by Salem, Ohio – Thanks to a late free throw from Ashton O’Brien, Cardinal Mooney defeated Chagrin Falls, 48-47, in a Division III Salem District semifinal at John A. Cabas Gymnasium Tuesday night.
Chagrin Falls controlled the pace in the first quarter, as Spencer Kaas knocked down a triple to start the game. He was key to the Tigers’ efforts, scoring seven points and sinking a pair of triples. Chagrin Falls led 17-15 after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Mooney went on an 12-0 run, and five different Cardinals got on the scoresheet.
Rocco Turner sank a three to tie the game, and Jibri Carter had a basket to give Mooney its first lead. A Max Crandall layup stopped the bleeding for the Tigers with ten seconds left in the first half. Nevertheless, Cardinal Mooney led 31-24 at the half.
The Cardinals would increase their lead to as much as 40-28 thanks to an Ashton O’ Brien triple.
Chagrin Falls needed a response and they got one. The Tigers would close the quarter on an 8-0 run thanks to a pair of free throws and a basket from Ryan Curtiss, plus a triple from Henry Barr. Mooney’s lead stood at 40-36 at the end of three.
The Tigers would claw all the way back and tie the game thanks to a Henry Barr layup with 6:01 to play.
Both teams would trade buckets over the course of the next few minutes.
Max Crandall’s putback gave Chagrin Falls their first lead since the second quarter. Jibri Carter followed with a layup that counted due to goaltending. James Kosmides and Ashton O’Brien each hit baskets, and the game was tied at 44.
James Kosmides drew a foul and sank a pair of free throws to give the Tigers the lead, 46-44 with 2:31 to play. After a miss, Ashton O’ Brien came up with a huge steal, and Jaxon Menough hit the game-tying layup.
Gibri Carter split a pair of free throws, as did Max Crandall, and the game was tied at 47 with 13.4 left.
Ashton O’Brien drew a foul on a game-winning shot attempt with one second left. He went to the line and calmly sank the first. He intentionally missed the second, however, he secured the rebound to end the game and punch Mooney’s ticket to the district finals for the third straight season.
Cardinal Mooney, now 15-10, advances to Friday night’s Division III district championship to face Lake Catholic. The Cougars defeated Kirtland, 59-54, on Monday evening. Junior forward Ashton O’ Brien paced the Cardinals with 15 points, followed by classmate Rocco Turner, who had ten.
Chagrin Falls finishes their season at 13-11. The Tigers were led by sophomore guard Spencer Kaas, who had 12 points. Senior forward James Kosmides followed with nine.
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