D.J. Dial, John Hugley both make statements in upset win over highly-touted Garfield Heights
Brush High junior point guard D.J. Dial had a heart-to-heart with sophomore big man John Hugley last week. Looming on the horizon on was a showdown with the city’s No. 1 team, Garfield Heights, and its ultra-talented post player Alonzo Gaffney (2019).
Hugley is a bruising 6’9” —think Zac Randolph — who is just growing into his big frame. He’s rated as one of the top sophomores in the state and if his Arcs were to have a chance he would have to be able to hold his own against Gaffney — who is the closest thing to Kevin Durant the Cleveland prep scene has ever seen and is being recruited by nearly every blueblood college basketball program in the country.
“I was in his ear all week,” Dial said after Brush shocked Garfield Heights on Jan. 7 at the Play By Play Classic at Baldwin Wallace University “ I’m like John you are going to be the key to this game if you come out and be aggressive.”
Brush didn’t flinch when it fell behind by 17 early in the contest, and Hugley’s size and strength allowed him to take control of the paint in the fourth quarter as the Arcs rallied for a shocking 63-60 win.
The loss was the first of the season for Garfield Heights, whose roster is littered with Division-I prospects, had it ranked nationally in some rankings, and even had LeBron James tweeting about how impressed he was with their play.
Hugley finished the night with 14 points. He was at his best in the fourth quarter when he repeatedly established position in the paint. His putback of an airball resulted in a 3-point play and gave Brush a 55-54 late in the game. He was named the winning team’s MVP.
And all of this against Gaffney.
“I’m not going to take anything away from Zo (Gaffney),” Dial said after the game. “He’s a great player and a great sport too. John is bigger. (I told him) if he got physical with him that was going to be key to the game.”
Chet Mason, Brush’s coach, said that Hugley’s game is developing at a rapid pace, noting Hugley missed the early portion of the year with a leg injury and is now rounding into shape. Part of that development has resulted in Hugley perfecting a little jump hook in the lane that Mason said is “unblockable.”
Hugley’s received several Division I offers and has even drawn the interest of Michigan State. He has a build and game that would appear to be a perfect match for the physical Big Ten.
“He’s a got soft touch, good hands, and good feet, there aren’t too many bigs in the state like him,” said Mason.
Garfield blows a big lead
The Bulldogs looked like they were headed to a blowout win when they jumped out to a 31-14 in the first quarter and still led by 11 at the half.
Garfield Heights coach Sonny Johnson said he didn’t his team any favors by opting to go away from the full-court defensive pressure in the second half that was so effective early on.
“I thought we were going to win the game,” said Johnson. Garfield had a chance to tie late, but highly rated freshman point guard Demetrius “Meechie” Johnson Jr., misfired on a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Dialing it up
Dial (2019) was impressive in his own right. After a slow start in which Garfield’s Alex Heath got the better of him, the 5’7” Dial ended up playing an outstanding game as he finished with 12 points, scoring on an array of runners and jumpers and running the offense. Dial has an offer from Kent State. Tahj Benton led Brush in scoring with 15. Andre Harris added 10 and Tyler Williams 11.
Zo weighs in on loss
Gaffney finished the game with 16 points but was saddled with his fourth foul with six minutes left in the fourth quarter.
The junior wing was again impressive, displaying a solid stroke from outside, and ability to block shots on the defensive end.
He said the loss was an eye-opener for the Bulldogs.
“We were on Cloud Nine winning seven games in a row and we needed something like this to show us we weren’t just going to breeze through the season. We know we’ve got to get a lot better,” Gaffney said.