Austintown Fitch Boys Basketball Season Concludes in Sectional Final Loss
The Austintown Fitch boys basketball team’s season has concluded. They faced North Royalton in a Division I sectional final. The Falcons ultimately fell to North Royalton with a final score of 66-58. This game marked the end of their 2025-26 campaign.
The contest took place at North Royalton High School. Austintown Fitch finished their season with an overall record of 13-11. Coach Brian Beany led the team through a competitive schedule.
Early Lead for Fitch
Austintown Fitch started the game strong. They established an early lead against the North Royalton Bears. The Falcons were up 10-4 in the first quarter. However, North Royalton began to rally. They closed the gap as the first period progressed. The score was tight at the end of the first quarter, with Fitch holding a slight advantage.
By halftime, the score was tied. Both teams entered the locker room deadlocked at 30 points apiece. This indicated a closely contested battle. Neither side could gain a significant edge in the initial two quarters.
North Royalton Takes Control in Third Quarter
The third quarter proved to be crucial for North Royalton. The Bears significantly increased their offensive output. They outscored Austintown Fitch 24-11 in this period. This surge allowed North Royalton to build a substantial lead. The Falcons struggled to match their opponent’s intensity. They faced a double-digit deficit entering the final quarter.
North Royalton’s strong performance in the third quarter set the tone. Their momentum carried into the last period. This put Austintown Fitch in a difficult position.
Fitch’s Fourth-Quarter Effort Falls Short
Despite the deficit, Austintown Fitch did not give up. They mounted a comeback attempt in the fourth quarter. The Falcons fought hard to reduce North Royalton’s lead. They managed to outscore the Bears in the final period. However, the third-quarter gap proved too large to overcome. North Royalton maintained their composure. They secured the victory and advanced in the tournament.
Top Performers for Both Teams
Several players delivered notable performances. For Austintown Fitch, senior Allen Hill led the scoring. He finished with 18 points. Junior Marcel Burgress also contributed significantly. Burgress added 16 points for the Falcons. Gianni Maley scored 11 points, providing additional offense. These players were instrumental in Fitch’s efforts throughout the game.
North Royalton also saw strong individual play. Lincoln Devor was their top scorer. He finished the game with an impressive 25 points. Elijah Bulger supported Devor’s performance. Bulger tallied 18 points for the Bears. Their combined scoring power was key to North Royalton’s success.
Looking Ahead for Austintown Fitch
The loss marks the end of a determined season for Austintown Fitch. The team showed resilience throughout their schedule. They will now look to next season. The program will aim to build upon this year’s experiences. Coach Beany and his staff will prepare for future challenges in Ohio high school basketball.
