Staff photo / Dan Hiner. Nick Ryan (14) and his family celebrate during halftime of Saturday’s game against Rootstown after the senior broke the JFK boys basketball all-time scoring record.

WARREN — Nick Ryan stole the ball and made his way down the court. There was no one around, so he took the opportunity to soar for a dunk.

The gym erupted into cheers, and Warren JFK boys basketball coach Mark Komlanc took an immediate timeout.

Ryan scored the first seven points of a win against Rootstown on Saturday to set the program’s all-time scoring record, breaking Bruce Timko’s previous mark of 1,609 points. After the win, Ryan currently sits at 1,640 career points with the rest of the season still to come.

“Getting it on a dunk was amazing,” Ryan said. “Me and my dad actually talked about it before the game. He said, ‘You gotta get it on a dunk or a sweet three or something.'”

The Eagles (10-5, 5-0 Portage Trail Conference) jumped passing lanes and created quick offense. When in the halfcourt, Ryan dominated in the post and from behind the 3-point arc.

The pressure on both ends off the court allowed the Eagles to take a 40-10 lead into halftime. Just before the break, the Rovers (4-14, 0-6 Portage Trail) made their third basket of the day. Meanwhile, Ryan had three dunks at that point.

Four straight 3-pointers by Carson Hayn helped cut the deficit to 44-22 for the Rovers. But the Eagles were never threatened, and Komlanc put in his reserves with just under four minutes to play.

Ryan led the Eagles with a 37-point, 12-rebound double-double. Just another day in the gym for Kennedy’s superstar.

It was an even more special day because Saturday was also senior day for the Kennedy boys and girls basketball teams.

“For him, it’s special because that record’s been held for 43 years, I think,” Komlanc said. “For him to have the opportunity to do that and for the younger kids to see … he grew up here. He grew up in the gym.”

Henry Phillips and Preston Geracitano each scored eight points to help on the scoresheet.

Hayn was Rootstown’s leading scorer with 19 points, including a game-high six 3-pointers.

Ryan probably could have gotten the record on Friday, but the Eagles’ game against JFK was postponed at the last minute. The motor that operates the bleachers at St. Thomas Aquinas started to smoke, filling the gym and making it unplayable.

Komlanc said the schools are looking for a date to reschedule the league game.

It’s already been a memorable academic year for Ryan. He had a 50-point game on Jan. 24, and in soccer, he set the all-time scoring record for JFK as well.

Now, he has another mention in the record books.

“It’s been an amazing year so far,” Ryan said. “I’ve been putting in work for many, many years, and this is kinda what I expected out of this year. I’m happy with my results so far, but I’m not done yet. I’m pushing forward.”