Harvey’s 10-member basketball senior class, most of whom have seen varsity playing time since they were freshmen, have a deep wellspring of experience to draw on when games get tight. That experience came into play in a 63-60 victory at host North on Jan. 31, when the Red Raiders’ 16-point lead at the end of the third quarter was whittled all the way down to 57-55 with 34 seconds to play in the game, as the Rangers mounted a furious rally in a 28-point fourth quarter. Harvey senior Eryck McClain scored with 30 seconds left to extend the lead to four, then free throws by senior Neiman Booker and senior Dominick Snyder — no guarantee on a day that the Red Raiders struggled from the line — around a bucket by junior Brand Bambrick for North, made it 63-57 in favor of Harvey with 11 seconds left. The Red Raiders were then whistled for a foul on a North 3-point attempt, sending junior Greyson Barney to the line for three shots. PHOTOS: North vs. Harvey boys basketball, Jan. 31, 2026 Barney made all three, and with five seconds to play, North had it within 63-60. A quick foul sent a Harvey player to the line with a chance to put the game away, but he missed both, giving the Rangers a chance to tie. Senior Nate Sagendorph launched a last-ditch 3 that looked like it had a chance, but it went off the backboard and dropped to the floor, and the Red Raiders held on for their sixth consecutive victory. Snyder led all scorers with 19 points, senior Deontae Ware added 11, and McClain had 10 points off the bench for Harvey. “Just getting the ball down the floor,” Snyder said regarding the key to victory. “We let them come back in the second half, so we knew we had to push, and make smart decisions.” @HarveyBoysHoops senior Dominick Snyder (game-high 19 points, 5 rebounds) breaks down the Red Raiders’ 63-60 win at North pic.twitter.com/HoBCIXxnlM — Jay Kron (@TownCenter2) January 31, 2026 Harvey (11-5) played solid man defense, and after rebounds or any of the 26 turnovers it forced, looked to try to beat the defense down the court on a fast break to score quickly, or battle under the boards for buckets in the half-court. Both teams struggled a bit in the early going. North made just 2 of 15 shots in the first quarter, and Harvey was 5 for 12, including a 3 by senior Chase Goines, to take an 11-4 lead. But going 0-for-6 at the free-throw line in the opening frame was a foreshadowing of an issue that plagued the Red Raiders throughout the contest. A Ware bucket off a Snyder assist capped an 18-4 run that stretched from the first quarter and gave Harvey a 22-8 lead in the second quarter. A 3 by Sagendorph and a two by North senior Vinny Marsico to end the first half cut the Rangers’ deficit to 29-15 going into halftime. Harvey maintained a double-digit lead throughout the third quarter. Snyder hit a 3 to start the frame, and McClain ended it with an offensive rebound and turnaround jumper to make it 48-32 Red Raiders after three. But North (3-13), which has struggled much of the season, didn’t give up. The Rangers had trouble with Harvey’s relentless pressure, but forced some turnovers themselves and capitalized in the fourth, and Barney got hot from outside. Barney drilled a 3 to start the final stanza, and North cut its deficit down to 50-41 with 4:45 to play with a 7-2 run, capped by a Bambrick basket in the paint. The Rangers took advantage of Harvey’s ice-cold foul shooting ( 11 of 30 for the game), getting rebounds and steals and turning those into points, and creeping closer and closer each possession down the stretch. But the Red Raiders made free throws when it counted, and made enough plays down the stretch to continue their winning streak and build confidence going into the stretch run of the season. “I think we played hard, I don’t think effort was a question,” Harvey coach Eric Monty said. “Early in the second half, we talked about being aggressive and keeping our foot on the gas. I think we let up just a touch. “But I was proud that we didn’t let some of the (referee) calls that were a little “off” affect us. We didn’t do anything stupid, kept our cool, and came away with the win.” @HarveyBoysHoops Coach Eric Monty goes over the Red Raiders’ 63-60 win at North pic.twitter.com/FNKyPJhaiT — Jay Kron (@TownCenter2) January 31, 2026 Harvey shot 43% from the field (24 of 56). Goines had 9 rebounds, and senior Armani Hall grabbed six. McClain and Booker each had 3 steals. But the Red Raiders’ composure and experience were maybe the biggest factors that helped them come away with the win. “We just had to keep our composure and stay calm through all the turmoil,” Ware said. “We just tried to stay together as a team and stay focused.” @HarveyBoysHoops senior Deontae Ware (11 points) discusses the Red Raiders’ 63-60 win at North and six-game winning streak pic.twitter.com/MnclHbC6gh — Jay Kron (@TownCenter2) January 31, 2026 Grinstead scored 16 points to lead North. Barney added 15, and Sagendorph finished with 14. The Rangers shot at a 42% clip (22 of 52), made 11 of 15 at the line, and won the rebounding battle, 37-31. “If they keep bringing the energy and keep bringing the effort, they’re going to give themselves opportunities to win,” North coach Nick Mayer said of his team. “We didn’t shoot the ball particularly well in the first half, but because of the energy and effort, we gave ourselves an opportunity to tie the game in the last few seconds. It just didn’t fall.” @northrangers coach Nick Mayer lauds the effort by his team in erasing a 16-point deficit and coming close in a 63-60 loss to Harvey pic.twitter.com/2grwRMwAJG — Jay Kron (@TownCenter2) January 31, 2026 Monty and Mayer are both Madison grads, two years apart, and both played for Pat Moran, who is now an assistant coach at John Carroll for his brother Pete. Harvey will carry its six-game winning streak into a home game against Orange on Feb. 3 before a highly anticipated rematch on the road at Hawken on Feb. 6. North travels to Kenston on Feb. 3 and hosts Chardon on Feb. 6. The score Harvey 63, North 60 ...read more read less