The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Lorain nearly pulls upset in D-I district semifinal
In order for 19th seed Lorain to pull off an upset against second seed Brecksville-Broadview Heights, the Titans had to play a near-perfect game in a Division I Elyria Catholic District semifinal on March 1.
The Titans season came down to one shot after a one-and-one free throw, which came just short, as their season ended in a 51-50 loss.
“We embody what a family is, and we are there for one another. This was tough. They played their hearts out, and we came up short,” Lorain coach Matthew Kielian said.
Brecksville advanced to the Division I Elyria Catholic District final, which will be played March 4.
Everything seemed to fall into place for Lorain to pull off the upset. The Titans forced a turnover with 16 seconds left, which was enough time for Ike Rowser (nine points) to hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 51-50 with 9.2 seconds left in regulation.
Lorain made a statement in its first two possessions, with made 3-pointers from Rowser and Asiah Kielian (eight) to lead, 6-0.
“The kids were dialed in,” Coach Kielian said. “They were playing for one another. They were focused and following the game plan, they trusted the game plan and one another. That’s why we were able to have so much success in the first half.
They didn’t back down from an 11-0 Brecksville run, in part, from a 3-pointer at the buzzer from Jai’den Guerra-Howard (13) to cut the lead to 17-16 at the end of the first quarter.
“We knew that (Lorain was) a scrappy team. Credit to them, they made a lot of tough shots. Our defense wasn’t as good as we wanted to be, but we competed on both ends,” Brecksville’s Luke Skaljac said.
Lorain totaled 13 assists in the first half to trail, 36-34, at the end of the second quarter.
“We executed. We watched their defense and saw what they had to offer. We made a couple of plays. Things were drawn up in the week. We were all dialed in an wanted to win this one,” Ruiz said.
Brecksville’s 6-foot-8 senior Chase Garito (13) gave them the size advantage in the paint. However, Lorain’s defense countered the size with physicality.
“We knew that this was going to be a battle,” Brecksville’s coach Steve Mehalik said. “We spent so much time on this team. They are so well-coached. Their guards play really well and (Christian) Ruiz plays like he’s (6-foot-8).”
Christian Ruiz (five), though stands 6-foot-2, showed it’s more about the size of the fight in the dog, as he was the primary defender against Garito to limit him offensively and even block a shot in the first quarter.
“I spent a lot of time since (the Copley game) watching his game,” Ruiz said. “He is an amazing player. I was dialed in and spent a lot of time seeing how he played to get the job done.”
Skaljac (15), Brecksville’s first-team all-district guard left at the start of the third quarter with an ankle injury. He came back at the halfway point to score six points with an assist to keep the Bees’ offense going.
“All I can tell you is that I’m glad (Skaljac) is wearing a Brecksville jersey, because we are a lot better when he is on the floor,” Mehalik said.