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Copley, Ohio – Thanks to a strong effort featuring four players in double figures, Garfield Heights defeated North Ridgeville, 63-40, in a Division I Copley District semifinal Wednesday night.
It was a defensive struggle in the first quarter as both teams struggled to find their footing. Collin Jones had a layup and drew a foul. He converted the and-one to put North Ridgeville up 5-2 with 3:13 left in the first. Garfield Heights took the lead thanks to layups from Marcus Johnson and CJ Little on back-to-back possessions.
After a Griffin Turay layup gave the Rangers back the lead, 7-6, Steven Cornwell sank a triple after an offensive rebound was tipped to him to give Garfield Heights back the lead, 9-7.
The Bulldogs led, 11-7, after the first quarter.
The teams traded hoops in the second quarter, and Garfield Heights’ lead stood at 15-11. The Bulldogs would go on a 15-4 run thanks to a pair of triples from Steven Cornwell and seven points from Marcus Johnson. A Griffin Turay triple (the only one for the Rangers) closed the second quarter. Garfield Heights led 30-18 at the half.
North Ridgeville fought to stay in the game, answering whenever Garfield Heights scored in the third quarter. On two different occasions, they cut the lead to 12 points, but could get no closer.
A Jyles Brandon triple made the score 46-29 at the end of three in favor of Garfield Heights. The Bulldogs cruised from there as Germain Marshall scored six in the final quarter, and Marcus Johnson had a breakaway jam.
Garfield Heights, now 21-3, advanced to the District finals Saturday afternoon at Copley High School. They will take on the winner of Cleveland Heights/Brunswick Thursday evening. Freshman guard Marcus Johnson had 18 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Seniors Germaine Marshall (Wilberforce commit) and Stevie Cornwell each had 11 points. Junior guard CJ Little had ten points and nine rebounds.
North Ridgeville finishes their season at 18-7. Junior guard Griffin Turay led the Rangers with 17 points, followed by nine each from classmate Collin Jones and senior Jake Boynar.
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