HS Boys Hoops: Brush Pulls Out Tight 56-53 Win Over Warrensville Heights

LYNDHURST, OHIO – From beginning to end, Brush battled Warrensville Heights.

With grit and determination, the Arcs pulled out the narrow 56-53 victory over the Tigers to get their first win of the season.

Final!

Brush 56
Warrensville Hts 53

Arcs get their first win of the season.@Warrensville_BB @BrushAthletics pic.twitter.com/tfeKFQLgTL

— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) December 23, 2020

“It feels really good to get [the first win,]” Senior guard Elmore James said after the game.

“The close losses that we suffered [earlier in the season,] we are learning from them.

James (30.6 PPG) was instrumental in the win. He scored 21 points for Brush (1-4, 0-0), which included making the game-tying, lead-taking free-throws and a layup late in the fourth quarter.

Brush takes the lead! @Warrensville_BB @BrushAthletics

Tigers still have a chance pic.twitter.com/8hAMWQMT2x

— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) December 23, 2020

He also made a layup from a full-court pass from teammate Andrew Jones to extend the Arcs lead to three points over Warrensville Heights (3-1, 2-0 in Lake Erie League) with 18 seconds remaining.

Brush extends to a 56-53 lead with 8 seconds left. @Warrensville_BB @BrushAthletics pic.twitter.com/C96QWTYAUT

— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) December 23, 2020

“I’ve been (in these situations) before,” he said.

“I know I had to hit those for my brother and luckily, I did that.”

After a scoreless first quarter; trailing 9-0, the Arcs’ offense outscored the Tigers 23-14 to trail by two points at halftime with the score 25-23.

Halftime:@Warrensville_BB 25@BrushAthletics 23

Big Q2 for Arcs as they score 23 PTS and went on a 12-4 run late courtesy of Elmore James with 14 PTS. pic.twitter.com/bn7Ul79c66

— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) December 23, 2020

James played a crucial role in the second quarter as he scored their last 10 points in the half that propelled a 12-4 Brush run.

“We came out lackadaisical,” Brush’s coach Chet Mason said after the win.

“But, I like the way the young men bounced back… When adversity strikes, your true character comes out. Their character came out and it showed… that they can fight through adversity.”

According to James, at halftime they knew the Arcs needed a big third quarter. Both teams stepped up to the plate as there were six lead changes alone in the third quarter.

Throughout the game, Brush fed 6’8” Junior Antwone Woolfolk (11 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists) in the post; often forcing the Tigers defense to collapse, leading to open players on the perimeter and providing teammates opportunities to make plays.

“(Woolfolk) is a load (in the paint),” James said. We were able to utilize him in a big way. He’s able to make so many good passes and make our jobs a lot easier to hit shots off of.”

Scorebook from Brush's 56-53 win over Warrensville Hts.

A 3-pointer from Andrew Jones (Brush) (4 PTS) was transferred to teammate Germainn Marshall (6 PTS) in a correction after the game. pic.twitter.com/KvFc4ikLRi

— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) December 23, 2020

Brush had a 28-19 rebounding advantage over the Tigers.

The leading scorers for Warrensville heights were Jaden Hammed (19 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists), Ramelle Arnold (17 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals), Tyishawn Smiley (11 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block).

On Monday, Dec 28, Warrensville Heights will host Solon. Brush’s next game will be against Cleveland Heights on Saturday, January 2.