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COPLEY, Ohio– It appeared that whichever team can make the most free throws down the stretch would advance. Brecksville (22-1) was able to hold off a last-second comeback from Shaker Heights (17-7) and beat the Raiders 69-66 to advance to the district final Saturday night.
“We made just enough free throws to clinch it and they just ran out of time,” Brecksville head coach Steve Mehalik said. “I think that’s the best way to put it.”
FINAL: Brecksville defeats Shaker 69-66, advancing to the district final Saturday night. @SportsKee1 @beeshoops pic.twitter.com/Ry0adYEAeV
— Michael Trivisonno (@MichaelTriv_) March 3, 2022
“I just really wanted that last buzzer to sound,” Brecksville guard Tyler Ganley said. “They’re a good team, they were pressuring us…coach always preaches poise, poise, poise and that’s what we were able to do tonight.”
As a team, the Bees were able to knock down 20-of-29 free throws whereas the Raiders made 12-of-15. Leading 65-59 with 1:24 remaining in the fourth quarter, Brecksville sophomore Luke Skaljac fouled out. Both teams were nearing the double bonus at the time with free throws being imperative down the stretch.
With Skaljac on the bench, the Raiders were able to make things interesting. They went on a 7-3 run in the next minute, ending with a Kellon Smith corner 3-pointer to get within two with under 30 seconds left.
Kellon Smith knocks down a 3, they trail 68-66, 25 seconds left @SportsKee1 pic.twitter.com/EphuFVcaD8
— Michael Trivisonno (@MichaelTriv_) March 3, 2022
In comes senior guard Jeremiah Michael. He got trapped and was fouled and ended up sinking one-of-two free throws to give the Bees a 69-66 lead with 16 seconds left.
Coach Mehalik understood he needed some more players to step up late in the game with Luke fouled out and just by making one-of-two free throws down the stretch turned out to be imperative with a last-second Daniel Young 3-pointer falling short.
“I wish we didn’t miss the nine,” Mehalik chuckled after finding out his team made 20-of-29 free throws during the win. “That made it a little bit closer but we made just enough. Jeremiah Michael was sitting for a lot of the game…he comes in cold and makes a huge free throw. Them being down three from being down two kinds of changes everything.”
For the Bees, Luke Skaljac, Chase Gorito and Tyler Ganley ended the night scoring 58 of the team’s 69 points during the win. Skaljac and Gorito had 20 apiece along with 18 from Ganley.
“We got a special group, they make free throws when they play 32 straight minutes,” Mehalik said. “Tyler Ganley sat maybe 10 seconds and was making plays down the stretch…I love this group, they’re so special. I’ve never had a group like them.”
Shaker’s largest lead of the game came in the opening quarter after they took a swift 11-4 lead. From there, it was a game of runs. Brecksville was able to claw back to take a 30-29 lead at the break with Ganley, Garito and Skaljac scoring 28 of the team’s 30 points.
Second-chance points and a patient offense are what got Brecksville a lead late in the second half. Chase Garito was able to use his 6-foot-8 frame to create mismatches and opportunities Shaker wasn’t able to capitalize on late in the game.
Even players like Matt Rose, scoring just two points doesn’t do its justice on the impact he made crashing the boards and creating more opportunities to put the game out of reach in the closing minutes of the game.
“I don’t think they’ve seen guys like Matt Rose and Chase (Garito),” Mehalik said. “We’re blessed and unfortunately, we take it for granted because our guards don’t box out like they’re supposed to because you can just leave it up to those two guys.”
For Shaker, Daniel Young finished with a game-high 27 points. Jalen Brown had 15 points along with 11 from Kellon Smith. Shaker often regained a lead throughout the second half, but they weren’t able to maintain it for much time.
Brecksville used its speed and patience to come away with easy buckets on the other end. The Raiders were left fighting until the final possessions, where they came up just short.
Brecksville now advances to the district final Friday night against the winner of Cleveland Heights and Twinsburg tomorrow night.
