Mentor coach Bob Krizancic talked about getting 96 solid minutes from his team in its three big matchups this week. The Cardinals provided the first 32 in a win over Shaker Heights Jan. 30.
Mentor’s momentum continued in the first half against visiting Solon on Feb. 2. But the Comets used a 29-point third quarter to take control of the game and remain undefeated with a 71-65 win at Mentor.
Against No. 2-ranked Solon, the Cardinals controlled the first 16 minutes and took a 30-27 lead into the half.
The Comets came out in a blaze in the third quarter. The Comets forced six Cardinals turnovers and knocked down six 3-pointers on its way to a 29-point stanza. Solon turned the game around and took a 56-44 lead into the fourth frame.
Although Mentor chipped away at its double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter, it couldn’t get close enough to catch the Comets.
Solon snapped Mentor’s five-game winning streak.
“You got to win four (quarters),” Krizancic said. “We talked about it going into Shaker, that you gotta play 32 minutes. You definitely have to play 32 minutes against a team like Solon. You have to do all the little things. There’s a decent chance we’ll play them again, and I’d like to have that opportunity. They’re a really good team and I think we’re getting better.”
Mentor (10-5, 5-5 GCC) led all the way through the first half. Luke Floriea had three steals and five rebounds, and Shane Zalba had a big second quarter, pouring in 11 points. Meanwhile, the Cardinals held the Comets to 9 of 26 shooting from the field, including 2 of 15 outside the 3-point arc.
Mentor led, 28-19, late in the second quarter, but two triples by Solon’s Sincere Carry narrowed the gap.
“We took care of the ball and we made them earn everything,” Krizancic said. “I don’t think they got many second shots. I thought our defensive transition was really good, and I thought we got great shot selection, even with missing a bunch of layups. When you’re playing Solon, no lead is safe, and you’ve got to play every single possession.”
Tadas Tatarunas scored to start the third quarter and give Mentor a 32-27 lead, but the Comets responded with a 20-4 run, fueled by steals in the Mentor backcourt, a slew of offensive rebounds and the hot shooting of Trent Williams, who drilled four 3s in the frame, two coming immediately after steals. Just like that, the Cardinals found themselves down, 47-36, and trailed by 12 going into the fourth quarter.
Although Mentor continued to battle and outscored Solon in the fourth to win three of the four quarters, it could only manage to cut its final deficit in half. Carry showed why he is one the state’s best players, scoring a game-high 26 points for Solon (15-0, 9-0 GCC), which included sinking 13 of 14 from the free-throw line, dishing out 8 assists and grabbing 7 rebounds.
“I thought in the first half we played a little quick, and played a lot of individual one-on-one, trying to get our own shots, and that’s not something we’ve typically done,” Solon coach Tony DeCesare said. “I think the guys were really excited for this game. It’s become a pretty good rivalry between the two of us, there was a big crowd, and sometimes guys get away from what’s made them successful.
“I think we were fortunate that we defended at a high enough level to keep us in the game, because if we didn’t, Mentor could have easily gotten 45 points in the first half. Once we were able to get those extra possessions, get some rebounds, and at the beginning of the third quarter get some turnovers with our press, were able to get some open shots and our guys did a really good job of making those.”
Williams added 20 points for the Comets, who also got 11 from David Marbury. Solon connected on 21 of 53 shots from the field, and 18 of 27 free throws. The Comets held a 31-29 rebounding edge.
The loss put a damper on an outstanding offensive performance by Zalba, who nearly matched Carry with 25 points. The senior guard showed off an array of nice moves to get to the basket, hit three 3s and knocked down all four of his free-throw attempts. Tatarunas added 15 points and Matt Koski chipped in 10.
Mentor will have to shake off the loss quickly, as VASJ will pay a visit on Feb. 3. Brunswick, Cornerstone Christian, and Euclid loom in the following week.
As the regular season ramps up toward the postseason, the Cardinals look to continue getting better and go into the tournament in peak form.
“Shane (Zalba) is shooting the ball much better, and he definitely gets to the hole,” Krizancic said. “Hopefully he continues to do that, and we get other guys to score. Our best (scenario) is going to be when we have three or four guys in double digits every night. I like what we’ve done defensively, even tonight, other than the turnovers and the boards, against a team that reminds me of our 2010 team that went to state, with the five guards, and everybody shoots the basketball, that’s really tough to defend. But like I said, hopefully we’ll get another chance to play them.”