Five Takeaways: Springfield vs. Cleveland Heights
The late Sunday game at Flyin’ to the Hoop was an overtime thriller, ending in a 73-67 win for Springfield over Cleveland Heights. Springfield junior 6’3” guard Ra’Heim Moss shot 16 free throws, scoring 22 points and had a signature moment with this dunk…
Springfield vs. Cleveland Heights definitely didn't disappoint at the Premier Health @FlyinToTheHoop. It took OT, but Springfield went ahead on the steal and the alley to @MossRaheim
Full replay: https://t.co/pwuWdGIFPl#FTTH2018 #SUVtv @GWOCSports @nthonyCgarcia @scsdohCATS pic.twitter.com/lIJTJNjlfj
— SUVtv (@SUVtv) January 15, 2018
With the loss, Cleveland Heights has lost three of their last four after a 5-1 start to the season. Meanwhile, we need to examine Springfield’s 10-0 record a little further in our Five Takeaways…
How good is Springfield?
Springfield is 10-0 with quality wins against Cleveland Heights, Centerville, Miamisburg, and Beavercreek. Before season’s end, they’ll play Wayne twice, Moeller, and Trotwood.
We don’t expect them to run the table. However, Springfield is certainly a top two Division I team in Dayton. They can switch up the defensive look and showed a full-court trap that frustrated Cleveland Heights’ experienced backcourt in the third quarter. Also, 6’2” junior point guard JaJuan “Jay” Rodgers hasn’t played a game yet — the anticipated starting lead guard before the season.
Bottom line: Regional Championship contenders, though likely not quite front-runners in Southwest Ohio. However, nobody is the front-runner in the region currently. They’re in the discussion with Wayne, Moeller, and Princeton.
Ra’Heim Moss takeover
Moss wasn’t registering on the game’s radar in a major way going into the fourth quarter. I believe he had five points, if that. Yet, as legs became slightly fatigued, Moss went to a different level as a slasher. He was catching in the high-post, facing-up and drawing contact time and again on layup attempts. All in all, he scored 22 points on 5/8 shooting and 12/16 from the free throw line.
What happened before the fourth?
Specifically for Springfield, Leonard Taylor happened. The 6’6” wing/forward and four-star football prospect pulls the other team’s 5 away from the rim with a coast-to-coast game and 3-point touch. He’s the focal point of their offense most times because he can create off the dribble against bigs. Taylor finished with 19 points (39 percent shooting) and 13 rebounds to pace the Wildcats.
Tyreke Smith’s impact
Smith, a future Ohio State football player, is one of the most impactful forwards I’ve seen in the state this season. At 6’5” 260 pounds, Smith sprints the floor, finishes through or around contact, rebounds well, can face-up and drive, draws charges and defends every position. Furthermore, he’s actually Cleveland Heights’ best defender, as Moss gained more steam when Smith fouled out.
Smith scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds before leaving the game with 2:31 left in overtime. He could be named First Team All State after winning Defensive Player of the Year in football a couple months ago.
Yahel Hill will get going eventually
Hill is an unsigned 5’10” point guard who puts pressure on the defense with his jumper. He shot just 5/18 from the field and didn’t have the impact we’ve come to expect from Hill. Yet, in the third quarter when Cleveland Heights made their run, his jumpers were the key. Shooters shoot because eventually the jumpers will fall. Hill’s performance was proof of that and the off-night put a spotlight on his value to the team.