by Cam Mazurik
PARMA, OHIO– Tuesday’s conference matchup was a tough fought game between two rival teams, the 0-3 Normandy Invaders versus the 3-1 Parma Redmen.
Normandy’s junior forward, Milan Markovic (#15) scored a team high 30 points, with help from teammates, Aaron LaCroix (#13) with seven and Stefan Stanic (#21) with six. The Invaders started the game slow scoring just seven points in the first quarter, but quickly picked up the pace with 15 in the second quarter and 20 in the third quarter.
Parma was led by freshman standout, Makail Cottingham (#15) who led his team with 26 points. Fellow freshman guard, Allan Eason (#2) only had five points, but came up clutch with key assists and key steals throughout the game. Junior guard, Kevin Ivanic (#5) helped the Redmen off the bench with 12 points, 3 important threes and a few crucial free throws down the stretch.
Both teams came out of the gate very aggressive, forcing turnovers from the get-go. Markovic was the first to get points on the board with a right hand layup. Parma’s guard, Jared Evans (#4) was quick to answer back with a lay in of his own with 5:27 left in the first quarter. Markovic was able to get a twelve-foot bank shot to go in, a lay-in and one free throw.
The Redmen fought back with Cottingham making a right-hand layup and three-pointer. Tough, physical defense from both teams made it difficult to get points on the scoreboard, with the score being 7-8, Parma at the end of the first.
The second quarter started off with a quick drive by Cottingham, getting fouled and swishing both free throws. However, the Redmen were still not able to slow down Markovic, who missed his jumper, but got his own rebound along with the layup. With the hot hand, the Invaders went back to Markovic on the next possession, thus making the right side layup, also converting on the free throw.
This swing in momentum help the Invaders gain the lead back, 12-11. Normandy was far from slowing down on the offensive side with a major three-pointer from freshman forward, Stefan Stanic (#21). Followed by a lay in by LaCroix, making it a five-point ball game. However, Parma answered back with a three from Ivancic, one of his three in the game. The Invaders headed into halftime with the lead, 22-19.
The Invaders took over the third quarter right where they left off, with two easy layups for Markovic. Cottingham responded with a lay in off his own. Nonetheless, Markovic was able to sink a three-pointer and a right hand layup, to give himself 21 points.
The Redmen fought back the deficit, with a three from both Eason and Ivancic, followed by a steal and layup from Eason. LaCroix replied to the opponents run with a jumper and a vital rebound with the layup. The Invaders enjoyed a commanding lead entering the fourth quarter, 42-35.
Parma’s defensive intensity picked up the pace with a early forced turnover, but it was spoiled by a turnover of their own. Markovic, was able to stay dominate in the fourth with a right layup, but Cottingham was able to knock down the crucial three to bring his team within seven. However, the effort was little too late with a layup from Normandy guard, Kevin Kitko (#12) and clutch free throws down the stretch coming from Markovic, Anthony Salvatore (#10), and LaCroix, to ice the game and give the Invaders, their first win on the season.
After the game Normandy head coach, Tim Schmotzer focused on his team’s toughness through the first three losses against tough teams.
“If we can clean up our turnovers we have chance to be a good team,” Schmotzer said. “I love the resilience from my team, being 0-3, coming out against a 3-0 team confident.”
He included the importance of winning in a conference game as well.
“Nobody wants to start the conference 0-2, it was big game for us especially playing at home. It also was a nice rival game, those guys do a wonderful job over there… what I like about being here at Normandy is the true backyard rivalry, you know people come out no matter the record, its just a lot of fun.”
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