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Mount Gilead Indians clip Loudonville Redbirds, 63-41
In the season opener for both schools, Mount Gilead’s boys basketball team fought off a first-quarter deficit and defeated Loudonville, 63-41, at home Tuesday.
Elijah Chafin started things off for the Indians with a nine-point opening quarter on three deuces and a three. Aaron Gannon nailed two field goals and Carter Kennon rainbowed one from behind the arc. But the Redbirds ended the quarter with a 20-17 lead thanks to three 3-point scores and 11 points by Zach Frankford, and a three and five points from Isaac Gessner.
In the second quarter, the Indians played tight defense around Frankford and the Redbirds and held them to 10 points, while knocking down 18, to take a 35-30 halftime lead. Chafin hit another three in the second among his seven points for Mount Gilead.
In the third, Mount Gilead padded its lead with a 15-6 effort. Paul Butterman converted seven points in the third for the Indians and hit a long-range three, and Kennon bombed in another three among his five points.
Chafin wrapped things up with a pair of field goals and two free throws in the fourth, as Mount Gilead outscored Loudonville 13-5 to take home a 22-point victory
Chafin had 22 points for the Indians. Kennon had 13 points, Aaron Ganon scored 10 points, and Butterman ended with nine.
Fredericktown starts strong, stays strong to beat Danville 55-43
Taking a first-quarter lead and holding on to keep the lead at the half, Fredericktown (2-1, 1-0 KMAC), put on second-half pressure to defeat Danville (1-2, 0-1 KMAC), 55-43, Wednesday night at Fredericktown.
Despite two 3-pointers by Danville’s Spencer Payne, the Freddies took an 18-9 first-quarter advantage with scoring from five players. Kaid Carpenter hit seven in the first to lead Fredericktown to a nine-point advantage.
Danville came out firing in the second and cut the lead to 28-25 at the half, led by Darren Mickely’s seven points.
Brady Lester and Carpenter took control in the fourth, outscoring the Dogs 19-14, with Lester netting 10 points in the clutch and Carpenter seven.
The Freddies got scoring from seven players, led by Carpenter's 17 points, Lester's 14 points and Teeghan Ruhl with 13 points. Mickley was the only Blue Devil in double figures, with 12 points. Payne tallied eight as eight Blue Devils pout up points.
The Freddies outrebounded the Devil Dogs 39-32 and blocked four shots to two for the Dogs. Steals were nine to eight in favor of Fredericktown, and the Freddies outshot Danville 44% to 24% on the floor.
Big Walnut cracks Jackets in the fourth, 54-42
Mount Vernon’s hung tight for three quarters before being blasted in the fourth in a loss to Big Walnut, 54-42
The Yellow Jackets (0-2) led the Golden Eagles (2-1) after the first quarter, 14-13, and the two teams were tied at halftime, 22-22.
Locker-room speeches fired up both teams, who fought to a 12-12 third quarter to send the game to the fourth in a 34-34 tie.
The fourth, however, was big for Big Walnut, which pumped 20 points through the nets to only eight for the Jackets, to seal the win.
The Golden Eagles were led by Ryan Tripp and Will Badin with 12 points each.
Mount Vernon received scoring contributions from five players, led by Beau Bridges with 17 points, Caden Rowland with 12 points and Nolan Belcher with 9 points.
