Green Boys’ Basketball: Experienced
Green’s boys’ varsity basketball team hopes to continue their success from last year’s season, starting with a home-opening week against Nordonia and Jackson. Green’s roster this season finds itself lopsided with seniors, amounting to plenty of varsity experience.
Brady Rollyson, ‘24, shifted into a primary scorer in his junior season. Rollyson, an Ohio State University baseball recruit, averaged 15.7 points per game last year. His large frame and resilience under the rim added 7.9 points to his overall points per game, showing his dominance in the paint. Even with all the stress laid on him in his newer role, he feels unbothered.
“I don’t really feel pressured at all. I just go out there and play my game.” Rollyson said. Brady also commented on how his teammates have his back in case of a solid opposing defense or a stormy shooting night,
“It’s nice to have guys around me that support me and can make things happen if I’m being shut down or having an off game.” said Rollyson
Against Nordonia last Tuesday, Rollyson contributed 24 points, all coming inside the arch. Drawing fouls, euro-stepping to get past defenders, and dominant paint play were all in Brady’s bag against the Knights.
Another experienced senior, Jarrett Taylor, ‘24, cemented himself into the varsity lineup his sophomore year. Taylor saw the most time on the floor last season, totaling 756 minutes in 24 games. Carrying the third-highest field-goal percentage behind his teammates, you could find him making explosive drives to the rim and dunking over opposing players.
Antonio Martin, ‘25, returned to the varsity lineup against the Nordonia Knights and added 14 points to Green’s total. With a brace fitted to his leg, he pushed past opposing guards for defensive stops and effective scoring. His return brings pressure off of the previously mentioned Taylor, with Martin being able to bring the ball up the floor. This boosts offensive output and adds chemistry to the strong team bond.
“We can all come together and play as one team…we’ll be able to distribute the ball…Good team chemistry will also help our team a lot,” Rollyson said.
Versus Nordonia, new rotation players like AJ and Anthony Fortunato (’25) and starting quarterback Samino Manson (’24) are now crucial in both defensive shutdowns and creating scoring opportunities for teammates.
The boys’ basketball team hopes to improve their record and win another Federal League title.
No Seniors? No Problem: Green Girls’ Basketball Starts Strong
The girls’ varsity basketball team is off to a great start this season. They began ranked seventh in Cleveland.com’s preseason NEO basketball rankings. The team started their season with a 51-29 blowout against Kenston at home, setting the tone for the rest of the season. They followed this up with another impressive 17-point win against GlenOak, finding themselves undefeated at the end of week one. Their early-season winning streak finished after a close game against Jackson, where they lost after rallying back six points going into the fourth quarter.
This year’s team stands out because it’s senior-less, but that hasn’t stopped them from making a solid start to the season. Sydney Shocklee, ’25, has plenty of varsity experience to be an effective leader. Along with Jenna Slates ’25, they’ve taken the team under their wing and stepped up to be the driving force behind a strong squad. The team is propelled by Slates, who had an impressive 23 points against Kenston in the season opener, eight rebounds, and seven steals.
“Jenna Slates and I have the most varsity experience coming back and [guiding] the underclassmen throughout the preseason.” Shocklee said.
Another standout player on the team is sophomore Armahni Wagler, who had nine points and seven rebounds in the same game. The team also boasts a strong three-point shooter in Meredith Viar, who scored nine points with three shots from beyond the arc against GlenOak, making her the leading scorer against the Federal League foe.
The ‘Dogs have a busy end to December. They’ll bus to Hoover tomorrow night, then travel to Lake on Wednesday. The team will return home to take on Perry, and then they’ll finish their 2023 play in the South Range Holiday Hoops Tournament at South Range High School.
Despite having no senior leadership, the girls’ basketball team has built a strong synergy and is well-coordinated on the court. They have already shown their potential with two impressive wins and are eager to keep their winning streak going. With the team’s talented players and solid performance, seeing how the rest of the season unfolds for the Bulldogs will be exciting.
