Ironmen Beat Piketon In Semifinal

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Third-team All-Ohioan Anton Grady came up as big as his 6-foot-8 frame, and Cleveland Central Catholic relied on its depth and speed to beat Piketon 76-52 on Thursday in a Division III state semifinal at Value City Arena.

Grady, a sophomore, notched 19 points and was a force inside for the Ironmen (23-3), who were ranked ninth in the final regular-season Associated Press poll. He also had eight rebounds and four blocked shots.

Central Catholic came in allowing 48.6 points a game. Its defense forced 23 turnovers that resulted in 18 points. The Ironmen also held the Redstreaks (24-3) to 37 percent shooting.

Chall Montgomery added 12 points for the Ironmen. Thirteen players got in and 11 scored.

Cody Smith, a second-team all-stater, had 17 points and Jordan Brabson added 15.

Piketon started the game tentative while the Ironmen were aggressive and assertive, dominating the first half.

After the Redstreaks scored first, the Ironmen ran off the next 10 points. Chall Montgomery hit a 3, Grady netted a short shot and then slashed through the lane, Montgomery hit a free throw and Derrick Buford cut laterally across the lane and hit a pull-up jumper.

Piketon came in averaging 70 points a game but its offense sputtered.

The Redstreaks had almost as many turnovers (13) as points (14) at the half while falling behind by 20 points. What’s more, 10 Ironmen scored and 13 played, so they continually kept bringing in fresh troops.

Seemingly out of the game and down 34-14 at the half, Piketon made things somewhat interesting by running off the first 10 points of the second half. But by the end of the quarter, Central Catholic had built the lead back to 16 points and was not threatened thereafter.

Piketon was one of five teams in the state tournament making its first appearance in school history.

Central Catholic is making only its second trip to the final four. The Ironmen lost to eventual state champion Bellville Clear Fork in the 2002 semifinals.

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