Harding finishes strong at Poland

January 6, 2016 at 12:10a.m.

POLAND

Despite being depleted by an injury and foul trouble, the Poland High School boys basketball team continued to pester Warren Harding, taking a one-point lead with a minute to go on Mike Gajdos’ 3-pointer.

However, the Raiders controlled the final 60 seconds. After Marlin Richardson tied the game with a free throw, Gabe Simpson drove for the winning basket, drawing a fifth foul on defender Jacob Burns. Simpson’s free throw gave the Raiders Tuesday’s 62-59 victory, handed Poland its first loss and gave his team sole possession of first place in the All-American Conference Red Tier.

Simpson scored 19 points to lead the Raiders (7-1, 6-0) in the chippy contest between two of the Mahoning Valley’s strongest teams. Shakem Johnson scored 16 points and Derek Culver, the target of double- and sometimes triple-team coverage, had 11.

“It’s one of the tougher towns to play in, it feels like the crowd is on top of you,” Culver said. “To play in this type of environment, you have to be willing to win.”

Early on, it appeared that the Raiders were going to cruise. The Bulldogs (8-1, 5-1) lost Jake Buccieri late in the first quarter when he fell heavily to the floor. Midway through the second quarter, the Raiders’ speed took over. A basket by Johnson and a 3-pointer by Tiryn Frank opened a 26-17 lead.

The Bulldogs didn’t quit, posting a 7-1 run to end the quarter.

“We got out of our game plan, but [we] came right back,” Poland head coach Ken Grisdale said. “I’m so proud of how we played, competed. We played with five guys tonight, for the most part.”

Culver and Harding head coach Andy Vlajkovich said the Raiders were motivated by losses: last’s year game at Poland and last week’s defeat to Cleveland St. Ignatius.

“Last year, they gave it to us real bad,” Culver said. “To get a win in Poland feels good.”

His coach agreed.

“We didn’t play great, but I sat in that locker room last year when we didn’t play great and it felt a lot worse,” Vlajkovich said. “The times we needed to be tough tonight, we were, both on the glass and defensively.

“We had a lot of breakdowns defensively but at the times when we really needed it, we got the right stops.”

Vlajkovich was impressed with how well Culver stayed focused despite receiving so much attention.

“It was a wake-up call, but he’s going to get [extra coverage] and he’s got to learn to how to handle those as much emotionally and mentally as he does physically,” Vlajkovich said. “That double and triple can wear on you because you feel not involved.

“At times tonight, he got a little frustrated but he bounced back in a really good way.”

Culver scored eight points in the second half.

“Coach wanted to remind me to stay focused because in the first half I kind of let my head get in the way,” Culver said.

His dunk near the end of the third quarter helped the Raiders open a 48-40 lead.

“It felt real good because I know they were trying their hardest to stop me from getting the ball,” Culver said. “They capitalize off your weaknesses.”

The Bulldogs connected from long range to get back into the game. Nick Buccieri made three 3-pointers and Matt Baker two down the stretch.

Jared Burkert led the Bulldogs with 21 points. Buccieri had 16 and Baker 11.