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Lakewood- It was the St Edward Eagles outlasting the Elyria Pioneers 63-58, in a game that everyone in attendance will remember for a long time. 

Just 30 seconds into the game, after an Elyria player slipped awkwardly on a wet spot on the St Edward gym floor, the game was stopped. Those on the court pointed to the roof and saw that there was a leak in the gymnasium roof. After about a 30 minute delay, the game was eventually moved to nearby Lakewood High School, and just over an hour after the game was stopped, it was finally resumed. 

Though those in attendance may remember this game for the delay and the switch of venues, they may also remember how great a basketball game was played in a great tournament atmosphere that packed the Lakewood gym. Despite the 30 minute drive, the cherry and white of Elyria was very well represented alongside the St Edward green and gold. 

The first quarter was a very good representation of how the whole game went, back and forth. The quarter ended tied at 14, with Elyria’s Taylor Blanton scoring half of the Pioneers’ points and St Edward’s Bryan Vlosich with 8 points for the Eagles. 

In the second quarter, there was more of the same, but Elyria was able to end the quarter ahead by a point, 33-32. Both teams relied on many players to score in the quarter, as a combined 9 players found the scoresheet. 

The Pioneers were able to get a little distance in the 3rd quarter, leading by as many as 9 at one point, which was the biggest lead of the game for either team. 3 Pioneers did all the offensive damage, Kendyll Compton, Jeremiah Daniels, and Pioneer all time leading scorer, Jayden Crutcher. The Pioneers took a 48-45 lead into the 4th and final quarter with a chance to pull the upset in reach. 

The Eagles were not having that though. In the 4th quarter, they only allowed the Pioneers to score 10 points, the lowest point total by either team for a quarter in the contest. The Eagles had 6 players account for the Eagles 18 points in the quarter as St Edward won the game by a final score of 63-58. 

Player of the game: Bryan Vlosich, St Edward. The 6’4 junior had a game high 19 points in the contest. The ball always seemed to find Vlosich on the boards and passes from his teammates. His range is such that Steph Curry would tip his cap. 

Special Mention: A big congratulations to Elyria senior, Jayden Crutcher for a spectacular career. Crutcher became Elyria’s all time leading scorer this past season. The 6’6 guard could score anyway he needed to. Like Vlosich, he too has range that Steph Curry would tip his cap to. Crutcher, undecided on where he will continue his academic and athletic career, is the type of player any college program would be lucky to have.