by **KEE ON SPORTS PRIDES ITSELF ON FREE CONTENT FOR PARENTS TO READ ABOUT THEIR KIDS. HOWEVER, WE MAY BE INSTALLING PAY WALLS SOON DUE TO LACK OF SPONSORSHIP IN 2023 THUS FAR. WE HOPE TO AVOID TAKING THIS MEASURE. ***
Both teams showed a lot of heart tonight in a thrilling GLC clash that saw Fairview come away victorious 54-49. Both teams went on runs all game, and it was Fairview overcoming an early fourth quarter deficit to grab the victory.
I spoke with Fairview coach Ryan Barry about his team’s ability to stave off the North Olmsted momentum and start the fourth quarter strong as they began to take the game over late for the victory. “It’s crunch time and we talked about it at the River game of when to step it up. We walked about it during practice this week as well. During the first quarter we actually did, but it’s being conditioned to play that hard that we still have to work on”, said coach Barry.
Coach went on to explain why his team plays so tough on the boards and doesn’t shy away from being physical, “These kids do what it takes, and want to do it for each other as they play so hard. When you have a culture of kids who care about each other, they are willing to fight, scratch and claw to help each other succeed. “
Fairview was led by Wesley Fletcher with 16 points. Fletcher had two slam dunks, and went 6 of 7 from the foul line in the fourth quarter when every point mattered the most. Colin Meany finished with 12 while Jacob Rehor had 7 and Sal Rizzo scored 6. Will Allen and Collin Lucas each had 4 while JR Beato had 3.
North Olmsted was led by Miles Ciulla with 17, including 15 of those from downtown. Kam Swanson had a big night with 15 points, including 7 from the foul line and also several hustle plays on defense. Alex Pullin had a nice night while scoring 8. Nick Tepper scored 4 while Xavier Balson and Naoki Sato had 3 each. Logan Dangerfield capped off the Eagle scoring with a point.
Fairview started the game with a 10-4 run, highlighted by the Fletcher slam dunk. North Olmsted fought hard to get back in it at times, but the Warriors built the lead to 19-9 after one. The Eagles have proven this season they are well coached and know how to make adjustments, they did just that in the second quarter as they cut the deficit to 21-18.
They crept back in with great defense and big shots from Tepper, Pullin and Ciulla. Including back to back threes from Pulling and Ciulla. The switch to an aggressive zone, held the Warriors to just two points in the first 6 minutes. By halftime, the Eagles had cut the lead all the way down to 29-25.
A Pullin three ball tied the game at 33 with 3:47 to play in the third. The lead went back and forth from there until a Ciulla three ball before the buzzer lifted the Eagles to a 41-38 lead after three. Fairview was unfazed and started the fourth quarter on a 10-0 run to retake the lead at 48-41. The Eagles made it close at times late, but the Warriors hung on for the win.
