WILLARD — It wasn’t the storybook ending for which he had hoped. But Kyevi Roane already cemented his legacy.
Mansfield Senior’s do-it-all senior guard, Roane capped one of the most remarkable careers in program history in Tuesday’s 72-58 loss to Sandusky. He scored six points, grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds and nearly piloted the second-seeded Tygers past the third-ranked Blue Streaks and into the statewide round of 32.
Roane closed his career with 1,198 points, fifth on Senior High’s all-time scoring list.
“Kyevi had a magnificent career. I’m super proud of the kid,” Mansfield Senior coach Marquis Sykes said. “He just plays the game the right way and carries himself the right way.
“Arguably, he’s a top-10 Tyger of all-time.”
It looked like Mansfield Senior (16-6) would extend Roane’s high school career for at least another game. The Tygers led 47-41 going to the fourth quarter, but couldn’t hold off the Blue Streaks (16-7).
Sandusky outscored Senior High 31-11 in the fourth period to win going away.
“We ran out of gas,” Sykes said. “Up to that point we had done a solid job of executing our game plan, which was cut down dribble-penetration and keep them out of the paint.
“They just kind of wore us down. We fought hard and gave it what we had. We just didn’t quite have enough once they got it going.”
Sandusky’s Jason Henlon was a thorn in the side of the Tygers during the fateful fourth quarter. The 6-foot-2 senior scored 10 of his 15 points in the final period and gave the Streaks a 53-51 lead on a conventional three-point play with 4:10 remaining. Sandusky never trailed again.
“The seniors didn’t want our season to be over with,” said Henlon, one of eight seniors on Sandusky’s roster. “We don’t want to be done.”
Amir Aaron led the Streaks with 20 points. Kobe Brown added 12 points and nine rebounds, while Dale Johnson had 10 points.
Freshman Kaylen Brooks led Senior High with 15 points. Andrew Brooks Jr. added 14, while Rashad Reed Jr. had eight. All three will return next year.
“Both Brooks boys … you could kind of see them grow up right before our eyes,” Sykes said. “We’re excited to have those young guys back and certainly excited they got to experience playing in the districts and … playing against one of the best teams in Division III.
“They’ll see where they need to improve so we can finish games like these.”