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Copley clinches girls basketball league title in nightcap of doubleheader, Revere boys win
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- Copley clinches girls basketball league title in nightcap of doubleheader, Revere boys win
COPLEY — Rivals Copley and Revere split a basketball doubleheader Friday night for the second time this season.
Both winning teams left Copley's gymnasium with a memento.
The Revere boys won the opener 67-58 to take home "The Gold Ball," a trophy awarded to the team that wins the second matchup each season.
Revere's Paige Kelley, center, shoots between Copley's Kami Ayoup, left, and Emily Kerekes, right, during the second half Friday in Copley.
The Copley girls were victorious in the nightcap, winning 51-36 to clinch the Suburban League American Conference championship.
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Copley players and coaches celebrated by climbing up a ladder to cut down a portion of a net from a basket after the game.
The results mirrored the results Dec. 15 at Revere, where Copley's girls won 56-37 and Revere's boys won 63-56 .
Copley's Izzy Callaway attempts a 3-pointer against Revere, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.
Izzy Callaway leads Copley to girls basketball league championship
Senior Izzy Callaway led the Copley girls team (17-2, 13-0) in scoring once again with 20 points.
"We are getting the idea of what our coaches are expecting and what our standard of play is," Callaway said. "Sometimes, we are not all locked in at the same time. We have to work on that. Tonight, for example, was not our best night."
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Copley senior Kami Ayoup contributed 16 points, nine rebounds and four steals.
"I am really proud of us," Ayoup said. "We have come along way from the beginning of the season. There are definitely some things we need to tweak here and there, and get more disciplined on defense."
Copley senior Emily Kerekes breaks through her banner during pregame announcement before a game against Revere on Friday in Copley.
Callaway, Ayoup and Emily Kerekes had fun with the win and Senior Night festivities.
"We need to continue to step up and perfect the things that we have been doing," Kerekes said. "When we lock in together and we play together, we are fine."
Copley received all of its scoring from its starters. Sophomore Evelyn McKnight totaled eight points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals; Kerekes had five points and five rebounds; and sophomore Audrey Parker scored two points.
Copley's Evelyn McKnight attempts a layup ahead of Revere's Lauren Tompkins last month.
"We had a slow start tonight, but throughout the game we brought more energy," McKnight said. "We were playing for our seniors because this is their last regular-season home game."
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Copley coach Julie Solis was happy to get the win, but said her team is capable of playing better.
"When we are playing together, we are very, very, very good," Solis said. "When we are playing disciplined, we are very, very, very good. Sometimes we stray away from that a little bit, and that is where we get to how I thought we played tonight. But, overall, their resiliency is great, they play hard and they are tough."
Senior Hailey Janke paced Revere with 11 points, senior Hadley Hajdu scored nine points and sophomore Lauren Tompkins finished with seven points and eight rebounds.
Revere's Uriah Rodeman celebrates after making a 3-pointer against Copley on Friday in Copley.
Uriah Rodeman guides Revere to boys basketball victory
Junior Uriah Rodeman led the Revere boys team (10-6, 5-4) with a career-high 17 points.
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"This is great," Rodeman said. "It is all about trusting my teammates. We are a family, so sticking together is everything."
Rodeman, Revere's sixth man, made four 3-pointers.
"I was getting open looks and was not afraid to take them," Rodeman said. "I trusted myself with my reps that I put in. It really helps to have my coaches believe in me."
Revere's Carson Banks, center, celebrates winning the Gold Ball Trophy with his teammates, including Greg Cochran (32), Conner Groce (11) and Luke Butler (24), after beating host Copley, 67-58, in a high school basketball game, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.
Revere senior Carson Banks totaled 15 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals.
"We are just getting it going," Banks said. "We have been up and down a little bit, but we are thinking about the next game and just keep going, keep pushing and stay positive. ... This was an exciting game."
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Revere's other top scorers were junior Christian Rached (11 points, four rebounds), senior Conner Groce (nine points, three assists) and senior Evan Oravecz (five points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals).
"We trusted each other and we all played together," Rached said.
The win also came on Groce's 18th birthday.
Revere's Conner Groce celebrates as the Minutemen win at Copley, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.
"This is big for the program," Groce said. "We haven't won the Gold Ball in a little while. I feel like we have won a few games against Copley recently, but when it comes to the Gold Ball we have not been as consistent winning it."
Revere coach Dean Rahas was pleased to see all nine players who logged minutes score.
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"With the type of basketball that we play — up-tempo, pressure and moving the ball — our guys need subs and we are really lucky to have guys that we can go and bring off the bench and there is really not a drop off," Rahas said. "Uriah Rodeman came off the bench and played tremendous. He gave us a shot in the arm.
"Guys feed off of each other, and trust and believe in each other. ... Carson Banks was especially good in controlling the game and really being a floor general out there. He played calm and under control."
Copley senior Trent Wininger finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Junior Gabe Mansel scored 16 points and junior Scooby Stanford scored 15 points. Both players had four rebounds and two steals.
Michael Beaven can be reached at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ .
Revere's Carson Banks, left, and Copley's Trent Wininger chase down a loose ball during the first half, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Copley clinches girls basketball league title, Revere boys earn win
