The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Spartans hopeful for home games in playoffs
Richmond Heights’ gym almost ready
The Richmond Heights boys basketball team is the No. 1 seed in its district. With the school’s new gymnasium nearing completion, the Spartans might be able to host tournament games.
The Richmond Heights boys basketball team is playing Toledo St. Francis on Feb. 8 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
The Spartans probably don’t mind playing on the court of the Cavaliers, but the bigger picture is this:
Richmond Heights, one of Ohio’s top teams in Division IV, has not played a game in its home gym in nearly two full seasons.
That could change soon. Spartans coach Quentin Rogers — who’s also the high school’s athletic director — said the school’s renovated gymnasium is close to be ready for the postseason. The actual court is complete and ready for games, according to Rogers.
“We’re hoping,” he said. “Everything is about done. Just putting on the finishing touches.”
Richmond Heights (94) is the No. 1 seed in the Northeast 3 sectional/district, and would host all tournament through the district as the top seed. If the Spartans can host at their new gym, it “would be huge,” said Rogers.
The team has practiced all season at the district’s middle school. Rogers said if the gym is not ready for tournament games, there is a backup plan but he would not go into details.
Either way, Richmond
Heights will be ready because it’s a talented starting five when the team walks on any court.
The entire unit averages double-figures in scoring, starting with Josiah Harris, who averages 19 points. Preist Ryan scores at a 15.3-point clip, Jaiden Cox Holloway 14.2, Jamarr Talbert Jr. 13.6 and Amarion Dickerson 12.3.
That type of talent has helped offset the constant road trips the past two seasons.
“Actually, it’s like a new normal for us,” said Rogers. “We have our routine. We just hop on a bus and go. We’ve been doing is for so long but we like it. We get the other team’s best shots.”
The Spartans will get a few more to close out the regular season. Notable games include Shaker Heights on Feb. 12 and Akron Buchtel on Feb. 16.
The Spartans’ first D-IV tournament game is Feb. 26 against the winner of Kidron Central ChristianHillsdale.