JEWELL – A jammed packed house at Tinora High School awaited as the GMC title chase was coming to the stretch run.

Tinora, in search of its first GMC title since 2011, looked to stay in the race as they entered with just one league loss at 4-1, 8-8 overall.

Paulding, looking for their first title since their 1999 NWC title, and their last GMC title came in 1965, entered at 5-0 in conference play, and 11-5 overall.

Paulding exited the GMC back in 1974 and rejoined to start the 2021 sports season.

The Panthers were off and running right away after an Ethan Foltz bucket down low gave the Panthers a 2-0 lead. Paulding would open the game with a 13-0 run. Tinora finally broke the scoring drought on an Alex Homier free trow at the 35-second mark. A deep left corner three by Brandon Schroeder gave the Panthers a 16-1 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Panthers pressing, hard nose defense forced four Tinora turnovers in the opening quarter.

The second quarter would see the Rams offense slowly start to come to life. The Rams Owen Ackerman darted to the basket and scored on a driving layup to start the quarter, cutting the lead to 16-3. Ackerman would score six first half points, using his driving skills that, at times, make him unstoppable.

Unfortunately for the Rams, Paulding would maintain both offense and defensive dominance as they took a 25-10 lead into the half.

The second half was all Panthers, Paulding took a 38-16 lead after three, and ended the contest with a 51-28 victory, cementing their 2023 Green Meadows Conference Championship.

Tinora was lead in scoring by Luke Harris with 13 points.
Paulding was led by Agler and his 13 points.

PAULDING 16-9-13-13=51
TINORA 1-9-6-12=28


PAULDING SCORING:Zartman 2, Adams 3, Agler 13, Manz 4, Jones 3, Reeb 10, Foltz 12, Schroeder 3


TINORA SCORING:Eckert 2, Plassman 3, Anders 3, Harris 13, Ackerman 6



Tinora falls to 8-9, 4-2 in the GMC. The Rams will travel over to the Thunderdome and take on the Archbold Bluestreaks Saturday night, 2/4.


The Paulding Panthers improve to 1-5, 6-0 in the GMC. Paulding will host Lincolnview Saturday night.

Congratulations to Coach Brian Miller and the Panthers for their 2023 GMC Championship.