Chaney starts fast, fades

J.K. Brooks of Warrensville Heights scored 36 points.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CANTON -- The Chaney High boys basketball team gave its first-year coach something to build on.
It had been at least 34 years since the Cowboys reached the regional tournament.
That's why their 86-69 loss Wednesday in a Division II semifinal at Memorial Civic Center wasn't a complete disappointment.
Jim Stickel was the coach at East High for 11 seasons, but his teams never enjoyed a regional tournament berth. That all changed in his inaugural season with the Cowboys.
The challenge: Stickel knew his team had its hands full Wednesday against Warrensville Heights (23-1), the defending state champion.
Still, it came as no surprise when the Cowboys opened an 8-0 lead to begin the game.
"These guys on this team are not going to back down from anybody," Stickel said. "They look at teams that have good records as a challenge."
The momentum Chaney (18-6) gained from its fast start allowed it to contest Warrensville Heights in the first half.
Even when the Tigers built a 33-23 lead with 5 minutes, 38 seconds remaining in the first half, Chaney rallied.
Responding with their own run -- 13-2 -- the Cowboys cut into the lead and trailed 40-38 with 1:24 until halftime.
The third quarter, however, proved to be Chaney's downfall.
On the mark: After senior J.K. Brooks' halfcourt buzzer beater gave Warrensville Heights a 46-40 halftime lead, the Tigers took control in the third quarter.
"I don't know if that took some steam out of us, but it seemed we started to crumble a little bit after that," Stickel said of the halfcourt shot. "We came out in the second half a little flat. Maybe [Warrensville Heights] just picked it up a notch -- their transition game was unbelievable."
Warrensville Heights used a 13-0 run midway through the third quarter to build a 63-46 lead, and Chaney couldn't respond.
"Brad Smith picked up his fourth foul somewhere in the middle of the third quarter," Stickel said. "That took some air out of us, as well."
Stickel thought Chaney, which shot just 6-of-18 from the field in the third quarter, didn't show enough patience early in the second half.
"I think we took some ill-advised shots," he said. "Our strongest point all year has been points in the paint. I thought we came down and, off of one pass, took a 3-point attempt that we probably shouldn't have."
Chaney's problems were compounded in its inability to stop Brooks. The 5-foot-10 guard poured in 36 points, making 6-of-8 shots from 3-point range. He scored 21 of his points in the first half.
"He shoots the ball with such range," Stickel said. "You think you have good position on him on the perimeter and he lets it fly from 25 feet. You just say, 'Wow.' "
Senior guard Brian Swift added 19 points for the Tigers.
"If you stop our guards, maybe you'll stop us," Warrensville Heights coach Dennis Chimes said. "But then, you have to stop all four of them."
Veteran leaders: Of Chaney's four seniors who ended their high school careers -- Schirriah McCoy, Brad Smith, Thandi Smith and Marcus Patton -- three scored in double figures.
McCoy led the Cowboys with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Brad Smith and Thandi Smith each scored 14 points. Brad Smith also grabbed 11 rebounds.
"Now that the season's over, we can reflect on our blessing to get this far," Brad Smith said.
Junior Roy Austin added 14 points and seven rebounds for the Cowboys.
"Having an opportunity to come back to a situation like this and coach the kids, what a joy," said Stickel, who had been absent from coaching the last two seasons.