Lake girls' rally falls short at Hoover, boys score upset over Kenston

The Lake Blue Streaks gave it their best shot, that’s for sure. What’s also certain is they put together a third quarter for the ages.

Unfortunately, North Canton Hoover dominated the fourth period as the Blue Streaks fell five points short in their final Federal League game of the season Feb. 4, suffering a 53-48 loss in a game Lake needed to move into a tie for second place with McKinley.

After a close first period, the host Vikings looked poised to take command with a 14-4 second-quarter run that sent the teams to the locker rooms with Hoover on top, 29-16. Then the Blue Streaks blitzed the Vikings in the third period, outscoring Hoover 23-8 to wrest the momentum away and take a 39-37 lead.

Perhaps it was the fact that Hoover head coach Craig Nettleton was just one win away from his 400th career victory. Perhaps Lake ran out of gas.

Whatever it was, the Vikings charged back with a 16-9 frame to close out the game and earn the victory, which put Hoover at 8-4 in league play alongside McKinley. Lake, meanwhile, slipped to fourth place at 7-5.

Savanna Horning sank four 3-pointers and scored 18 points for Lake (12-9), while Hayden Croyle added 10 points. Hoover (12-6) was led by Zoe McCort’s 18 points.

Two days earlier, Lake stepped out of the Federal League to face Marlington on the road, and Croyle had a performance she would like to repeat, leading the Blue Streaks to a 57-44 win over the Lady Dukes.

Croyle posted a double-double with 32 points and 11 rebounds. The senior guard, who was 12 of 18 from the floor, added three steals and two assists as Lake cruised to a 23-11 first-quarter lead.

For the remaining three quarters, the score was nearly even as the Blue Streaks outscored Marlington 34-33, leaving the Lady Dukes (7-10) unable to overcome the early deficit.

Horning added 10 points, five steals and two assists. Kaitlyn Josef finished with six points, six steals and three assists, and Allie Kerscher chipped in four steals and an assist.

Bailee Pietz hit five 3-pointers and scored 17 points to lead Marlington, while Camryn Catania added 13 points, including three 3s.

Boys basketball

This is why they play the game.

Coming off a 53-49 home loss to Federal League opponent GlenOak on Feb. 3, the Lake Blue Streaks were mired in a seven-game losing streak dating back to Jan. 2.

Chagrin Falls Kenston visited Lake on Feb. 7 with a 17-2 record, a 14-game winning streak and a No. 58 state ranking. What appeared to be a mismatch turned into a 61-47 upset victory for the Blue Streaks over the Bombers, who fell to 17-3. Results were not available for Lake (6-12).