Northmor wins MOAC basketball title

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SPARTA — On Jan. 13, Northmor lost its first league game of the season, against the Highland Fighting Scots.

On Thursday, Northmor would take to the road to try and avenge that loss.

And they did, with revenge and a Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference Blue Division title on the line, Northmor pulled out a 42-41 victory.

With the win, the Golden Knights finish up their regular season on a seven-game winning streak and wrapped the year at 17-5 overall and 11-3 in the MOAC Blue.

As for the title scenario, they clinched at least a share of their first league basketball title.

Whether they win an outright title will be determined Saturday night when Highland takes on Cardington. A Highland win will give Northmor the title outright. A Cardington win means the Pirates and Knights share the Blue Division championship.

Highland started out a bit quicker than Northmor. The Fighting Scots would take the early advantage into the second quarter, up 12-8. The Knights would muster just 10 points in the second while Highland added another dozen points to their total to take a six-point halftime lead, 24-18.

Both teams came out somewhat stagnant in the third, scoring eight points apiece to head to the fourth with Highland up 32-26. With the conference title looming in the distance, Northmor picked up the scoring and tightened up the defense. A fourth quarter rally of 16 points to the Scots’ nine points gave the Knights the narrow, one-point victory.

Alijah Keen dropped 16 points on the Scots to earn top scorer status for Northmor. Keen also grabbed four rebounds, had an assist and two steals. Tyler Kegley was the only other Knights’ player in double figures, scoring 10 points to go with nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal. Brock Pletcher finished the contest with eight points, Kyle Kegley chipped in four points while Zach Parrott and Meechie Johnson had two points apiece to finish up the Northmor scoring.

Kaleb Phillips had 14 points on the night for Highland and Mack Anglin finished with 12 points for the Scots.

Northmor now sets its sights on the Division III tournament. On Wednesday March 1, they will host a familiar foe, the Fredericktown Freddies. The winner of that contest will move on to face the winner of the Bishop Ready/Liberty Union winner, on Saturday March 4.

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Knights will learn Saturday if it is an outright, or shared title

By Chad Clinger

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Follow Chad on Twitter @GalionSportsGuy

Reach Chad at 419-468-1117 x2048

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