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Copley, Ohio – For the first time since 2003, the Cleveland Heights Tigers have captured a district championship.
The Tigers defeated Brecksville, 57-49, in the Copley District championship Saturday evening.
A pair of triples from Rayvelle Duncan helped Heights out to an early lead. He had eight of the Tigers’ 12 first quarter points as they led 12-7 after one.
For Brecksville, 6’8 forward Chase Garito had four points, and sophomore Luke Skaljac had five to keep the Bees in the game in the second quarter. Rayvelle Duncan and Shermarion Hardy each had five points to keep the Tigers in the lead, as they would go into the halftime break up 26-21.
The Tigers would start off the second half on a 7-2 run, padding their lead to 33-23, as Duncan scored four more points. Junior guard Jaeden Lawson, scoring eight points in the third, and knocked down a pair of triples.
Their defense also kept Brecksville at bay and prevented them from getting any major momentum going.
Heights would go into the fourth quarter up 45-34, thanks to these efforts. Tyler Ganley hit a triple for Brecksville to kick off the quarter, but every time the Bees got a bucket, Heights would respond, more often than not.
This time, Hosea Steele got in on the action. Steele hit a couple of big-time buckets down the stretch for the Tigers.
Brecksville cut their deficit to 54-49 thanks to a Luke Skaljac triple with :33.2 remaining. After a steal on the inbound, the Bees had a shot to pull to within two or three.
But the Tiger defense held serve, and secured the win at the charity stripe.
Junior Rayvelle Duncan had 17 points for the Tigers. Sophomore Hosea Steele had 12, and Jaeden Lawson had ten.
Cleveland Heights (19-6) plays against Saint Ignatius, winners of the Elyria District, at Kent State University at 7pm Wednesday evening.
Brecksville finishes up their season at 22-2. The Bees were led by 17 points from sophomore Luke Skaljac and ten points from junior forward Chase Garito.
