Losing Not an Option, Black Tigers Win Five Straight

You can’t keep a good team down.

Against improbable odds, the (7-7, 2-3) have risen up, won five straight and quieted many of the critics. Not bad for a Tuesday night on their home court.  

That being said, the 55-50 win over the Barberton Magics (9-5) was no easy feat. The Magics maintained a narrow lead through much of the first half with a tough defense that forced the Black Tigers to shoot and miss several outside jump shots.

Barberton led 24-23 at the half, and Cuyahoga Falls head coach Rob Slone needed a new game plan.

“We had zero free throws in the first half,” he said. “We settled for jumpers. In the second half, we adjusted, attacked on offense and were able to score points and draw fouls.”

The second half belonged to the Black Tigers. The team pulled away in the third quarter and never gave up the lead. When the Magics tried to up the tempo, the Tigers would rebound, run down the game clock and eventually strike.

The strategy worked and Barberton never got back in sync.

“We’re learning to play with the lead,” said Slone. “We’re holding onto games and winning them, which is the key for this group.”

Tuesday’s win marks the fourth time in the last five games that Cuyahoga Falls has beaten a team with a winning record.

Norton was 8-3, Brush was 9-0, North Royalton was 8-3 and Barberton was 9-4 before the Black Tigers sunk their teeth in.  

Cuyahoga Falls has a week off and will play their next game in Stow on Tuesday, Feb. 7.

Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m. at Stow-Munroe Falls High School.