PAULDING – The early afternoon snow storm apparently kept the Grinch in Paulding for an additional day.
In a script only horror story enthusiast would love, the Rams were defeated by the Paulding Panthers 44-43 in the consolation game of the State Bank Holiday Classic.
The last second defeat marked the seventh straight defeat for the Rams, dropping them to 2-8 overall. With a lucky a bounce here or there, the Rams could very easily be riding a seven game winning streak, sporting an 8-2 mark. They always say it’s a game of inches, and if anything, this version of the Tinora Rams are literary living it each game.
In the first quarter, Like Harris bucketed six, giving the Rams a 15-13 lead after one quarter.
The second quarter saw both teams slow down the scoring output, Tinora however increased their lead, taking a 24-21 lead to the locker room. The Rams defense held Paulding leading scorer Nick Mantz scoreless in the half. Tinora was paced by Harris and his three 3 pointers, with nine first half points.
The start of the third quarter saw ‘cool hand Luke’ Harris bucket two more three pointers, increasing the Tinora lead to 32-23 with just one minute gone in the third stanza. Tinora maintained the lead through most of the quarter, leading Paulding 39-33 until a Panthers Peyton Adams three and the end of the thrirt cut the Tinora lead to 39-36.
In a script all too familiar over the last few weeks, the Rams entered the final quarter with the lead, only to see the opposition, in this case Paulding, battle back. Another Petyon Adams three tied the game right out of the gate, tied the game at 3.
An Issac Reeb layup gave the Panthers a 41-39 lead over Tinora with much of the fourth quarter remaining.
Three minutes eclipsed with neither team scoring until the Rams Kegan Miles hit a runner in the lane, giving the Rams a 43-41 lead with 3:40 remaining in the contest.
The Rams held that lead until an Ethan Foltz three gave the Panthers a 44-43 lead over Tinora with 1:45 left. Both teams had additional scoring opportunities down the stretch, but both came up empty-handed. Tinora had a chance for the win at the buzzer, however a runner in the lane was just short, giving Paulding a non conference win over the Rams, 44-43.
The Rams defense did hold the Panthers leading scorer Nick Manz to just 2 points.
The win by the Panthers ended their eight game losing streak, Paulding finishes in third place in the State Bank Holiday Classic. The Panthers now stand at 2-8.
The Tinora Rams fall to 2-8, losing their seventh straight game. The Rams will be back in action after the New Year, hosting Wayne Trace in a GMC contest.
With the new year hopefully comes better luck for the Rams.
The Wauseon Indians defeated Cardinal Stritch for the Championship, 47-45.
Tinora scoring:
Harris 15
Rinkel 10
Eckert 5
Bohn 4
Schafer 4
Anders 3
Miles 2
Paulding scoring:
Foltz 12
P Adamz 9
Zartman 8
Reeb 6
Bauer 5
Agler 2
Manz 2
