WILMINGTON — Fueled by an incredible defensive effort in the fourth quarter, Wilmington rallied to defeat Blanchester 66-58 on Senior Night Tuesday at Fred Summers Court.
Before the game, Wilmington (5-16) honored its two seniors — Alex Lazic and Logan Camp — as well as seniors from Blanchester (4-18).
Wilmington’s Bryson Platt led all scorers with 26 points. Blanchester was led by Bryce Sipple who had 17 points.
The Hurricane might have been able to make this an easy win but an 18 for 34 performance from the free throw line hurt. Jose Morales was six for six at the line but the rest of the team was just 12 for 28.
Lazic began the scoring after two offensive rebounds. Blanchester on the next possession got Jansen Wymer open in the corner for its first points, but Platt countered with a three of his own setting the tone for a back-and-forth first quarter. Blanchester took its first lead 10-7 following a Nick Taylor three, but Chase Fickert began a 6-2 run to end the quarter for the Hurricane who led 14-12 going into the second quarter.
A deep three from Nainoa Tangonan for the first score of the quarter gave Blan the lead back, but the story of the first remained Platt, as he answered at the other end. Neither team was able to pull away until a 10-2 run from Wilmington gave the Hurricane all the momentum. Blanchester, however, was not to be denied, going on a huge 14-0 run to end the half. BHS led 34-30 at halftime.
Wilmington exploded out of the lockerroom as a Mikey Brown steal and score led to a 9-4 run. The Wildcats stayed determined, however, fighting back and matching the Wilmington run and holding a 47-43 lead going into the final quarter of play.
The Hurricane continued its stellar defense and fought hard. Back to back Camp buckets capped a 6-0 run to give Wilmington the lead. Blan wasn’t ready to give up as Evan Malott nailed a three to take the lead back, 50-49.
But Brown took it right back on an excellent score and a 12-3 run late put the Hurricane ahead 62-53. Despite their best efforts, the Wildcats were unable to come back this time.
SUMMARY
Feb 7, 2023
@Fred Summers Court
Wilmington 66, Blanchester 58
B^12^22^13^11^^58
W^14^16^13^23^^66
(58) BLANCHESTER (fg-3fg-ft-tp) Sipple 6-2-3-17 Creager 1-1-0-3 Taylor 1-1-0-3 West 2-0-3-7 Wymer 6-2-0-14 Tangonan 2-1-1-6 Malott 3-2-0-8 Estep 0-0-0-0 TOTALS 21-9-7/12-58
(66) WILMINGTON (fg-3fg-ft-tp) Brown 2-0-3-7 Morales 2-0-6-10 Camp 3-0-1-7 Platt 9-5-3-26 Lazic 3-0-5-11 Patel 0-0-0-0 Custis 0-0-0-0 Rickman 0-0-0-0 Fickert 2-1-0-5 TOTALS 21-6-18/34-66
