The North Royalton Boys Basketball team had set Goal Number One when their off-season workouts took place during the summer months. The Goal: To win the Suburban League National Conference Championship.
On February 14, the team was able to say “Mission Accomplished!”
In front of a packed house at the Herman L. Joy Gymnasium, the Bears defeated Brecksville-Broadview Heights 58-45 to wrap up the title. Senior Jordan Garland and junior Omar Abuhamdeh led the Bears in scoring with 14 points apiece and senior Daylin Riley added 13. North Royalton used the same script they had all season in defeating Brecksville. The Bears sank 10 three-pointers in getting the victory.
North Royalton head coach Nick Lapsevich described the feeling in winning the Conference Championship as “Amazing. This was goal number one for the season. To accomplish it outright is pretty special.”
The Bears had gone through a rough stretch from the middle of January to the beginning of February, losing four of five games. But, wins over Wadsworth and Valley Forge got North Royalton back on track.
“I felt that the guys were putting some extra pressure on themselves, I included. I decided that we had to get back to the things that we do really well. It started with the Wadsworth game. We got our identity back and it carried over.”
Coach Lapsevich downplayed winning the Championship on their home court, or in beating Brecksville to win it. “Everyone looks at it as beating our big rival. I have a lot of respect for Brecksville. They have great players and they are coached so well. For the players and the fans, it’s a big deal. For me, I’m just happy we won it.”
The Bears started preparing for the 2019-2020 season a month after the previous season ended. “We put a whole new system in. I knew it would take some time to adjust. For year one, it’s darn pretty good.”
I asked Coach Lapsevich if the off-season workouts, the scrimmages and the practices were worth the winning feeling. “Always! It is always worth it. The kids paid the price. They wanted it really bad. They really earned it. They worked really hard. It showed them that you can get anywhere in life if you put the time and the effort in.”
Jordan Garland agreed with Coach Lapsevich. “We worked hard all season for this. It’s finally paying off. You can’t make this up. To win it on Senior Night and to beat your rival. It’s great.”
Omar Abuhamdeh said it was a special night to win the title in front of the students and fans of the Bears. “I was dreaming about this night for a very long time. I really did. Our seniors were really a big part of our success so far this season. We’re really blessed to have them. They’re a great group of guys.”
Daylin Riley said the extra work paid off with a Suburban League National Conference Championship. “All those days that me, Omar, Nick, Nate, Ethan and Jordan would come to the gym every day during the summer when no one was here has paid off. Now everyone is here watching us celebrating a Conference Championship. It’s great.”
But the 2019-2020 season is far from over for the Bears.
The State Division One Boys Basketball Tournament is on the horizon. North Royalton is seeded fourth in the Lakewood sectional.
“That’s our goal now. It’s goal number two to make a tournament run. Obviously, we want to peak at the right time and I think we are taking steps in that direction. We just have to continue to get better every day,” said Coach Lapsevich.
Here’s the roster of the 2019-20 Suburban League National Conference Champions the North Royalton Bears: Sophomores Justin Penkalski, Zadan Abuhamdeh and Mike Piazza; Juniors Omar Abuhamdeh, Nate Sprecher, Killian O’Callahan and Ethan Toppin; Seniors Kyle Evanko, Nick Evanko, Brody Shields, Jordan Garland and Daylin Riley.
By JOE JASTRZEMSKI
Contributing Writer