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EUCLID, Ohio– Mentor head coach Bob Krizanic didn’t want his players passing up any shots throughout the game Saturday night.
His players responded by knocking down 12 3-pointers, helping capture their 11th consecutive district championship behind a 62-46 win over Brush.
“We said we are not going to play not to lose, you play to win,” Krizancic said. “I said if you pass up a shot, your butt is coming out. You do not pass up a shot, we’re going to play to win.
We weren’t afraid to shoot,” he added. “I did not want to play not to lose whatsoever.”
Sophomore forward Ian Loppolo was a big part of the early success of the Cardinals. He finished with a team-high 17 points behind five 3-pointers. Jake Ferritto had 12 points along with 10 each from Sean Collins and Matthew Biddell.
Ian Loppolo started the first half off strong for the Cardinals with his outside shooting. He hit two of his first three 3-pointers to push the Cardinals out to a 9-2 lead. From there, his team ended the first quarter on a 12-6 run, taking a commanding 21-8 lead after the first eight minutes.
Ian Loppolo off to a good start for Mentor.
The Cardinals lead 9-2 with 4:34 left in the first quarter. @SportsKee1 pic.twitter.com/KhAviJ89EI— Michael Trivisonno (@MichaelTriv_) March 6, 2022
“We talked about all day yesterday of coming out with a lot of energy,” Sean Collins said about the swift start shooting the ball. “Ian hit some shots and we just kind of had the energy from the jump the entire game.”
Brush couldn’t keep up with Mentor’s full-court pressure. Elmore James missing his second consecutive playoff game was imperative Saturday night. The Arcs faced a deficit from the opening tipoff and just when you thought they’d get a few stops, there was Mentor with a 3-pointer to squash their momentum.
The Arcs did control the second quarter and went into halftime with just a nine-point deficit with Ian Loppolo pouring in 16 points for the Cardinals in the first half alone. Antwone Woolfolk was able to make his presence felt in the second quarter as well, getting strong looks near the rim to pace the Arc offense with 10 points at the break.
Another player that did more than just what the box score shows was Sean Collins. His vocal leadership was heard all throughout the game and noticed by Kirzancic.
When Brush started the third quarter on a 7-0 run, they got within two points and it’s as close as the Arcs got to a comeback.
Here come to Arcs, they trail just 32-30 after Antwone Woolfolk is starting to find a rhythm near the basket. @SportsKee1 pic.twitter.com/IPwiDIgfgQ
— Michael Trivisonno (@MichaelTriv_) March 6, 2022
At that time, Collins was more vocal than ever and his leadership had an impact on Mentor pulling away from there.
From there, they ended the final three minutes of the quarter on a 16-9 run, opening their lead back up to nine points.
“I thought Sean played the best game of his career tonight,” Krizancic said. “A lot of it had to do with leadership.”
The fourth quarter was all Mentor. The deep ball was just too much to handle for the Arcs as they had no answer on the offensive end. Antwone Woolfolk was a force for the Arcs all night and got going early in the third quarter.
Depth was an issue for the Arcs as the speed of Mentor wore down the Arcs throughout the game.
“Adversity struck out there in the first quarter and we weren’t able to figure it out and get back in the game,” Brush coach Chet Mason said. “They shot the ball well today….It’s a good basketball team over there.”
For Brush. Antwone Woolfolk led the way with 17 points. Elias Johnson had 11 points along with nine points each from Tyler Williams and Trace Bishko.
Saturday night’s matchup was the eighth time these two teams have met for the district title since 2003 and the outcome has remained the same; with a Mentor win.
It’s something coach Krizancic understands with his group, the no matter what happens the previous year, his team will be ready come playoff time.
“One of our things is we don’t rebuild, we reload, “Krizancic said. “And that’s truer than ever the last couple of weeks….if we can play hard and smart I love our chances against anybody.”
