The Rams and Panthers entered a key GMC contest on Friday night, with both teams playing their best ball of the season.

“The Jungle” at Paulding High School was jumping all night as the Panthers welcomed in the Rams of Tinora. Both teams came in winning four of their last five games.

Paulding entered at 10-6, 3-3 in GMC action, fresh off wins over Ottoville and Ayersville, while the Rams came in 6-10, 3-1 in conference play.

Paulding’s Kane Jones and Tinora’s Alex Homier each bucketed four points in the first two minutes+ of the initial quarter, Homier’s jumper in the lane with 5:14 in the initial quarter tied the game at 4-4. On the next possession, Tinora’s Adam Spychala would give the Rams a 7-4 lead with 4:32 on the first quarter clock, a lead they would never relinquish on the way to a 58-47 win over the Panthers.

The first Spychala three was one of 5 in the first half for him, as he would light the nets up for 17 first half points.

The Panthers defense gave the Rams two offensive leaders, Aiden Rittenhouse and Owen Ackerman, fits in the first half, holding the duo to just three combined points. The duo averages 26 points per game combined.

Spychala’s eight first quarter points gave Tinora a 12-9 lead after one, while Paulding’s Kane Jones had four.

The second quarter saw more Adam Spychala. Spychala’s red-hot shooting gave the Tinora Rams a 31-24 halftime lead.  Casey Agler’s seven points at the half led the Panthers.

The third quarter saw the Paulding defense try to eliminate the Rams Spychala, and that they did, as Spychla would not score in the second half. Unfortunately, it was Aiden Rittenhouse’s time to shine. Rittenhouse would pump in 13 second half points as Tinora would take a 43-35 lead after three quarters of play.

Connor Welling and Josh Leib of Tinora gave their coach, Kris Lymanstall, quality minutes all night, especially in the second half.

Tinora was able to pull away from the Panthers in the final quarter, bringing back a 58-47 road win to Tinora.

The Rams Owen Ackerman was able to get on track in the second half as well, bucketing to five points and finishing with eight in the Tinora win. 

A great team win for the Rams basketball team.

Paulding’s Casey Agler knocked in 16 points in the defeat.

TINORA 12-19-12-15=58
Paulding 9-15-11-12=47

Tinora scoring: Ackerman 8, Welling 6, Homier 4, Rittenhouse 15, Leib 8, Spychala 17

Paulding scoring: Manz 8, Rhonehouse 11, Angler 16, Jones 10, Barton 2, Harder 2

Three-point goals: Tinora — Spychala 5, Rittenhouse, Ackerman, Lieb. Paulding — Rhonehouse 3, T. Manz 2, Agler 2.

JV Tinora 52-33
Rams Gentit 18, Panthers KuckKuck 19

Tinora improves to 7-10, 4-1 in the GMC. The Rams will play next Friday at Antwerp.

Paulding falls to 10-7, 3-3 in the GMC. Paulding will travel to Lincolnview Saturday 2/10.

The Higbea Embroidery Player of the Game went to Connor Welling, a great game overall, congratulations, Connor!

The OHSAA tournament draw will take place on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.

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