The Lakewood Rangers boys' and girls' basketball teams earned home victories last week in Northern Ohio Conference crossover games at Lakewood High School. December 4th was the Kevin Knab show in Lakewood’s East Gym when the Rangers defeated Cuyahoga Falls 68-43. Knab, a 6-6 center, scored 27 points including 11 of 12 from the foul line and added 11 rebounds and three blocked shots. Knab scored 16 of his points in the first half as Lakewood cruised to a 38-22 halftime lead.

Senior forward Joseph Mastrodonato scored 12 points and had three steals while forward Dan Shannon nailed three 3-pointers. The Rangers improved their record to 3-0 under first-year head coach John Silva going into last Friday’s Valley Division opener at Garfield Heights.

The upcoming week is one of the biggest on the Rangers schedule. Tonight, Lakewood plays host to the Westlake Demons in a non-league game. The Demons are coached by Bob Patton Jr. Patton, Ohio’s Mr. Basketball in 1990 is the son of former Lakewood basketball coach Bob Patton.

Arrive early at Lakewood’s East Gym on Saturday when the Rangers face their cross town rivals the St. Edward Eagles. The Eagles, ranked 11th in the nation, recently defeated defending California state champion Campbell Hill in a nationally televised game on ESPN 2. Lakewood will also travel to Elyria for a divisional showdown with the Pioneers on Friday.

The Rangers girls' basketball team improved their record to 2-2 on December 5 with a 56-42 victory over the Parma Lady Redman. Jamie Wright led the Rangers with 20 points. Wright, a 5-8 junior, was 8-of-8 from the free throw line. Senior Rachel Niemi added 14 for the Rangers including draining her first eight free throws.

The Rangers got off to a quick start against Parma taking an early 9-0 lead, helped by a 3-point field goal by Chelsea Kovach. Lakewood’s stifling defense held the Lady Redman without a field goal for over 13 minutes of the second and third periods while building a 19 point lead. A key to the Rangers defense was the play of freshman Martha Nagbe. Nagbe, a 5-5 guard, had five rebounds, two steals and a pair of blocked shots in the Lakewood win.

Lakewood opened divisional play Saturday at Brush and play their first home divisional game Wednesday against Garfield Heights. The Rangers will also be next Wednesday December 19 taking on the Medina Bees.