Mo Schramm's energy was uplifting for Class AAA's undefeated Cleveland Blue Raiders as they came out on top of a dogfight Tuesday night.
After he scored 22 points in a 52-48 District 5 road win against East Hamilton, the biggest takeaway for Schramm wasn't taking over against his former team or his own side improving to 25-0.
"My granddad was here tonight for the first time this season," said the 6-foot-3 Schramm, who was a force driving to the basket and drawing charges on the opposite end. "He has dementia, and for him to be here tonight meant everything. I wanted to go out there and play for him.
"He has always been my biggest supporter and has been my father figure in life. Seeing him here was real special. I had been waiting on this night, and it was everything I could have asked for."
Schramm's obvious intensity was needed as the state's No. 1-ranked Blue Raiders made no 3-point baskets and faced a major upset, trailing 39-35 headed into the final eight minutes.
Schramm gave Cleveland the lead for good at 43-41 with 2:18 left to play as he crashed the left baseline and finished high at the rim.
Kley McGowan, JaCobi Wood and Schramm drew more charges together than East Hamilton scored points in an 11-2 run lasting until the final 30 seconds with a secure lead.
"I told the guys we need to go," Schramm said. "Everybody was like just calm down and I was like no, we aren't calming down. I said, 'This is our game.' I was heated and wanted this win for our team."
In the second half of the season he is averaging over 20 points per game and nearly double figures in rebounds as well.
He scored the game's first four points and had seven in the first and fourth quarters. Meanwhile, Mr. Basketball candidate Wood scored 15, making 11 of 15 free throws.
"Mo started fast and ended fast," Cleveland coach Reggie Tucker said. "I told him there is nobody over there that can stop you, so go take over. He and our guys didn't blink one time tonight. They knew they were going to find a way to win this game. They love a challenge and made great plays defensively down the stretch."
East Hamilton (12-11, 6-5) was led by Darwin Randolph, who had 16 points and five assists, while Marcus Long added 12 points.
Lady Hurricanes 57, Lady Raiders 51
East Hamilton sophomore McKenna Hayes was 3-of-4 from beyond the arc as she scored all 15 of her points in the second half of a confidence-building victory.
Taking on a double team, Madison Hayes found her younger sister cutting to the hoop to make an open layup for a 51-47 lead with a minute left. Anaya Evans sealed the win with two free throws late.
"McKenna was huge in the second half for us," said East Hamilton coach Hunter Gremore, whose team improved to 15-11 and 8-3 in district play. "We played loose tonight, and when we do that we look good and have fun. I was proud of how the girls executed some plays down the stretch that we had failed to earlier in the season."
Dezah Lacy contributed nine points and six assists in the victory, while Kara Williams led Cleveland with 16 points.
Madison Hayes led all with 24 points on the same day she was announced as a top 10 semifinalist with Hamilton Heights' Kamilla Cardoso and Treasure Hunt for the Naismith Award honoring the best high school girls' basketball player in the country.
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.