ARCHBOLD – The Rams basketball team headed over to The Thunderdome at Archbold High School to take on the Bluestreaks.
Coming in off a disappointing loss Friday night to Paulding, the Rams were looking to get back on the tracks as they entered, winning 3 of their last 4 contests.
Already missing their second leading scorer, Aiden Rittenhouse, they learned prior to the game Adam Spychala, injured vs Paulding, would also be lost for the season. Sychala was to split time with Alex Homier to make up for the loss of Rittenhouse.
The first quarter saw both teams struggle from the floor as Archbold took a 6-5 lead after one.
Archbold would find the offense in the second quarter as they would bucket 20 points, grabbing a 26-11 lead at the half.
Sonny Phillips with 11 in the initial half paced the ‘Streaks, while sophomore Micah Nofziger showed much promise down low, pouring in an impressive eight points in the half.
Unfortunately for the Rams, senior leader Luke Harris couldn’t shake free from the Archbold defense. At the time, it seemed Harris had a lint roller attached to him in the name of Sonny Phillips, as the ‘Streaks defense was so strong. Harris had just two points in the initial half for Tinora.
The Rams did keep Archbold’s leading scorer Cade Brenner in check in the first half, limiting Brenner to just two made free throws.
Tinora would slowly chip away at the Bluestreaks lead, Archbold would still lead 33-23 after three quarters of play. Gavin Eckert would begin to heat up from long distance for the Rams, hitting tow three pointers in the quarter.
Eckert would draw the Rams to within seven to start the final quarter at 33-27 after his fourth made three.
After a deep three by Eli Plassman, the Rams looked to cut into the Archbold lead, 36-29 with 4:16 remaining.
As Tinora’s Eckert and Plassman would heat up, so did Archbold’s Brenner. Brenner would score 10 of his 13 points in the final 5 minutes, propelling the ‘Streaks to a 46-34 win.
Harris could never get going, limited to just five points by Archbold.
Tinora drops to 8-11. The Rams will host Antwerp on Friday in the GMC finale.
Archbold will travel to Wauseon on Friday.
TINORA 5-6-12-11=34
ARCHBOLD 6-20-7-13=46
Tinora scoring: Eckert 15, Plassman 8, Anders 2, Harris 5, Ackerman 4
Archbold scoring: Phillips 13, Brenner 13, Seiler 7, Nofziger 13
