YORK TWP. — There was no way the Buckeye basketball team was going to lose — not on senior night and certainly not after the emotional lift provided by Blake Brumfield.
Buckeye’s Blake Brumfield scores against Cloverleaf during the first quarter. RON SCHWANE / GAZETTE
One of the team’s emotional leaders, Brumfield’s world was forever changed when doctors discovered a rare heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy — the leading cause of sudden cardiac death among young athletes — during a routine physical. He’s not even allowed to run, let alone play his second season on the varsity.
However, the 5-foot-8 guard got a moment in the spotlight Tuesday, slipping on his No. 20 jersey, getting the start and scoring a layup in the opening seconds of a 66-48 non-league victory over Cloverleaf.
“It really was just an amazing moment for me, and I just feel really blessed to come out here and actually get in a game this year,” said Brumfield, whose teammates were as excited for the moment as he was. “I know the community was behind me, and it felt so good being out there with my teammates.”
With terms agreed to by Bucks coach Tom Harrington and Colts counterpart Marty Ryan — Harrington informed the team during a film session Monday — Buckeye’s Bruce Barnby took the uncontested tip seconds after the student section chanted, “Let’s go Blake.” Liam Murray got the ball, dribbled over half court and passed to Brumfield near the top of the 3-point arc.
Brumfield then dribbled down the right side of the key and banked in a one-handed layup. The Colts’ Tyler Kapeluck got the same treatment at the other end and the game was stopped.
Brumfield exited to a rousing ovation and hugs from his teammates, including one from teary-eyed younger brother Brock. Blake Brumfield then put on his warmup and, like he’s done faithfully all season, cheered on his teammates.
“I was kind of worrying about missing (the layup) at the beginning,” Brumfield said with a laugh. “But I was just really excited to get out there.”
The game itself was in doubt for a half, as the Colts (2-19) continuously finished acrobatically at the rim with a starting lineup consisting of 6-0 Timmy Schuerger, 6-0 Michael Martin, 5-10 Kapeluck, 6-0 Travis Hissom and 6-1 Jeff Gilbert.
Everything changed when the Bucks (15-5) went on an 11-1 run to take a 43-29 lead early in the third quarter.
Buckeye junior Joey Bartinelli made 7-of-8 shots for a game-high 18 points. Balance was the calling card after that with senior Nathan Polidori (9 points), sophomore Justin Canedy (9, 5 rebounds) and senior Nick Wills (7, 6 rebounds, 3 assists), but the X-factor was clearly senior Justin Lowry (6 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals).
The Bucks made 24-of-49 field goals (.490), 7-of-16 3-pointers (.438) and 11-of-15 free throws (.733).
“Our defense wasn’t very good in the first half,” Lowry said. “Coach brought that up at halftime, and he challenged us to play better. We responded very well, and that was the key factor.”
Cloverleaf countered with 14 points on 6-of-21 shooting from Schuerger. Kapeluck scored seven of his 11 points in the first quarter, while Martin added 11 points, five boards and three steals.
The main problem was the Colts couldn’t figure out the Bucks’ matchup 2-3 zone after the hot start, shooting 11-for-39 (3-for-14 from 3-point) over the final three quarters.
“I thought we were doing a better job attacking the basket,” Ryan said. “I think we got a little passive in the second half.”
Cloverleaf also had to deal with the emotions of an extra special senior night made possible by Brumfield, who normally is the maestro for choreographed interactions with the starters when they’re announced. Polidori did the honors Tuesday, giving Brumfield a long embrace.
“You know what? It was very heartbreaking when we first found out he couldn’t play this year,” Lowry said. “He never complained once about it. He’s cheered us on the whole way.
“It’s pretty much speechless to describe how awesome that (opening of the game) was.”
Notes
- Barnby got a highlight as well, hitting a reverse layup in the fourth quarter. The 6-5, 280-pound Findlay football recruit finished with three points, three rebounds and a block.
- Polidori and his mother, Debbie, sang the national anthem.
- Adam Fauver had 15 points as the Buckeye junior varsity won 50-42. Joe Maloney had 14 points for Cloverleaf.
Buckeye 66, Cloverleaf 48
CLOVERLEAF 19 9 10 10 — 48
BUCKEYE 23 9 20 14 — 66
Cloverleaf — Tyler Kapeluck 4-3-11, Jeff Gilbert 2-0-4, Travis Hissom 3-0-6, Timmy Schuerger 6-0-14, Michael Martin 4-2-11, Levi Grimm 0-0-0, Austin Greer 0-0-0, Ryan Gutschow 0-2-2, Kevin Heishman 0-0-0, Joe Rohde 0-0-0. TOTALS: 19-7-48.
Buckeye — Liam Murray 2-2-6, Nick Wills 3-1-7, Bruce Barnby 1-1-3, Justin Lowry 2-2-6, Blake Brumfield 1-0-2, Nathan Polidori 2-4-9, Joey Bartinelli 7-0-18, Braeden Stauffer 1-0-3, Justin Canedy 4-1-9, Mikey Novick 1-0-3, Carter Hudak 0-0-0. TOTALS: 24-11-66.
3-point goals — Schuerger 2, Martin, Bartinelli 4, Stauffer, Polidori, Novick. Rebounds — Cloverleaf 19 (Martin 5), Buckeye 36 (Wills 6). Assists — Cloverleaf 6 (Schuerger, Martin 2), Buckeye 3 (Novick, Wills 3). Records — Cloverleaf (2-19), Buckeye (15-5). Junior varsity — Buckeye 50, Cloverleaf 42.