Sports
Paveletzke leading Ohio’s backcourt in early season
By: Andrew Bowlby
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CONWAY, S.C. (WOUB) – Jackson Paveletzke has had no time to waste in leading Ohio’s backcourt. Combined with the challenging schedule and the absence of Shereef Mitchell, Paveletzke has been relied upon to deliver.
Two years ago, in his freshman season, he was with Wofford, last year Paveletzke spent the season with Iowa State. Now, after making his way to Athens, he has been a key piece of the Bobcats team through six games.
“It’s been a blast, it’s been a smooth transition, coming in and doing what I’m doing and gelling with the guys,” Paveletzke said about his experience in Athens. “I’ve loved my time here so far.”
Paveletzke’s impact has been felt in many aspects, most notably through his passing. In his first six games with the Bobcats, he has had five or more assists four times, and 10 or more in the past two.
At the Myrtle Beach Invitational he has recorded games of 11 and 10 assists against Middle Tennessee and Portland respectively. The total of 21 assists through two games is just one shy of a tournament record set by Villanova’s guard Collin Gillespie in 2019 with 22 over three games.
“He feels the best he’s felt all year,” Head Coach Jeff Boals said after Ohio’s win over Portland on Friday. “When he’s aggressive, [drawing] a secondary defender, getting guys open shots, we’re going to be tough to guard.”
Ohio’s win over Portland was seemingly the first time everything clicked for the Bobcats in the early season. The early schedule has been challenging facing James Madison, Illinois State, Memphis and Middle Tennessee.
The offense scored a season-high 85 points against Portland led by Paveletzke’s passing. He knows Ohio needs to stay focused on each game.
“We haven’t played a bad team yet. There’s some growing pains in here early in the year,” Paveletzke said. “Sticking together is the main thing, not getting too worried about a lot of stuff early.”
Getting through the early season has been a challenge for Ohio, however, they got the victory over Portland and have a chance to finish the Myrtle Beach Invitational with a win against Texas State in the fifth-place game.
It’s an opportunity to ‘stack’ a win and get momentum building before Ohio returns to Athens.
“Stack another win game back in the win column,” Paveletzke said. “Having two back-to-back wins going back home will be a good feeling.”
The Bobcats face the Texas State Bobcats in the finale of the Myrtle Beach Invitational at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. After that – Ohio will return from a long road trip and play in the Convocation Center on Nov. 30 against Robert Morris.