A day after defeating their river rival, the Ayersville Pilots, in thrilling fashion, the Rams welcomed in the Hilltop Cadets for a non-conference game.

Would the Rams come out flat, did they burn too much energy in the road win in The Hanger on Friday night? All those questions and more were answered in the first few minutes as the 4–9 Rams welcomed in the 7–5 Cadets.

It was Military Appreciation Night, the Tinora Rams Athletic Department as well as the Tinora Athletic Boosters combined to host the Veterans to a night of acknowledgment, food, and fun. Thank you Veterans!

Tinora busted through the gates to start the game, outscoring the visiting Cadets 17-4 in the initial quarter. For the second night, senior Owen Ackerman exploded in the opening eight minutes. Ackerman would bucket six in the first quarter. Crisp ball movement and great defense were displayed by the Rams at the start.

The second period would see the same intensity for Tinora on both ends of the floor. Adam Spychala would pick up where he left off on Friday as he would drain 9 points in the first half, 6 in the second quarter.

Also hot was senior Aiden Rittenhouse. Rittenhouse, who provided huge points down the stretch on Friday, exploded for 11 points in the second quarter as Tinora would grab a 34-11 lead after two quarters of play.

Hilltop was led by Raaace Haynes with seven points at the half, while Rittenhouse led all scorers with 11.

Quarter three would see the Tinora Rams continue to add to their lead. The Rams would end the quarter with a 46-19 advantage. Connor Welling continued to impress on the defensive end, as did Mason McQuillin.

The Rams would see limited scoring in the fourth, the Cadets would outscore Tinora 12-6 in the final stanza, but the Rams would come away with a 52-31 win.
Raace Haynes was huge for the Cadets, pouring in 15 points.

HILLTOP 4-13-8-12=31
TINORA 17-17-12-6=53

Hilltop scoring: Haynes 15, Schlosser 4, Dempsey4, Eckenrode 2, Bailey 6
Tinora scoring: Ackerman 13, Welling 6, Homier 2, Rittenhouse 11, Skychala 14, Leib 2, McQuillin 3

JV Tinora 44-33
Hilltop- Grubbs 10, Tinora – Joost 11, Gentit 11

The Rams improve to 5-9 with the win. Tinora will be at home vs. Hicksville next Friday, and also host Archbold Saturday.

Hilltop falls to 7-5. The Cadets will travel to Maumee Country Day School on Tuesday and Stryker on Friday before hosting Stryker Saturday.

The Higbea Player of the Game again went to Adam Skychala. Adan has 8 three pointers in the last 2 Rams wins.

Vet pic courtesy Jake Essig:

Watch the game back, click below: