Munch Musings from E. 53rd and Hamm Ave: High School Hoops Edition

I have been enjoying High School hoops more than ever and I am thrilled to say gyms are FULL again!  Again you ask? It seems like the last few years unless there was a marquee game the gyms were “light.” I am also digging the “showcases” and Classics going on where there will be 5 games in a day or two days of hoops with at least 5 games each day! I know when I walked the hallowed halls of Solon High School our gym was packed shortly after tip off of the JV game. C’mon now…be true to your school!

Tuesday evening I could not stay away from THE HIVE at Brecksville Broadview Hts High School as the Bees were hosting the St. Edward Eagles. The Bees have hovered around that top 10 mark all season long while St. Edward has been #1 most of the year sharing that spot with Richmond Hts. The game and the players were a treat to watch…dang good hoops…plus when Eric Flannery is coaching vs Steve Mehalik you know for a fact it will be a hard fought, clean, classy game. BTW no one stalks the sidelines in a stoic manner like Coach Flan! Talk about BIG TIME, Adam Mendoza the Play by Play voice of St.Edward football and basketball was in the house calling the game on www.Stedwardeagles.com aka The Eagles Sports Network. To add even more sizzle to the games Adam’s son Christoher called the JV!  I can dig that.

The game was tight until 2:52 left when the Eagles had a 6 point lead that the Bees just could not overcome. I always get feelings in games and it seemed like that was it.  Final score was 61 – 52 St. Ed but talk about close?  After one it was 12-9 Bees, at the half 24-23 Eagles and after 3 40-40!  St. Ed is a savvy, deep team  that will stay man to man, press and trap the opponent most of the game. I did expect more offense from their bigs although one of my faves to watch 6’5″ Danny Lavelle lead the team with 18 points and one of those typical Eagles player Joey Scarpitti hit some big 3’s off the bench. “Typical” is a HIGH COMPLIMENT as Joey looks “mild mannered” but on the court he’ll cut your heart out, take a bite and put it back!  Lucas Perusek truly is a glue for the team too along with Brevyn Coleman. Interesting move also for Coach Flan to toss 6’7″ Senior Cameron Grant on 6’2″ Soph Brady Ganley quite a bit in the game. What was BBHHS downfall? Turn overs, many of them unforced. I had 12 for the game (unofficially). Big man Chase Garito stayed around the top of the circle above the paint most of the first half to facilitate and be an outlet then moved lower as the game went on plus guard Luke Skaljac scored 19 and had some sweet dimes. Big 3’s when needed seem to be the recipe for both squads too the whole game.

I also notice things like St. Edward is a heavy senior laden team while the Bees backcourt Skaljac (Jr) and Ganley (soph) will be back and each team has a frosh in the wings with JT Kelsheimer for the Eagles and BBHHS’s Steven Skaljac.

The moral of the story? Get out and see some hoops!  Hope to meet you, greet you and see you at the CSU game Friday plus in our backyard we have great D2 hoops with NDC, D3 with JCU and BW along with MACtion featuring Kent State Akron.

Until I see you enjoy every sandwich and adios amigo, long may you run!!