The Kenton Times

Sports

Times photo/D.J. Underwood
Looking for three
Ada’s Erik Grimslid shoots a three pointer over a Kalida defender on Tuesday night.

Bulldogs bid for a district championship falls short
By KENDRICK JESIONOWSKI
Times sports editor
ELIDA — If Ada coach Chris Sautter could take some solace from his team’s 59-44 setback to Kalida in the district semifinals on Tuesday night, it was that his undermanned team gave him a solid effort for 32 minutes.
Because of that effort, the Bulldogs, who after falling behind by 11 points after the first quarter, were able to stay within 8 to 10 points for much if the next two quarters. However, they just didn’t have enough in the end as Kalida was finally able to pull away in the fourth quarter to punch its ticket to the district final.
The Wildcats, 19-2, advance to face Continental on Friday night at 7 p.m. The 21-2 Pirates advanced with a 39-35 win over Arlington in the first game of the night at the Elida Fieldhouse.
Ada, which had lost to Kalida 58-26 in early January, ends its season with an 8-14 record.
“We competed,” Sautter said. “In the first half they had 10 points off offensive rebounds and that killed us. At the other end I didn’t think we did a bad job executing offensively. We got some shots in the paint. It just didn’t seem like anything would fall. You compound not being able to finish with not boxing out and it puts you behind the eight ball.

Times photo/Lonnie McMillan
Back to regionals
Riverdale’s Morgan Spiegel and Christy Fox hold up the district championship trophy after their win over Fostoria St. Wendelin on Saturday.

Riverdale girls prepare for regional semifinal
By LONNIE McMILLAN
Times News Bureau
ELIDA — Making the regional tournament has become commonplace for Riverdale, while its opponent Pettisville is making school history.
The Falcons are competing in their third regional semifinal game in three years, while the Blackbirds are coming off their first ever district championship.
Led by guard Erica King, Pettisville (19-4) will try to add to its list of growing accomplishments by gaining its first regional victory when it takes on Riverdale at 6:15 p.m. Thursday at Elida Fieldhouse.
“We’ve been very successful in the past few years, but this is our first trip to regional in our history,” Pettisville coach Jason Waldvogel said.
King, a 5-5 point guard, is one of only two seniors on the team, and there is no question she is the Blackbirds’ leader, averaging team highs in points (19.6), assists (2.0), steals (2.0), defensive rebounds (2.8), field goal percentage (60.9), 3-point percentage (45.8) and free throw percentage (78.2).
After King, the Blackbirds have seven players who have played every game this season and have averaged between 3 and 7 points per game.
“Erica King is a really nice player in our area and she has a lot of balance behind her,” Waldvogel said. “It’s a combination of some sophomores and juniors and we have one other senior who is a great leader for our team, too.

TUESDAY MARCH 9, 2010

KHS district presale tickets available
Pre-sale tickets for Wednesday night’s district semi-final boys basketball game between Kenton and Celina at Ohio Northern University will be on sale in the KHS office during school hours today and Wednesday.
Pre-sale tickets are $4 for students and $6 for adults. All tickets at the game will be $6. Game time is 8 p.m.

MONDAY MARCH 8, 2010

Times photo/Lonnie McMillan
Driving the lane
Riverdale's Christy Fox drives the ball down the lane against St. Wendelin on Saturday Night.
Lady Falcons claim district championship
By LONNIE McMILLAN
Times News Bureau
ATTICA - After falling behind and having to rally for a victory in the district semifinal against New Riegel, Riverdale knew it might not be so lucky to make a comeback for the second time in a row against an elite Midland Athletic League team.
The Falcons made sure they did not have to, scoring the game's first seven points and holding the lead the entire way in a 65-48 victory against Fostoria St. Wendelin that gave them their third district championship in four years.
Lacey Kessler had 23 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals in leading the Falcons (18-5) to the Division IV regional semifinals at Elida, where they will take on Pettisville at 6:15 p.m. Thursday.
"We had to come out ready to play," Riverdale coach Maryann Holderman said. "We could not come out passive. We could not come out and wait for things to happen. We had to make them happen and that's exactly what we did."
Mallorie Hicks added 16 points and nine boards and Ashley Fox scored 13 points for Riverdale.
Lauren "Cookie" Geroski had 18 points, six assists and three steals to lead the Mohawks, while Chelcie Ruttie had 17 points and three steals.
St. Wendelin (20-4) committed turnovers on its first three possessions, each of them leading to Riverdale baskets, including a 3-pointer by Morgan Spiegel that gave the Falcons an early 7-0 advantage.
A Kessler free throw later stretched the lead to 12-2 and the Falcons still led 16-7 after one quarter.
"They were aggressive," St. Wendelin coach Aaron Smith said. "They jumped in. They hit all their shots. Just like we got Wynford behind the 8-ball (in the district semifinaly) and they could not come back, so did (Riverdale)."
The Mohawks finished with just 13 turnovers after committing eight in the first quarter, and although Riverdale committed 24 in the game, St. Wendelin never was closer than nine points after the first quarter.
(Refer to page 8 of today's Kenton Times)

ONU softball ends successful spring trip
CLERMONT, Fla. - The No. 2-ranked Ohio Northern softball team wrapped up its spring break trip with victories over Johnson & Wales (R.I.) and Rochester (N.Y.) Saturday afternoon.
The Polar Bears improve to 7-1 after topping JW 4-0 and Rochester 15-2.
Sophomore Kim Blewett went 6 for 6 with four doubles, a 3-run home run and 7 RBI in the two games to lead the ONU offense.
In the first game of the day, senior Cortney Cash (4-1) threw six shutout innings and freshman Abbey Bensing wrapped up the shutout with a scoreless seventh as ONU blanked Johnson & Wales 4-0 for its third shutout of the season. Blewett had two doubles and sophomores Lisa Light and Cassie Gaye also had doubles as ONU out-hit JW 10-4 in the contest.
In the nightcap, Northern exploded for 15 runs on 16 hits and won the game in five innings due to the NCAA's 8-run rule.
Blewett had a pair of doubles and her 3-run home run and Gaye added a double and a 2-run home run for ONU.
Sophomore Maggie Molnar (2-0) allowed only four hits and picked up the pitching victory.
The Polar Bears will take to the road again this weekend at the Maryville (Tenn.) Invitational March 13-14.
(Refer to page 8 of today's Kenton Times)

SATURDAY MARCH 6, 2010

Times Photo/Kendrick Jesionowski
Driving to the basket
Ada's Konner Baker drives the ball to the basket against Upper Scioto Valley's Ryan Sparkman on Friday night. Baker led the Bulldogs with 16 points in their 45-33 win, which gave them a seventh straight sectional title.
Bulldogs top Rams for sectional title
By KENDRICK
JESIONOWSKI
Times sports editor
Ada's boys basketball sectional final matchup against Upper Scioto Valley didn't go exactly how the Bulldogs pictured it on Friday night.
But the important thing for the Bulldogs, after they pulled away in the second half for a 45-33 win, was that they lived to play another day.
The Bulldogs overcame an early 10-3 deficit, taking the lead late in the second quarter before distancing themselves from the Rams in the second half.
Konnor Baker had 16 points and Matt McBride added 15, including a basket off a steal that gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the game at 15-14. He had another basket on Ada's next possession that made it a three-point game.
"It wasn't pretty, but at this point in time it doesn't have to be pretty," Ada coach Chris Sautter said, after watching his team struggle through the first half. "A win's a win and if you don't win you go home.
"It's nice we were able to get it done and get a win, but we're going to have to play a lot better on Tuesday ... We've got to make shots. Alex (Weber), Konnor, those guys know it. They went through our run last year. We've got to make shots and we've got to make plays. We made enough in the second half."
With the win the Bulldogs, 8-13, will play Kalida in the district semifinals at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Elida High School. The Bulldogs lost to Kalida 58-26 in early January.
The win also marked the seventh straight season Ada has won a sectional title.
USV finishes it season with a 6-16 mark. Colby Salyer had 10 points to lead the Rams.
(Refer to page 8 of today's Kenton Times)

FRIDAY MARCH 5, 2010

Times photo/Kendrick Jesionowski
Around the defender
Upper Scioto Valley's Mikayla Coburn takes the ball to the basket during the Rams district semifinal game against Minster on Thursday.
Minster finishes off Lady Rams, 57-35
By KENDRICK
JESIONOWSKI
Times sports editor
LIMA - Upper Scioto Valley basketball coach Mike Risner has been telling his girls all season that in order to gain success on the bigger stage their would be some bumps along the way.
On Thursday night the Lady Rams picked up a few more bumps and bruises in their quest for success, as Minster did everything but steal their lunch money on the way to 57-35 Division IV district semifinal win over USV at Lima Senior High School.
Minster, which improves to 15-7, will play for a district championship at 7 p.m. Saturday at Lima Senior.
Katie Hicks tallied 12 points to lead the Rams, who finish their season with a 13-9 record. Ginnie Critten added 8 points and 6 rebounds and Mikayla Coburn had 7 points and 7 boards for USV.
Delanie Wolf led the Wildcats with 14 points while Sarah Huelsman added 10.
"I thought my girls played hard for the whole game," Risner said. "It's like I've talked about with the girls, you've got to pay your dues. You've got play a number of these games in high pressure situations before you can enjoy some success and this was our first.
"I've only got one girl (Hicks) that's played in any type of district game before and you could tell, especially at the start. But I've got a bunch of young girls that are going to work hard and we'll be back and next time we'll be more mentally prepared."
Minster started out slow offensively, but on the defensive end of the floor the Wildcats came out flying forcing the Rams into five first quarter turnovers and allowing them just one field goal in building a 9-2 lead.
The second quarter didn't get much better for USV.
Coburn drained a three-pointer for the Rams to make it 13-7, but Minster would go on a 12-0 run, forcing USV into miscues on seven of its next eight possessions, taking a 25-7 lead on a three-point play by Wolf. A basket by Hicks made it 25-9 at halftime.
(Refer to page 12 of today's Kenton Times)

Times photo/Lonnie McMillan
To the hoop
Riverdale's Mallorie Hicks takes the ball to the basket during the Falcons win over New Riegel on Thursday.
Riverdale advances to district final
By LONNIE McMILLAN
Times news bureau
ATTICA - Riverdale picked up its defense in the second half and got hot offensively, rallying from a 12-point first half deficit to take a 62-56 victory against top-seeded New Riegel in the district semifinals at Seneca East on Thursday night.
The Falcons outscored the Blue Jackets 39-26 in the second half, including a 13-0 run in the fourth quarter, to rally past the Midland Athletic League champions into the district final against MAL runner-up Fostoria St. Wendelin.
The Mohawks, also a No. 2 seed, upset the state's No. 5 ranked team Wynford, 65-46, in the second game Thursday.
Lacey Kessler scored 15 of her 19 points in the second half and Ashley Fox had 14 of her 17 points in the second half. Morgan Spiegel kept the Falcons in it early with 10 of her 16 points coming in the first quarter. She also added a team-high nine rebounds.
"As one of my players, Karen Wise, said in the locker room, ‘As our defensive intensity picked up, so did our offense,'" Rivedale coach Maryann Holderman said. "I pointed to her and said, ‘You are exactly right. I'm going to use that.' That's exactly what happened. Our defensive intensity picked up and our offense came right with it."
Paula Kelbley had 17 points, five rebounds and four assists to lead New Riegel. Taylor Mathias scored 13 points.
(Refer to page 12 of today's Kenton Times)

THURSDAY MARCH 4, 2010

Rams rally to edge Golden Gophers
By KENDRICK
JESIONOWSKI
Times sports editor
The boys basketball sectional battle between Upper Scioto Valley and Ridgemont came down to one thing on Wednesday night - execution.
The Rams were able to make some key shots at opportune times, while the Gophers, who led by six at halftime, struggled from the field throughout the second half in watching USV pull away for a 49-40 win at Kenton High School.
The Rams, 6-15 on the season, face Ada in the sectional finals at 8 p.m. Friday. Brandon Overs had 10 points to lead USV.
"We had a deer in the headlight look that first half," USV coach Aaron Thompson said. "We fought through some turnovers in the first quarter and we just played a little tight and nervous.
"These guys haven't had a lot of success and we preach to them ‘you can do it, you can do it' and you can see with some of these guys it's about confidence. We finally got a little bit of confidence and did it."
Derrick Bailey and Davante Ratleff had 13 points each to lead Ridgemont, which ends its season with a 3-18 mark.
The Gophers shot 6 of 20 from the field in the second half after connecting on 9 of 23 first half shots, including 7 of 14 in the second quarter.
"It was the same story as last time, we couldn't put the ball in the hoop," Ridgemont coach Nick Stuck said. "We were 8 of 18 from the free throw line. I don't know how many of those were the front end of one and ones, but obviously right there are some opportunities we're not cashing in on.
"I'm really proud of our effort, they didn't quit tonight," Stuck added. "I do hope that our underclassmen take this to heart that they need to work on their game in the offseason.
"We couldn't put the ball in the hole. Either guys didn't have the ability to put it in the hole or they couldn't find the right guy to get it in there and that comes from offseason work and playing.
"They just have to work on their game. I think we have a bright future, but they can't be complacent or happy with where they're at now. We've got to get better."
After falling behind 11-5 after one quarter, Ridgemont turned on its game in the second quarter outscoring USV 17-5 in the stanza to take a 22-16 lead into halftime.
The Rams, who shot 6 of 26 from the field in the first half, including 1 of 13 in the second quarter, were more proficient in the second half, connecting on 11 of 17 shots.
USV opened the second half with a 13-5 run, pulling within one point after a basket by Brandon Overs midway though the third quarter. The Rams took a 29-27 lead a minute later when Brett Wodarski drained a three-pointer.
After a basket by Brian Roberts stretched USV's lead to 33-28 early in the fourth quarter, Ratleff scored a basket and then after a steal drained a pair of free throws to pull the Gophers within 33-32.

Arlington blows past Hardin Northern
By KENDRICK
JESIONOWSKI
Times sports editor
Arlington scored 30 unanswered points against Hardin Northern, including a 26-0 run to end the first half, during the opening round of boys sectional basketball play at Kenton High School on Wednesday night.
And with that, the book was complete on the Polar Bear season as the Red Devils were able to coast through the second half to a 62-28 victory.
Arlington, 14-6 on the season, will face Allen East in the sectional finals at 6:15 p.m. Friday, also at Kenton.
Hardin Northern, which has lost 17 straight games, ends its season at 2-19.
Tommy Wheeler had a team-high 9 points to lead the Polar Bears. Ben Shepherd added 7.
Kevin Rogers had 15 points and Thane Recker added 14 points to pace the Red Devils. Cam Brown added 9 points on three three-pointers.
Logan Price and Wheeler had baskets in the first two minutes of the game to knot the score at 5-5.
The Red Devils were dominant from then on, however, as they forced Hardin Northern into 13 turnovers and reeled off the final 26 points of the first half to take control of the game.
Back-to-back baskets by Recker made it 14-5 with three minutes to go in the first quarter and two points off a steal by Jake Leonard made it an 11-point game.
A steal and a basket by Zane Leonard stretched the advantage to 25-5 midway through the second quarter and two points by Rogers made it 31-5 at the intermission.