The Gilmour Academy boys basketball team made history this past weekend as the Lancers used a second straight nail-biting win, this time a 42-38 triumph over Padua Franciscan inside Lancer Gymnasium, to win the OHSAA District Championship.
It is the first District title for the Gilmour boys basketball program since 1997 and the first ever for the program at the Division II level.
"I'm just really happy for our kids," head coach Dan DeCrane said when asked what it meant to win his first District Championship as a head coach. "The last four months of our journey, and really the nine months going back to the start of June when we first got going during COVID, has been unreal. What everyone in our program has put into this—the coaching staff has done a phenomenal job scouting—the last three days have been not a lot of sleep but a lot of smiles."
With the win, Gilmour advances to the Regional Semifinals—the 'Sweet 16' of the state tournament. The Lancers will next face Chaney High School this Thursday, March 11, at Barberton High School.
While Gilmour did not need another buzzer-beating shot, as the Lancers did in their District Semifinal upset win at Warrensville Heights, it was a second straight contest that came down to the wire for the Lancers.
Gilmour used a 7-2 spurt to break an early 8-8 tie and take a 15-10 lead after the opening quarter. Ryan Mueller '22 had five of Gilmour's seven points during the run.
The Lancers extended their lead to seven points in the second quarter, but just when it looked as though they might get some breathing room, Padua reeled off eight consecutive points to take the lead.
A Mueller putback would give the hosts a slim 21-20 edge at halftime.
Gilmour maintained the lead during the third quarter but could only extend it slightly. Vinny Bandwen '21 had five big points off the bench during the frame to help the Lancers hold a 31-27 lead after three quarters.
Padua scored the first five points of the fourth quarter to take the lead. The game remained a back-and-forth affair as the score was knotted at 36 with under two minutes to play.
Coming out of a Gilmour timeout, Mueller hit a driving layup after Ben DeMell '21 found him on a curl cut. That basket, which came with under 90 seconds left, put Gilmour ahead to stay.
Padua missed a couple of shots on its ensuing possessions, and DeMell came down with a big defensive rebound with about eight seconds to play.
Facing a 'one-and-one' at the foul line, DeMell calmly sank both free throws to give Gilmour a two-possession lead and effectively seal the game, and the District Championship.
Mueller led Gilmour with 11 points, on 5-of-6 shooting, while adding seven rebounds, two assists and two steals. DeMell just missed a double-double, finishing with nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
Bandwen finished with eight points in 11 minutes of action and Adisa Molton '23 tallied seven points. Andre Rodgers '21, Gilmour's hero from the win at Warrensville, tied for game-high assists honors with four, while also posting four rebounds.
The game was a stark contrast in offensive output with the first meeting between the teams this season, a 74-69 Gilmour win in late December.
"I think our advantage tonight was we do run zone defense," DeCrane said when asked what made the difference in the third matchup between the teams this season. "Padua's best attribute is man offense. They're really good in their execution in the half court. So, in just one day, our coaches sat down and said 'let's just make sure they don't beat us at their strength.' Obviously, we're familiar with each other, but I thought that was the difference that our extended zone held them under 40 points."
After playing a team for the third time this season in the District Final, Gilmour will be facing a relative unknown in its next postseason contest. The Lancers have not faced Chaney within the past five seasons.
"Chaney is an extremely athletic and physical team," DeCrane said when asked about his next opponent. "They play hard for 32 minutes and generate their energy from their pressure defense. It ignites their play on both ends. We must be able to control the tempo, rebound the ball well on both ends and limit turnovers. Attacking their pressure vertically is critical for us to be successful. Chaney thrives on steals and transition offense. We want to play the game in the half court and be the more physical team."
Tipoff for Thursday's Regional Semifinal contest is set for 8:15 p.m. The game will be livestreamed by the Gilmour Digital Media Club. Visit gilmour.org/live to tune in!
#GoGA #WeAreGilmour