The Unioto Shermans have defended their SVC Boys Basketball crown, winning the title outright Friday with a 61-51 victory at Southeastern. The championship is the Shermans' fifth straight. They now play for their fourth straight Gold Ball, hosting Zane Trace Saturday night in a make up game.
Unioto is also winners of 68 straight SVC games.
After falling behind 4-0 and 6-2, Unioto got into the lead and held that the rest of the game, although Southeastern made a fourth quarter run.
Unioto led 12-6 after one quarter, but the Panthers cut that margin to 23-19 at half. A big third quarter put some distance between the Tanks and the Panthers, as Unioto took a 44-31 lead into the fourth period. That lead extended to 47-31, but Southeastern caught fire behind a 21 point second half from Rex Hartman, to cut the margin to seven points- twice. But, that is as close as SE would get.
Unioto had four players in double figures, led by Brandon Kennedy's 19 points. Peyton Hill had 13, Logan Swackhammer with 12 and Gabe Fisher added 10.
Southeastern's Rex Hartman led all players with 23 points, all but two in he second half. Lane Ruby added 9 and Aaron Gillum 8.
Unioto shot 26/44 from the field for a robust 59%- including 5/18 from the arc. They also went 14/21 at the foul line.
The Panthers were 18/40 from the field for 45%- including 7/21 from the arc and 9/12 at the charity stripe.
Unioto won the rebounding battle 24-20 and turned Southeastern over 15 times. Unioto had 7.
The Shermans improve to (13-0/18-2) and go for the Gold Ball Saturday at home against Zane Trace. 94 Country WKKJ will broadcast with airtime approximately 7:15pm. Southeastern falls to (5-9/9-13). The Panthers open tournament play Monday in Waverly against Western. WKKJ airtime at 7:45pm.
Relive Unioto's SVC title clinching win on our podcast link below....