The Utica Redskins are experiencing a resurgence, securing consecutive victories with a commanding win over Licking Valley and a closely contested triumph against Lakewood.
With these two wins, Utica has improved to 12-9 on the season, gaining confidence as the postseason approaches. The Redskins began their winning streak on February 5 with a convincing 57-37 victory over Licking Valley. Utica controlled the game from start to finish, utilizing a strong offensive performance to pull away. Emily Ritzer led the way with 18 points, while Callie Baker added 15 in a balanced team effort. This victory moved the Redskins to 11-9 and set the stage for another competitive matchup against Lakewood on Saturday.
According to reports, facing off against the Lakewood Lancers for the second time this season, Utica managed to secure another win, edging their opponents 52-48 in a closely contested matchup. Unlike their dominant showing against Licking Valley, the Redskins had to battle until the final whistle to come away with the victory. The game remained tight throughout, with neither team able to create much separation. However, Utica found ways to execute in key moments, making crucial plays down the stretch to maintain their advantage. Strong defensive efforts and clutch free throws helped them fend off a late push from the Lancers, allowing them to complete the season sweep over their conference foe.
With this loss, Lakewood continued their recent struggles, dropping seven of their last nine games. The Lancers now sit at 5-17 on the season and face an uphill climb as they look to close out the year positively.
For Utica, these back-to-back victories represent more than just wins in the standings; they serve as confidence boosters as the team looks to build momentum for the postseason. The Redskins have shown they can win in multiple ways—whether through a dominant offensive performance or in a tight battle like against Lakewood.
The standout performances of Ritzer and Baker in the Licking Valley game highlight Utica’s depth and ability to step up in key moments will be critical moving forward. With the regular season winding down, they hope to keep their winning streak alive and carry recent success into playoffs.
As Utica looks ahead, they aim to continue improving on both ends of the floor by focusing on consistency and execution. If recent performances are any indication, they could be a formidable team when tournament play begins.
For now, Utica will enjoy recent success while preparing for their next challenge, eager to keep their winning streak alive and finish strong.
