Cleveland, Ohio - The Cleveland Central Catholic Ironmen (7-2) faced off against the Bedford Bearcats (7-3). The Bearcats’ defensive efforts led them to the win and extended their win streak to five games. Head Coach Jermaine Gay spoke about the win.
“They’ve really bought into what we’re talking about on defense. We’re going to make or miss shots, but defense and rebounding took us home tonight…our defense and rebounding travels every game,” said Gay.
Both teams struggled early on with taking care of the ball. They also took awhile to get in rhythm offensively.
Three minutes into the game Kevin Woodgett knocked down a three for the first bucket of the game. Terrell Pollard extended the lead with several buckets at the rim. The Ironmen started to get going, they led 10-9 going into the second.
In the second the Ironmen’s defensive pressure on the perimeter started to show. Marquis Foster was a spark plug for them. He scored eight in the quarter.
Threes from Foster and Ken’Dell Sheffield pushed their lead to 24-16 with about 2:30 to go in the half. The half ended with the Ironmen leading 24-20.
Bedford flipped a switch early in the second half. Their shots started to fall, they knocked down four threes in the third. Two of them came during an 8-0 run, two minutes into the quarter.
Damien Wright hit one to extend their lead to 36-32 with about two minutes to go. Bedford went into the fourth leading 39-34.
Both teams battled going back and forth until the absolute end. Around five minutes to go King Young stole a pass for a transition layup. Deonte James finished a bucket around the rim a few possessions later. Young followed it up with another score at the rim. The game was tied at 42 with around three minutes to go.
From that point the Bearcats started to seal the game. Woodgett scored a floater in the lane to give them the lead, the next possession he got an assist. Right after that Zionte Williams scored a layup in transition off of a turnover. Bedford led 48-42 with about 1:30 to go.
Young knocked down a contested stepback three to cut it to 48-45 with about 45 seconds left. After Bedford missed both free throws Young got another opportunity from the three. He pulled up to tie the game and missed at the buzzer. Bedford came out on top, winning 48-45.
Bedford will be back in action at home Jan.10 versus Lorain. Tip off is set for 7:30 p.m.
Scoring leaders:
Bedford : Pollard 12, Woodgett 11, Hudson, 9
CCC: Driscal 13, Foster 9
Comments