43
Vrabel’s strong game propels Canfield comeback
Photo
Canfield’s Cole Pryjma (2) moves around GlenOak’s Mike Hronek (23) during Monday’s Division I tournament game in Alliance.
By Joe Scalzo
Alliance
By the end of the first quarter of Monday’s Division I sectional semifinal, Canfield High boys basketball coach Todd Muckleroy was trying to overcome a 12-point deficit to Canton GlenOak.
And that was the Cardinals’ second-biggest deficit.
Thanks to tough defense and a huge game from junior Jarret Vrabel, the Cardinals rallied past the Eagles 58-52 at Alliance High School. It was a satisfying win for one of the state’s smallest Division I schools, particularly since it came against the Federal League’s biggest school.
“There’s nothing we can do about being Division I or Division II,” said Muckleroy, whose team is just eight boys above the 369-student limit, compared to 745 for GlenOak. “The numbers are the way they are.
“The challenge to me as a coach is to coach these guys up to be ready for the Division I level.”
Vrabel scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Cardinals (18-5), who outscored the Eagles 40-23 in the second half, including 23-12 in the fourth quarter.
“Jarret Vrabel fouled out of six consecutive games [entering Monday’s game],” Muckleroy said. “We know we stand a pretty good chance of being competitive, if not winning the game, if he’s in the game.
“He gives us an extra dimension in the post.”
The 6-foot-4 forward said the team has learned to deal with pressure after a season’s worth of close games.
“We’ve won some close games and lost some close games at the buzzer but we’re always battling,” Vrabel said. “We realized it’s win or go home. But another element is coach told us to have fun. We had a good time out there.
“It could have been the last game with this team together and we’re trying to give the seniors a good send-away.”
Cole Pryjma added 11 points for Canfield, which meets Federal League champion Lake in Friday’s sectional final. The Blue Streaks beat the Cardinals 65-52 in the season opener.
Jake Merrell scored 12 points for Glen-Oak (10-13) and Jaevon Johnson added 11, although he had just two in the second half.
“They’re a Federal League team. Period,” Muckleroy said of GlenOak. “And we know on a nightly basis they play against teams that are a lot better than what we’ve seen.”
Canfield, which shared the All-American Conference American Division title with Poland, would probably be a district title threat in Division II.
But in Division I, any win for the Cardinals is a big one.
“True,” said Vrabel, “but we’re trying to get as many as we can.”