Spartans’ Press and Late Surge Down Orange Lions in Northeast Ohio Classic

GARFIELD HEIGHTS, OH- The Orange Lions took the floor Sunday at Garfield Heights High School for the Northeast Ohio Basketball Classic, facing a tough challenge against Richmond Heights. The Spartans set the tone early and pulled away late, earning a 74–56 victory.

Richmond Heights wasted no time asserting control, opening the game with an aggressive full-court press. The pressure paid off immediately as the Spartans jumped out to a 14–0 lead in the first five minutes. The Lions, however, responded with energy off the bench. Freshman Aaron Lewis caught fire, scoring 10 straight points to spark a comeback and trim the deficit to 14–10.

The Spartans steadied themselves in the final minute of the opening quarter, closing on a 4–1 run to take an 18–11 lead after one.

Richmond Heights continued to build momentum in the second quarter, extending the advantage to 38–22 by halftime. Coming out of the break, the game turned into a series of runs, with both teams trading baskets and momentum. Orange showed resilience in the third quarter, cutting the Spartan lead to 45–37 with 2:30 remaining.

Once again, Richmond Heights answered. An 11–3 run to close the quarter pushed the lead back out and gave the Spartans control heading into the fourth.

The Lions made one final push, narrowing the margin to 58–50 with five minutes left in the game. That would be as close as Orange could get. Richmond Heights closed strong, finishing the contest on a decisive 16–6 run to seal the win.

Aaron Lewis led the Lions with 18 points, knocking down four three-pointers in an impressive performance off the bench. Dillon Mathur added 14 points, also connecting on four shots from beyond the arc, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Spartans’ pressure and late-game execution.

Khyell Moreland 8-0-0-20

Hayden Smith 2-0-0-6

Anthony Hammett 2-0-0-5

Jamir Jolly 3-2-3-9

Dannen Kavanaugh 1-3-5-5

L. Perillo 4-0-0-8

Jaylhin Sheppard 4-1-2-9

Chaz Rosiles 1-0-0-2

Alex McCulloch 4-1-2-9

Dillon Mathur 5-0-0-14

Aaron Lewis 7-0-0-18

Jonah Marderstein 0-2-4-2

Peter Daberko 1-0-0-2