In front of a raucous student section, the Rangers revenge tour continued tonight with a hard fought 53-40 win over Normandy, who won the earlier match by 16. With the win, the Rangers, 7-2 in the Cleveland West Conference, remain in a virtual 1st place tie with Buckeye (6-2), who plays tomorrow.

In this quintessential team victory, senior Nathan Bruwer led all scorers with 15 points and hit several 3 pointers at key moments. Guards KaVontah Swain (10 points) and Rory Chanter (9 points) never left the floor and were solid in all phases. Senior LaMar Wilson was outstanding in the paint, scoring 8 of his 10 points in the decisive 4th quarter. Junior Riley Verderber was again a force on the boards, scored 7, and hit a 3 pointer to stop an Invader run. Junior Jackson Comer played well of the bench and chipped in 2 points.

Like the team, the Ranger Student Section brought their A game tonight—a reminder of the magic that happens when the school community comes together for a common purpose. Unlike professional and increasingly college sports, the fans and players are peers in every way, sharing friends, classes, hallways, teachers—everything. The large and talented Lakewood Cheer Squad was full of energy, and as always presented excellent, well-choreographed routines.

It’s so much more fun to win than to lose, but just seeing, and hearing, the chanting, enthusiastic, supportive student section made my day. Win or lose, the Lakewood Rangers are one team from one town, that is in every way-ours. Long Live Lakewood