Five Takeaways: Cleveland Heights vs. St. Vincent-St. Mary
The senior-laden Cleveland Heights Tigers won the fourth quarter battle, but St. Vincent-St. Mary prevailed in the war. The Irish snapped a three-game losing streak in a 70-66 victory over Cleveland Heights.
St. Vincent-St. Mary improved their record to 4-5 while Heights dropped to 6-3. But, going forward, there’s more to the story than record alone, so let’s dive a little deeper…
Pay no attention to the team behind the record
Four wins and five losses tells you St. Vincent-St. Mary is an average basketball team. But, three of those wins come against VASJ, Trotwood-Madison, and Cleveland Heights. The losses? Pickerington Central, Stow, Garfield Heights, Ignatius, and St. Edward.
There’s a solid chance that the Irish will wind up back in Columbus with a chance to defend their Division II crown. Over the next month, they’ll need to learn to close out games though — they were outscored by nine points in fourth and turned it over countless times. Regardless, they’re super talented with underclassmen like Seth Wilson, Malaki Branham, and Jalen Ross alongside proven commodities Lunden McDay and Scott Walter.
Lunden McDay from deep
Known for his defensive flexibility, length, and finishing ability, 6’3” wing Lunden McDay (2019) surprised us with his 3-point shooting ability for STVM. While he was still flying towards the basket on cuts and rebound efforts, McDay’s hitting from the perimeter opens his bag. Continually earning the defense’s respect from outside could bring more offers for McDay, who has one from Buffalo currently.
First look at Malaki Branham
St. Vincent-St. Mary’s 6’4” freshman forward Malaki Branham has the physical tools to blossom into a very nice player. Given the team’s size disadvantage, Branham had to wrestle with Tyreke Smith inside. He was competent on the glass and finished a couple contested shots inside. Most impressive was a face-up move where he euro-stepped while driving left for a layup.
Lemaro Smith’s role
Smith, a 6’3” Buffalo football commit, didn’t play in the Great Lakes Classic, the last time we saw Cleveland Heights. Not only is he physically mature enough to take contact and contribute on defense, Smith also stretches the floor with the jumper. Smith drilled three triples on his line-drive shot in the first half alone. Yet another member of a deep senior class for the Tigers.
Who is Cleveland Heights’ go-to five?
The Tigers play eight or nine players (all seniors) in their rotation, all of which receive significant minutes. It’s an everlasting flow of bodies with Yahel Hill and Tyreke Smith being the mainstays. Most importantly, Smith’s switchability as a 6’5” forward allows Heights to throw any four players out there alongside the Ohio State football commit.
Everyone’s got to play because of their depth of talent, but there’s not a lineup they turned to when STVM opened up the lead. While it’s good to be deep, a lack of a reliable five who is comfortable playing with each other could bite them in the tournament.