Even after setting a scoring record, Casey Baker's thoughts were toward the next game.
The Conneaut Valley senior set an Indians single-game record Tuesday by scoring 50 points to lead the Indians to a 63-45 Region 3 victory over Cochranton.
The win kept the Indians undefeated in Region 3 as they improved to 17-0, 5-0 while Cochranton fell to 10-8, 3-3.
Baker's point total broke the previous record of 48, which was set by Randy Neidermeyer, who played for Conneaut Valley in the 1970s.
"It's a great feeling," Baker said. "(The crowd) was awesome. They were into it. They gave me a standing ovation. They were amazing."
Baker played like a man on a mission throughout as the 6-foot 5-inch guard/forward scored 14 points in the first quarter followed by 13 in the second. For an encore, Baker put together a five-point third quarter followed by an 18-point fourth-quarter outburst to secure the victory.
Baker's performance was so impressive, in fact, that even he was at a loss for words.
"I don't know what happened. I really don't. I was making my threes. I haven't shot that well in a long time," said Baker, who connected on six 3-pointers in the game.
Conneaut Valley coach Bob Leupold ranked Baker's game as one of the top moments in his basketball career.
"It was one of my best basketball memories that I can remember as a player, as a coach, anything," Leupold said. "Just watching him progress from ninth grade to what he is now. I've never seen a kid work that hard. He deserves everything he gets, and he's putting on a show right now."
But despite his success, Baker said his primary concern was winning the game, and he was already thinking ahead to tonight's matchup against a 15-3 Seneca team.
"I'm just getting ready for the Seneca game. We have a big game (tonight)," Baker said. "I'm going to enjoy this one (Tuesday) and then get ready for (tonight)."
- Seneca 63, Northwestern 36: At Albion, Matt Brozewicz scored 27 points to help the Bobcats grab a share of first place in the highly competitive Region 5 race.
Brozewicz, a 6-foot 4-inch forward who averages almost 29 points per game, made nine field goals, including three 3-pointers. He sank 6-of-7 free-throw attempts.
Eric Sonney Jr. added 15 points for Seneca (15-3, 5-2), which is tied for first place with Fairview, Mercyhurst Prep and North East.
Northwestern dropped to 4-15, 1-6.
- North East 41, Iroquois 27: At Iroquois, the Grapepickers (13-5, 5-2) moved into a tie for first place in Region 5 with three other teams as Aaron Wakley and Cory Bailey each scored 15 points.
North East is now tied with Fairview, Mercyhurst Prep and Seneca in the region logjam.
John Drozdowski scored 12 for the Braves (5-11, 0-7).
- Strong Vincent 44, Girard 37: At Girard, the Colonels, the No. 3-ranked Class AAAA team in the Erie Times-News District 10 poll, used a balanced scoring effort to earn a non-region win against the YellowJackets.
DeAndrye Henderson, Cordell Ratliff, and Malquan Pullium led the Colonels (9-8) with eight points each.
Vincent led 17-13 at halftime.
Anthony Stuart led Girard (8-12) with 11 points, while Blake Byham chipped in with 10.
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