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Sports

Lakewood Boys Do It Again — This Time at the Buzzer

In another huge upset, Rangers win fifth in a row against Normandy; advance in tournament to face juggernaut St. Edward High School.

“WE WANT THE EAGLES! WE WANT THE EAGLES! WE WANT THE EAGLES!”

Early in the fourth quarter, with their team headed for victory, students in the lively student section let it be known Friday night who they'd like to play next in the regional basketball tournament at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School.

With the Rangers' huge upset against Normandy High School — and a buzzer-beating jumpshot — the team will now face St. Edward High School in the regional semifinals.

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In a contest that came down to the wire, senior Dan Mazzeo squared up and shot, sinking what was unquestionably the biggest basket of the season for Lakewood. 

And the streak continues.

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Lakewood seems to have found its hot streak, winning its fifth-straight game against Normandy 45-42, in a second-round regional matchup. Earlier in the season, the two teams met at Lakewood with a .

This time, Lakewood head coach Phil Argento tweaked his starting lineup, as well as his rotation in the game and his defense.

Freshman Jacob Schmidt got the start at point guard, and did a great job defending the point of attack for the Invaders and slowing down the game for the Normandy offense. Sophomore Brian Hrdlicka got more time than he’s had all season and it paid off, as he finished with 7 rebounds.

“I thought we did an outstanding job on (double zero) tonight,” said Argento, referring to Dylan Seitz, who scorched the Rangers for 16 points in the first meeting between the two teams. Seitz finished with a non-descript 10 this game. Hrdlicka and senior post Chris Bielopetrovich played a huge part in slowing down Seitz.

Lakewood got off to a fast start, thanks in no small part to sophomore Pete Nelson and junior Conor Mabry, who combined to score all but four of the team’s 28 first half points. Nelson was in a zone, hitting on three of four three pointers to open the game for the Rangers, who ran their record to 8-14 on the year.

Mabry finished with 12 points, Nelson finished with a game high 22 for the Rangers.

Normandy dropped to 12-10 on the year.

Former Lakewood head coach John Silva and his team could be starting from nearly scratch next season, as they were a team hoping to make a run with their senior-laden squad. For Normandy, Ryan Rompala finished with 13, next was Seitz with 10.

The Invaders proved why they had a such a successful season this year, roaring back from being down by as many as 15 points late in the third quarter to tie the game with less than a minute remaining. Add on two foul shots by Normandy's Orlando Leon, after a questionable foul on Lakewood’s Jay Andreani.

It was then that Mabry swung into action, hitting senior Mazzeo with a pass in the corner. The shot sailed through the air, and ultimately secured the win for the Rangers.

The three-pointer represented Mazzeo’s only points for the night. With only 1.5 seconds remaining, Normandy could only muster a last-ditch long bomb from Rompala, which didn’t come close.

With the win, Lakewood now has the challenge of taking on the cross-town rival St. Edward Eagles, at 6 p.m.  March 9 at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School.

“I’m not even thinking about St. Ed’s yet, I’m just going to enjoy this (win) tonight, and worry about them after that,” said a relieved Argento.

 

                                Q1          Q2          Q3          Q4          FINAL   

Lakewood           17           11           11                6              45

Normandy          13           4              9              16             42

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