CUYAHOGA FALLS: New nets on each basket delayed the start of Friday’s Division II sectional final between CVCA and host Woodridge.
Once the hoops were assembled properly, a packed house was in for a real treat as the Bulldogs and Royals traded big shots and defensive stops in a thriller.
Ultimately, the combination of junior Mason Lydic and senior Preston Clark propelled Woodridge to a 60-58 win, its second triumph this season over CVCA.
Lydic scored 13 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter. Included in his scoring barrage were a layup and three 3-pointers as Woodridge (22-1) erased a fourth-quarter deficit.
“This was fun,” Lydic said. “We had a sold-out game. ... As teammates, we all played well, we all played hard and we all played with our hearts to get the W.”
Woodridge will meet Cleveland Central Catholic in a district semifinal at 7 p.m. Thursday at Stow. CCC defeated Crestwood on Friday to advance.
Senior Elijah Turner, a 6-foot guard, paced CVCA (18-6) with 27 points.
“We played with a lot of guts and heart,” Woodridge coach Ric Blevins said. “With about five minutes to go in the fourth quarter we made the decision as a staff and told the kids that this has to become an up-and-down transition game. We forced it into that and that benefited us big time, and also Mason got hot.
“He is not the best player in Northeast Ohio, but when you are talking about great players in Northeast Ohio you better mention his name because he can play.”
Lydic’s three fourth-quarter 3s came at 4:57, 4:15 and 3:58 on the clock. Clark assisted on each of them as Woodridge turned a 47-43 deficit into a 52-49 lead.
“I taught him everything,” Clark said with a laugh. “No, that was awesome. When he was hitting those three 3s, I was just finding him. When he is hot he is hot. He can’t miss.
“And then we had that connection on the long ball [to set up a layup by Clark with 2:32 to go]. He knew exactly where I was going to be and it was perfect timing.”
Lydic, a 6-1 guard, totaled 25 points and five rebounds, and Clark, a 5-11 guard, had 17 points and five assists. Friday night was also the final home game for five Woodridge seniors — Clark, Zach Nelsen, Marlon King, Aaron Jones and Sharif Howard.
“This was a very similar game to earlier in the season,” Clark said. “It was back-and-forth and just how we like it.”
Nelsen scored eight points, King had four points and six rebounds, Jones had four points and three blocks and Howard had two points and three assists.
“This place is awesome,” Blevins said. “It didn’t have the feel of a sectional final, did it? I have played in regional games that were not like this. This place was electric tonight.”
CVCA, which went 14-0 in the PAC-7, also received solid efforts from senior Steven Taylor (nine points, five rebounds), junior Elijah Payne (nine points) and senior Ryan Foguth (seven points, eight rebounds, six assists).
“It was a great game,” CVCA coach Jay Peters said. “I told the kids afterwards that if I was a casual fan paying seven dollars, I am walking out of that game totally satisfied. I thought the two teams just went after each other all night. ... It’s tough to see the season end. I was fortunate to coach a fantastic group of guys this season.”
Blevins praised Peters and his staff for having a successful season.
“I have all the respect in the world for him,” Blevins said. “I have modeled my program after what he has done. To have the opportunity to share the floor with him and his kids was special. I love the way they play. This was a great high school basketball game.”