The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Lorain scuttles past Cleveland Central Catholic
Following his team’s 4334 win over Cleveland Central Catholic on Dec. 7, Lorain coach Matt Kielian called what his team is going through a “productive struggle”.
That’s a good description of what Kielian’s young team — which is low on varsity exposure — is going through as they look to find their identity.
“We’re going to go out there and do our best,” Kielian said. “We’re going to make mistakes, but they recognize the importance of our growth. They’re not happy with the way we won, but they’re happy that we did win.”
The Titans trailed just once in the game — 2-0 in the opening seconds — but could never put the pesky Ironmen away. They held an eight point lead after the open
ing quarter which quickly ballooned to 13 points, but quickly that evaporated.
Lorain led by five at the half and Central Catholic got as close as two in the closing minutes of the game.
“We took that team for granted,” Asiah Kielian said. “They were hungry. They’re a really good team and we didn’t do a good job of doing the things we needed to be doing. We got the win, but we’re not happy with the way we played.”
The younger Kielian led all scorers with 19 and hit big baskets at key moments during the game. Kielian hit back-to-back threepointers in the late second quarter that seven after Central Catholic started to work it’s way back into the game.
It was an off night for just about everyone else on the Lorain roster. Kielian was the lone double-digit scorer with Jordan Daniels being the only other Titan to score more than five points.
Daniels, who scored eight points on Dec. 7, was the hero in Lorain’s first game, scoring 27 and hitting the game winning free throws in a come-from-behind win over Bedford.
“Every time we go out there we can’t take anybody for granted,” Coach Kielian said. “We got a little comfortable at times and that is what created some of that sloppiness that you saw.”
Lorain struggled to find its groove on offense for much of the night, going almost a full three minutes before baskets in the first quarter. That poor shooting, combined with turnovers, led Central Catholic back into the game.
Lorain moves to 2-0 with the win after playing two very different games to start the season. The Titans won’t return to the friendly confines of Lorain High until Dec. 27 when they host North Royalton.
The extended road trip will take Lorain to Shaw, Amherst and Westlake for a Holiday Tournament.
“Every game is an opportunity for us,” Kielian said. “It’s an opportunity for us to get better. We’re going to learn from our mistakes and we’ll be ok.”