Titans come from behind to notch win

The Lorain Titans capped off their regular season with a dramatic come-from-behind victory over Cleveland Heights on Feb. 24, defeating the Tigers, 64-61.

It was Senior Night at Lorain and the upperclassmen stepped up, but not without facing adversity from a conference rival.

Cleveland Heights jumped out to a 22-9 lead after one quarter of play, putting Lorain’s unbeaten Lake Erie League record in jeopardy.

The Titans were able to cut the deficit to three late in the second quarter, but Cleveland Heights

answered back and took a 10-point lead into halftime.

“I thought we were a little out of sorts tonight,” Lorain coach John Rositano said.

“We just didn’t play the way we normally play and Cleveland Heights played well in the first half. They made some shots and we got behind, but we got a little rhythm in the second half and put the heat on them.”

Jalil Little came to life after halftime, providing a spark on both ends of the floor, as the senior guard scored eight of Lorain’s 14

points in the third quarter.

The Titans trailed by six heading into the final period when sophomore Devone Grant gave Lorain a lift on offense, scoring eight of his 11 points in the fourth quarter.

Senior forward Naz Bohannon knew he and his teammates could count on Grant to step up in a big game.

“He took over the game,” Bohannon said.

“I told him before the game, ‘Don’t worry about Senior Night. You’re a senior, too, even though you’re a sophomore.’”

The sophomore apparently took those words to heart, as he drained one of the biggest shots of the night, a 3-pointer from the

corner to tie the game with 3:39 to play.

Grant found Octavius Wilson down low for an easy basket on Lorain’s next possession, giving the Titans their first lead of the night.

Cleveland Heights did not go down without a fight, as Yahel Hill hit a mid-range jumper to make it a one-point game with 45 seconds left.

The Tigers had a chance to take the lead after forcing a turnover and getting out on the break, but Naz Bohannon rejected 6-foot-5 senior Jaylen Harris underneath the rim and Little grabbed the loose ball.

Little was intentionally fouled and proceeded to knock down both free

throws calmly, making it a three-point game with 12 seconds left.

Cleveland Heights had an opportunity to tie, but senior Daesean Brooks made the biggest steal of the night, intercepting a crosscourt pass and sealing the victory for the Titans.

“Seeing Daesean out there reminded me of football season when he was locking up No. 1 receivers,” Bohannon said.

“That’s what I saw. Another interception. Another deflected pass. That’s his element and he kind of put the game into his own hands.”

Bohannon scored 15 points and hauled in 17 rebounds. It was an allaround team effort.