Shaker Heights didn’t allow Strongsville to score more than 11 points in a quarter in a 73-39 victory this week. The Red Raiders improved to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in the Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division. “The guys came out and played well together defensively,” Shaker Heights coach Danny Young said. “We shot the ball well and got a lot of points in the paint and we wanted a lot more paint touches either through the post or penetration.” The Red Raiders had 12 of their 13 players scored, including four in double figures. Esa Ahmad and Kash Blackwell led the way with 16, Rosel Hurley …

Without the services of Rosel Hurley, Kash Blackwell, Jimmie Pope, Mel Leach and David Shack, a road opener against St. John’s — which boasts a candidate for Mr. Basketball in Marc Loving — had the makings of a blowout. But the Red Raiders led at halftime before ultimately falling 55-41. Hurley, Blackwell and Pope were suspended for disciplinary reasons, Leach and Shack were nursing injuries. “I was very proud of them,” Shaker Heights coach Danny Young said. “I think our zone slowed them down a little. We kept Marc Loving at bay, but in the fourth quarter they (pulled away). But the entire …

Shaker Heights took a little something with them as it departed for the Northeast Ohio Conference: a Lake Erie League championship. The Red Raiders are coming off a 21-3 season where they finished 9-1 in the LEL and locked up a district title before falling in the Regional Semifinals to St. Edward 79-70. Coach Danny Young doesn’t expect any problems adjusting to the NOC and reuniting with former LEL rival Mentor. “We’ve played a lot of those teams last year,” Young said. “It probably won’t be as up and down as the LEL. These teams are going to be more methodical and shorten possessions. It’s …