Middies find mojo right in nick of time

Midview’s first-half performance was something out of a nightmare, but its secondhalf comeback is something not even Coach Jim Brabenec could have dreamed up.

The Middies shook off one of their worst first-half performances in recent years and rallied from 14 points down in the fourth quarter to stun host North Ridgeville, 49-48, in a thrilling Southwestern Conference opener Dec. 7.

Trailing, 40-26, minutes into the fourth quarter, the Middies (2-0, 1-0 SWC) made their move.

After transitioning to a fullcourt press defense, Midview flustered North Ridgeville into five turnovers in the span of two minutes. The aggressive defense fueled the, at times, lackluster offense as Jonny Manning added a pair of buckets. In just a few minutes, the lead was sliced to 44-42.

North Ridgeville senior Tyler Cadle fought through the swarming defense to add a pair of baskets under the hoop, bolstering the lead back to 48-42 with just two minutes to play.

JEN FORBUS — FOR THE MORNING JOURNAL Midview’s Jonny Manning drives through North Ridgeville’s Noah Bayer, left, and Desean Fitzpatrick on Dec. 7.

JEN FORBUS — FOR THE MORNING JOURNAL Midview’s Isaiah Johnson grabs a rebound over North Ridgeville’s Zach Perkins on Dec. 7.