A jammed packed Tinora High School gymnasium on Saturday night saw a night of thrilling action, as well as a bunch of memories made, as the Rams hosted the Elwood Royals for their first ever meeting on the hardwood.

The evening started with the Tinora Athletic Department honoring Owen Ackerman and his family for Owen’s State Championship in the 2023 OHSAA High Jump competition. Owen received a standing ovation from the entire crowd.

Elmwood’s Kade Lentz came in fresh off setting the all-time career scoring record at Elwood on Friday night in a win over Vanlue, Lentz broke the record of Bryce Reynolds who had 1396.

Tinora’s Connor Welling came out blazing for the Rams. The Rams floor general bucketed seven first quarter points, and not to be outdone, Lentz threw in eight, as the Rams grabbed a 13-10 first quarter lead.

The second quarter saw both teams race up and down the floor in a high-flying eight minutes. Owen Ackerman and Aiden Rittenhouse led the Rams charge. Tinora increased their lead on a Rittenhouse bucket that gave the Rams a 26-16 point lead with 2:55 remaining in the half. Elmwood closed the half with a 4-0 run, sparked by Lentz.

The teams headed to the half with the Rams leading the Royals 26-20. Lentz had 11 for Elmwood, while Tinora was led by Ackerman and Welling with nine each.

The fans were entertained at the half by over 70 Biddy cheerleaders from kindergarten through elementary. A fantastic job by the Tinora cheerleading staff and the Rams cheerleaders for organizing such a wonderful performance.

The third quarter would see the Rams again run out to a lead of 32-22 advantage courtesy of the hot shooting of Adam Spychala. Spychala drained three quick three pointers to give Tinora a 10 point lead with 6:01 remaining in the third.

The Royals would start their comeback on a Lentz drive and score. Andrew Traxler would follow with a three, cutting the Tinora lead even more to 32-29 with 4:05 on the clock. Owen Traxler’s thee would tie the game at 32-32 with 3:41 on the third quarter clock as the Royals went on a 10-0 run to tie the game.

The Rams would right the offense, taking a 45-41 lead through three quarters, Owen Ackerman again would spark the Rams with eight in the quarter. Lentz would exit the quarter with 24 points for Elmwood.

Quarter four would see Tinora stretch their lead to 49-45 with 5:58 on the fourth quarter clock on a Rittenhouse bucket. Again, Lentz would start the comeback on a bucket and a free throw to cut the Tinora lead to 49-46 with 5:45 on the clock.

The Royals would eventually tie the game at 56-56 on a deep right corner three by Owen Traxler with 10 seconds in regulation. Traxler had 13 points for the Royals in the second half.

Tinora had a shot at the win in regulation, but a final corner three did not go, to OT the game went tied at 56-56.

Elmwood would finally take the lead for good, 60-58 with an Owen Traxler drive. Traxler would split two free thrown on their next possession, putting the Royals up 61-58.

Owen Ackerman’s drive and score cut the lead to 61-60 with 18 seconds on the OT clock. Lentz would hit two free throws, putting Elmwood on top 63-60 with 15 seconds left.

Tinora again had a chance to tie, but a three pointer did not go, Lentz was fouled and headed to the line where he would hit both free throws, putting the Royals ahead, 65-60. The Rams desperation shot did not fall as the final buzzer sounded.

Lentz would tie the gym scoring record set in 2021 by Miller City’s Austin Rhue of 35 points.

ELMWOOD 10-10-21-15-9=65
TINORA 13-13-19-11-4=60

Elmwood scoring: Oliver 2, Seedorf 7, Gross 2, Lentz 33, A Traxler 3, O Traxler 13, Barringer 3

Tinora scoring: Ackerman 23, Welling 10, Rittenhouse 15, Spychala 12

JV Tinora 47-29
Tinora: Hancock 12 Elmwood: Sanchez 8, King 8

Freshman Tournament:
Semi-Finals SCORES: 2/17/2024
Game 1: 2:00 Tinora 57 -. Edgerton 24
Game 2: 3:30 Ayersville 28 – Antwerp 37

Finals: 2/19/2024
Game 3: 5:00  Tinora (home) vs. Antwerp (away)