Cleveland Heights is known to be one of the better teams in the Cleveland area.
Jan. 3 at home, Lorain fell to the superior Tigers, 77-59, in a Lake Erie League showdown.
Cleveland’s Heights set the tone from the opening tip. Lorain’s defense did its best, but Jaedon Lawson scored a 3-pointer to initiate a 9-0 run near the halfway point in the first quarter.
“I thought we were touted defensively (to start). Then, we went down a couple of baskets and we stopped doing what we were doing,” Lorain’s coach Matt Kielian said.
Cleveland Heights’ defense was punishing inside, as well as the perimeter. Its height advantage helped it block four shots in the first half.
“I don’t think we were ready and that’s on me. I thought we were ready in practice yesterday, Kielian said. “What we talked about and prepared for was exactly what they did. From the mindset, I don’t think we were ready (for Cleveland Heights).”
Lorain’s offense picked up in the second quarter, but not before they trailed, 18-4, to start it. Anthony Lorenzo came off the bench to score back-to-back 3-pointers for Lorain.
Even with the improvement from Lorain’s offense, the Tigers managed to extend their lead to 38-18 at halftime. Lawson made two 3s to score nine first-half points.
Lorain showed a glimpse of a possible comeback with a 13-2 run in the third quarter. Ike Rowser made three 3-pointers with an and-one from Christian Ruiz.
Titans come out with a strong Q3.
Rowser makes his third straight three to cut Cleveland Heights'lead to 46-32 in Q3.@lorainathletics @MJournalSports @GoHeightsTigers pic.twitter.com/Y5CHm75mGf
— Mark Perez-Krywany 🤓 (@MarkPerezK10) February 4, 2023
“”(Rowser) is a really good shooter and I think that we need to do a better job of looking for him (in the future). We have to do a better job from a cognitive standpoint in basketball,” Kielian said.
Cleveland’s Heights regained control in the third quarter with a 9-0 run to lead, 54-39.
Cleveland Heights swept Lorain for the second straight season. The Tigers defeated the Titans, 63-56, in early January.
Lorain dropped its third straight game for a 9-9 (5-6 in LEL) record. Cleveland Heights remained in the conference title race for at least a share of the LEL. The Tigers improved to 13-7 (8-3 in LEL) and won their second straight game after they dropped three straight to Brush, Garfield Heights and Maple Heights
Rowser led Lorain with 17 points. Titans guard Asiah Kielien scored 15, and Ruiz pitched in 12.
Lawson led Cleveland Heights with 19, as teammates Shemarion Hardy (14) and Rayvelle Duncan (10) also scored double figures.
Halftime
Cle. HTS 38
Lorain 18Jaedon Lawson leads Rogers with 9 PTS.@lorainathletics @MJournalSports @GoHeightsTigers pic.twitter.com/TTINMPzibL
— Mark Perez-Krywany 🤓 (@MarkPerezK10) February 4, 2023
The teams will continue their Lake Erie League schedule for their next games. Cleveland Heights will travel to play Shaw on Feb. 10. Lorain goes on the road to play Garfield Heights on Feb. 9.
