The first game of the Justin Rahim era for the Ravenna Ravens boys’ basketball team is off to a good start, as the Ravens were fueled by a dominant second quarter to defeat Newton Falls 65-50 in their season-opener last Wednesday evening at their James L. Coll Gymnasium.
“In the second quarter, it was huge,” said Coach Rahim. “We were able to stretch out the lead a little bit in the second quarter. I was telling them that teams are going to make runs and in the second quarter, we were on that side of the spectrum and we were able to make a run and get some separation and that was good to see.”
It marked the first career coaching victory for Rahim, who begins his first year at the helm, succeeding former Coach Marlon Jones.
According to Rahim, notching his first victory as Ravenna’s coach was a nice milestone to cross off the list. He appreciated how it could set the tone for the squad throughout the rest of the season.
After the Ravens (1-0, 0-0) claimed an 18-15 advantage the first period, they took a commanding lead with an explosive second quarter, outscoring Newton Falls 24-9.
Ravenna was sparked by senior guard Ziare Sanders, who tallied 14 points in the second period enabling the Ravens to take a 42-24 advantage into the half.
According to Rahim, Sanders fueled Ravenna’s offense but also stayed within himself, with all his baskets coming within the flow of the game.
“He was able to get downhill; he was able to see a couple of lay-ups go in and he ended up hitting a couple of shots from beyond the arc. It was all in the flow of the game,” he added. “We did not try to force him the ball or anything, it was just us moving the ball.”
Sanders finished the game with 16 points coming off the bench.
In addition to Sanders’ offensive eruption, Rahim also credited his team for having a strong defensive quarter, surrendering only two made field goals.
Rahim noted that the Ravens successfully demonstrated one of his core principals, which is allowing the defense to spark the offense.
“It was all defense, so I am just preaching to the guys that we have the athleticism, we have the speed, and we have the size,” he said. “If you want to be on the court for varsity for my team, you have to play defense. We are going to have nights where we can’t put the ball in the basket, but it has nothing to do with the other side of the floor, so they are buying into that.”
In the third quarter, Newton Falls chipped away at the Ravens’ lead, cutting the margin to only 10 at one point and won the third period 19-15 but the Ravenna’s defense stiffened in the final frame, allowing only seven points and ultimately held a comfortable double-digit advantage to begin the season at 1-0.
Rahim acknowledged that the Ravens slowed the game down in the fourth quarter and did succumb to some defensive pressure from Newton Falls, but they built a big enough lead to prevent another Newton Falls’ run.
In addition to starting the season with a victory in the season-opener, Rahim said that although he has taken over a program that has a wealth of senior leadership with nine seniors, only two upperclassmen have significant varsity experience as senior guards. C.J. Ross and Sean Jordan are Ravenna’s two most-tenured players.
The last time that the Ravens had a big senior class, they captured the Metro Athletic Conference championship during the 2022-23 season.
Rahim said that he can only hope that history repeats itself. He also noted that while the senior class is not as polished with varsity experience, the overall life experiences combined from the upperclassmen plays into Ravenna’s favor.
“They are young men, they have seen things in life that they can apply to experiences on the basketball court, so I think our experience is good in that regard,” he said. “I think that the biggest motto I am preaching to them coming into this season is brotherhood, which is taking care of your brother, taking care of your family. I am trying to teach them attributes on the court and off the court.”
Following a road game against Metro Athletic Conference rival Norton on Wednesday evening, the Ravens will host MAC foe Woodridge in the James L. Coll Gymnasium on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
