INDEPENDENCE–Cuyahoga Heights rallied in the second half to defeat rival Independence on Friday, 41-34.
The Red Wolves trailed 22-18 at the break but held Independence to 12 second-half points including just three in the final frame for an eight-point win.
“We had to tighten our offense and limit our turnovers,” said Cuyahoga Heights head coach Michael Tartara. “When the backside of our 2-3 zone started rebounding and getting touches, we extended our lead. Those little things are big things in a game like this.”
Zach Unger scored a pair of buckets and Kyle Tomco nailed a 3-pointer to give Cuyahoga Heights an early 7-0 lead.
Independence’s Sam Crooks scored in the post and on a reverse layup to pull the Blue Devils back into the game with a 7-2 run.
Independence closed the quarter with a 10-4 run but still trailed 11-10 heading into the second.
Rocco Ressler finished a reverse layup, Matty Jirmasek connected on a 3-pointer, Crooks scored under the basket, and Jirmasek converted an and-one giving Independence a 22-16 lead before McClardy drove and scored to end the half with the Blue Devils on top 22-18.
Crooks scored a pair of transition baskets to open the third, and Noah Terrano found the range for a 29-19 Independence edge.
McClardy answered the bell with a step-back jumper, followed by a 3-pointer, along with assists to Unger and Kyle Porter to cut the deficit down to 31-30 after three.
McClardy and Porter iced the game with four points each in the fourth quarter, knocking off the Blue Devils on the road.
The Red Wolves defense is among the best in the Chagrin Valley Conference. They consistently adjust on the fly, which proved to be the difference over Independence.
“(The guys) see what other teams do, and they adjust,” Tartara said of his defense. “Then, they start to anticipate. Some of the plays that worked for (Independence) in the first half, we anticipated them. Credit to our kids for understanding what (Indy) was trying to do and making sure they got the job done.”
Having that high level of defense is essential, especially with how well the players adjust at a moment’s notice.
“When we’ve been able to adjust defensively, we have had a lot of success,” Tartara said. “When we can’t adjust, it’s harder. The best way to anticipate those things is by using the experience you have. I have to give a lot of credit to our bench; they were all fired up. The spirit was right, and the vibe was really, really good.”
McClardy finished with a game-high 13 points, adding in three blocks. Unger pitched in with 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting, and Porter added eight points with nine rebounds and three steals.
Independence fell to 11-7 overall, with the game slipping away from them in the second half.
“We didn’t come out prepared in the second half. I think we got caught up in the environment too much,” said Independence head coach Marc Holliday. “It’s a lesson learned. Now that we’ve had some games in a fun high school environment like tonight, it is really going to bode well for what can potentially be a nice playoff run for us if we can get organized.”
Despite all the ups and downs this season, this loss presents an opportunity for the Blue Devils to learn about each other and find the right footing to move in the right direction.
“We’re going to learn a lot about each other tomorrow morning at practice,” Holliday said. “We’re going to see who brings some energy and turns the page, which is difficult for teenagers to do. I have faith that this group, who’s been through a lot, is going to come out with a quality practice tomorrow and on Monday as we get ready for Chagrin Falls. We’ll rest Sunday while we have the tournament draw.”
Crooks equaled McClardy’s game-high of 13 points, and Terrano knocked down four 3-pointers for 12 points. Jirmasek added in seven, while Ressler pitched in with 13 rebounds.
Cuyahoga Heights visits Chagrin Falls on Feb. 8 while Independence hosts Chagrin Falls on Feb. 11.
