The Berkshire Badgers boys’ basketball team has found themselves in plenty of high-pressure games this season but enjoyed a welcome change of pace as they defeated Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division foe Rootstown 69-44 to sweep the season series last Friday evening in Burton.
“I always talk about practice,” said Coach Joe Montanero. “You can tell that they practice hard. We are playing a good tempo right now that we want to be at, and our defensive pressure gives a lot of people problems.”
Although the CVC Valley Division banner is no longer in play for Berkshire, the Badgers still have plenty to play for as they seek to end the regular season rolling into the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division V playoffs.
According to senior guard Billy Verbic, gaining momentum on the eve of the postseason will be sweet redemption for Berkshire.
“It means a lot,” he added. “Last year we were not strong and experienced as we are now, but we figured a lot of things out and we are trying to make it far in the playoffs. That is our main goal to be honest.”
On Friday, the Badgers seized control with one of their most explosive first periods of the season, outscoring Rootstown 17-6.
Berkshire’s fast start was keyed by an aggressive man-to-man defensive strategy, which instantly yielded results as it forced nine Rovers’ turnovers in the opening quarter to take a commanding lead.
According to the third-year coach, it was a welcome sight to see his squad shake their first quarter woes and dictate the pace from the start.
“That is something that we have been working on and talked about,” Montanero noted. “We turned it up a little bit and are doing a little bit of different things in the full court to give people problems and we are getting comfortable playing against the press.”
The Badgers’ quick start carried over into the second period, as they went on an 11-3 run to increase their advantage to 28-10.
Although Rootstown did a better job of maintaining possession, the Badgers still pushed the pace, speeding the Rovers up and forcing them into making quicker decisions, which played right into Berkshire’s hands.
“It is our press mostly,” noted Miller-Gabbord. “When we are on the ball, we tend to turn it over.”
Berkshire was fueled by Verbic and sophomore forward Colton Miller-Gabbord, who combined to score 12 of Berkshire’s 14 points in the second period, pushing their lead to 31-16 into the half.
Although Rootstown enjoyed its highest scoring output in the third quarter by scoring 15 points, the Badgers never allowed the Rovers to mount a big rally, as Miller-Gabbord was a steadying force on offense, scoring timely baskets to record six points, sparking Berkshire to outscore its league foe 18-15, and increasing its lead to 18 points.
Although the Rovers attempted to slow Berkshire down in the halfcourt with a zone defense, the Badgers relied on their experience to make quick passes to the open man, breaking Rootstown’s zone to maintain its large lead.
“They are all seniors,” said Montanero. “That is what you get and that is a great thing about having all seniors out there on the floor. Realistically, six of the top seven we are playing are seniors. That all started in the summertime, they have played a lot of basketball together, so they totally understand the system.”
Verbic commanded the final frame, scoring nine points to keep Berkshire in control and finished the game with 22 points and two rebounds.
“It mostly comes from being calm under pressure,” Verbic said. “If you are going balls to the walls, it is going to force you to make some small decision that we do not need. I am pretty clam under pressure and have been under pressure a lot of the time from my previous years.”
Ultimately, Berkshire’s high-pressure defensive resulted in forcing the Rovers into committing 20 turnovers in the game.
As far as Montanero is concerned, although the Badgers’ four league losses have been by a small margin, it has sharpened the team’s resolve.
“One thing about that is that we have gained a lot of confidence through that,” he said. “They have learned we have to study film a little bit more and we have to practice a little bit harder and that is why things have come together.”
Following a crossover road league duel against CVC rival Madison on Tuesday, the Badgers will welcome CVC Valley Division rival Crestwood to Burton on Friday evening at 6:45 p.m.
