High school basketball: Shorthanded Elyria Catholic boys fall to Brecksville

BRECKSVILLE – Heading into last night's non-conference road game against Brecksville-Broadview Heights, Elyria Catholic was down to just one player that was a starter at the beginning of the season. Late in the first half the last domino fell. Junior Denny Fischer banged his right knee late in the second quarter and the short-handed Panthers couldn't do much to stop the Bees from pulling away for a 71-47 win. This season, Elyria Catholic (3-12) has lost starters Robert Palmer (back injury), Jack Kenneally (transfer rules), Colin Kenneally (transfer rules) and Jaret Frantz (ankle injury). The Panthers started last night's game with just three players on the bench, including freshman team call-up Teddy Buddinger. When Fischer went down in the final minute of the second quarter, the Bees (10-3, 7-0 Suburban League) led 31-22. In the third quarter they took control, using a 23-3 run to end any hopes of a Panthers' comeback. "When Denny went down that completed all five starters being down and out," Elyria Catholic coach Rob Palmer said. "It's a shame because for two and a half quarters I felt like we played really well and the boys were coming together. "I felt like we kept it within a margin where, if we could hit a couple of shots, we could come back. (Brecksville-Broadview Heights) put the full-court pressure on, which was smart with us being undermanned. They went on a huge run and took advantage of the situation." Sophomore guard Thomas Niederst was a bright spot for the Panthers. The 6-footer scored a team-high 12 points and pulled down a game-high seven rebounds. Niederst connected on four 3-pointers while Buddinger hit three from beyond the arc to score nine points. "There were some moments in the game where we could have made a few changes here and there to try to, maybe, stall the game," Palmer said. "We didn't because we wanted to put them in a position to play it out, see that pressure and see how they responded. "The best thing is to learn from your mistakes and while they're making a lot of good things happen, they are making a few mistakes. They still showed the character and resolve to keep fighting. That lets me know we have the toughness we're going to need for a better tomorrow." Chase Garito paced the Bees with 14 points and six rebounds. Brecksville-Broadview Heights coach Steve Mehalik, who led the Bees to a share of the Suburban League title this season, was impressed with the fight of the short-handed Panthers. "They played super, super hard," Mehalik said. "They can shoot the basketball, but when you're missing that many guys it's tough. I give a lot of credit to their coaching staff for keeping those players playing hard until the end. They have some good days ahead because they have some nice young players." Elyria Catholic actually out-scored Brecksville-Broadview Heights, 14-12, in the fourth quarter. "It talks to the character of these kids, that they don't know how to give up," Palmer said. "They continue to fight. They're also well-aware that we're down and some kids are getting some opportunities that they can take advantage of now and build on for next year. "Right now we're playing for pride, we're playing for experience and we're playing for next year." Contact Mike Perry at 329-7135 or macsportstalk@gmail.com. Brecksville-Broadview Heights 71, Elyria Catholic 47 ELYRIA CATHOLIC (47): Denny Fischer 3-0-9, Joey Bucci 0-2-2, Alex Carandang 1-1-3, Thomas Niederst 4-0-12, Miles Lisner 2-0-4, Colin Ginlay 3-1-7, Teddy Budinger 3-0-9, Steven Navalinsky 0-1-1. Totals 16-5-47. BRECKSVILLE-BROADVIEW HEIGHTS (71): Eli Skaljac 4-0-11, Jeremy Jonozzo 1-0-2, Luke Ganim 2-3-9, Jack Kenney 3-2-9, Chase Garito 6-1-14, Luke Skaljac 4-1-9, Matt Rose 3-1-9, Mason Lewis 2-0-6, Trey Green 1-0-2. Totals 26-8-71. Elyria Catholic 7 15 11 14 -- 47 Brecksville-Broadview Hts. 19 14 26 12 -- 71 Three-point goals: Elyria Catholic 10-24 (Niederst 4, Fischer 3, Budinger 3), Brecksville 11-23 (E. Skaljac 3, Ganim 2, Rose 2, Lewis 2, Kenney, Garito). Field goals: Elyria Catholic 16-46 (34.7 percent), Brecksville 26-55 (47.2 percent); Free throws: Elyria Catholic 5-7 (71.4 percent), Brecksville 8-14 (57.1 percent); Rebounds: Elyria Catholic 30 (Niederst 7), Brecksville 36 (Garito 6). Turnovers: Elyria Catholic 17, Brecksville 11. Total fouls: Elyria Catholic 8, Brecksville 9. Fouled out: None.