Ursuline Irish are one step from state

Gregory sparks Irish past Orrville

By Joe Scalzo

scalzo@vindy.com

CANTON

Orrville’s giants stood in front of him — a front line of 6-foot-5 players that looked like college seniors, both in size and, in some cases, their ability to grow a beard — but Ursuline senior Khiree Gregory wasn’t fazed.

Ever try to chase a laser pointer? That’s what the Red Riders looked like at times Wednesday night, as the 5-foot-11 Irish guard treated his first regional basketball game like it was his eighth.

The Irish are one step from state after a 66-58 win over the Red Riders at the Canton Fieldhouse and it’s because the smallest player in their lineup played the biggest.

Over and over, he took the ball at the top of the key, surveyed the defense and attacked. He treated his first defender like a folding chair. He treated his second defender like an oak tree. Orrville didn’t have time to throw a third defender at him, as Gregory used a variety of pull-up jumpers, floaters and attacking layups to pile up 28 points, nine rebounds and the respect of everyone in the gym.

“That’s just a guy who wants it,” Orrville coach Sly Slaughter. “We didn’t have any answer for Gregory. His penetration just killed us.”

Added Ursuline coach Keith Gunther, “Khiree, wow. You talk about a kid that’s really stepped it up in the tournament. This is the fourth game in a row where he’s basically been unstoppable.”

The Irish, playing in their first regional since 2008, seemed like they were going to run away with the game early, taking a 20-9 lead after the first quarter that brought back memories of Friday’s blowout win over Campbell in the district final.

But Orrville, which entered the tournament with a 7-13 record, has proven to be remarkably resilient over the past few weeks. The Red Riders chipped the deficit down to five at halftime and four after three quarters.

“We told our guys at the beginning of the fourth quarter that we needed to work it down to one possession,” Slaughter said. “They had not had a tight game all tournament, so they hadn’t been in that situation.”

Orrville finally got within three, 59-56, with about 90 seconds left but the Red Riders were forced to foul and the Irish made 7 of 10 free throws down the stretch to put the game away.

“They did what you’re supposed to do,” Slaughter said. “They got the lead and knocked down free throws and that’s how you advance in the tournament.”

Senior DeVonte Jenkins battled foul trouble but still managed 18 points and nine rebounds for the Irish (18-6), who will play Cleveland Central Catholic Saturday night for the right to play in their first state tournament since winning it all in 1994.

“We said all week, ‘This should not be our last game, this should not be our last practice,’” Gregory said. “We feel like everything we’ve been working for all year is paying off.”

Gregory and Jenkins dominated the stat line, but the other Irish starters played well and the team got a huge boost off the bench from little-known sophomore Khalid Pierce, who gave up at least five inches inside but battled Orrville’s big men better than anyone could have expected.

Ursuline scrimmaged Central last summer and Gunther believes the Ironmen are a better matchup than the Red Riders.

Or, at least, he hopes so.

“I’ll tell you what, this is the greatest feeling in the world to be one game away,” Gunther said. “I can’t imagine what it would be like to know we’re going down there.

“From where this program went the last two years to get to this point, it’s great. But we can’t be satisfied. I told my guys, ‘Enjoy this tonight, enjoy it as much as you can. Because tomorrow we’ve got to get back to work.’”