Playing in front of a sold out crowd in Roncalli’s gym, the atmosphere was there from the start. Mid-way through the JV game, doors were closed and no one else was allowed to enter the school. This game had a post-season feel from the beginning.

With that support from a home crowd, Roncalli came out firing. Youngstown State signee Ryan Weber opened with 7 first quarter points as Trevon Bluiett and Yogi Ferrell both picked up two fouls. Those fouls, however, did not stop Ferrell from also posting nine first quarter points as well. Park Tudor had a 13-12 lead after one.

In the second quarter, the Rebels started to pull away, and expanded their lead to 10 at 25-15 before Park Tudor narrowed it to four before halftime.

The third quarter was back and forth with a lot of scoring. Roncalli senior Colin Hawk dropped in a three and Park Tudor started getting hot from three as well. In all, Park Tudor finished with seven three-point field goals on the night and Roncalli finished with nine.

Entering the fourth quarter, it was still anyone’s game. Holding just a three point lead going in, Roncalli quickly gave that up and it was tied at 36. Ryan Weber took over for the Rebels offensively from there. Knocking down two three-pointers, he was able to create some separation from Park Tudor.

However, another two quick turnovers right in a row allowed Park Tudor to get into it again. On the break after a steal, Ferrell threw a bounce pass across the lane to Bluiett who finished it from there. Now, 2:30 to go, the Panthers held a one point lead.

After a long offensive possession for Roncalli, David Heckman grabbed an offensive board in which he finished and added a free-throw. Those three points put Roncalliahead 52-50.

Brendan Tannenbaum got an open look on the Panthers’ ensuing possession but wasn’t able to hit, which sent Riley Miller to the line from Roncalli.

He missed the front end of the one and one, and Ferrell again showed off his clutch shot-making ability by banking in a three from the top of the key. So, again, Park Tudor held a one point lead, but this time with just 11 seconds remaining.

Hoping for any type of open look, Roncalli’s senior Brad Fey dribbled the ball down the floor before kicking it to Weber on a tipped pass. Weber was never able to be fully under control of the ball, and the shot went off to the left.

However, junior Michael Clements, who was only played in spot situations last season, grabbed the offensive rebound and laid it in as time expired. Putting them in the lead, there was no time left for Park Tudor to do anything.

Roncalli was able to come away with a one point victory due to their efficient style of play. There was never a point where Ferrell and Park Tudor were able to get into a flow running up and down the court. So, the Panthers, who scored over 60 in all of their three previous games including 82 in one, were held to just 53. One point less than Roncalli.

Park Tudor- Ferrell- 24 points 5 assists, Bayt 10 points 2 3pt FG, Tannenbaum 9 points 3 three-point FG, Spears 8 points, Bluiett 2 points

Roncalli- Weber 13 points, Heckman 12 points 10 rebounds, Hawk 9 points 3 three-point FG, Prather 9 points 3 three-point FG, Clements 8 points, Toner 3 points

Park Tudor- 13 8 12 20 -- 53

Roncalli- 12 13 11 18 -- 54