Rocky River, Ohio - Friday night on the west side of Cleveland two highly notable programs went at it. Lutheran East (14-3) looked to build upon their win against Brush. Lutheran West (15-2), the number one division two team in the state, looked to prove they’re ranked so high for a reason. Lutheran West avenged their loss from last season topping the Falcons 47-42.
I spoke with senior guard Jason Levis after the win.
“It’s all about preparation, coach put us through a great week of practice," said Levis. "It felt great to win, obviously coming off of that bad loss last year we knew we had to get revenge.”
The pace started out really slow early as both teams were tied at five with four minutes to go.
Lutheran East started to find their mark from three in the quarter. Ronald Taylor and Anthony Bruce hit threes to put Lutheran East up 11-7 with a minute to go. Bruce scored a reverse layup right before the buzzer, and Lutheran East ended the quarter up 13-12.
Lutheran East continued to search for good three point looks in the second. Chris Hill hit one early in the quarter, Taylor followed up a few minutes later with one of his own. Lutheran East led 24-16 with two minutes left going into a timeout.
Taylor and Josh Meyer traded threes not too long after the timeout. Tino Yli-Junnila found Jason Levis cutting for a layup for the last bucket of the half. Lutheran West trailed 27-24.
Taylor started the third just like he ended the second with a three just one minute in and he followed up with a mid range jumper. After a couple of minutes in Lutheran East led 35-26.
Dylan Bartchak and Tino Yli-Junnila both hit threes to chip into the deficit for the Longhorns. Bartchak hit another one around one minute to go to cut the lead to 37-35. Lutheran West trailed 37-35 going into the fourth.
Jason Levis came out and set the tone in the fourth. He started with a pull up jumper and an assist on a Yli-Junnila and one. Lutheran West led 40-37 with five minutes to go.
A few minutes later Lutheran East found themselves down four. Hill found Jesse McCulloch under the basket for a layup to bring them within two.
The very next possession Derek Fairly drove coast to coast for a layup to push the lead to 43-39 with one minute remaining.
Lutheran East continued to fight A three from Anthony Bruce cut the lead to 45-42 with 40 seconds left.
Free throws from Jason Levis sealed the game for Lutheran West. They won 47-42.
I also spoke briefly with senior guard Anthony Bruce after the loss about the rivalry.
“To me it’s one of the biggest in the city," said Bruce. "It’s almost up there with Iggy and Ed’s. To come in their house and almost beat them it’s bittersweet...this one hurt.”
Lutheran West has another big team in the area to prepare for in Garfield Heights. Action will take place at 7:30 at Lutheran West high school February 7th.