TINORA – Playing their first game in 10 days, the Tinora Rams welcomed in long time nemesis, the Raiders of Wayne Trace.
Outside the Rams miraculous comeback win last season, courtesy of a Max Grube buzzer beater, the Raiders have owned the series over Tinora lately, winning 8 of the last 9 meetings between the two teams.
On a cold January night from Tinora, the Rams brought a seven game losing streak, and a very deceptive record of 2-8, 0-1 in conference play. The Raiders loaded the bus for Tinora sporting an 8-1 record, 0-1 in the GMC.
After the first quarter, the Rams of Tinora were looking like a 8-2 team, not the 2-8 team their record represents. Tinora controlled the first stanza, leading the Raiders 10-7 after one quarter of play.
Raider head coach of 14 years, Jim Linder came in winning 70% of his games, and the second quarter showed why. Wayne Trace exited the end of quarter meeting like a rocket to the moon.
The Raider trapping defense, combined with a nearly unstoppable guard play of sophomore Brooks Laukhuf as well as low post game by senior Cameron Graham, jetted the Raiders of Wayne Trace to a double didget lead, outscoring the Rams 22-3 in the second quarter to take a 29-13 lead to half.
Laukhuff with nine first half points, Graham with six.
The Raiders D held the Tinora combo of Luke Harris and Nolan Schafer to just five first half points, The duo came in averaging 27 PPG combined for the Rams.
Tinora made a few brief runs in the second half, cutting the lead to 11 on several occasions, but the Rams of Tinora still trailed after three, 44-29. Lance Rinkle and Nolan Schfer tried to keep the Rams afloat in the quarter. Rinkle ended the contest with 12 points on four made three pointers.
Quarter four saw much of the same, Wayne Trace extending their lead to 19, only to see the Rams jump back to 11 midway through the final quarter of play. Graham and the Raiders eventually pulled away for a 55-37 win over the Rams.
Tinora has proven time in and time out they can play with any team in the area, it’s just maintaining consistent play that is plaguing the Rams.
Tinora falls to 2-9, 0-2 in the GMC. Tinora will travel to Kalida Saturday night to take on the Wildcats (no video-Radio only for us)
With the win, the Raiders improve to 9-1, 2-0 in conference play. Wayne Trace will play host to Delphos Jefferson Saturday night.
Tinora scoring:
Lance Rinkle 12
Schafer 11
Harris 7
Eckert 5
Miles 3
Wayne Trace
Graham 14
Laukhuf 13
Cam Sinn 10
Stoller 8
Davis 7
T Sinn 3
JV – Rams 28-Raiders 25
Rams -Aiden Rittenhouse 8; Owen Ackerman 7; Adam Spychella 6
WT – Cale Winans – 12; Hudson Myers 8
