Rangers Run Down by Mustangs

Senior Night for the boys basketball team wasn't kind to the Rangers.

The squad dropped a 72-45 decision to visiting Strongsville — despite 18 points from sophomore Pete Nelson and horrific free throw shooting by the Mustangs.

"We can't seem to put together back-to-back games," said Lakewood coach Phil Argento, whose team takes the floor on Saturday afternoon at Bay with a 3-14 record. That game is a make up from a Feb. 1 cancellation.

Starting seniors Chris Bielopetrovich, Mike Gonzalez and Dan Mazzeo in their final home game, the Rangers fell behind 10-0 at the start and never fully recovered. Strongsville got a combined 57 points from seniors Gurjeet Gill, Ray Hamilton and Aaron White in the win.

The Mustangs were able to overcome a 15-for-34 night at the foul line including 5-for-18 in the first half. The 6-foot, 6-inch Hamilton had the most difficult experience from the free throw line among the Mustangs, going 3-for-15 on the way to scoring 19 points, mostly on put-backs and layups.

"We don't match up against Strongsville," admitted Argento. "They have a very good shooting guard, and go 6-9 and 6-6 inside. You don't get any shorter during the game. But our guys get worn down," explained Argento, whose team doesn't have anyone go taller than 6-2.

The Mustangs, 7-2 in the Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division and 14-5 overall, pushed the lead to 30-11 before the Rangers put together an 11-2 run late in the second quarter behind a trio of baskets from junior Conor Mabry and a 3-pointer from Nelson to trail 32-22 at the intermission.

, which has lost six straight after defeating Valley Forge on Jan. 25, also got 11 points from Mabry with nine coming before the intermission.

The Rangers conclude the regular season on the road with a Wednesday game at Westlake and a Friday game at Medina. The tournament finds the Rangers open Feb. 28 against Copley in the Division I Brecksville District.