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BY CY PETERS
Paul Kamikawa, 1000th game didn’t go so well. His Rockwood Tigers
came to Stoney Creek, taking on the Unaka Rangers, but left with a 65-48
loss.

“You can’t turn the ball over 17 times in the first half and expect to win,”
said Kamikawa.

The Rangers jumped out to a 13-5 first-quarter lead behind the
the shooting off the bench.

Jonathan Campbell came in and hit a three, Gavin Seigfried scored four points,
and freshman Marcus Shomaker tossed in a bucket.

In the second, the Rangers defense went to work, while Will Sexton and Devin
Ramsey took the ball to the hole.

Sexton tossed in eight in the quarter and Ramsey seven. Unaka would score
24 points while holding the Tigers to only one basket.

Rockwood hit 8 of 14 free throws in the quarter, but the Rangers had built a
37-15 lead.

At the start of the third, Unaka reeled off three straight treys as Joe-z Blamo,
Joseph Slagle and Ramey nailed the long balls on turnovers to move the Rangers
out to a 29-point lead.

Coach Aaron Dugger would play several younger B-teamers allowing Rockwood
to score 24 points in the third, but the Rangers still led 54-39 at the end of three.

Jaiden Hannibals 16-point second half brought the Tigers back within 12, but
that was a close as they could get, with Unaka winning 65-48.

Hannibal led the Tigers with 21 points.

Will Sexton was the leading scorer for Unaka with 16, while Devin Ramsey followed
with 12.

“We got off to a good start,” said Coach Dugger. “We had a lot of players contribute
and play well and play together.

“We have to try and build on this and continue to get better.”

The Rangers also won the B-game 46-33.

Jonathan Campbell scored 23 points for the Rangers, Marcus Shomaker tossed in 11.
—
Unaka 13 24 17 11 -65
Rockwood 5 10 24 9 -48
Unaka: Sexton 16, Ramsey 12, Slagle 7, Blamo 5, Ryan Sexton 2, Seigfried
4, Campbell 7, Landon Ramsey 6, Shomaker 6.
Rockwood: Hannibal 21, Turner 8, Worthy 3, Reano 8, Tilly 3, Kelly 5.