Strongsville Boys Stun Garfield Hts. in OT, 86-79

Judging from the crowd, this was neither a make-up game nor a playoff primer. It was the regular season finale and “Senior Night.” It was also unofficially the start of the playoffs. Both boys’ basketball teams, like the fans in the attendance, filled the Strongsville High School gymnasium with heart and passion.

This Northeast Ohio Conference (NOC) grudge match between the two rivals featured pointed passing and lights-out shooting that would not be contained in four quarters of play. The Mustangs needed overtime to topple previously unbeaten Garfield Heights, 86-79, on Saturday night.

Garfield Heights (19-1), who had stopped Strongsville earlier in the season (Jan. 21, won 60-51), is one of the area’s top teams lead by the talented trio of senior Trey Lewis, sophomore Tony Farmer, and junior Terrell Byrd. The Bulldogs threesome, who combined for 65 points, led their team to a 20-point first quarter and a three-point lead at halftime.

Strongsville (15-5), not to be outdone, countered with their formable "Big Three" seniors - Aaron White, Gurjeet Gill and Ray Hamilton.  The Mustang trio combined for 68 points - 18 from White in the first-half that helped keep Strongsville within striking distance.

For Mustangs head coach Joe Lynch, it was all about getting the ball into the hands of his senior leaders.

“We love playing here on our home floor. We were ultimately able to attack their pressure defense well. We tried to keep the ball in the hands of Aaron (White) and (Gur)Jeet (Gill). Other guys did some important things for us, things that don’t necessarily show up in the stat sheet. Ray Hamilton was big on the boards. (Kyle) Meehan, Joe (Tayeh), everyone played a role tonight, that’s how we won. They (Garfield Heights) are a great team.”

It was the grit of White, who scored a game-high 36 points, and the marksman shooting of Gill (27 points) that kept the game even throughout, with the Mustangs trailing the Bulldogs by one (53-52) entering the fourth quarter.

Down the stretch, Gill hit several key foul shots to help Strongsville keep pace with Garfield Heights to send the game into overtime.

In overtime, White scored eight of the Mustangs 17 points to give his team the hard-fought win. It would be Strongsville’s 10th straight win.

Top scorers for Bulldogs include Farmer (30 points), Lewis (24), Byrd (11), and junior Kenny Simpson (8).

Garfield Heights next plays in the Cleveland regional tournament / Solon bracket on March 4 at Solon High School at 6 p.m. They will play the winner of the Howland-Austintown Fitch game.

Strongsville will play in the Cleveland regional tournament / Grafton bracket on March 5 at Midview High School at 7:30 p.m. They will play the winner of the North Olmsted-Amherst Steele game.