December 31, 2014

Near comeback falls short Monday

By Matthew Kracht
NP Sport Reporter

The Okaw Valley Timberwolves lost in the third place game to Mt Pulaski 60-54 Monday evening nearly pulling off a remarkable 13-point fourth quarter comeback. Coming off an impressive overtime win against Cerro Gordo-Bement the Timberwolves struggled offensively until a spirited second half rally. Okaw Valley won a three-way tie breaker based on free-throw percentage to play Mt Pulaski Monday night for third and fourth place respectively.
The Mt Pulaski Hilltoppers wasted no time, however, grabbing the early 8-1 lead before Joe Jeffers responded with a layup out of a timeout. Peyton Hagerman then scored after a steal and went coast to coast, cutting the lead to 8-5 with 3:22 left in the first period. The Hilltoppers would push the lead to 16-9 after the first and outscored the Timberwolves 14-7 in the second period to take a 30-16 lead into the half. Okaw Valley went almost four minutes without scoring in the second period before Hagerman knocked down the first of five deep 3-pointers on the night. Hagerman led all scorers with 29 points and spurred the second half charge. Read More

Photo by Keith Stewart
Okaw Valley's Pierce Bradford watches his 3-point attempt Tuesday evening. Bradford sank three from the arc in an attempt to lift his team to a comeback that ultimately fell short.

December 26, 2014

Rebounding and free throws go in favor of Redskins

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

For Sullivan and Okaw Valley, Tuesday evening’s second round game of the Team Soy Holiday Tournament in Decatur was a familiar one. It was a rematch from December 9 when the Redskins edged the Timberwolves 50-44 in Findlay. But this time around, not only did Sullivan nab the victory, but did so in a more convincing fashion and ultimately 54-44.
Sullivan held a strong lead throughout the night, doubling up the Timberwolves several times in both the first and second quarters, and at the end of the third, Sullivan held a 15-point lead at 45-30, despite a 3-pointer by Okaw Valley sophomore guard Pierce Bradford.
But the Okaw Valley youngster would nearly help his team to a comeback in the fourth.
After Devon Still opened the final period with a 2-bucket, Layne McMahon answered with his own score from deep in the paint. But then it was Bradford from beyond the arc to cut Sullivan’s lead to 12. The sophomore then drew a charge on McMahon given the mismatch.
Junior Drew Fructhl then drew a foul from Nick Frerichs, and from the line, he sank both shots to pull OV within 10. But Frerichs would come back downcourt, pull up, and sink a jumper off the glass.
Joe Jeffers, who was in foul trouble most of the night, answered with his own score from down low to keep the margin at 10. Back and forth the teams went until with under a minute to go, Jeffers fouled out, prompting the double bonus for Sullivan’s Alec Ballinger, who hit just one of two free throws to keep an 11-point lead.
Bradford’s trey with 40 seconds would cut Sullivan’s lead to eight, the smallest since the beginning of the second quarter, but his followup foul on Ballinger resulted in both shots this time. Bradford would attempt another 3-pointer once back downcourt, but it would bounce hard off the glass. Then with 18 seconds remaining, an Okaw Valley turnover finished the game. Read More

Photo by RR Best
Sullivan’s Alyssa Marshall fights for the ball Saturday afternoon.

December 24, 2014

Improve to 3-0 in conference

by Aaron Dyer
Sullivan Reporter

Saturday’s conference matchup between Sullivan and Meridian was, at times, much like the matchup between the Redskins’ Brittin Boyer and Meridian’s Maggie Comerford head to head for the jump ball of Saturday’s conference girls’ basketball game. But by the end of the game, only a clean floor and flawless record was left for the 9-0 season and 3-0 conference Lady Redskins.

As Comerford tipped a victorious jump ball back to one of many sophomore teammates, Emily Neuhauser of Sullivan quickly kicked into game mode by stealing the ball and dribbling it back scoring a 2-pointer to set the mood for the game.

Sullivan began with all starters shooting alongside Neuhauser in quarter one allowing everyone a chance at the basket, though collectively, the team shot just 6-of-16 for a 13-9 lead.

But as the second quarter kicked in, all Meridian could do is hope as Coach McCain’s “deadly duo”, Boyer and Neuhauser dominated, allowing only three points.

“They did their parts, and they looked for each other, and they really are deadly,” said McCain. “Comerford could handle [Boyer], but I don’t feel they had an answer for [Neuhauser].” Read More

Photo by Keith Stewart
Okaw Valley freshman Paige Robinson drives to the basket Monday night. After playing nearly all the JV game beforehand, Robinson was a much needed shoulder in the varsity game, which she started. Robinson led the Timberwolves with eight points in her team’s 45-26 loss.

December 17, 2014

OV still sit at 7-2 on year

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

Okaw Valley and Tuscola each had one thing in common Monday night: they both entered with just one loss on the season and to the same foe: Sullivan.

But Tuscola’s near uniform size advantage proved too much for Okaw Valley as the Lady Timberwolves fell 26-45.

Tuscola’s size proved most formidable in both rebounds and lane penetration. The Lady Warriors out rebounded Okaw Valley 39-20, with several put-backs.

“Their size I think hurt us a little bit, and we knew coming in that they were a bigger school,” said OV head coach Don Gardner. “With the height advantage, we played as hard as we could, and you can’t coach height. There’s nothing you can do about that, so hats off to them. They played well, ran the floor, rebounded, did what they needed to do to win.” Read More

Photo by RR Best
Jacob Piper eyes a potential pass inside Saturday against Neoga.

December 17, 2014

Neoga foul trouble aids Redskin victory

by Aaron Dyer
Sullivan Reporter

Layne McMahon’s skill on the opening jump ball of Friday’s varsity boys’ basketball game against Neoga showed a preview of Chester Reeder, yet again, conquering his old mentor. Some believed Neoga’s head coach, Bob Lockart, would improve from last year’s loss to Sullivan but alas Lockart taught Reeder too well for his own good.

Sullivan started off strong in the first quarter scoring six points within the opening three minutes before Neoga had to call a timeout.

When the boys came out from their huddles, the game heated up as Neoga shot down Sullivan’s lead with a 2-pointer and two 3-pointers allowing Sullivan to score only two more points before the quarter ended with an 8-8 stalemate.

“[We] didn’t play very hard, and it showed, especially on defense” Reeder explained, referring to the four 3-pointers Neoga managed between the first and second quarters.

Even with similar moments in the second quarter, the Redskins still displayed their power via Ty Molzen, Nick Frerichs, and Zach Hrvol all draining 2-pointers, and if missed, bringing in the rebound.

While Neoga had racked up the fouls, Sullivan sat in the bonus without a single foul called on them by the end of the half. Read More