Ranger Season Ends At "Battle Of Lakewood"

The Lakewood boys’ basketball team won its sectional at the OHSAA basketball tournament, setting up a district semifinal game against crosstown rival St. Edward on March 11. The matchup created a lot of interest since the two schools have not played in several years. The game, which took place at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School, drew a huge crowd and significant online buzz. Lakewood fans were especially enthusiastic, as LHS students packed the student section for the game.

Unfortunately for Ranger fans, St. Ed’s took no prisoners in the long-awaited “Battle of Lakewood”. The defending state champion Eagles beat Lakewood 75-31 in a game that quickly got out of hand. As expected, the Eagles dominated the paint due to their size. However, they also used strong perimeter defense and court pressure to disrupt Lakewood’s backcourt and affect the Rangers’ three-point shooting. Eagle coach Eric Flannery, himself a Lakewood native, made defense of the Ranger backcourt a priority for his team.

St. Edward quickly set the tone for the evening, feeding the ball to 6’9” center Derek Funderburk down low in the first quarter. The Rangers (affectionately known as “the Runts from Bunts”) lacked any player over 6’3” in uniform. The Eagles took a 14-0 lead behind seven quick points from the junior standout. Lakewood didn’t score until nearly halfway through the first quarter, when Desmond Rollins put in a layup.  Despite a late bucket by Ranger guard Malik Leisenger, the Eagles carried a commanding 22-4 lead at the first quarter break. The Rangers tried to get back in the game behind a couple early second quarter baskets by Wes Gerhardt, but never got the lead to less than 14. Funderburk made an old-fashioned three point play (lay-in plus three throw)  late in the 2nd quarter to give the Eagles a 28-8 halftime lead.

The second half started just like the first, with a scoring barrage from St. Edward. However, in the second half it was 6’7” senior Kipper Nichols leading the attack. He hit two three point baskets in the first minute of the third quarter that extinguished any faint hopes of a Ranger comeback. Nichols scored 14 of his 16 points in the third quarter. The 6’1” Leisinger, who for much of the night had the inenviable task of guarding Funderburk in the Rangers zone defense, fouled out midway through the third quarter.  With the game already decided, both teams pulled their starters early in the fourth quarter.

Funderburk led all scorers with 17 points and was a major force on defense. His shot blocking ability forced the Rangers to adjust, thereby resulting in many missed baskets. Jack Witri led the Rangers with nine points, including a pair of three pointers. Another standout for Lakewood was the student section, which remained loud for the entire game.