Someone’s losing streak will end tonight in Westfield Township.

Cloverleaf enters its Suburban League home game against Highland with a seven-game skid. Things haven’t been much better for the Hornets, who have dropped five straight, including their last three by a 23.3-point average.

Cloverleaf forward Robby Buckwald is sixth in Medina County and ninth in the Suburban League with a 12.0 scoring average. (GAZETTE PHOTO BY RON SCHWANE)

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out a rivalry win will do wonders for either team’s mental health.

“We’re to the point late in the season where we’re shortening practices and trying to stay alive, excited and enthusiastic,” second-year Highland coach Mike Marcinko said. “They’re still into it and still working hard. I think getting to gameday, getting out of the skid and getting to prove yourself again is definitely on everyone’s minds.”

Much like the Colts, the problem for Highland (6-8, 3-6) has been its offense, which is averaging just 45.4 points during the losing streak. The Hornets have failed to hit 40 twice and have scored just 35 combined points in second quarters, with 14 of them coming against Copley.

It’s not like Highland hasn’t tried to make adjustments. Adam Bialosky was inserted at starting shooting guard in place of Alex Wood and responded with a career-high 19 points at Green. Center Austin Adams has been shooting more perimeter shots, and sets designed for freshman forward Brogan Scott haven’t gone by the wayside.

“We had a good talk and I think everybody is pressing,” Marcinko said. “Austin is shooting the ball better and hopefully that keeps snowballing. We still need more. Brogan hit some shots, but we need more. Hopefully, we’re coming out of it.

“We joked with the guys you can’t look at the rim like it’s a thimble. We’re trying to throw it into a thimble instead of a basket.”

Scoring has been an issue for Cloverleaf (45.9 ppg) as well, but its main problem has been finishing strong. The Colts (1-13, 0-9), who have used seven different starting lineups, have lost seven games by a combined 37 points, and had a chance to stun SL leader Nordonia (a 51-46 loss) using its slow-paced offense to near-perfection.

A rivalry game tonight is just what the doctor ordered for Cloverleaf after posting a season-low 32 points vs. Tallmadge on Tuesday.

“I think it’s exactly what we need,” coach Dan Brown said. “We need a game in front of our home fans against a team that’s somewhat a rivalry to get back on the right track. We had a long talk as a team (Wednesday) about turning the page and finishing the season strong.”

Black River (1-12, 0-11)

It was reported incorrectly that the Pirates’ seven 3-pointers were a season high. Black River had nine last week vs. Lutheran West, giving it 16 over its past two games to nearly double its season total to 33.

• The Pirates are averaging 57.7 points since posting a season-low 27 at Buckeye on Jan. 20.

• Point guard Andrew Vaughn had a career-high nine assists last week at Lutheran West. The sophomore is averaging 4.3 dimes for the season.

Brunswick (12-3, 3-2)

The Blue Devils have clinched their 14th consecutive winning season, but will need to work to keep another streak alive. Brunswick has posted 11 straight seasons of allowing less than 52 points per game. This year’s team sits at 52.4.

• There’s no need to leave Medina County. Four of the Blue Devils’ final five regular-season games are at home. The only road game is Medina on Feb. 14.

• Brunswick’s junior varsity is a county-best 13-2.

Buckeye (6-9, 4-7)

Tuesday’s 80-70 win vs. Clearview was the 500th in school history. The Bucks’ have a 500-688 all-time record since the York and Liverpool township schools consolidated in 1953. Litchfield merged into York a few years earlier.

• The win against the Clippers marked the first time Buckeye hit 80 points since Jan. 30, 1996, vs. Highland (84-68).

• Buckeye has three of the top seven scorers in Medina County in Bill Doerge (4th, 13.1 ppg), Garrett Beck (5th, 13.1) and Ben Checkelsky (7th, 11.7). The Bucks have also tied Brunswick for the team scoring lead at 58.3.

• Sophomore center Jeff Miller hit his first career 3-pointer last week at Brooklyn and followed with 10 points and 10 rebounds vs. Clearview. Buckeye is 4-6 with Miller as its starting center.

Cloverleaf (1-13, 0-9)

Tuesday’s point total in a 53-32 loss to Tallmadge is tied for the second-lowest in school history. The record is 30 against Green on Jan. 7, 2005.

• Sophomore post Tom Wangler scored his first two varsity points vs. Tallmadge.

• Cloverleaf was 7-of-10 from the floor in the first quarter against the Blue Devils and 6-of-27 the rest of the way, according to freelance writer Brad Bournival.

Highland (6-8, 3-6)

Bialosky became just the fifth player in school history to have six or more 3-pointers in a game when he nailed six at Green. Taylor Hauser (Dec. 17, 2010 at Cloverleaf), Brad Reusch (Jan. 27, 1998 at Buckeye) and Jake Brown (Dec. 11, 1998 at Tallmadge) are the only players to nail seven. Making the feat more remarkable, Bialosky entered the game averaging 3.1 points.

Medina (3-11, 1-4)

The Bees will be favored tonight at Normandy. The Invaders (1-11), who average just 44.8 points per game, are led by center Scott Nemet (11.9 ppg).

• Medina has won the rebounding battle in each of its three wins — 33-19 vs. Euclid, 29-19 at Strongsville and 37-33 at Wadsworth. Senior center Mason Schreck has 42 of those boards for a very impressive 14.0 average.

Wadsworth (7-7, 5-4)

The Grizzlies are 5-3 when its bench scores 10 or more points.

• Sophomore power forward Kyle Prunty is averaging 6.2 points in six starts this season.

• Wadsworth’s junior varsity has won five of its last six games.

Contact Albert Grindle at (330) 721-4043 or agrindle@medina-gazette.com.

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