Bison Boys Basketball Knocks Off St. Ed’s, 75-74
Bison senior Desmond Crosby sunk a contested jumper with 1.3 seconds left that sent the Bison crowd into madness as his teammates mobbed him.
Most of this year’s seniors have been playing together since 7th grade. Photo by Ryan Marmaros.
St. Edward’s High School is among the most decorated basketball powerhouses in Northeast Ohio.
The Eagles made the state Final Four in 2015, won the championship in 2014 and contends for the title every year. They produce numerous Division 1 athletes, including the likes of Kipper Nichols, Derek Funderburk and Delvon Roe.
On Tuesday night, the 5-0 Bison Boys Basketball team, ranked #6 in Cleveland.com’s Top 25, welcomed the 3-0 Eagles, ranked #8, to Beachwood High School.
The two teams have faced one another for the past three years. However, the Bison are 0-3 in the matchup, losing by 3 points in 2013, 15 in 2014, and a whopping 53 last season.
But tonight it was clear that times have changed.
In front of a packed gym, the Bison got off to a sizzling start.
Led by star senior Tyrone Gibson’s 8 points, the score was 21-15, Bison, after the first quarter.
It only got worse for the Eagles after that.
A couple of minutes into the second quarter, Gibson slammed home a dunk on the fast break that pushed the lead to 15 points, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Eagles coach Eric Flannery, who also coaches for Team USA, obviously got on his team in the locker room, as the Division 1 powerhouse chipped into the Bison lead throughout the third quarter.
The score at halftime was 45-30 in Beachwood’s favor, and it looked as if Ed’s was about to be blown out.
Eagles coach Eric Flannery, who also coaches for Team USA, obviously got on his team in the locker room, as the Division 1 powerhouse chipped into the Bison lead throughout the third quarter.
The Eagles came as close as 5 points in the 3rd, but the Bison had a 60-52 advantage heading into the 4th Quarter.
After a circus layup by Eagles senior point guard Sean Flannery, they hit consecutive 3 pointers to cut the Bison lead to 1 point.
A gut-wrenching couple of minutes ensued, and St. Ed’s took their first lead, 74-73, with just 21 seconds remaining.
In front of hundreds of nervous fans, Bison senior Desmond Crosby sunk a contested jumper with 1.3 seconds left that sent the Bison crowd into madness as his teammates mobbed him.
A last second desperation heave by the Eagles clanked off the rim, and students rushed the court in celebration of this huge win.
Scouts from Michigan and Rutgers were in to see star Bison senior Maishe Dailey, and this win should draw a lot of interest to the Bison as they continue down the road to Columbus.
The Bison face Painesville Harvey tomorrow night on the road, travel to Glenville on the 29th, and face another area powerhouse, Bedford, at Baldwin Wallace University on January 3rd.
