St. Vincent-St. Mary's defense hounds Garfield Heights on way to season-opening rout

Bob Migra, Special to The Plain Dealer, December 04, 2009 10:55 p.m.

Garfield Heights, Ohio - Garfield Heights boys basketball coach Sonny Johnson knew his young team would experience some growing pains, especially against a high-octane team like St. Vincent-St. Mary.

The visiting Irish displayed a little of their state championship form in the season opener Friday night, suffocating the host Bulldogs with defense early, then sprinting away to an 83-59 victory.

The loss snapped Garfield Heights' 45-game home winning streak.

"Our youth showed," said Johnson, who started three juniors, a sophomore and a freshman against the defending Division II champs.

"[SVSM] did a great job pressuring the ball."

The Irish went on a 16-0 run to take control in the first quarter. Jakarr Sampson led the fast start with five points and six rebounds in the quarter. Sampson was one of three Irish players in double figures with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Garfield Heights did not get a field goal until Kenny Simpson hit a 3-pointer from the left corner with 10 seconds left in the first quarter.

That shot cut the Irish lead to 18-6.

"Defense is what we're all about," Sampson said. "That's our specialty. That's how we wear a team down."

Irish coach Dru Joyce agreed.

"Our defense creates a lot of opportunities for us to get easy baskets," Joyce said. "I know [Garfield Heights] is kind of young. I really thought we could pressure them, and tonight we did."

The loss spoiled a great season debut by Garfield Heights junior center Will Weeks, who finished with 29 points and 11 rebounds.

Weeks went to work in the second quarter, scoring 10 points. His layup with 2:31 left in the quarter cut the deficit to 31-19, but it was as close as the Bulldogs would get.

"He's special," Johnson said of Weeks. "He showed he's one of the top players in the state. Now we just have to have a couple of guys along with him."