Hardwood Heroes
Nelsonville-York Buckeyes take down Wellston to keep title hopes alive
By: Dylan Westmeyer
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NELSONVILLE, Ohio—Nelsonville-York Buckeyes took on the Wellston Golden Rockets in Ben Wagner Gymnasium for senior night. The Buckeyes honored 6 seniors before tip and 5 started the matchup.
With the seniors out on the floor, the matchup was tight and energy was high. Wellston was able to take advantage of the energy that was coming out of the Nelsonville-York seniors. The Golden Rockets were able to take an early 10-6 lead at the end of the first.
The second quarter came and the Buckeyes came out with their young squad of all underclassmen who were able to bring the game back and show the Buckeye faithful that the program is in safe hands. Once the lineup changed, Nelsonville-York began their regular rotation of 8 players. With the normal rotation, the Buckeyes took the lead going into the half 23-21.
The third quarter was all Nelsonville-York as they started the quarter on a 15-0 run. The run was on the back of a full-court press that was implemented at the start of the quarter. This led to steals and easy buckets in transition with layups coming early and often. After the 15-0 run Wellston outscored the Buckeyes 9-8 to end the quarter. The lead was secured though as the Buckeyes went up 46-30 at the end of 3.
In the fourth Nelsonville-York continued their hot shooting, extending the lead. Midway through the quarter all the seniors were able to get back in the game and 5 of the 6 seniors put points on the board.
The Buckeyes won off the back of great team play, Dakota Inman ended with 5 pts, James Koska ended with 11 pts, 4 rbd, and 7 ast, Trent Morrissey had 10 pts, 1 rbd, and 2 ast, Thatcher Smith put in 1 pt and 3 rbd, and the final senior on the board was Leighton Loge who finished as the leading scorer with 14 pts, 4 rbd, and 3 stls.
The Buckeyes still have two matchups before the end of the season as they take on the Athens Bulldogs at home on Friday and then travel to Alexander to take on the Spartans on the 10th of February.