Harding stands tall vs. Cleveland Heights

By Joe Scalzo

The Raiders shut down Ohio University recruit Reginald Keely to advance to the Div. I district final.

WARRENSVILLE HTS. — On a day when one of his best players had knee surgery and another was out for disciplinary reasons, Warren Harding High boys basketball coach Steve Arnold shrunk his rotation, changed up his defenses and hoped his team absorbed enough lessons over the past three months to beat one of the best teams in Cleveland.

He got his answer in the fourth quarter, as seniors Desmar Jackson and Angel Gonzalez elevated their game and helped the Raiders pull away from Cleveland Heights 64-57 Thursday in a Division I district semifinal at Warrensville Heights High School.

“We knew it was gonna be a hard game,” said Jackson, who finished with 23 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. “The coaches talked about playing smart through the whole game. Smart shots. No dumb fouls.”

Harding (20-2), the defending district champion, entered Thursday’s game a very different team than the one that had been ranked No. 1 in the state earlier in the year. Senior guard Sheldon Brogdon, a YSU recruit, tore his ACL last month and had successful surgery on Thursday. Six-foot-five senior Isiaha Henderson was suspended, although he could return for Saturday’s district final against Cleveland St. Ignatius.

That put a lot of pressure on Jackson, Gonzalez and guard Fred Williams, who delivered by combining to score 60 of Harding’s 67 points. The 6-4 Gonzalez did his best work in the fourth quarter, scoring seven straight points over a two-minute stretch that put the game away. After one of his baskets — a beautiful soaring putback off an offensive rebound — Arnold stepped up and did an exaggerated fist pump in front of the bench.

“There are times when he just goes and gets the basketball,” said Arnold. “He can be an animal on the glass, then go out to the perimeter and knock down a 3.”

While the key trio was handling the offense, all six Raiders in the rotation combined to play terrific defense.

“That’s what we talked about all year — our defense,” Arnold said. “Night in and night out, your shot might not fall but your defense will keep you in basketball games and give you a chance to win.

“Especially in tournament time.”

Two weeks ago, Arnold had his team start practicing zone in preparation for Cleveland Heights’ 6-8 senior Reginald Keely, an Ohio University recruit. After playing man-to-man all year, Arnold switched up defenses all night Thursday, doubling Keely whenever he got the ball, limiting his touches and maximize his frustration. The strategy worked, as Keely finished with just 13 points and five rebounds before fouling out with two minutes left.

“They did a good job on Reg, but at the same time we did a lot of standing,” said Cleveland Heights coach Barry Egan, who lost one of his best players, junior Aaron Ashley, to a broken leg in the first game of the season. “We set some good screens and had him open, but with Desmar guarding the ball, it makes it a little tougher with your passing lanes.”

Senior Sir Christian Williams, a Rider University recruit, had 18 points and six rebounds to lead Heights (18-4), which took a 40-35 lead with 2:35 left in the third quarter and, for a moment, seemed to be in control.

But the Raiders scored the last eight points of the quarter and never trailed again. Now they’re headed for a rematch with St. Ignatius, whom they beat 65-58 on Dec. 27.

“When you’re the champ, sometimes it’s harder to stay there than it is to get there,” Arnold said. “All you can ask if for the opportunity to defend your crown and we have that opportunity.”

Added Jackson: “We’re going to be up for the task on Saturday.”

scalzo@vindy.com