Boys Basketball Rewind: The friendly rebounder, and Cornerstone Christian’s statement to AP voters (Jan. 25)

CLEVELAND, Ohio – If Glenville coach Michael Holt has one complaint about Aaron Loines it is that he's "too nice."

"The guys are too nice to each other," Holt said Tuesday after Glenville's 72-45 win at Martin Luther King Jr. "They pass up a short shot they can make a play for their teammate. You don't want them to be selfish, but to pass up a good shot for a harder shot isn't good either."

The complaint was only for Loines and his teammates on the offensive end. On the glass, Loines uses his lengthy wingspan and 6-foot-5 frame to gobble up rebounds.

See the above video for just how he does it for the Tarblooders (15-2), who are ranked 20th in the cleveland.com Top 25.

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE A CHAMPION

No. 11 Cornerstone Christian entered the week ranked fifth in Division IV of The Associated Press state poll. The Patriots (12-4) brought back the state's player of the year and a core from last season's championship run.

Oh and here's the four teams they lost to: a Catholic school from Florida and three Division I powers in Ohio. The latest came Tuesday in a 66-60 defeat at Garfield Heights, a statement in the setback for Cornerstone.

Garfield Heights coach Sonny Johnson told the News-Herald: "They're a matchup nightmare because they play five-out."

Brandon McQueen led Cornerstone with 27 points when junior guard Michael Bothwell, the returning player of the year, struggled but finished with 16. The bigger Bulldogs rode a clear rebounding advantage and Cleveland State-bound Shawn Christian’s five 3-pointers.

Considering Cornerstone is the defending state champion and puts up performances like this one, are the Patriots underrated or undervalued by statewide voters? Check in with your opinion on the poll to the right and in the comments section.

Here is a sample of how Cornerstone fared earlier this season against a bigger Northeast Ohio power.

WHAT WE LEARNED TUESDAY

• Octavius Wilson can be more than a rebounder. The 6-3 senior forward for No. 4 Lorain provided 20 points in a 64-56 win against No. 14 Medina.

He also had 14 rebounds.

See Wilson in action below earlier this season against Garfield Heights.

• Rivals can change everything. Avon had plenty going for it: an 11-1 record, unbeaten Southwestern Conference mark and junior guard Delshawn Orr back in the lineup. However, neighboring Avon Lake handed the Eagles their first SWC loss, 54-49, in overtime.

Avon Lake, led by senior David Marsh’s 19 points, has won 10 of its last 11.

• No. 16 Villa Angela-St. Joseph might be a heavy Division III favorite to reach Columbus. The Vikings beat North Coast League foe Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas, 77-57, behind sophomore Alonzo Gaffney's 26 points.

The game was a rematch of last year’s Canton Regional final.

One of the other regional participants, Oberlin, suffered a 54-48 loss to Buckeye.

Of the Division III contenders, few are in stride like VASJ — which will be put to the test this weekend against Central Catholic and St. Edward.

CLICK HERE FOR TUESDAY’S SCOREBOARD

VOTE FOR THE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Speaking of votes, the poll lasts until noon Friday for the cleveland.com Player of the Week. Click here to vote in this week's Game Balls.

FAST FORWARD

Here is a look ahead at what is coming up this week.

No. 4 Lorain at No. 6 Cleveland Heights, Friday: This not only pits two top 10 teams, but it's a Lake Erie League showdown. The Titans are 4-0, but Cleveland Heights and Maple Heights are both just a game back.

No. 8 Benedictine at No. 7 Archbishop Hoban: These two met in December for a close game won by Hoban. Benedictine senior forward Marlon Moore missed that game with an ankle injury. He is back now.

No. 16 VASJ at Central Catholic, Friday: Their first meeting in the North Coast League White Division didn't provide a good barometer of how these teams stack up. Central Catholic played without its varsity players, who served a suspension that time. This one will be a true test for both teams.

No. 9 Holy Name at Elyria Catholic, Friday: EC is just a game back in the Great Lakes Conference.

No. 12 Elyria at No. 21 Brunswick, Friday: The Pioneers hold a half game lead in the Greater Cleveland Conference and head to Brunswick motivated by the Blue Devils' 58-34 win on their court earlier this season.

No. 16 VASJ at No. 3 St. Edward, Saturday: An entertaining matchup last season, expect more of the same when these two meet up in Lakewood. It will make for a tough back-to-back test for coach Babe Kwasniak's Vikings.

CLICK HERE FOR A FRIDAY AND SATURDAY SCHEDULE.

Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com). Or log in and leave a message below in the comments section.

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