On a night when the Tinora Rams honored their two-member senior class, freshman Josh Leib scored five points in overtime to give the Rams a thrilling 50-47 win in overtime.

The night began with the Athletic Department honoring the two Rams basketball seniors, Owen Ackerman and Aiden Rittenhouse. Also honored were Rams mascot Jason DeWyse and cheerleaders, Savanna Brooks and Teylan Gilroy.

Tinora senior Aiden Rittenhouse came out blazing for the Rams in the initial quarter as he scored none of the Rams 12 points as Tinora grabbed a 12-6 lead after one-quarter of play.

Rittenhouse would continue his scoring ways midway through the second quarter as the Rams jumped out to an 18-8 lead with 5:18 on the second quarter clock. Rittenhouse would bucket his 13th point, which led to a Blackbirds timeout.

Pettisville sophomore Jack Leppelmeijer would start to pull the Blackbirds back within striking distance as he would erupt for 10 first-half points, as Pettisville would go on an 11-4 run to end the half to get the Blackbirds to within 22-19.

Rittenhouse had 13 to lead Tinora at the half, while Leppelmeijer’s 10 led Pettisville.

Pettisville briefly grabbed a lead, 24-22, to start the third quarter. Owen Ackerman’s three with 2:01 on the third quarter clock gave Tinora a 31-29 lead. Pettisville’s Johnny Fenton’s inside bucket would tie the game at 31-31 through three quarters.

The fourth quarter was a nip-and-tuck game, with neither team leading by more than three points. Aiden Rittenhouse’s circus shot over his head gave Tinora a 41-38 lead with just over two minutes on the clock.

The Rams could not hit their free throws down the stretch, going 1-5 over the final minute.

Tinora would have a 42-40 lead in the final seconds as Pettisville’s Leppelmeijer drove and dished the ball in the paint to teammate Johnny Fenton, Fenton’s first shot would not go. But, Fenton tipped the shot in at the buzzer to send the game into OT. The tip appeared to be after the final buzzer.

To OT both teams went, with Tinora grabbing the early lead on a Josh Leib free throw, the Rams led 43-42 with 3:25 in the OT session.

Pettisville never led in OT as the Rams Leib and Ackerman would nail huge free throws down the stretch.

The Blackbirds had a chance at the lead as the Rams had a turnover with 19 seconds on the clock, leading 48-47. Pettisville’s Leppelmeijer’s shot did not go with four seconds on the clock, and Aiden Rittenhouse saved the rebound into the arms of Josh Leib, who was then immediately fouled.

The Rams Leib would step up and nail the two free throws, giving Tinora a 50-47 lead with .02 seconds on the OT clock.

Leppelmeijer gave everyone in attendance a thrill as his near 3/4 court shot rattled in and out as the final buzzer sounded, Tinora came away with a thrilling 50-47 OT win.

PETTISVILLE 6-13-12-11-5=47
TINORA 12-10-9-11-8=50

Pettisville scoring: Leppelmeijer 17, Ripke 19, Felton 11

Tinora scoring: Ackerman 12, Welling 1, Rittenhouse 24, Leib 8, Spychala 5

JV Tinora 35-22
Rams: Friedricksen 11, Blackbirds C Bishop 24

Pettisville falls to 14-8. The Blackbirds will host Stryker in the Sectional Semifinal on 2/28.

Tinora improves to 9-12 and will close the regular season Friday at Edon.

The Higbea Player of the Game award went to Seniors Owen Ackerman and Aiden Rittenhouse, congratulations to you both.

Congratulations to the ALL GMC team members, Aiden Rittenhouse, 1st team, Owen Ackerman, 2nd team, and Connor Welling Honorable Mention.

Pics below courtasy Rams AD Jake Essig.

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