The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Brush, Euclid players win awards at N-H Classic
When the Red team used a 3-point onslaught to force overtime in the 40th annual News-Herald Classic, the Blue team appeared listless headed into the overtime period.
Brush’s Tyler Williams responded the only way he knew how — the senior forward bulled his way toward the basket and drew a foul. Williams made one of two free throws to put the Blue team back ahead. Teammate Jerry Higgins followed with a layup and 3-pointer and the Blue team was firmly back in control.
Williams scored the last two baskets of the game — an alley-oop finish and 3-pointer from the corner to earn Most Valuable Player honors in the Blue team’s victory.
“I just came out to hoop,” Williams said. “I just wanted to come out and show (out) for real, get some dunks and have fun.”
Williams, alongside Richmond Heights’ Darius Dudley, led the Blue team with 19 points.
The News-Herald Classic, sponsored by Hooley House, afforded many players the chance to play with friends who are usually opponents.
In Williams’ case, he was paired with Euclid’s William Saunders. Williams presence on the interior made distribution easy for the Blue team’s guards.
“I know every pass I give him, he’s going to finish the layup,” Saunders said. “He good.”
Saunders earned recognition at halftime with his display in the 3-point contest.
Saunders trailed firstplace Michael Bothwell’s seven points with six headed into his final two shots. Saunders made his final one-point shot, then his money ball, worth two points, to give him a victory.