AKRON OH- In their second game this week, The #3 YSN Power Ranked boys basketball team The Archbishop Hoban Knights welcomed The Cleveland Central Catholic Ironmen to The Castle! However, the two programs are no strangers to one another as both were once members of the old North Coast Conference just a few years ago. The Knights have emerged victorious in 4 of their last 5 matchups with one of Cuyahoga Counties respected programs.. The last time Tri-C beat Hoban? Back on January 3rd, 2020, another instance when The Ironmen made the trip to Summit County and spoiled the home matchup for The Knights. This season, Hoban rapidly served up a baker’s dozen in the win column while only falling short twice through 15 games this regular season heading into Friday night. 

The first quarter tipped-off and Hoban wasted little time jumping ahead to a 7-0 lead. Freshman Sam Greer was making big plays all over the floor for The Knights in the opening quarter. Playing superb defense in the post, with a lethal combination of size and speed. Greer also showed off his ability to shoot the rock from distance in the 7-0 run, while also demonstrating great passing, finding his team Lamar Sperling off a cut in the same run. The Knights would control the tempo through the first eight minutes of play as Anrew Griffith and Colin Coyne both nailed down three pointers to help Hoban secure a 19-8 lead after the first quarter of play. 

Cleveland Central Catholic ended up hitting a three at the end of the first and used that to build momentum off of in the second. The Ironmen had a response ready in the form of Arnell Edmonds and Ka’elon Hurt who both found their rhythm before the half. Being able to flip the script, Tri-C out scored Hoban 18-7 in the second quarter and was capped off with Tafari Williams hitting a game-tying three at the buzzer to knot the two programs up 26-26 at halftime!

Out of the half, the game was up in the air for either team to take it! Will Scott Jr. became that guy for The Knights. Scoring consistently throughout all four quarters, his third was one of his best! Passing flawlessly to get his teammates open looks while scoring 8 points himself in the third quarter alone. Will Scott Jr. running the point was like watching poetry in motion on Friday night! Hoban regained their lead with a 17-9 third quarter and never looked back from that point. The Ironmen tried for one last attempt at the comeback in the fourth, but key three-point buckets by Logan Vowles and Sam Greer helped ice the game away for The Knights, allowing Hoban to gain the second win this week 55-48 over Tri-C. Proving, at least for this season, Steel is stronger than iron!

Following the loss, Cleveland Central Catholic (7-10) will stay on the road as they will visit Warren JFK (11-2) on Tuesday, January 31st. The win for Archbishop Hoban (14-2) now sets them up for an, always exciting, battle of Akron! With Akron St. Vincent & St. Mary’s (12-5) hosting Hoban, also on Tuesday! It will be another classic battle between The Knights and The Fighting Irish with a lot of momentum riding with the victor! 

Interviews with winning Head Coach Tk Griffith and Player of The Game Will Scott Jr. can be found below!

*Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell