Garfield Heights, arguably the hottest team in the Lake Erie League matched up against first place Warrensville Heights.
The Bulldogs stepped up to the challenge with a statement 58-38 win over the Tigers for their seventh consecutive victory.
“Right now, I think we are [the best team in the league],” Bulldogs’ coach Sonny Johnson said.
“You beat Cleveland Heights, you beat Shaker (Heights), and we beat Warrensville (Heights) all in a row. That’s a heck of a week.
The tone was set from the opening tip with to the end of the first half. The defense from Garfield Heights (7-3, 5-3 in L.E.L.) conceded two points in the first quarter.
“I think we all come together defensively,” Bulldogs’ coach Sonny Johnson said after the win.
“Everybody is playing extremely hard and we do a good job sharing the basketball.”
Garfield Heights outscored Warrensville Heights (12-3, 8-2 in L.E.L.) 14-2 at the end of the first quarter.
Bulldogs start off with a 10-2 run in Q1. 3:41 left.@Warrensville_BB @GHbulldogsAD @LakeErieLeague pic.twitter.com/UDMyLzwdjD
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) February 3, 2021
The scoring was done by Sonny Johnson Jr., Tyler Jackson and forward Makail Cottingham, who led the team with a team-leading 15 points.
“Cottingham is a scorer, “Johnson said.
“We count on him to make a lot of plays. So, that’s what he did for us tonight.”
Cottingham opens up the scoring.@Warrensville_BB @GHbulldogsAD @LakeErieLeague pic.twitter.com/7IqeT0w7W6
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) February 3, 2021
Tavion Tatum and Jackson were forced to be reckoned with in the middle. Tatum converted three and-1 plays; making all of his free-throws in the second quarter to lead 33-13 at halftime.
Garfield Heights up 33-13 on Warrensville Heights at halftime.@Warrensville_BB @GHbulldogsAD @LakeErieLeague pic.twitter.com/odQUJT7COO
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) February 3, 2021
Jackson became a viable scoring option, especially from the free-throw line, making 5-of-6 from the charity stripe in the second half to halt a Tigers comeback attempt.
“(Jackson) was unbelievable,” Johnson said.
“He could do everything. When Tyler Jackson plays the way we play, we are not just a good team, we are an elite team.”
Along with his 11 points, he grabbed nine rebounds, blocked four shots and recorded a steal.
The last time they played, Warrensville Heights defeated Garfield Heights 55-46. Coach Johnson believed the Tigers lineup difference actually gave the Bulldogs a better chance.
“The last we played, two of their bigs were out (Tyishawn Smiley and Maurice Tartt Jr.).” he said.
“[The lineup change] threw us off a little bit, because they spread us out and had all guards on the floor… With their bigs coming back, it actually helped us a little bit today.”
To start the second half, the Tigers came out hot with a 11-0 run, a timeout was called by Johnson urging his players to slow down the pace.
“I told the guys to slow down,” Johnson said.
“The game is a game of runs. So we knew that they were going to make a run, but we knew that we had to be patient and make sure that we execute on the offensive end.”
End of Q3.
Garfield Heights 45
Warrensville Heights 35@Warrensville_BB @GHbulldogsAD @LakeErieLeague pic.twitter.com/hztMlnnxtl— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) February 3, 2021
The Bulldogs regained control in the latter part of the third quarter.
Here is the official scorebook for Garfield Heights’ 58-38 win over Warrensville Heights. pic.twitter.com/TbAmyxBH96
— Mark Perez-Krywany (@MarkPerezK10) February 3, 2021
Both teams will play on Friday, February 5 as Garfield Heights will host Shaw and Warrensville Heights will host Shaker Heights.
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