Northmor closer to MOAC boys title
GALION — Northmor’s defense staked them to a strong early lead and the Knights were able to hold on Monday to top visiting Mount Gilead 60-51.
The win was a big one for the Knights, as it kept them on pace to earn at least a share of the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference Blue Division title — their first championship in that league.
“We talked about this as championship week,” said Northmor coach Zach Ruth. “Every game is a tournament game. If we’d lost tonight, we’d be a game back for our first title.”
Neither team could get much going in the first quarter until Zach Parrott connected for three points in the final minute to give Northmor a 9-6 lead. The Knights carried that momentum into the second. After Mason Mollohan opened the quarter by drawing a foul and connecting on one of his free throws, the Knights got five straight points by Kyle Kegley and two free throws from Brock Pletcher to open up a 16-7 lead.
Northmor’s Alijah Keen had 10 points in the quarter, including eight straight for the Knights at one point. Thanks to that effort, the Knights led 29-18 at the break.
Ruth noted that one strength of his team is that he has a lot of players who all can step up when needed.
“We have nobody on paper who catches the eye on stats,” said the coach. “Alijah Keen, in the two games he played against Mount Gilead, probably had his best two for us. Demetrius Johnson did a fantastic job. It’s fun watching him and (Zack) Hosack go at it.”
Kegley hit a three-pointer to open the third quarter, putting the Knights up 32-18. After he scored four more points, Northmor was still up by 14 with 5:12 remaining in the period. However, the Indians would battle back. Tyler Bland sparked a 7-2 run by scoring all of his team’s points during that span.
Then, with the score 40-29 in favor of Northmor, the Indians finished the third on an 8-2 run, getting baskets from Mollohan, Austin Vanderkooi, Hosack and Bland to close within a 42-37 margin.
Unfortunately for the Indians, that wouldn’t be enough to get them over the hump in the fourth quarter. They were able to get a basket and free throw by Vanderkooi to get within a 42-40 margin to open the quarter, but would not be able to tie the game or move in front.
“These last six games, we’ve won all six and our offense hasn’t clicked,” said Ruth. “It’s been all defense.”
Meanwhile, Northmor is preparing for a huge game at Highland on Thursday. If they win, their worst-case scenario is tying for the Blue title with Cardington.
In Monday’s game, Northmor got 15 points from Johnson, 13 from Keen and 12 from Pletcher. Mount Gilead finished with both Bolha and Bland scoring 13 and Mollohan finishing with 12.
Knights beat Fredericktown 51-43
GALION — On Friday, the Northmor boys team beat Fredericktown 51-43.
Alijah Keen led the way for head coach Zach Ruth on Friday against the Freddies. Keen scored a team-high 12 points, grabbed three rebounds, dished out an assist, recorded a steal and two blocks. Brock Pletcher also finished in double figures, scoring 11 points to go with a rebound, three assists and three steals. Kyle Kegley chipped in 10 points in the win, along with five rebounds, an assist, two steals and a block. Meechie Johnson had nine points for the Knights and three rebounds, steals and assists. Tyler Kegley had five points, eight boards and an assist. Zach Parrott finished up the Northmor attack with four points, four rebounds, an assist and three steals.
Crawford improves to 15-4 in boys action
NEW RIEGEL — Colonel Crawford took to the road on Saturday night to meet up in a non-conference battle with the New Riegel Blue Jackets. The Eagles continued to roll by defeating the Jackets in a close one, 44-39.
The Eagles are now 15-4 overall this season and remain 12-2 in the Northern-10 Athletic Conference.
Cameron McCreary was the top scorer for head coach David Sheldon on the night. McCreary finished with 13 points to go along with five rebounds and three assists. Heath Starkey contributed a dozen points in the win, as well as grabbed seven rebounds and recorded a blocked shot. Brody Martin was the third Eagle in double figures on the evening, scoring 10 points, grabbing a rebound, dishing out two assists and a steal. Jordan Fenner and Hayden Bute had four points apiece and Gavin Feitchner finished with a point.
Northmor ladies roll over Mount Gilead
GALION — On Saturday Northmor beat Mount Gilead 57-29 to improve to 12-9 overall and 10-4 in Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference Blue Division play. Mount Gilead dropped to 3-18 and 0-14.
Maddi Swihart finished the day with 13 points to lead the Northmor scoring attack. Brooke Bennett chipped in 11 points in the win and Karalee Patterson finished with nine. Christianna Boggs had seven points for the Lady Knights. Lindsey Wiseman and Lydia Farley contributed six points apiece while Becca Duckworth finished off the Northmor scoring with five.
Crestline boys team falls short vs. Redbirds
LOUDONVILLE — The Crestline Bulldogs boys basketball team has hit a bit of a rough patch in the season. This rough patch continued on Saturday night when the ‘Dogs traveled to Loudonville to meet up with Mid-Buckeye Conference foe Redbirds. Loudonville came away with the victory by a final score of 65-58 and Crestline’s losing streak extends to four games.
The Bulldogs a4-15 on the season and 1-10 in the MBC.
Davon Triplett scored 19 points for Crestline to go with five rebounds, an assist and a steal. Ty Clark scored 10 points and had six rebounds, two assists and a steal. Max Anatra chipped in nine points with Tyler Sipes contributing eight points, five rebounds and three assists. Kaden Ronk and Zach Gregory finished the contest with six points apiece for the ‘Dogs.
Buckettes knock off Lady Eagles
NORTH ROBINSON — Colonel Crawford’s girls basketball team hosted the Buckeye Central Buckettes in Northern-10 Athletic Conference action last Friday. In a close game, Buckeye Central would get the best of Crawford and held on for a 56-49 victory.
The Lady Eagles dropped to 11-9 overall with the loss and 8-7 in the N-10 while the Buckettes improved to 17-4 on the season and 12-3 within the conference.
Leading the way for the Lady Eagles was Taylor Webster with 16 points. Alexus Burkhart contributed 15 points and Ashley Gwirtz added 14 points in the Crawford effort. Abbie Teglovic and Claire Ehmann had two points apiece for the Eagles.
Lady Bulldogs lose to Christian
MANSFIELD — On Saturday, Mansfield Christian beat Crestline 53-37 in their regular season finale.
The Lady Bulldogs aret 1-20 overall and 1-12 in the Mid-Buckeye Conference.
Crestline led 15-10 heading into the second quarter. Mansfield Christian would pick up the scoring and tighten up their defense in the second, scoring 16 while holding Crestline to just six. To start the second half, the Lady ‘Dogs found themselves in just a five-point hole, 26-21. Crestline would score just seven in the third and nine in the fourth which would be surpassed by the Lady Flames, who scored 12 and 15, respectively to earn the win.
Lauryn Tadda would finish the contest with a double-double, scoring 18 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Brianna Briggs scored seven points for the ‘Dogs and grabbed eight rebounds. Denessa Baker contributed five points and three rebounds for Crestline. Lydia Tadda had four points and two rebounds and Sarah Toy had three points, a rebound and the team’s only assist.
