Burkert, Black, Wolfe lead Poland over Canfield

February 8, 2014 at 12:10a.m.

Late foul shots

help Bulldogs

avenge earlier loss

By JOE CATULLO JR.

POLAND

Canfield High’s Cole Pryjma received an inbounds pass with 6.9 seconds remaining Friday night, looking to run the floor against Jared Burkert with the game tied.

The Cardinals received possession after Nick Gajdos was called for traveling. Poland only had five fouls, so Burkert tried fouling Pryjma. Instead, the sophomore made the biggest play of his career. He stripped Pryjma.

“I just saw the ball right in front of me and went for it,” Burkert said. “I thought I fouled him, but I guess I didn’t.”

Pryjma then fouled Burkert with 3.2 seconds left in the game. Not only that, but Pryjma was also tagged with an intentional foul, giving Poland another possession. Burkert made both free throws.

“He has a knack for making plays,” Poland coach Ken Grisdale said. “I don’t think he even understands the situation a lot of the times. He just plays.”

One second later, Dan Black nailed two free throws. Brady Clark then hit a running 3-point attempt with no time remaining, but it wasn’t enough. Poland defeated its rival, 50-49, and won the “Battle of 224” trophy for the seventh consecutive year.

“Down the stretch, you need to have guys that can make plays, and we did that. And so did they,” Canfield coach Todd Muckleroy said. “They made the last play, the most important play, and that’s where it counts.”

The Bulldogs (15-2, 10-1) trailed for most of the first three quarters before taking a 35-34 lead at the 7:15 mark in the fourth. Canfield (14-4, 7-3) regained the lead a few moments later before Poland got it right back at the 4:28 mark, 40-36.

“I knew if we could get the lead, I thought we could get them in a situation where they would have to foul us,” Grisdale said. “Although we didn’t shoot foul shots early in the game, we made them down the stretch. I thought that’s where the game would be won.”

The Bulldogs made 14 free throws on 20 attempts overall, with 12 coming in the second half. Black nailed eight and finished with a game-high 19 points.

Another key factor for Poland was rebounding. The Bulldogs outrebounded Canfield, 37-23, with 22 coming offensively. Poland had 16 offensive rebounds in the first half, which helped the 23-20 halftime deficit.

“It could’ve been worse had it not been for our activity on the glass,” Grisdale said.

Jacob Wolfe led with a game-high 15 rebounds (10 offensive) and chipped in nine points. Burkert finished with seven points off the bench.

For Canfield, Mike Yourstowsky led with 11 points. Mike Vrabel finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Andrew Midgley also had 10 points.

Poland avenged a 55-51 overtime defeat to Canfield on Dec. 20. The Bulldogs lifted Wolfe on their shoulders after the game while hoisting the trophy in front of the student section.

“It’s just a combination of happiness and excitement,” Wolfe said. “After that first loss, this is exactly what we were working for.”