulldogs with 10 points.

"It's not just our guards, the kids are not getting where they are supposed to be on the court, and in our sets," said Krusinski.

Junior point guard Chris Matthews popped in nine points with three triples while A.J. Graham, Derek Morgan, and Brennan Owens each had five points. Nick Barracato had four, Jared Page and Randy Foster had two points, and Nick Flasco added a free throw.

Flasco has started getting some varsity minutes along with Anthony Mong. Flasco is a 6-2 sophomore forward while Mong is a 6-0 freshman forward.

In the game against powerful East Canton, Woodridge started well. Down seven after a solid first quarter, Woodridge was outscored 44-16 in the next two quarters.

Morgan scored nine points while Kelly and Mathews netted eight. Foster added seven points, and Barracato, had six. Senior Mike Orr was 3-4 at the free throw line while Owens and Mong each had two points.

"Our kids need to continue to work hard and show a little discipline," said Krusinski. "We also need to get five guys on the boards."

Ryan Burfield pumped in 22 for the Hornets while Zell Bradley had 18 and Sam Elseser had 13.

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