Louisville Outlasts Glenville in OT to Advance to 1st Regional Final 90-86 – Boys Basketball
#2 Louisville 90, #4 Cleveland Glenville 86, OT
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The Louisville Leopards Boys Basketball Team defeated the Cleveland Glenville Tarblooders 90-86 in overtime Thursday Night in the DII Canton Regional Semifinals at the Canton Memorial Civic Center. With the victory, Louisville improves to 20-6 on the season and advances to the regional championship game for the first time in program history. The Leopards will challenge the top ranked Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary Fighting Irish in the DII Canton Regional Finals on Saturday at 1:30 PM for a chance to punch their ticket to state.
Aljancic Drops 37, Breaks Scoring Record
Junior guard Will Aljancic scored 17 of his game high 37 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to lead the Leopards. With his effort Thursday, Aljancic surpasses former Louisville alum Chris Libertore for the team record of most points in a single season. Libertore scored 549 points in 23 games during the 2016-17 season. Aljancic has now scored 565 points for the year in 26 games.
Nigro Pours in 22, Boldon Scores 12
Sophomore guard Hayden Nigro also scored 13 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. He made 8 of 10 free throw attempts during that period including a pair of free throws to ice the contest with 7.2 seconds left in overtime. Senior guard Tyler Boldon also hit two three-pointers and finished in double digits with 12.
Boldon sparked the Leopards offense from the start of the contest. Trailing 2-0, Boldon picked up a loose ball and took it all the way to the rim for a slam dunk to give Louisville their first points of the game. It was a sign of things to come as both teams feasted on transition baskets for the remainder of the night.
Leopards Lead After Seesaw 1st Quarter
The Leopards built a 6-2 lead, but the Tarblooders rallied to take a 9-8 advantage via a bank three-pointer by 6’4, 320 pound senior center Tavareon Sanders.
Louisville retook the lead via a lay-in by freshman post Brayden Gross. Then pulled ahead 13-9 a few possessions later when Boldon canned a three-pointer from the left wing.
The Tarblooders rallied to knot the game at 15-15 and then again at 17-17. The Leopards answered with a pair of hard takes to the basket in the final minute. First a layup by freshman guard Beau Siegfried and then later a reverse lay-in by Aljancic. Louisville remained atop 21-17 as the horn sounded the end of an explosive first quarter of action.
Louisville Takes Commanding Lead Into Break
The Leopards owned the second quarter plain and simple. They outscored Glenville 16-7 during the period and limited them to just three field goals from the floor.
A scoreless 1:45 to open the second stanza seemed to indicate that each team was still catching its breath following the 38-point first quarter outburst. Then Louisville took over. Aljancic intercepted an inbound at the top of the key and took it all the way to the house for two. A few minutes later, Aljancic scored on another reverse lay-in and was fouled in the process. His free throw made it 26-19 Leopards with 4:19 to play before half.
Later Nigro, Aljancic, and senior post AJ Lingenhoel made baskets on three straight Louisville possessions to put LHS in front by double digits at 32-22. On their next possession, Aljancic buried a three from the right corner to cap off a 7-0 Leopard run.
The Leopards would remain in front by a 13-point advantage heading into the locker room, 37-24
Tarblooders Battle Back in Third
Cleveland Glenville came out of the break on a mission to get back in the contest. The Tarblooders opened the second half on an 8-2 run to shrink the Louisville lead to 39-32. Glenville began to feed Sanders, who was limited to just three points in the opening half. Sanders scored all 10 of his third quarter points from the floor to help the Tarblooders cut into the Leopard advantage.
Midway through the third, Boldon looked to pass before stepping back and canning his second three-pointer to put Louisville ahead by double digits. Then Gross recovered from a blocked shot and scored on a second effort layup to give the Leopards their largest lead of the game at 49-35.
Glenville battled back with five straight points and closed the third period on a 9-3 run to cut their deficit to 52-44 heading into the fourth.
Aljancic Unstoppable in the Fourth
Aljancic went coast-to-coast to open up the scoring in the fourth quarter and put the Leopards up by double digits again. Aljancic reached 550 career points with the layup to pass Libertore’s previous single season record mark of 549. But Aljancic was far from done.
The fourth quarter turned into a track meet as the two teams traded buckets and defensive stops came at a premium. Nigro made a three-pointer from the right corner to give Louisville a 61-50 lead with 5:09 to play. Sanders tallied three points the old-fashioned way on a lay-in and at the line going the other way to match Nigro.
Aljancic was seemingly unstoppable in creating space. He scored four times from the field within the first 4:06 of the fourth quarter drawing a Tarblooder timeout with LHS again up by double figures at 65-55. A little later, Aljancic broke free all alone off a sideline inbound and laid the ball home to give the Leopards a commanding 68-60 with 1:41 to go.
Glenville Starts to Rally
Glenville rallied back. Sanders was fouled again while making a basket and converted from the line to trim the Louisville lead to 69-65 with 75 ticks remaining. Boldon split a pair at the line for the Leopards and Sanders sunk both shots from the charity stride on the other end to shrink the deficit to three.
Nigro answered with a layup for Louisville and junior forward Damarion Oliver responded back with a lay-in for Glenville to make it 72-69 with 51.5 seconds remaining.
Nigro Sets Team Mark from the Line
The Tarblodder press gave the Leopards fits in the final minutes. On Louisville’s next possession they struggled to get the ball down the court as Glenville looked for a takeaway that would inch them closer. The ball got through. It bounced past the timeline and was secured by Gross who immediately drew a double team. Gross passed the ball under the hoop to Nigro who tried to hammer home the final dagger. The shot missed but he was fouled on the play.
Nigro swished both shots from the free throw line. The second was his 127th free throw make of the season, which set a new school single season record. Michael Brown set the previous mark of 126 during the 2009-10 season. More importantly it gave the Leopards a 74-69 cushion with 34.5 seconds left. The shots would prove to be much needed insurance.
Tarblooders Storm Back to Send Game to OT
Glenville’s offense swung the ball around on the outside before finding senior forward Lashawn Beard beyond the left side of the arch. He drilled a three to cut the Tarblodder disadvantage to 74-72. Then senior guard Savontae Quarles deflected the ensuing Louisville inbound into the hands of Oliver who flushed home the game-tying basket as the clock continued to run under 16 seconds to play.
The Leopards inbounded the ball to mid-court and dribbled into the forecourt before the ball was batted out of bounds. Louisville Head Coach Tom Siegfried called timeout with 7.5 seconds remaining to draw up one final play.
On the last play of regulation, Nigro dribbled and put up a jumper from the free throw line. The shot was heavily defended and may have been partially blocked by Oliver on the play. The wayward shot found the hands of Beard and the buzzer sounded seconds after. Overtime.
Leopards Take Control in Overtime
After such a furious rally, one would expected momentum to favor Glenville heading into the overtime period. Instead the Leopards remained poised and took back control of the game.
Both teams remained in the double bonus during the extra period. Siegfried was fouled on the opening possession and buried both free throw attempts from the line. Sanders also drew a whistle, but missed both his attempts.
Louisville got the ball back and patiently worked their offense. They worked it inside to Lingenhoel who missed a shot in the lane, but Aljancic was Johnny-on-the-spot and put the ball back up and in to put LHS in front 78-74.
It wasn’t much, but it was the cushion the Leopards needed. Aljancic would score underneath again to put the Leopards ahead 81-76 with 2:12 to play. Lingenhoel later broke open in the lane and scored to put LHS ahead 85-81 with 44.9 seconds to go.
Nigro Ices the Game for Louisville
Louisville would ultimately win the game from the line converting 10 of 12 free throws in overtime while opposing Glenville made just 3-of-7. Aljancic sunk a pair with 21.4 seconds remaining to make it 88-83. The scrappy Tarblooders refused to quit and Beard buried another clutch three-pointer to cut the lead to 88-86.
Nigro was fouled in the backcourt with 7.2 seconds left and went to the line for a chance to put the game away. The first shot rattled around the rim, off the glass, and hit home. With ice in his veins, the second shot hit its mark perfectly to put the Leopards ahead 90-86.
One final Glenville shot attempt missed off the side of the rim and the final horn sounded. Louisville’s bench stormed the court in celebration. They had done what no other Leopard team had ever done before, won a regional tournament game.
Glenville Finishes with Four In Double Figures
The Tarblooders were led by Sanders who scored 23 of his team high 25 points in the second half. Quarles also poured in 23, Beard tacked on 15, and Oliver added 12.
This was the first ever meeting between Louisville and Cleveland Glenville in boys basketball.
Highest Scoring Louisville Tournament Game
It took overtime to break the mark, but the 176 points scored between the two teams sets a new record for the Leopards basketball program in terms of combined scoring. The previous mark was 166 without overtime when Alliance defeated Louisville 99-67 on March 3, 1956. The Leopards previous highest combined score in a tournament victory came in an 85-75 sectional win over Massillon at the same Canton Memorial Civic Center on February 17, 1978. The 160 combined points scored in that game was aided by Louisville hitting 49 of 59 free throw attempts from the line that night.
Louisville Boys Basketball Tournament Games Highest Combined Score
| Points | Date | Division | Opponent | W-L | Louisville | Opponent | |
| 176 | 3/10/2022 | DII Regional Semi | Cleveland Glenville | W | 90 | 86 | OT |
| 166 | 3/3/1956 | A Sectional | Alliance | L | 67 | 99 | |
| 160 | 2/17/1978 | AAA Sectional Semi | Massillon | W | 85 | 75 | |
| 152 | 3/2/1993 | DII Sectional Semi | Fairless | W | 88 | 64 | |
| 148 | 2/22/1967 | AA Sectional | Glenwood | L | 60 | 88 | |
| 142 | 3/1/1956 | A Sectional | Minerva | W | 79 | 63 | |
| 141 | 2/21/1975 | AAA Sectional ?? | Canton Lincoln | L | 64 | 77 | |
| 141 | 3/1/2006 | DII Sectional Final | Triway | L | 57 | 84 | |
| 140 | 3/6/1963 | ?? Sectional Final | Canton Lehman | L | 63 | 77 | |
| 138 | 3/7/2015 | DI Sectional Final | Medina Highland | L | 67 | 71 |
The 90 points scored by the Leopards is the second most postseason in team history. Louisville defeated Greensburg 96-39 in the sectional tournament held at Canton Memorial Fieldhouse on March 1, 1955.
Louisville Boys Basketball Tournament Games Most Points Scored
| Points | Date | Division | Opponent | W-L | Louisville | Opponent | |
| 96 | 3/1/1955 | Sectional | Greensburg | W | 96 | 39 | |
| 90 | 3/10/2022 | DII Regional Semi | Cleveland Glenville | W | 90 | 86 | OT |
| 88 | 3/2/1993 | DII Sectional Semi | Fairless | W | 88 | 64 | |
| 85 | 2/17/1978 | AAA Sectional Semi | Massillon | W | 85 | 75 | |
| 79 | 3/1/1956 | A Sectional | Minerva | W | 79 | 63 | |
| 79 | 1992 | DII Sectional Final | Marlington | W | 79 | 58 | |
| 79 | 2/27/2016 | DI Sectional Final | Austintown Fitch | W | 79 | 41 | |
| 77 | 3/2/1990 | DII Sectional Final | Copley | W | 77 | 59 | |
| 77 | 3/2/2018 | DII Sectional Final | Norton | W | 77 | 58 | |
| 75 | 2/26/2021 | DII Sectional Final | Salem | W | 75 | 61 | |
| 75 | 1962 | ?? | Tuslaw | W | 75 | 58 | |
| 75 | 2/27/1991 | DII Sectional Semi | Canton Central Catholic | W | 75 | 40 |
The 90 points scored by Louisville is tied with two other games for the 15th most all-time. The Leopards are 17-0 all-time in games when they scored 90 points or more. This is the fifth time Louisville has scored 90 or more points under Head Coach Tom Siegfried.
Louisville Boys Basketball Most Points Scored
| Points | Date | Opponent | W-L | Louisville | Opponent | |
| 102 | 2/12/1955 | Middlebranch | W | 102 | 50 | |
| 97 | 12/18/1977 | Fairless | W | 97 | 65 | |
| 96 | 3/1/1955 | VS. Greensburg | W | 96 | 39 | |
| 96 | 2/6/2010 | Cleveland East | W | 96 | 47 | |
| 96 | 2/19/2010 | at Minerva | W | 96 | 55 | |
| 95 | 1992-1993 | Minerva | W | 95 | 66 | |
| 93 | 2/2/1952 | Poland | W | 93 | 51 | |
| 93 | 2/15/1955 | Minerva | W | 93 | 77 | |
| 93 | 1/22/1972 | at Marlington | W | 93 | 79 | |
| 91 | 12/11/1971 | at Marlington | W | 91 | 66 | |
| 91 | 12/30/1971 | at West Branch | W | 91 | 82 | |
| 91 | 2/18/1992 | East Canton | W | 91 | 49 | |
| 91 | 1/16/2015 | Marlington | W | 91 | 78 | |
| 91 | 1/18/2019 | Youngstown East | W | 91 | 61 | |
| 90 | 1/8/1971 | at Perry | W | 90 | 82 | |
| 90 | 1/29/1971 | Jackson | W | 90 | 87 | |
| 90 | 3/10/2022 | Vs. Glenville | W | 90 | 86 | OT |
This is just the second time in team history that the Leopards have won four tournament games in a single postseason. The 1993 team won all four of their tournament games at the sectional/district level before falling to Villa-Angela St. Joseph in the DII Regional Semifinals 76-61 up in Akron. The 2022 team has set a new standard for Louisville Basketball going where no Leopard team has gone before.
UP NEXT: The Leopards will next take on the Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary Fighting Irish in the DII Canton Regional Finals on Saturday, March 12 at 1:30 PM.
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Louisville Leopards Vs. Glenville Tarblooders Boys Basketball Statistics
LEOPARDS 90, TARBLOODERS 86, OT
Team 1-2-3-4-OT–TOTAL
Glenville 17-7-20-30-12–86
Louisville 21-16-15-22-16–90
TARBLOODERS: Sanders 9 6-9 25, Quarles 11 0-1 23, Beard 5 3-5 15, Oliver 6 0-0 12, Easter 2 1-2 6, Robinson 2 1-3 5. TOTAL 35 11-20 86.
3-Pointers (5): Beard 2, Easter, Quarles, Sanders
Team FT: 11-20 55%
LEOPARDS: Aljancic 16 4-6 37, Nigro 5 11-14 22, Boldon 4 2-4 12, Siegfried 1 5-7 7, Lingenhoel 3 0-0 6, Gross 2 0-0 4, Roberts 1 0-0 2. TOTAL 32 22-31 90.
3-Pointers (4): Boldon 2, Aljancic, Nigro
Team FT: 22-31 71%
Fouls: 23-17 Glenville
Records: Louisville 20-6
