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Irish dream ends
Cleveland State recruit dazzles in CCC’s win
By Tom Williams
CANTON
Most high school basketball players would settle for four 3-pointers in any game.
Against Ursuline in the Division III regional final at the Canton Fieldhouse, Cleveland Central Catholic’s Anton Grady put on an amazing display of long-distance accuracy, scoring four 3-pointers in the game’s first four minutes.
Grady’s early dominance (14 points, three rebounds in the first quarter) powered the Ironmen (18-8) to a 59-46 victory on Saturday to earn their second trip to Columbus in three seasons.
SDLqThat was the whole problem,” Ursuline coach Keith Gunther said of the Ironmen’s superb start that had them ahead 19-10 after eight minutes.
SDLqFrom that point on, we battled, If that game doesn’t start like that, I felt it’s a ballgame.
“Grady came out, hit somes 3s, banks one in,” Gunther said with a laugh. “When he banked that one in, you just went ‘Wow.’ They played well, not just offensively.”
Sophomore Ryan Strollo led the Irish (18-7) with 23 points including seven 3-pointers. But six of the came in the second half with the Ironmen cruising.
“They did things to us defensively, they made us uncomfortable,” Gunther said. “It was tough for us to get into our sets.”
Senior DeVonte Jenkins finished with 17 points, three rebounds and two blocks.
“I didn’t think our big guns really stepped it up,” Gunther said. “DeVonte played well, Khiree [Gregory] has really been playing great for us but he was not a factor. That was major.”
Cleveland Central Catholic coach Kevin Noch said his squad threw a switch at the Irish defenders.
“We knew they play a great extended 2-3 [defensive scheme] so we knew we had to shoot the 3s,” Noch said. “But to come out with the way we hit them was amazing.
“The last two days, all we’ve been doing is shooting 3s, but I think it was our defense,” Noch said. “Our freshman point guard [Gregory Alexander] held [Gregory] to two points.He’s our MVP because [Gregory] has been averaging 20-some points a game.
“That’s our signature — we like to hold teams to under 48 and we did it again tonight,” Noch said.
But it was Grady who held everyone’s attention from the beginning, sinking his first four shots for 12 points and a 14-2 lead.
Grady, a Cleveland State recruit, finished with 22 points and 17 rebounds. Guard Rasaun Smith scored 13 points including 10 in the first half as the Ironmen opened up a 29-15 lead.
“I was feeling it and Coach gave me a look that said keep shooting until you miss,” Grady said. “And I kept shooting.”
Noch said, “I’ve been blessed to have him all four years. This was my 70th win with him — we’re 70 and 30. He’s sees the floor so well at 6-8.”
Gunther said, “Their two key guys played well in the first half and those were the two guys we were supposed to take out of the game early.”
Gunther said the Irish were aware of Grady’s skills.
“We knew that he could shoot them ... but our focus was that we’d much rather have him shooting the 3 then getting us on the block,” Gunther said. “That’s why he’s a Division I [college] kid. He came out with an attitude that I’m not going to let our team down.
“Ryan made some shots, but they were a little late,” Gunther said. “He’s been doing that all year. They got us on the glass because we haven’t been out-rebounded all year, even against Orrville. We out-rebounded them by one,
I thought we came a little like we were just going to play another game,” Gunther said.
“I’m really proud that we got to this point,” Gunther said. “Of course, we wanted to get to Columbus but after the last couple of years, this has been a really great year for us.”
Two years ago, Cleveland Central Catholic won the Div. III state title and Noch admitted that their experience was a factor.
“It does in its own way because a lot of the younger guys were part of the program,” Noch said. “When you’re building a program, it’s nice to have those guys along for the ride. This is a real special group.”