CLEVELAND – It had been a tough week for Rhodes coming into Saturday night’s road test against a strong St. Ignatius team.
After the OHSAA vacated their first 10 wins of the season, the Rams were not able to qualify for Friday’s Senate League Championship.
They lost to Walsh Jesuit by double digits earlier in the week, and were in desperate need of a victory this weekend.
Despite being outscored 23-11 in the fourth quarter, Rhodes was able to hold on to a much needed 64-63 victory over St. Ignatius Saturday night.
The first quarter was a tight battle, with Rhodes holding a 16-13 edge heading into the second. Keyshawn Hall had six points in the frame for Rhodes, while standout Sophomore Jamal Sumlin had five.
Saturday Night Featured Game 🏀
*End of the 1st*
#14 Rhodes – 16
#15 St. Ignatius – 13Rhodes Sophomore Jamal Sumlin continues to be one of the most impressive underclassmen in the area. Rams lead through one.@SIHSSports @RhodesRamsHoops @MayorNEOPrep @MarkPerezK10 @zeusisfat pic.twitter.com/GZdBLCGI4t
— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsAthletics) February 16, 2020
Rhodes began to extend their lead in the second quarter. Hall started the frame strong, but it was Marlon Landingham who caught fire late to give the Rams a 36-26 halftime lead.
Henry Raynor finished the half with eight points for St. Ignatius, including an alley-oop assisted by Chase Toppin.
🚨 Alley Oop Alert 🚨
Check our this epic throwdown by Henry Raynor, assisted by Chase Toppin 🎥⬇️@SIHSSports @SIHSBasketball1 pic.twitter.com/AMYDBIEWNR
— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsAthletics) February 16, 2020
Saturday Night Featured Game 🏀
*Halftime*
#14 Rhodes – 36
#15 St. Ignatius – 26Leading Scorers 📊
Keyshawn Hall (Rhodes): 11 Pts
Mario Landingham (Rhodes): 10 Pts
Henry Raynor (SIHS): 8 Pts@SIHSSports @RhodesRamsHoops @MayorNEOPrep @MarkPerezK10 @zeusisfat pic.twitter.com/BUTNczsXgp— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsAthletics) February 16, 2020
Tommy Spear had a hot shooting night, leading St. Ignatius with 17 points total in the contest. He was able to pull the Wildcats within single digits in the third, but Landingham and his Rams were able to go on a late run to make the score 53-40 heading into the fourth.
Saturday Night Featured Game 🏀
*End of the 3rd*
#14 Rhodes – 53
#15 St. Ignatius – 40Ignatius cut the deficit to single digits, but Rhodes responds with a late run to extend their lead back to 13.@SIHSSports @RhodesRamsHoops @MayorNEOPrep @MarkPerezK10 @zeusisfat pic.twitter.com/AudroPnnHA
— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsAthletics) February 16, 2020
It looked as if Rhodes was on their way to a double digit road victory, but Ignatius would not go down without a fight.
Spear continued his great performance early in the quarter, keeping Ignatius within striking distance. They continued to inch closer before Griffin Hanna rattled off five straight points to tie the game up at 62-62 with one minute to play.
What a comeback! Ignatius ties the game up 62-62 with 1:00 to go! It’s now 64-62 Rhodes with 44.0 in regulation.@SIHSSports @RhodesRamsHoops @MayorNEOPrep @zeusisfat @MarkPerezK10 pic.twitter.com/9Pm4IZXKWf
— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsAthletics) February 16, 2020
After a Rhodes bucket and an Ignatius free throw, the score was 64-63 in favor of the Rams with 11.9 in regulation. Ignatius missed what likely would have been the game winning shot, but Henry Raynor grabbed the rebound and was fouled on the putback attempt with 1.1 remaining.
Rhodes brought a very solid visiting crowd to Sullivan Gymnasium, and they were in a frenzy when Raynor stepped to the line.
Raynor missed both free throws, and the tip In was just a few tenths of a second after the buzzer. Despite a fourth quarter collapse, Rhodes was able to hang on for a much needed 64-63 road victory.
Saturday Night Featured Game 🏀
*Final Score*
#14 Rhodes – 64
#15 St. Ignatius – 63Absolutely WILD ending here in Cleveland! Raynor misses the pair with one second to go, and the near game winning tip in is after the buzzer.
One of the best games of the year! pic.twitter.com/bdqfpDSd2M
— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsAthletics) February 16, 2020
Rhodes is now technically 6-14, but without the OHSAA imposed forfeits, they would be 16-4. They will close their season next Friday when they travel to Wayne County to square off with Dalton (17-4).
St. Ignatius drops to 13-8 on the season. Their final game of the season will be next Saturday when they play host to Toledo St. John’s Jesuit (12-8).
Box Score
Rhodes 16 20 17 11 64
St. Ignatius 13 13 14 23 63
Leading Scorers
Marlon Landingham (Rhodes): 18 Pts
Tommy Spear (SIHS): 17 Pts
Keyshawn Hall (Rhodes): 13 Pts
Deangelo Williams (Rhodes): 13 Pts
Henry Raynor (SIHS): 11 Pts
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