NAPOLEON – Connor Welling poured in a career high 23 points as the Tinora Rams remained undefeated as they traveled to Napoleon and knocked off the Wildcats, 51-38.

Tinora’s Alex Homier nailed a 3 pointer just over three minutes into the game to give the visiting Rams a 3-0 lead with 4:50 remaining in the first quarter, the Rams would never trail as Tinora would hand Napoleon a loss in their first contest of the season.

The Wildcats hardwood season was delayed a week as their football team went three rounds in the OHSAA playoffs.

Tinora grabbed a 10-8 lead after the first stanza, holding that lead after senior Adam Spychala would pick up two quick fouls.

The Rams would play fantastic defense and employ hard-nosed defense in the second quarter, outscoring the host Wildcats 12-7 to take a 22-15 lead to the half.

Connor Welling led the Rams at the half with 10 points, while the Wildcats were paced by Parker Woods six points in the opening 16 minutes.

Homier started the second half for Tinora on a drive and score, putting the Rams on top, 24-15. The Tinora offense displayed great ball movement and fantastic passing in the third quarter as they stretched their lead to 35-24 through three quarters.

Adam Spychala’s deep three from the right corner gave the Rams a 40-27 lead early in the fourth quarter, a quarter of tough Tinora defense. Tinora’s Josh Lieb, and Napoleon’s Tre Rubinstein would battle underneath all night long.

Napoleon would try to get the deficit under 10 points, but each time the Wildcats inched closer, Tinora would respond with a timely basket, or clutch free throws. The Rams would go on for a 51-38 win at Napoleon’s gym, the Grand Canyon.

Tinora defeated Napoleon for just the second time in the series, the Wildcats hold an 11-2 advantage.

TINORA 10-12-13-16=51
NAPOLEON 8-7-9-14=38

Tinora scoring: Schaufele 0, Ferrell 2, Welling 23, Homier 7, Lieb 12, Hancock 1, Spychala 6

Napoleon scoring: Abbott 4, Mowery 7, Rubinstein 6, Leichty 0, Woods 10, H Gerken 2, Speiser 0, Black 6, Durham 0, L Gerken 0, Parsons 0

Tinora improves to 4-0 on the young season and will host Holgate next Saturday evening.

Napoleon drops their season opener, 0-1, and will play at Wauseon next Saturday.

The Higbea Embroidery Player of the Game went to Connor Welling, what a game, Connor!

Thanks to Paul Ferrell for joining the broadcast tonight!

Freshmen – Tinora 29-27
JV Napoleon won, 57-37

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