MEDINA, OHIO – Cleveland Heights led 56-55 with less than a minute remaining and had to inbound the ball in, but Medina was to take the lead.
The inbound pass was tipped by Medina’s Bryce Beech, fell into Corey Tripp’s hands and went coast-to-coast for the game winning layup to give the Bees a 57-56 win over Cleveland Heights.
Medina has the lead with 40s remaining.
Tripp makes the basket in transition.@GoHeightsTigers @medinaathletics @LakeErieLeague @Ohio_GCC pic.twitter.com/Jck5O3Qizd
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) December 30, 2020
In practice, the Bees (3-1, 1-0 in GCC) have a drill for late game scenarios called “Perfect Possession” to improve their defense, which evidently came into play on the leadup to the game-winning basket.
We’ve been working on being at the right place,” Medina’s coach Chris Hassinger said.
“We told the kids, ‘if you are in the right places defensively, good things will happen… Guys did their jobs tonight defensively and it led to some easy steals and layups.”
This game was highly competitive between two of the best teams in Northeast Ohio. The lead never went past double digits and changed eight times.
“We knew it was gonna be a dogfight,” Tripp said.
“I know some of the players [for Cleveland Heights (2-1, 1-0 in LEL)], I worked out with some of the players on that team. I know what they are capable of. I’m just glad we got the win. I feel like both teams are some of the top teams in Ohio.”
Tripp led Medina in scoring with 22 points and also had 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
Tripp gets the tip in!@GoHeightsTigers @medinaathletics @LakeErieLeague @Ohio_GCC pic.twitter.com/D6QRfNF0K8
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) December 30, 2020
Medina had to fight back after Cleveland Heights took the lead in the middle of the fourth quarter with a 13-2 run.
Smith-Johnson slams it in to make it a 1-pt game. Medina still leads. @GoHeightsTigers @medinaathletics @LakeErieLeague @Ohio_GCC pic.twitter.com/vOk0U6f4CQ
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) December 30, 2020
Tigers take the lead@GoHeightsTigers @medinaathletics @LakeErieLeague @Ohio_GCC pic.twitter.com/2qWLPo4otd
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) December 30, 2020
It was their defense that stepped up as they forced turnovers when needed and turned it into points on the other end.
From beginning to end was excitement on the hardwood. In the first half, both teams took turns going on runs, to result in Medina having a 16-14 lead in the first quarter and 31-28 lead heading into halftime.
End of Q1.
Medina 16
Cle Hts 14@GoHeightsTigers @medinaathletics @LakeErieLeague pic.twitter.com/x9IlrWceNA— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) December 30, 2020
End of Q2.
Medina 31
Cleveland Heights 28@GoHeightsTigers @medinaathletics @LakeErieLeague @Ohio_GCC pic.twitter.com/4bd14UWIW8— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) December 30, 2020
The Tigers had a variety of players scoring from them as they had three players reach double-digit points. E.J. Farmer had 17, Keyshawn Hall had 10, and Davon Smith-Johnson had 12.
Hall imposed his presence in the paint with four blocks on the night. He recorded at least one per quarter.
4th Block by Keyshawn Hall!
Score is now 56-55. Tigers lead.@GoHeightsTigers @medinaathletics @LakeErieLeague @Ohio_GCC pic.twitter.com/1U8vGEhudv
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) December 30, 2020
The Bees started to extend their lead in the third quarter due to a 8-3 run just before it ended as they led 49-43. One of those baskets included an and-1 for Tripp.
And-1 Corey Tripp@GoHeightsTigers @medinaathletics @LakeErieLeague @Ohio_GCC pic.twitter.com/VVM83EeWja
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) December 30, 2020
Medina’s win marks Hassingers 100th win as head coach of Medina basketball.
Other contributing scorers for Medina were Senior Brandon Geschke with 10 points. Also, Jujuan Jackson and Christian Howard each scored 6 points.
Here is the scorebook for Medina's 57-56 win over Cleveland Heights. @GoHeightsTigers @medinaathletics @LakeErieLeague @Ohio_GCC pic.twitter.com/fdwxSZOWlP
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) December 30, 2020
Medina’s next game will be played on Wednesday, Dec 30 as they host Brecksville-Broadview Heights in the battle of the bees. For Cleveland Heights, they will play at Brush on Saturday Jan. 2.
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