With two big shots, Brad Russell spurred a dominant fourth quarter by Chagrin Falls as the Tigers defeated rival West Geauga, 55-47, Jan. 12 at home.
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With two big shots, Brad Russell spurred a dominant fourth quarter by Chagrin Falls as the Tigers defeated rival West Geauga, 55-47, Jan. 12 at home.
The Tigers had led most of the game until the Wolverines took a 40-37 lead at the end of the third quarter. It was West G’s first advantage since early in the first quarter.
“We knew they were going to come back,” Russell said. “We have to fight the whole game. (Spencer) Kaas set me up great.”
Kaas is the Tigers’ point guard, who ran the same play back-to-back as he hit an open Russell for two straight 3-pointers to start the fourth quarter, giving Chagrin Falls back the lead, 43-40. Kaas finished with 11 points, five rebounds and four assists.
After those 3-pointers, the Tigers never again trailed. Overall, they outscored the Wolverines 18-7 in the fourth quarter.
Chagrin Falls Head Coach Dave Bargar said Russell is a dangerous shooter off the bench.
“That’s what Brad does,” Bargar said. “He had an outstanding scrimmage season for us. It doesn’t take him much space. That was a huge momentum shift.”
West G Head Coach Micah Young acknowledged that Russell’s shots changed the game.
“They got all of the momentum right there,” Young said. “He’s a great shooter. All of the credit to Chagrin Falls. All of the credit to him.
“They dominated the fourth quarter and took it to us.”
Despite a rough start to the season, Chagrin Falls has now won three straight and sits as 3-7 overall and 2-3 in the Chagrin Valley Conference. The loss was West G’s first in the CVC this season and ended a two-game win streak. West G is now 8-4, 4-1.
The Wolverines and Tigers split the season series, with West G topping Chagrin Falls in Chesterland.
“It’s all coming together,” Russell said. “We’re getting hot at the right time.
“The atmosphere got us going. We had to get back that win. It’s a great feeling.”
Bargar agreed with Russell.
“We have to get after it,” Bargar said. “We weren’t doing that the first seven games. I feel like we’ve turned a corner.”
After Russell’s back-to-back 3-pointers, Chagrin Falls’ lead grew to 52-42 before the Wolverines scored their first field goal of the fourth quarter with just 1:54 left in the game.
Landon Lear hit a 3-pointer to pull West G within 52-47, but Russell went two-for-two from the foul line with just 24 seconds remaining in the game to ice it for the Tigers. He finished with 10 points.
Lear led all scores with 17 points. Next for West G was Colin Whiting with 11 points and seven rebounds.
Despite the loss, the Wolverines are still enjoying a good season. They already nearly equal last year’s win total of 10.
“I want our guys to remember this feeling of losing to a rival,” Young said. “We can use this as motivation.”
Jacob Kay paced Chagrin Falls with 14 points and five rebounds, while teammate Ozzy DiFranco knocked in nine points.
