The Nordonia Knights boys basketball team lost a hard fought game to the University Schools Preppers near snow covered Chagrin Falls. Playing 9 deep allowed the Knights to play aggressive defense the entire game but it wasn’t enough as they lost 66-60.
The Knights had good looks at the basket the first 6 times down the court but nothing would fall. The 7th time was the charm as Senior Jordan Adams drove the lane for a pretty layup to cut the Preppers lead to 6-2 with 5 minutes left in the 1st quarter. The teams traded baskets throughout the next 5 minutes and Nordonia was down 14-11 at the end of the period.
University School’s ½ court trapping press caused a couple turnovers but for the most part the Knights (now 4-15) were able to break it. Junior Ryan Smith provided half of Nordonia’s offense in the 2nd quarter in a short amount of time. Smith hit a nice driving layup, followed almost immediately by a 3-pointer and a basket off of a rebound for a quick 7 points. The Preppers (now 9-11) built on their lead though and led 33-26 at halftime.
Nordonia got off to a good start in the 2nd half when Smith drove to the basket for 2. That is when University School extended their lead by driving to the basket and hitting some timely long jumpers. The Knights mounted a comeback led by Sophomore Drew Petros two 3-pointers that hit nothing but net. Nordonia cut the lead to 6 and had the ball with under 10 seconds left in the 3rd quarter. Their shot was off the mark and the Preppers rebounded the ball and got it up-court quickly. University School’s Sophomore Seven Richmond from Sagamore Hills hit a long 3 just before the buzzer sounded to give them a 50-41 lead.
The Knights weren’t able to make a big dent in the Preppers’ lead until late in the game. Nordonia cut it to 3 points with 1:04 left when Adams hit a 3, his 3rd of the game. The Knights weren’t able to make another basket and University School hit 3 free throws in the closing seconds to make the final 66-60. University School was led by Senior Regan Mohler’s 19 points and Senior Cole Childress added 17. The Knights were led by Jordan Adams’ 13 points. Ryan Smith had 12 points, Drew Petros had 9, Luke Alders 8, Justin Post 7 and Tye Evans 6. Nordonia’s next game is Friday at home against North Royalton.
Nordonia’s JV team lost 65-61. Up 5 after 3 quarters, University School extended the lead to 12 in the 4th quarter. The Knights kept attacking and hit three 3-pointers in the final minute to cut the lead to 4 but it wasn’t enough. The Nordonia Freshmen lost to start the snowy night.
