The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Mentor boys top Brush to advance to regionals
Cardinals will face GCC foe Medina in regional semifinal at Wolstein Center
The result turned out to be the same. The circumstances preceding Mentor’s 71-69 victory against Brush in the Euclid District final March 7 were much unlike those in the Cardinals’ triumph a year ago.
The Arcs led by six points early in the fourth quarter and controlled tempo as they played through John Hugley IV and Elmore James IV in the halfcourt.
Luke Floriea stepped up to knock down a clutch 3-pointer, Mentor made 11 of 14 attempts from the foul line in the final period and the Cardinals found a way to win their 13th district title in the past 18 seasons under Coach Bob Krizancic.
“We weren’t nervous at all,” Floriea said. “I think we had a timeout in there and we all kind of just looked at each other, we really rallied. We’re like, ‘we’re not losing, we’ve worked too hard all year for this,’ and I think it showed.”
Luke Chicone went 12-for13 at the foul line and scored a team-high 22 points. Chad Rogers finished with 21 and Floriea chipped in 20.
Mentor improved to 19-6.
The Cardinals advanced to a regional semifinal against Medina on March 11 at Cleveland State.
“It means the world to me,” Chicone said. “Especially the people I’m doing it with, these are my brothers. I’ve been playing with them since second and third grade, so I just love it.”
Brush took a brief lead in the first quarter before Rogers knocked down a 3 and added a layup to put Mentor up, 13-9, headed to the second. The Cardinals extended their edge to eight, 31-22, before James keyed a late burst to draw Brush within a bucket, 33-31, at half.
Hugley scored 13 points in the third quarter to help the Arcs go ahead, 53-51, in the fourth quarter. Rogers, alongside Caleb Piks, drew the assignment of guarding the 6-foot-10 Pitt signee.
“I’m exhausted,” Rogers said. “My legs are tired just from pushing him around. I had to use a lot of my lower body, but other than that, it was a fun game to play.”
Mentor began the fourth quarter in the bonus. Baskets from James and Hugley gave Brush its largest lead, 57-51, before Floriea’s 3-pointer helped swing momentum.
Mentor attacked the basket in the game’s final minutes to close the gap. Chicone tied the game with a pair of free throws, then gave Mentor a 66-64 lead with two more makes and the Cardinals never relinquished the lead.
“You’re never prepared to play against that size and strength,” Krizancic said. “Mentally, I can’t say enough about my players. I love my backcourt. You know I think they’re the best.”
Hugley finished with 35 points and 15 rebounds in his final high school game.
James added 23 to cap an outstanding postseason from the sophomore.
Brush’s outlook remains bright. James leads a group that returns two other starters, Antwone Woolfolk and Andrew Jones, as well as hyper-talented freshmen Marlon Barnes Jr. and Tyler Williams.
For now, a season-ending loss to Mentor for a third straight year stings.
“It’s hard because you know how hard that your kids fought,” coach Chet Mason said. “Everybody’s not going to agree, but a couple thousand saw how hard they fought. I do believe the outcome should’ve been different, but it’s a game.”