Boys HS Hoops: Garrettsville Garfield Opens Season With Thrilling 53-51 Overtime Win Over Cloverleaf

LODI, OHIO — Brody Swigonski had several big shots in the second half, none bigger than his game tying three pointer in the closing seconds of regulation.

That shot propelled Garfield into overtime where they were able to take care of Cloverleaf in a 53-51 thriller

It was all Garfield early in the game, as they jumped out to a 13-4 lead with 2:56 in the first quarter.

After this hot offensive start, Garfield struggled to get anything going.

The G-Men went nearly nine minutes without a single point, allowing Cloverleaf to tie the game 16-16 at halftime.

Nate Riley with another highlight reel block! He now has three in the first half. pic.twitter.com/ttOOUMSDca

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) November 28, 2020

Cloverleaf jumped out to their largest lead of the game at 24-16 early in the third quarter before Garfield’s offense caught fire again.

The G-Men used a strong attack from behind the arc to take a 33-30 lead into the fourth quarter.

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*End of the 3rd*
Garrettsville Garfield – 33
Cloverleaf – 30

After trailing by their largest deficit of the game early in the quarter, Garfield surges back to take the lead heading into the 4th.@JAG_Athletics @CloverleafLocal pic.twitter.com/K0D8ha94Cd

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) November 28, 2020

Brody Swigonski, who had zero points in the first half, scored 16 in the second half and overtime.

This late spark was huge for Garfield, as a back-and-forth fourth quarter was capped off with a game tying three pointer in the closing seconds of regulation to send the game to overtime at 47-47.

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*End of Regulation*
Garrettsville Garfield – 47
Cloverleaf – 47

Three ball DROPS for Brody Swigonski in the closing seconds, and we’re heading to overtime!@JAG_Athletics @CloverleafLocal pic.twitter.com/KTUbvSvlCO

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) November 28, 2020

Both teams traded baskets in the overtime period before a huge three pointer by Trystan Gedeon gave Garfield a 52-51 lead with 22.5 in overtime.

Garfield back on top 52-51 with 22.5 in overtime. pic.twitter.com/H0fswzuBG5

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) November 28, 2020

A free throw would put the G-Men up 53-51 before Nate Riley’s buzzer beater shot missed off the left iron to give Garfield the overtime victory.

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*Final/OT*
Garrettsville Garfield – 53
Cloverleaf – 51

Cloverleaf’s buzzer beater doesn’t go, and Garfield wins a fantastic back-and-forth game behind 16 point performances from Gedeon and Swigonski.@JAG_Athletics @CloverleafLocal pic.twitter.com/Uda806AsX3

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) November 28, 2020

Riley was huge in this game for Cloverleaf, finishing with 12 points and five blocks. Despite this all-around performance and a pair of 13 point games by Ashton Newton and Logan Forbes, Garfield was victorious.

Swigonski and Gedeon look to be a couple of key pieces to this Garfield squad. They both finished with 16 points and their late three point shots helped secure a season opening victory.