By Don DiFrancesco
The opening game of Wednesday’s OHSAA Division I regional doubleheader was a strange one. The crowd at Cleveland State University was expecting some action, and Garfield Heights and Uniontown Lake provided it for most of the first half.
Garfield Heights, behind nine points (on three 3-balls) from senior guard Marreon Jackson had a 19-15 lead at the break.
But the second half drifted away from a basketball game to something resembling a debate. Lake seemed to be determined to set the pace of play. To that end, they were successful. Unfortunately for the Blue Streaks, they never had the lead in the second half. They did a fine job of moving the ball, but rarely were able to get momentum to the hoop.
Veteran hoops observer Mike Nairn noted, “Lake really looks great moving the ball, but they gotta take it to the hole once in a while!”
The third quarter generated 10 points total: five for each team. Certainly Garfield Heights wasn’t happy with the pace, but the Bulldogs had a 24-20 lead and control of the boards when Lake did manage to take shots.
The fourth quarter was more of the same. Slow pace, no sense of urgency for Lake despite trailing in the game. Garfield Heights finally “stretched” the lead out to the final score of 29-22 thanks to free throws from sophomore Brison Waller in the game’s final minute.
Garfield Heights controlled the rebound battle, 27-18. Jackson had 8, Waller 6.
Both teams only took 29 shots. Garfield made 10 (34%), including five 3-pointers (four by Jackson). Lake made 8 baskets (28%) including four 3-pointers.
Jackson scored a game-high 12 points, while Waller finished with eight.
Jakob Maranville led the Blue Streaks with nine points.
Garfield Heights advances to face St. Edward on Saturday, March 18. Tip-off is set for 7 pm at the CSU Wohlstein Center and the winner earns a trip to the Final Four in Columbus.
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