On Friday, Dec. 20, the girls’ and boys’ varsity basketball teams played in a doubleheader against Normandy. The night was filled with excitement as it was the Hall of Fame night, and the Lakewood Rangers Education Foundation honored inductees. The doubleheader introduced a large crowd size and brought a new energy to the gym. The event highlighted the spirit of Lakewood and how it comes together for each other.
The opportunity for this doubleheader came about because of a scheduling conflict. One of the team’s matches had a conflict with the upcoming winter dance, so athletic director Rob Slone used it as a chance to have the girls and boys play on the same night. Slone reached out to Normandy’s athletic director, who was also on board to do it.

“We thought it was a pretty good idea to try to do this and see if it’s something we can do once or twice a year,” Slone said.
The doubleheader was also a good opportunity for the girls’ team to play on a Friday night.
“Every year I hear from our girls’ basketball families that it’d be nice to play occasionally on a Friday night as opposed to a Saturday afternoon,” Slone said. It gave the girls’ team a new environment and vibe when they stepped out onto the court.
The crowd size for both games truly showed the community of Lakewood coming together to support their athletes. Typically, girls’ games have fewer spectators than boys’ games, but the doubleheader brought in a lot of fans. The girls’ team, now playing in front of a bigger crowd, gained a more fun and empowering experience.
“I really enjoyed it because it brought a lot more people to the girls game than there usually has been in the past, and it just brought both teams together,” senior Elizabeth Doup said.
The night started with the JV girls’ team tipping off at 4:30 p.m., followed by the varsity girls’ game, followed by the boys’ varsity team. It allowed each team to watch the other play, something they might not always have time to do since both teams have busy schedules. The games created a sense of unity between each team.

“I thought it was a fun experience, and it was cool watching the girls play, and then we got to go out and play after them,” said sophomore Riley Verdeber.
Both games were exciting to watch, showcasing the determination and skill of each team. The girls put up a strong fight in a tough battle but ultimately lost with a final score of 40-44. Controlling the game from start to finish, the boys’ team pulled out a big win with a final score of 58-36.
The teams will play another doubleheader, this time at Normandy on Friday, Jan. 31. The boys’ team is looking to secure another victory, and the girls’ team will look to bounce back and defeat Normandy. The boys’ varsity team will play at 6 p.m., followed by the girls’ varsity team. Both teams are looking forward to playing another exciting game at a different gym.
“I’m looking forward to it again because the boys’ team will be there to watch us, and we’ll be there to watch them,” Doup said.
Games and nights like these are just the beginning of what’s in store for Lakewood fans in the future.
“I’d like to do it with our big rivals, like Rocky River and Bay at some point,” Slone said.
While the Normandy games drew a large crowd, a game against one of our bigger rivals would undoubtedly draw an even bigger crowd and make the games that much more exciting.
These doubleheaders are more than just basketball—they are a celebration of Lakewood and community pride. They bring people together for a fun and memorable night while also supporting both the girls’ and boys’ teams.