Louisville Rallies Past Richmond Heights in Alliance Christmas Classic – Boys Basketball

Louisville 44, Richmond Heights 37

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The Louisville Leopards Boys Varsity Basketball Team rallied from an early deficit for a 44-37 win over the Richmond Heights Spartans at the Alliance Christmas Classic Tuesday night at Mount Union’s Timken Gymnasium. The win snaps the Leopards two-game winning streak as they improve to 4-3 on the season.

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Sanders Scores Game-High 19, Named MVP

Brandon Sanders scored 11 of his game-high 19 points in the opening half to lead Louisville. He also recorded 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block. Sanders made 6-of-12 attempts from the field and was 7-of-12 from the free throw stripe. He was credited with drawing 10 of Richmond Heights’ 18 personal fouls.

Sanders was named the game’s MVP following the contest.

Louisville Overcomes Early Deficit with Second Quarter Surge

The Leopards trailed by their largest deficit of the game down 16-7 at the end of the first quarter. However, a 14-0 second quarter run helped Louisville pull ahead 25-23 by halftime.

Sanders scored 8 points in the second quarter alone. Luke Boldon hit a pair of three-pointers and matched Sanders with 8 points in the period, while Colton Dougherty also added a bucket. 

Leopards Finish Off Spartans

The two teams would each score 7 points in the third quarter as the LHS took a slim 32-30 lead into the final quarter of action. The Leopards would hit 6 of 10 free throws down the stretch, which proved to be the difference as they outscored the Spartans 12-7 in the final stanza.

Drake Wilson scored 4 of his 6 points and Cohen Rogers scored 3 of his 5 points in the fourth quarter. Rogers accounted for 2 of Louisville’s 3 steals in the game, with Wilson notching the other. Wilson finished with game-highs of 8 rebounds and 3 assists.

Louisville Dominates Team Stats

The Leopards outshot the Spartans 43% (15 of 35) to 24% (12 of 49) from the floor.  Louisville was 2 of 7 from beyond the arc, while Richmond Heights connected on 5 of 21 three-pointers.

The Leopards dominated the boards 36-24, which included doubling up the Spartans on the defensive glass 28-14. Cayden Balcomb matched Sanders with a team-best 6 rebounds on the defensive glass. He would finish with 7 total boards and 4 points. Colton Norris had 4 rebounds and Dougherty finished with 3 rebounds and a block.

Jolly Scores Team-High 16 to Lead Richmond Heights

Jamir Jolly scored 12 of his 16 points in the opening quarter to lead the Spartans to the early advantage. He made 3 of his 4 three-pointers in the first quarter alone. Jolly was also a menace on the defensive end, in recording 4 of his team’s 10 steals.

Dereon Barber scored in every quarter to finish with 8 points and 2 steals. Lucas Perillo and Sam Strain led Richmond Heights on the glass with 7 rebounds each and combined for 6 points. Jon Wilson also hit a three-pointer in the second quarter, while both Khyell Moreland and Hayden Smith added a basket each.

The Spartans have now dropped 3 of their last 4, falling to 2-5 on the season. 

Louisville is now 2-0 against Richmond Heights all-time. The Leopards edged the Spartans 64-62 in the Louisville Play-By-Play Classic last season.

<<< Previous 2025 | Richmond Heights All-Time Series

UP NEXT: The Leopards will next travel to take on the host Toronto Red Knights as part of the Todd Kalivoda Holiday Showcase on Saturday, December 27. Game time is set for 5:15 PM from Toronto High School.

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Louisville Vs. Richmond Heights Boys Basketball Statistics

LEOPARDS 44, SPARTANS 37

Team 1-2-3-4–TOTAL

Richmond Heights 16-7-7-7–37

Louisville 7-18-7-12–44

Richmond Heights Spartans Boys Basketball Box Score

Louisville Leopards Boys Basketball Box Score

Fouls: 18-14 Richmond Heights

Records: Louisville 4-3, Richmond Heights 2-5