by Today’s Cleveland Basketball Classic was sponsored by Ken Ganley Nissan of Mayfield. You can learn more about them here.
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UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio– Richmond Heights head coach Quentin Rogers likes to pride his team on being complete; not just one player running the show.
They proved that Sunday afternoon as the Spartans defeated the Falcons, 57-54, behind Hosea Steele’s game-high 22 points.
“That’s the way we play, we’re pretty much positionless,” Rogers said about Steele being able to lead the way Sunday afternoon. “For the most point, we all play off of each other…so everybody plays every position for us.”
FINAL: @Spartan_Hoop defeats Lutheran East 57-54 @SportsKee1 pic.twitter.com/DD5B0oftYI
— Michael Trivisonno (@MichaelTriv_) January 9, 2023
Both teams struggled to find a rhythm offensively in the open court. That led to a low-scoring affair, and a hard-nosed half-court attack. Lutheran East took their first lead of the game in the first half from an Anthony Bruce 3-pointer, which the Falcons took a 17-6 lead at the time.
They rode that momentum the rest of the way, ending the final four minutes of the first half on a 7-6 run to take a 24-22 lead at the break.
“It was a war but you know what, that’s how we practice every day…that comes with the territory,” Rogers said.
The second half was a different story for both teams. The pressure was applied and the Spartans were able to take full advantage of all aspects of the game.
In fact, they started the second half off on a 14-5 run, but the second-half adjustments made at halftime were a game-changer for Rogers and his team.
“They presented some challenges but I think we made an adjustment at half-time and it worked out for us,” he explained.
It all starts in practice, according to some of Rogers’ players. The way they’re able to show up in practice and make it a game-like effort daily starts to show up in big games like the one against Lutheran East.
“We’re a fast team and we really work hard,” Steele said. “At practice every day we work hard and go back and forth….I think this game was a big one and that was a really good team.”
As the fourth quarter started to settle in, Lutheran East was able to inch its way closer with some turnovers and outside shots, largely with the way Jesse McColloch was able to shoot the ball.
@JesseMcCulloch4 makes it a 3-point game with 40 seconds left. @SportsKee1 pic.twitter.com/kdr9u38XLR
— Michael Trivisonno (@MichaelTriv_) January 9, 2023
The Falcons were able to get the ball back, down three with about 30 seconds left. McColloch was able to get another clean look behind the arc but was unable to connect. Steele then was able to ice the game at the free throw line.
It’s something that comes with a little motivation, according to coach Rogers. With players like Dorian Jones and DeErick Barber sometimes stealing attention away, it just shines another light on Steele and he proves himself in games like tonight.
“He’s a guy that feels like he was not getting his fair dues,” Rogers said. “We move him around, he’s tough, he can finish at a high level and he’s strong,” Rogers said. “We have no problem getting the ball in his hands.”
