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Tyler Johnson's Corner: Arcs Clinch WRC in Honor of Classmate

Tyler Johnson's Corner: Arcs Clinch WRC in Honor of Classmate
By: Tyler Johnson ('17) 

The Arcs were able to clinch the Western Reserve Conference in a closely contested affair with Madison, beating the Blue Streaks by a score of 63-55.

Tyler Williams led all scorers with 18 points, while guards Andre Harris and Deion Burton contributed with 14 and 13 points respectively. Leading scorer for Madison was Zach Guyer with 16.

More importantly, this was the first game since the tragic and untimely death of Brush hockey and baseball player Alec Kornet. Alec’s passing was felt all throughout the community and this game was evident of that. Along with a moment of silence in remembrance of the junior, Brush also honored Alec with a banner with his number 4 which will hang in the Cleveland Heights ice rink. Throughout the night, the Brush crowd showed their love for their fellow student, chanting Alec’s name numerous times, as well as “Play for Alec” as the Arcs clinched the victory.

Junior forward Tyler Williams knows how big this moment was for the Kornet family, as he and his mother went through a similar situation with tragic passing of his brother Ron last summer. “It’s everything… I had to put on for his family because I know the struggle, I can relate to it… Alec was just the coolest dude, I just wanted to help them get through this tough time…”

Sophomore Andre Harris added to Tyler’s sentiment. “The main focus of the game was to help the family get their mind off of their loss…they were only here for an hour, so we tried make feel the best they could in that hour.”

The weight of the moment also hit Coach Mason as well. “I kind of shed a tear when I saw the father and mother before the game… not just because it’s a sad moment, but to see the strength of the parents in this trying moment.” Mason added to that point, saying “It wasn’t about basketball tonight…It was way bigger than us…We owe it to the family to be able to take their minds off the tragedy for a bit and provide them with a little bit of joy in this difficult moment.”

Coach also knew how big this moment was for the community. “South Euclid-Lyndhurst obviously felt this loss, and just like we wanted to help the family, we tried to get the community through this time as well…Anytime you can bring the community together like this, it’s huge.”

The game started as a back and forth affair, with Madison coming out of the gates strong, which led to a 15-13 lead for them at the end of the first quarter. However, the Arcs would take control in the second, led by Deion Burton, who had a steal and two huge threes in the quarter. Brush led 31-25 at the half.

Despite this, the Blue Streaks would not give up, as they cut into the Arc lead in the third quarter, getting it down to a two-point game at one point after being down double digits. But in the fourth, Brush would shut the door, capped off by a monster jam by Andre Harris, and clinch the WRC conference championship.

Brush’s final game before the playoffs is on the road against 14-7 Gilmour. Hopefully the Arcs can keep the momentum going after this emotional game.