Preview: Rootstown Rovers vs. Alliance Aviators
Rootstown is 8-1 against Alliance since November of 2014, and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Saturday. The Rootstown Rovers will wrap up 2023 with a road trip to face off against the Alliance Aviators at 1:00 p.m. Rootstown will be coming into the match with an undefeated record on the line.
Rootstown scored the most points they've had all season to find success on Saturday. They breezed by South Range at home to the tune of 84-25. Considering Rootstown has won seven matches by more than 20 points this season, Saturday's blowout was nothing new.
Porter Smith was the offensive standout of the contest as she scored 16 points along with five steals. She continues to roll, besting her previous point total in each of the last three games she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Kelsey Bittecuffer, who scored 12 points along with five assists and three steals.
Meanwhile, Alliance took a serious blow against Loudonville on Saturday, falling 75-45. While losing is never fun, Alliance can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Ohio basketball rankings (they are ranked 465th, while Loudonville is ranked 85th).
Rootstown's victory was their seventh straight at home dating back to last season, which pushed their record up to 9-0. As for Alliance, this is the second loss in a row for them and nudges their season record down to 3-8.
Rootstown strolled past Alliance in their previous meeting back in January by a score of 68-53. The rematch might be a little tougher for Rootstown since the team won't have the home-court advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
