MILLER CITY – Both the Rams and Apaches made the trip into Putnam County to battle it out in the OHSAA sectional opener at Miller City’s J. Harry Leopold Gymnasium.
Both teams came in mirroring each other, Fairview with a 7-15 record, averaging 41 PPG while giving up 47 PPG. Tinora with a 5-15 mark, averaging 42 PPG while allowing 48.
Fairview came in winner of three of their last five, while the Rams of Tinora losing five of the last six.
In the regular season meeting, the Apaches came a way with a 45-39 victory to start GMC play was back on December 17.
The Rams came out with a great game plan, leading after the initial quarter, 8-6.
Continuing to play well into the second quarter, the Tinora Rams grabbed a 16-13 lead as the teams broke for the half.
The Rams were led by Eric Bohn who had five first half points, while the Apaches were led by Jeffrey Smith and his six first half points.
As the second half started, the teams turned up the heat to match in inside temperature at the gym at Miller City, as it seemed to be a balmy 80 degrees+.
Fairview’s Broody Retcher caught fire, scoring six third quarter points as the Apaches took their first lead since a first quarter 4-2 lead, at 27-26 with just under two minutes in the third on a Broody Retcher followup basket.
Fairview ended the third quarter leading by one, 29-28 over Tinora.
The fourth quarter would come down to execution, Fairview exploded for the final quarter’s first 6 points of the quarter, capped by a right wing three by Jeffrey Smith. Smith’s three would give Fairview their biggest lead of the game, 35-28 at the 5:25 mark.
The Rams would not go quietly, scoring the next six points, cutting the Apache lead to 35-34 on a Nolan Schafer bucket with just under three minutes remaining on one team’s season.
Brady Karzynow would nail a three pointer on the left wing with 1:52 left, giving the Apaches a 38-34.
The Tinora senior floor leader Nolan Schafer drove the left baseline, flipping it in, cutting the Fairview lead back to two at 38-36.
Unfortunately for Tinora, several defensive stands by Fairview and two key offensive rebounds by the Apaches would propel them to a 38-36 win.
Tinora would have a chance at a tie or a win, unfortunately the Rams final three point shot was short as the game’s final buzzer sounded.
Tinora sees its season come to an end at 5-16.
Ironically, the Rams season ends in a fitting fashion, in most games with a chance to win, only to see heartbreak at the end.
Fairview will move on to face Wayne Trace from Miller City on Friday at 7:30 pm. Fairview improves to 8-15.
Many a thanks to the Tinora Rams senior class, Nolan Schafer, Lance Rinkel, Keegan Miles, Eric Bohn, and Tyler Weimken. You were first class in everything you did, best of luck gentleman.
TINORA 8 8 12 8 36
FAIRVIEW 6 7 16 9 38
Tinora Scoring:
Eckert 11
Schafer 9
Bohn 7
Harris 6
Miles 3
Fairview Scoring:
Retcher 13
Smith 12
Karzynow 11
Hammon 2
Team pic courtesy Mrs Wells @ https://twitter.com/TinoraRams
