The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Panthers too tall for Wickliffe
After being upset in a sectional final last year, Elyria Catholic was determined not to let history repeat itself.
The No. 3 Panthers used a well-balanced offense to throttle sixth-seeded Wickliffe, 70-42, in a Division III sectional final at the Elyria Catholic Coliseum on March 2.
Elyria Catholic advances to face No. 2 Beachwood on March 6 at 7 p.m. at Garfield Heights High School.
The Panthers (12-11) started off the game with a 16-2 run as their offense was clicking on all cylinders just in time for the playoffs.
“I was very happy to see the great start,” Panthers coach Phil Kuchta said. “A lot of different variables go into a basketball game and we just don’t always have a lot of influence over the game, which people might think. Our kids really did what they could control, which is defend and rebound.”
Elyria Catholic had its way inside with a noticeable size advantage, outrebounding Wickliffe, 25-14.
Panthers junior Jarred Logan made his presence known early and often as he stymied Wickliffe with a pair of blocks in the opening minutes while continuing his stellar play throughout the evening.
He tallied 16 points, three rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
“He is a leader for us,” Kuchta said. “We feel like he is one of the most versatile players in all of Northeast Ohio. He certainly did his job defensively, and I feel like we are at our best when he brings the ball up in transition and just goes.”
Six-foot-7 Panthers sophomore Branson Taylor bullied his way inside the paint, tallying eight points and eight rebounds, including six points in the first five minutes of play.
“We had a really big size advantage and we used it to our advantage today,” Taylor said.
His teammate, senior Dorian Crutcher sizzled in the first half, racking up all 16 of his points, as the Panthers’ lead continued to grow.
It was Crutcher’s last game inside the Elyria Catholic Coliseum. He was named D-III Lorain County Player of the Year this week.
“It feels good to do it in front of our fans for one last time,” Crutcher said.
The Blue Devils (5-13) fell behind, 27-4, by the end of the first quarter while shooting only 2-of-11 from the field.
Things didn’t get any better for Wickliffe in the second quarter as they struggled to contain Elyria Catholic’s fast-paced offense and found itself being stymied around the rim by a much larger Panthers squad.
The damage had been done by halftime as Elyria Catholic took a 46-16 lead into the break.
With the score out of reach, the Blue Devils showed a boost of energy and spark in the third quarter, outscoring Elyria Catholic, 19-15.