CHAGRIN FALLS — Chagrin Falls leaned on defense and late free throws to hold off South Range 67-59 Wednesday night, extending the Tigers’ winning streak to 17 games and sending them to the Division V district championship.
South Range nearly erased what was once a 12-point deficit behind a huge third quarter from Tommy Titas, who scored 13 points in the period to cut the Chagrin Falls lead to just two early in the fourth. That’s when junior Brady Kaas took on the defensive assignment that helped seal the win.
“It was definitely just straight energy, getting up in his face all the way down the court and not letting him get good looks or even let him get the ball,” Kaas said. “We do that in practice, where I face guard whoever it happens to be. Coach (Dave) Bargar puts the trust in me to go up against him and make sure he doesn’t get those good shots anymore.”
Chagrin Falls set the tone early, opening the game with four straight 3-pointers from Jake Vasko and Brady DeVito while Owen Adelman added a putback to build an 18-7 lead.
Kaas converted an and-one late in the quarter to give the Tigers a 24-11 advantage after one.
The Tigers stayed hot from beyond the arc in the second quarter. DeVito knocked down two more 3-pointers, and Vasko beat the halftime buzzer with a corner triple to push the lead to 40-28.
South Range responded in the third behind Titas, who sparked a rally that tightened the game heading into the fourth. Chagrin Falls still held a narrow 52-50 edge thanks to a nine-point, four-rebound quarter that kept the Tigers in front.
The Raiders briefly tied the game when Nick Toy scored to open the final period, but Chagrin Falls answered immediately. DeVito found Vasko in transition, and DeVito later buried a corner 3-pointer to put the Tigers back in control 57-52.
South Range closed within one point at 59-58 late, but the Tigers calmly sealed the game at the free-throw line, knocking down eight straight in the closing moments.
“Our three messages in the tournament — the last one on the board every time — is ‘find a way,’” said Chagrin Falls head coach Dave Bargar. “Find a way. We’ve been in a lot of tough games. I can’t describe what this season has been like. You win 17 games in a row in basketball, even for elite teams, that’s hard. It’s really, really hard to do. It’s a surreal feeling. All of a sudden, you’re just in it. These kids have really bought into it, and that’s the best part.”
For DeVito, a senior, the win also marked the final home game of his career.
“It means a lot,” DeVito said. “This was my last home game here at Chagrin Falls, and it was nice to come out with the win. When we were 2-4, we knew we weren’t that bad. We made practices tougher, and that helped us become the team we are today.”
Vasko led Chagrin Falls with 21 points on 6-of-8 shooting while adding four rebounds and four assists. DeVito finished with 18 points, including five 3-pointers.
Harrison Horvath recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds while adding two blocks. Adelman contributed four points, six rebounds, and three blocks, and Kaas added three points with two steals.
Chagrin Falls advances to face Norwayne in the Division V Northeast 2 District Championship at Akron Firestone High School on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
