Two of the three SVC boys basketball teams battling for a sectional title Friday, moved to the district round with victories. Southeastern upset West Union 69-54, Piketon took down Portsmouth West 64-52, but Zane Trace fell to Gallia Academy 42-34.
SOUTHEASTERN 69, WEST UNION 54
Despite their sub .500 record heading into the tournament, the Southeastern Panthers continued to show they might have another long post-season run like last year, winning the Division 3 Sectional Championship at Waverly, with a 69-54 decision over SHAC Champ West Union Friday night.
The Panthers trailed 19-17 after the first quarter and were tied at 29-29 at half, before taking off in the second half. Southeastern used an 8-0 run in the middle of the third quarter and built a 43-35 advantage after three quarters. That lead expanded to double digits enroute to the final score.
Rex Hartman led the way for SE, scoring a game-high 26 points, while Reece Wheeler continued to shine in the tournaments with a 15 point performance. He had a double-double in their semifinal win. Lane Ruby added 9 points, while Aaron Gillum and Noah Dresbach each added 6. Carson Stauffer scored 5 points and Clinton Minney had 2.
The Panthers shot 22/43 from the field for 51%- including 4/11 from the arc. They added a healthy 21/27 at the foul line.
The Dragons were 19/69 for 27%- including 5/25 from the arc. They did manage 11/11 at the foul line.
Southeastern improves to (11-13) on the season and will meet the Wellston-Eastern Pike winner at the OU District Semi on March 3rd at 8:15pm.
PIKETON 64, PORTSMOUTH WEST 42
Piketon Coach Evan Legg was uneasy about Portsmouth West and their (10-13) record prior to the sectional final. Coach Legg’s pregame evaluation proved to be correct as the Senators gave the (18-5) Red Streaks all they could handle at Waverly.
West led 16-9 after one period with seniors L T Maynard and Jordan Frasure scoring all 16 Senator points. Piketon went to full court pressure which sped up West and allowed Piketon to even things up 25-25 at the half. The Senators regained momentum behind Frasure and led 38-30 late in the third stanza. The RedStreaks ran off seven unanswered points behind Tanner Perdue in maybe the key run of the night to make it 38-37 Senators heading to the final period.
Piketon finally exploded in the fourth- scoring 27 points behind Perdue, freshman Isaac Little, and a whopping 19/23 from the foul line. The RedStreaks outscored West 23-2 at the charity stripe for the game.
In a very physical game, Piketon’s Perdue, Little, and Blake Reader adjusted to being strong with the ball, scoring inside, and getting to the foul line in the second half. Perdue scored 20 in the second half and led all scorers with 27. Little was huge off the bench and added 14 including 8 for 8 at the line. Reader was the third Piketon player in double figures with 13. Frasure and Maynard led West with 19 and 15.
The Senators hit 6 threes and shot 50% from the floor but couldn’t overcome the difference at the foul line. Piketon was 23-30 at the line, only had 7 turnovers, and had a 32-22 rebound advantage on the night.
Piketon advances to the Convo next Saturday in district semi-final action.
West: Frasure 19; Maynard 15; Bradford 9; Johnson 5; Berry 2; Moore 2
Piketon: Perdue 27; Reader 13; Veach 1; Blanton 5; Lightle 4; Little 14
To hear the play-by-play call of Piketon's win with Greg Bigam and B. Jay Dailey, go to our podcast link below...
GALLIA ACADEMY 42, ZANE TRACE 34
The Pioneers never led in the game, falling behind 6-0 and 10-2 out of the game. ZT trailed at every stop, 10-4, 20-17, 33-25 and the final of 42-34.
Zane Trace found themselves behind by as many as 9 points in the first half and 10 in the second, but could never get closer than 27-25 in second half.
The Pioneers shot 14/31 for 45% and were 0/3 from the arc. They managed 6/11 at the charity stripe. The Blue Devils were 15/28 from the field for 54%- including 2/6 from the arc and 10/16 at the line. Gallia committed 12 turnovers and ZT 10. Gallia won the boards 15-11.
Gallia Academy was led by Cory Call's 15 points. 7'1 sophomore center Zach Loveday had 8 points, 10 rebounds and 6 blocked shots.
Zane Trace saw senior Isaac Beam lead their offense with 10 points. Senior Game O'Dell added 7, Colby Swain 6, Triton Davidson 5, Cam Evans 4 and Nick Nesser 2.
The Pioneers close their season at (15-8) and Gallia Academy heads to the Convo at (20-3).
Mike Smith and Tom Beard had the play-by-play call Friday. Hear the action on our podcast link below...