MANSFIELD — The Mansfield Senior boys basketball team broke to a quick start this weekend.
Coach Marquis Sykes unleashed a high-scoring offense on New Philadelphia on Friday night and Sandusky on Saturday night to record a pair of victoriess.
The Tygers tamed the Quakers 62-57 in the season-opening road win, then finished the back-to-back with an impressive, 84-77 victory against always-tough Sandusky on Saturday night.
At New Philadelphia, Kyevi Roane led the way with 20 points. Rashad Reed added 15, and freshman Kaylen Brooks chipped in 10.
The Tygers took a 13-9 first-quarter lead in the seesaw affair, but trailed 27-24 at intermission. Senior High responded to move in front 45-44 heading to the final eight minutes, before outscoring the hosts 17-13 in the fourth period.
Against the Blue Streaks, Roane dominated both backboards. Mansfield Senior’s three-year letterwinner poured in a game-high 25 points and grabbed a whopping 19 rebounds.
Brooks drained five triples for 24 points and chipped in five rebounds. Reed netted 23 points and six rebounds.
The Tygers led throughout, but had to hold off a furious Sandusky rally to pocket this one. Mansfield Senior opened a 23-20 first-quarter lead and steadily expanded it to 41-32 at halftime, and owned a 62-52 margin after three periods.
The lead ballooned to 71-54 before the Blue Streaks rallied, but to no avail.
The Tygers will be back in action twice next weekend, too. On Friday night, Sykes’ squad travels to Madison, before hosting Fremont Ross on Saturday night.