Paulding 47 Tinora 44

Tinora stormed back from a 25-9 late second quarter deficit to take a one point lead late into the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, for the Rams Paulding had ice water in their veins as the Panthers drained several free throws in the final 60 seconds for a 47-44 win.

Tinora, having clinched a tie for the GMC crown last week with a win at Hicksville entered with a 16-3 record, 6-0 in the GMC. Meanwhile, the Panthers have been playing their best ball of the season, winning nine in a row to get to 12-8, 5-1 in conference play. The only GMC blemish for the Panthers was a loss to Wayne Trace on Jan 4, their last loss of the season entering Friday night.

Leading 47-44, Tinora had a shot to send the game into OT but a three pointer from the top of the arch at the buzzer was no good.

With the Paulding victory, it created a three way tie for the GMC Championship as Tinora, Paulding, and Wayne Trace all finished atop the Green Meadows Conference with a 6-1 record.

The first quarter saw the visiting Paulding Panthers come out like Mike Tyson and hit the Rams with a right uppercut, leading after the initial quarter 18-8. Paulding’s Kane Jones came hot, bucketing eight first quarter points. Both Jordan Manz and Blake Rhonehouse threw in five each for the Panthers who took a 12 point lead to the second quarter.

Paulding remained hot into the second quarter, increasing their lead to as many as 16 with a 25-7 lead with just under four minutes in the half on a Garrett Parrett three pointer at 3:41 remaining.

The Rams offense, held to just nine points in the first 13 minutes, finally came to life in the final three minutes of the half. The Tinora rally was started with a Connor Welling bucket and foul. Tinora would score the final six points of the half on a five point run by Adam Spychala, a runner in the lane followed by a deep three cut the Panthers lead to 25-16. A welling free throw capped the Rams rally, but they still trailed 25-17 at the half.

Kane Jones led the Panthers at the break with eight, while the Rams were paced by Connor Welling’s seven markers.

The third quarter, and a packed house at Tinora High School saw the Tinora offense and defense come up with big play after big play. Tinora slowly chipped away at the Panthers big lead, cutting it to 29-24 on a circus shot in the paint by senior floor general Connor Welling with 3:24 remaining in the third.

The Rams’ offense would continue to put pressure on the Panthers; Alex Homier’s runner in the lane cut the lead down to 31-26, and a Panthers timeout ensued. Josh Lieb ended the quarter on a personal 4-0 run. Lieb’s Three pointer with 20 seconds in the quarter pulled the Rams to within one at 31-30.

Paulding still had time on the clock, and Jaylen Mantz took advantage as his deep right corner three at the buzzer gave the Panthers a four point cushion at 34-30 at the end of three quarters of play.

The fourth quarter was all the teams and fans could have asked for. The Rams finally caught and passed the Panthers as Josh Lieb continued his hot shooting as his right wing three gave Tinora a 35-34 with 6:50 in the fourth quarter.

Jordan Manz would get the lead back for the Panthers on a drive and foul. Although Manz missed the free throw, Paulding was back on top 36-35 with 5:25 remaining.

Connor Welling’s free throw tied the game at 36-36 with 4:10 on the clock. Jordan Manz’s drive and score put Paulding back up, 38-36, with just over three minutes remaining.

Tinora’s Lieb scorched the net for a deep left wing three, point 12 for Lieb in the second half, giving the Rams the lead back at 39-38, but, 2:31 remained in the seesaw match.

Blake Rhonehouse would tie the game at 39-39 as he split his two free throw attempts; 2:15 was on the fourth quarter scoreboard.

Possibly the play of the game came on the next Tinora possession. tied at 39-39, the Rams had a chance at the lead yet again as Adam Spychala drove to the basket, but Paulding’s Jaylen Manz blocked the shot into the corner. As the ball was headed out of bounds, brother Jordan Manz sprinted into the corner, saving the possession for Paulding.

Rhonehouse put Paulding up 40-39 as he split his two free throws at the 1:10 mark. Paulding’s defense created a Tinora turnover on the next possession with just 50 seconds on the clock.

Trying to commit a foul trailing 40-39, the Rams were whistled for an intentional foul with 46 ticks on the clock, going to the line was Jordan Manz. Manz would hit both, putting Paulding ahead 42-39 and the Panthers would get the ball back. Manz was fouled immediately, sending him back to the line. The calm Manz would again nail both attempts, increasing the Panthers lead to 44-39, 42 seconds still remained.

Owen Ferrell could drive and score for Tinora, cutting the deficit to 44-41 with just 23 seconds left. Tinora fouled Rhonehouse immediately on the entry pass, sending him to the line, again the Panthers were clutch as he would nail both for a 46-41 Panther lead with 21.5 seconds remaining.

Tinora would not go away as Alex Homier’s deep three hit the bottom of the net from 30 feet, cutting the Panthers lead to 46-44 with 9 seconds in the contest. Tinora would foul Rhonehouse, sending him back to the line; this time, Rhonehouse would split the pair.

After a Paulding timeout, the Rams drove down the floor. Unfortunately, their three-pointer at the buzzer did not go. Paulding came away with a thrilling 46-44 win for a share of the conference title.

Both teams would cut down the net at the end of the game, taking home a souvenir.

This is the second title for Paulding in the last three years, 2023 and 2025, it was their fourth overall GMC Championship.

Tinora put their name in the banner as well, their first since 2011, it was the Rams sixth title.

PAULDING 18-7-9-13 = 47
TINORA 6-11-13-14 = 44

Freshman & JV – Paulding won both games.

Paulding scoring; Jordan Manz 13, Jaylen Manz 7, Rhonehouse 12, Jones 8, Kuckuck 0, Parrett 5, Barton 2

Tinora scoring: Schaufele 1, Ferrell 5, Welling 12, Homier 9, Lieb 12, Hancock 0, Spychala 5

Paulding improves to 13-8, 6-1 as Co-Champions in the GMC. The Panthers will end the regular season Saturday at Bryan.

Tinora falls to 16-4, also Co-Champions in the GMC at 6-1. The Rams will finish the season at Elwood Saturday evening.