Spartans’ tournament run carries weight at Richmond Heights

The Richmond Heights Local School District is nestled between the Euclid, South Euclid-Lyndhurst and Mayfield districts on the eastern edge of Cuyahoga County.

By competitive balance numbers, the Spartans’ enrollment of 101 students rank Richmond Heights as the thirdsmallest boys basketball program in the area ahead of Cornerstone’s Christian’s 87 boys and Newbury’s 69.

This week, the Spartans’ basketball team vies for its first-ever trip to Columbus.

Coach Quentin Rogers’ team opened the postseason with a win over Cornerstone Christian, defeated Rittman in a Norton District semifinal then beat Elyria Open Door to win its first district championship since 2014.

Since, Rogers said he’s noticed the Spartans’ district title generated energy within the Richmond Heights school district. Hired as the basketball coach and athletic director in July 2017, Rogers said then his goal was to build the basketball program to compete for titles.

On the AAU circuit, Rogers led teams to four national titles. He’s become aware of what a state run would signify to the Richmond Heights community.

“I think that’d mean a lot,” Rogers said. “I think the school deserves it, the community deserves it and the players are working hard to achieve that goal.”

Richmond Heights plays Bristol at the Canton Fieldhouse in a Division IV Canton regional semifinal March 12 at 6:15. If the Spartans advance past the Panthers, they’d face Greenwich South Central or New Middletown Springfield with a state berth on the line March 15.

Excitement for the Spartans continues to build.

The home page of the high school’s website displays a video featuring Dr. Renee Willis, the district’s superintendent, encouraging the Richmond Heights community to support its team throughout the postseason. Willis challenges her student-athletes and their supporters to “dare to believe” in the promise of the weeks ahead.

Nearly two years ago after Rogers was hired, the Spartans achieved the first goal on his checklist of winning a district championship. Senior Curtis Houston and junior Gbolahan Adio, first team alldistrict guards, lead Richmond Heights into the regional round. Whatever the Spartans accomplish, Rogers credits his players before his coaching.

“At the end of the day, it’s all really on the players,” Rogers said. “To me, a coach is only as good as the players that listen and execute. The guys bought in and they’re getting some results.”

This season, those results may include more hardware beyond a district title.