'The Program' edges Garfield Heights in the state semifinal to advance to play for a state title

 

(Louisville's Ashton Marshall stands tall in victory over Garfield Heights. (Photo: Gene Simmons - Ohsfbmedia.com)

CANTON, Oh--The season for the Louisville Leopards just got better as they will take on Cincinnati Aiken for a state championship, after beating Garfield Heights by a small margin and a sold out crowd 49-48.

This game came with a lot of intensity playing against one of the top programs in the state, Garfield Heights and Ohio State commit Marcus Johnson, it was fit to be played in such a historic venue such as the Canton Memorial Field House.

And boy! this game did not disappoint.

In the first quarter of action Siegfried would put early points on the board with back to back layups that got them going as Brayden Gross would help along the way cashing in at the rim.

The Leopards did a job on Marcus Johnson holding him until 1:43, before he scored his first points being guarded by Ashton Marshall through the quarter with Louisville leading 14-13.

"I mean we practiced all week for it," said Marshall on guarding Marcus Johnson. "We had a scout team, I was just chasing my guys around the whole time so that just translated into the game, he made some tough shots but that's just gonna happen."

Gross would have his way down the stretch of the half notably playing with 2 fouls, something Garfield Heights may not have picked on ended with 19 for the half, Johnson would start to score frequently as the quarter wound down with good possessions with help from Braylin Sullivan. 

"I think the post defense was a little bit weaker than normal," said Gross. "I think that was the plan going in the game, get it to the post and they got me the ball and you know they let me do my thing."

(Brayden Gross, Beau Siegfried and Ashton Marshall listen to instruction. Photo: Gene Simmons - Ohsfbmedia.com)

At halftime Garfield Heights would have a nine point lead 46-37.

Third quarter would be a tough quarter for the Leopards with scoring coming slow they would only score six points in the quarter while Marcus Johnson heated up knocking down a fade away foul line shot and long range 3-point shot, they would see themselves up by 11.

(Marcus Johnson being guarded by Ashton Marshall. Photo: Gene Simmons - Ohsfbmedia.com)

With Louisville down 48-41 in the fourth trailing with 3:49 to go in the game Avery Andrejcik and Siegfried would hit some big shots closing the gap 48-46, Heights scoring came to a halt, only scoring 2 points for the quarter, Louisville would hold on to pull out a 49-48 win and advance to the University of Dayton Arena.

"I'm just really proud of our kids," said Tom Siegfried. "It's a shame that anybody had to lose that game."