Jaxson Croyts has missed free throws before. But against Andrews Osborne on Jan. 16, he knew he needed to refocus quickly as he missed the front end of a pair of technical free throws for Cornerstone Christian. The junior made his next five, the latter four were for the lead and the win as the Patri ots took down the Phoenix, 56-51. “I just have to get it out of my mind,” Croyts said. “Sometimes I get in my head after I miss shots. I just need to forget it and keep playing our game.” Cornerstone (4-8) came out strong, racing out to a 5-0 lead with a 3-pointer by Croyts that followed a goaltending call on Andrews Osborne (4-4). The Phoenix got on the board with a dunk from Alfonso Fombona Alarez, but then the Patriots controlled the remainder of the opening frame. Darrien Davis had a drive for an and-1 look that was followed by a 3-pointer by Karson O’Leary and an RJ McCain lay. Croyts also added a a pair of layups as well to help build the lead. Coach Jack Kelsheimer knew with the Phoenix’s length and size advantage, the Patriots needed to find a workaround. “Defense has been a real struggle for us this season,” Kelsheimer said. “We made an adjustment and went zone. We talked to some other coaches in the area. They gave us some insight, and that helped a lot. We saw what teams did and saw they struggled with zone. It’s props to the kids for buying in.” Andrews Osborne got back within single digits with an up-and-under layup by Aksels Strods in the waning seconds of the first quarter. But Cornerstone answered with a quick jab in the second quarter as McCain had a transition dunk on the opening possession. But then both sides’ defenses got into a rhythm. In the final minute of the half, Andrews Osborne found a spark from Alejandro Pera Alegre. He had a no-look assist to Lazar Tisma earlier in the frame but hit a pair of 3-pointers that gave the Phoenix the lead for the first time in the contest. Tisma added a banked hook shot in the final 15 seconds for the 27-24 halftime advantage. Both sides came out of the half quick, with Davis and Kenneth Grant trading layups. McCain added a pullup jumper and a 3-pointer to take the lead, but then the Phoenix started to pull ahead. Bob Da Silva had a layup that was followed by 3-pointers from Alegre and Grant that pushed the Phoenix lead to seven and forced a Cornerstone timeout midway through the third. Despite the deficit, Croyts and the Patriots were calm under pressure. Cornerstone Christian recorded a 56-51 win at Andrews Osborne on Jan. 16. (Paul DiCicco - for The News-Herald) “It was a great feeling,” Croyts said. “We knew that we couldn’t overreact, focus on the next moment. Make the free throws, go through your head, find ways to get the win and make sure you come out of it.” McCain found Croyts for a transition layup, and then Karson O’Leary hit a pair of 3-pointers, the latter in the final seconds of the third that made it a 44-43 deficit going to the fourth. Jackson Burge started the frame with a layup, but another O’Leary 3-pointer tied the game at 46. Both sides had quick layups, but a Da Silva steal and slam dunk gave Andrews Osborne a 51-50 as the fourth entered its final two minutes. Croyts split his technical free throws, and the Patriots went to work on the boards. Davis and Alijah Turner West hauled in misses with the latter splitting a pair of free throws that gave the Patriots the lead. “They never give up,” Kelsheimer said. “It’s a bunch of great kids, and they deserve the win. We’ve been practicing hard and working on everything. We’re all about player development and getting right with the lord. As you work on skills, keep your heart and at the end of the day keep faith.” Croyts then hauled in his first of the game, converting both on his trip to the line and added another in the final seconds to seal the win. Close losses have defined the first half of Cornerstone’s season, with three of its defeats being by single digits. But Croyts is excited to see their lessons from those games carry into the second half of the year. “It’s been amazing,” Croyts said. “This in a way is a whole new team from the front half of the season because of the transfer rules. It’s nice seeing guys step up in ways that we didn’t know they could.” Croyts led the way with 18 points, while Davis added 14 points and 13 rebounds. O’Leary had 12 points, all beyond the arc, and McCain added 11. Andrews Osborne was led by Da Silva with 11 points and seven rebounds. Pera Alegre had nine, and Burge added eight. Cornerstone next hits the court Jan. 19 in a rematch with Lake Catholic. Andrews Osborne takes the court next on Jan. 21 with a trip to Warrensville Heights. THE SCORE Cornerstone Christian 56, Andrews Osborne 51 ...read more read less