Cleveland Heights Crowned League Champions

Cleveland Heights-TNBA 6th Grade Winter League Champions

As they have done 3 other times since the 3^rd grade, Damon Stringer’s 6^th grade Cleveland Heights Black squad rode a perfect 24-0 season to a TNBA Winter League Championship at Garfield Heights High School on Sunday. On the strength of a 37-24 win over Garfield Heights in the championship game, Cleveland Heights collected their 4^th league championship. Although Cleveland Heights jumped out to 15-2 lead, propelled by a ruckus Garfield Heights crowd, Garfield Heights cut the lead to only 2 points by half time.  Despite the Garfield Heights run, Cleveland Heights was able to retake the lead an go on to get the win.

Because Garfield shocked Shaker Heights in the semi-finals on a buzzer beater, Stringer’s team missed out on the much-anticipated rematch with Shaker Heights. Cleveland Heights rolled through the playoffs based on strong play from Marlon Barnes (6’1/PF/Cleveland Heights), Desh Molton (5’2/PG/South Euclid), LA Hayes (5’8/CG/Cleveland Heights), AJ Wheeler (5’2/PG/South Euclid) and Brandon Rose (5’7/PF/Cleveland Heights).  Stringer was clearly proud of his players and parents. “I pushed this team to the limit, and they will run through the wall for me,” said Stringer.  “I challenged them in practice and they all committed to the process, both players and parents,” continued Stringer. We would like to congratulate coach Stringer and his parents and players for an extended period of excellence.