Bulldogs move on with dismantling of Patriot Prep, 44-28
On Feb. 25, the East Knox took on Columbus Patriot Prep in a playoff matchup at home, and the Bulldogs ran away with a 44-28 victory in the Division 4 sectional, improving to 18-6 on the season and moving on to the next round. The Eagles fell to 5-18 with their season-ending loss.
The matchup was tight from the start with the Bulldogs up 15-13 after a quarter, led by Shane Knepp, who put up six points in the opening frame. The second quarter was an entirely different story as the tenacious Bulldog defense stepped things up to hold Patriot Prep scoreless while the Bulldogs put up 11 points themselves to make it a 26-13 at the half. Knepp had nine points at halftime to lead the Bulldogs, and Dillon Moreland had seven points for EK.
In the third quarter, Knepp continued his strong play, helping the Bulldogs outscore Patriot Prep 11-7 to go up 37-20. Knepp scored six points in the quarter. The Bulldogs were outscored 8-7 in the fourth quarter, but the team already had a nice lead and was able to hold on for the victory.
East Knox shot only 38% from th floor, but the team had the upper hand with a strong defense, holding Patriot Prep to only 29% from the field and 15% from beyond the arc. East Knox also did well on the glass, out-rebounding Patriot Prep 36 to 21.
Knepp was the game high scorer with 18 points and Moreland added 10 points for the 'Dogs.
Next up for the Bulldogs is a District 4 semifinal matchup with Berne Union tonight at 7 p.m.
Danville gains semis with 53-51 win over Columbus Tree of Life
A nail biter went down to the final buzzer in a Division 4 sectional playoff matchup between Danville and Columbus Tree of Life. Cam Miller’s 20-point effort led the way for the Blue Devils to take home the playoff win and improve to 12-12, while securing a spot in the District semifinals. Tree of Life was eliminated from play and ended the season 15-8.
The Feb. 25 game was tied 14-14 after the first quarter, but Danville had a strong 18-13 second quarter to go up 32-27 over the Trojans at halftime. Miller had 18 points at the half, including four makes from 3-point range.
Tree of Life managed to pull within three points after three quarters and also outscored the Danville squad in the fourth quarter, but Danville managed to hold on for the two-point victory.
Miller’s 20 points led all scorers, while Darren Mickley put up 12 points and Walker Weckesser scored 10 points in the Blue Devils' win.
Danville will take on Grove City Christian tonight in a Division 4 District semifinal at 7 p.m.
Newark goes wire to wire to oust Jackets from playoffs, 55-39
The Mount Vernon Yellow Jackets took on Newark on Feb. 25 in the opening round of the playoffs and found themselves playing catch-up the entire time in a 55-39 loss.
Newark led 15-6 after the first quarter, setting the tone for the rest of the game and by halftime had controlled a 30-16 lead. Newark continued to pull away, outscoring the Yellow Jackets 18-15 in the third quarter, and while Mount Vernon had an 8-7 advantage in the fourth quarter, the deficit was too great to come back from.
Caden Rowland had 14 points for Mount Vernon and was the only Yellow Jacket to hit double figures. Beau Bridges added six points.
Mount Vernon did shoot well from the field, going for 47% but was out-rebounded 27-19, showing that the work on the glass was a difference-maker.
The Yellow Jackets finished out the season with an 11-12 record, and the Wildcats move on with an 18-5 mark.
Bishop Watterson beats Highland 61-32 in opening round of playoffs
The Highland boys’ basketball team faced off against the Bishop Watterson Eagles in the Division 4 sectional playoffs Feb. 26 and found they were overnatched from the beginning. The Scots fought all game but wound up on the short end, 61-32. The Eagles went into the game with an 11-9 record but were on a three-game losing streak. They made sure early that their down-skein would not reach four.
The Eagles led from the start and never looked back, going up 14-9 after the first quarter and soaring to a 37-11 lead at halftime. The second half was a better story for the Fighting Scots, who had a 15-10 advantage in the third quarter thanks to five points apiece for Jordan Bellamy and Rider Minnick. However, the Fighting Scots were held to only six points in the fourth quarter and allowed 14 points, leading to the easy win for the Eagles.
Bellamy led the team with eight points, and Garrett Fitzpatrick added six points.
The Fighting Scots' season ended with a 10-13 record.
