The Ravenna Ravens boys’ basketball team’s wait for another victory may take longer than expected. Ravenna’s skid reached 11 games when they were dominated 80-34 against Metro Athletic Conference rival Norton last Friday night at the James L. Coll Gymnasium.
“We are struggling to finish games, win games and be competitive,” said Coach Marlon Jones. “Norton ended up winning the league this year and are a well-coached group of kids and players and it is always tough when you play teams like Norton and Woodridge. They brought their best as they should and as they do every game.”
Despite defeating Norton once en route to their first MAC banner last year, the Ravens (4-18, 2-12) have struggled to beat the Panthers since joining the MAC, having now lost seven of eight games in the last four seasons.
On Friday night, despite trading baskets in the first period, Norton went on a big run and took a commanding 27-11 advantage at the end of the period.
According to the four-year coach, once Ravenna suffered defensive lapses, things got out of control quickly.
“We told them you guys have to play defense and take better shot selections, stay on your feet and rotate and if not, it will be a long night,” he added. “Norton was able to get four open good looks with 3-pointers that they made, and when they are knocking down shots like that, you can throw the ball in the ocean, and it is going to go in.”
Despite senior guard Dylan Carrozzi scoring eight points in the opening period, only one other Raven player scored while six different Norton players scored. Senior guard Luke Dobbins ignited the Panthers by tallying 10 points to push his team out to a big lead.
“He has been doing that all year,” said Jones. “He is their best player, and they move everything for him. He is just their guy for them.”
Ravenna’s woes continued in the second quarter, only making three field goals while the Panthers continued humming, outscoring the Ravens by a 21-6 margin to take a 48-17 lead into the half.
Jones said that for as well Norton played defensively, the Ravens also contributed to their demise by not making shots.
“We actually ended up with five turnovers in that second quarter so we took care of the ball but when shots are not falling and the opposing team you are playing makes every shot that they take, it makes a world of a difference,” Jones noted.
Holding a 30-point advantage at the beginning of the second half, the running clock was triggered, and Norton dispatched the Ravens by limiting them to only 17 points in the second half to sweep the season series and send Ravenna spiraling to its 11th straight loss, marking the longest losing streak the program has experienced since Jones became head coach.
According to Jones, Ravenna’s youth played more of a role than anticipated and helped contribute to a challenging season.
“We just lack the varsity experience, and it makes it tough,” acknowledged Jones. “When you are not winning games, it obviously takes a toll on our kids and the program itself. People want to see you do this and that but when you are winning you do not hear about any of that stuff or the negativity that is going on.”
Jones said that although it was disappointing for Ravenna to drop to the bottom of the conference after winning the league title last year, he has confidence that his players will learn from this experience.
“We tell the kids that before you can be successful you have to understand what it is like to fail and I believe they definitely understand and they don’t want that to happen again next year,” he said.
Despite the Ravens’ struggles this season, Jones said that several players emerged and showed some growth which leads him and his staff to believe they can spark a resurgence for the 2024-25 campaign.
“I feel we have a very good opportunity next year to go on a nice run and make some noise in the league again just like we did last year with the group of kids that we have coming back and having that experience,” Jones said.
First, Ravenna will prepare for the playoffs and attempt to end its losing streak when it faces Shaw High School in the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division II Northeast 4 sectional semifinal in Cleveland on Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.
