The Gilmour Academy varsity boys basketball team won its opening game of the OHSAA Tournament this past weekend, claiming a 74-48 win over Coventry High School inside Lancer Gymnasium.
With the Lancers' win over the Comets in the Sectional Final, Gilmour advanced to the District round. They will travel to Warrensville Heights High School to face the Tigers this Thursday, March 4, with a berth to the District Final on the line.
There were few postseason jitters apparent for the Lancers in their opening playoff game. Gilmour erupted for 20 points in the first quarter, which was enough to give the hosts a seven-point lead after the opening frame.
Gilmour had pushed its advantage to double digits (39-27) by halftime and continued to slowly expand its lead after intermission. The Lancers led by 16 after three quarters before pushing their margin past 20 in the final period.
Forward Ben DeMell '21 had a strong all-around game against Coventry, finishing with 18 points, a game-high nine rebounds and a career-high five assists. Forward Ryan Mueller '22 matched DeMell's 18-point outing while guard Adisa Molton '23 added 15 points. Guard Dorjan Flowers '23 came off the bench to provide six assists, leading a Lancer effort that saw Gilmour tally assists on 28 of its made field goals.
Gilmour won the rebounding battle in a big way against Coventry, grabbing 36 boards to their 19. Head coach Dan DeCrane cited rebounding as one of the factors that will loom large in the upcoming Warrensville Heights game.
"The first task at hand is limiting their two standout guards [Ramelle Arnold & Jaden Hameed], who have each scored 1,500 points in their career," DeCrane said when discussing the team's next opponent. "We must handle their full-court pressure and on-ball defense. It is a game where attacking the rim is imperative. Lastly, winning the rebounding advantage is critical. The more physical team will win, and that means when a shot goes up, which team is willing to get a body on their opponent and then go up and grab the ball with two hands?"
Gilmour did lose three of the regular-season games it played during the month of February. However, each of those setbacks was to foes ranked inside the Top 20 of the most recent Cleveland.com Top 25 poll, and all three losses were by single digits. Coach DeCrane believes those close calls against top teams will have the Lancers ready come playoff time.
"Our schedule has certainly prepared us for playing a talented team on the road, one that features 10 seniors," DeCrane said. "Doing simple things will get the job done Thursday night."
Warrensville Heights is the highest-seeded team in Gilmour's district and owns a 13-5 record on the season. After earning an opening-round bye like Gilmour, Warrensville cruised into the District round with a 78-54 win over Lutheran West High School. The Tigers are 8-1 this season in games decided by six points or fewer (or in overtime).
The winner of Thursday's matchup will face the winner of Padua Franciscan High School and Revere High School. The District Final will take place Saturday, March 6 at the site of the higher seed.
Tipoff for Thursday's contest is set for 7 p.m. The game will be livestreamed by the Gilmour Digital Media Club. Visit gilmour.org/live to tune in!
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