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Basketball Cats Start off Postseason in Style with Win over Rhodes

By David Okocha '19, 03/04/19, 12:45PM EST

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Coach Brian Becker '77 addresses the team before its final game at Sullivan Gym this season.

The Wildcats started their push for a state championship off in style, with a dominant home win against Rhodes, 88-58, inside a packed Sullivan Gym with title-hungry fans.

The Basketball Cats started off their quest to a state title against Rhodes, who defeated John Marshall a few nights before. This game proved to be a chance for the Cats to stretch their legs and get accustomed to playoff basketball, especially for underclassmen, as they gear up for a deep playoff run.

The first half set the tone for the course of the whole game. The Wildcats dominated from the jump, led by Henry Raynor. The sophomore was efficient in the low post and in mid-range, but was most effective in fast break play, managing the paint, and having good spacing and getting open when the ‘Cats were on the run. Raynor would finish the game with a game-high 22 points.  

“Henry ran the floor,” Head Coach Brian Becker ‘77 said after the game. “When given an opportunity to go by somebody, Chase will do that, but guys have to be ready to score. Some nights it’s Davet, or Bielek. Tonight, it was Henry’s turn. Henry was in the right spots at the right times and made layup after layup after layup. That’s a credit to Chase Toppin and the floor game he played.”

The Wildcats were effective on the defensive side of the ball as well, capitalizing on Rhodes’ inability to protect the ball with many steals, mainly led by senior Lucas Bielek. The defensive dedication led to many points off turnovers, and a dominant halftime lead, 35-16 Wildcats.

With the Cats up big heading into the second half, and Rhodes clearly being outmatched, Coach Becker could give some younger players, and key bench players, some game action. Playing time this time of year allows young players to get accustomed to the rigors of playoff basketball. Freshman guard Johnathan Effertz excelled in the playing time he received, scoring seven points as well as nabbing some key assists, showing that the future is bright at the point guard position for the Wildcats. Another talented underclassman, coming off being named an All-District player, is junior Chase Toppin. Though he describes himself as a pass-first point guard, Toppin played aggressive, as Rhodes had no answer when he drove through the lane. He finished with 12 points.

Also getting some playing time were guards Wilson Young and Caleb Blake, who still provided hustle and intensity with the game already in hand. All in all, this game proved to be a warmup, with tougher challenges in tow, on the road to Columbus. The Wildcats would stave off an end of game run by Rhodes and win, 88-58.

“We got sloppy a little bit, but overall, I thought our defense was good,” Coach Becker said. “We can still clean up some of the second shot opportunities, but I thought we moved the basketball pretty well tonight. I thought we shot the ball pretty well. We had some key guys make some three balls off the bench. All in all, it was a good team victory. That team was runner-up for the city championship. They’ve got a couple of dangerous players.”

Up next for the Wildcats is the District Semifinal against Brecksville-Broadview Heights at Lakewood High School, Thursday, March 7 at 7 p.m. The Wildcats have a 12-1 record all-time against the Bees, eliminating Brecksville from the playoffs 11 times, including in each of the last three season.  

“Now we’ll focus our sights on Brecksville and see what happens next Thursday,” Coach Becker said. “We played Brecksville a couple times in the last few years. They’re well-coached and they play hard. You survive and advance. Put a check in the box and move on.”