IRISH JUMP OUT QUICKLY IN OT TO DROP INDEPENDENCE

Scioto’s 50-45 overtime win at Columbus Independence was shaping up to replicate the classic tale about the tortoise and the hare.

The Irish played the rabbit in this one, jumping out to a 13-0 lead to start the game. The 76ers played the tortoise - content to work the ball around and walk it up the court until well into the third quarter when they trailed 38-27.

But a combination of an aggressive defense and sluggish Irish offense reversed the roles and fueled the 76ers who went on a 13-0 run of their own that gave them a 40-38 lead in the final minute of play.

Scioto worked the ball around and got a decent look at a trey by David McKinley that rimmed out. In the scramble for the loose ball, possession remained with the Irish and after the inbounds play, Bradley McDougald was fouled driving to the basket with 29 seconds to go.

The senior guard sank both free throws to tie it at 40 and the 76ers called timeout when they got the ball to halfcourt. Using almost the entire 22 seconds of clock that remained, Independence was only able to get an off balance, deep trey attempt by Brandon Tyler. It missed long and Jamare Mills secured the rebound to prevent a put back attempt and send the game into overtime.

Following a couple of non-scoring possessions for both teams to start the overtime, the Irish and 76ers switched roles again. At 3:01 to go in OT, Mills sank a lay-up on a great post feed from Marco St. John to make it 42-40.

St. John snagged a rebound on a missed 76ers shot and when the Irish spread the floor he found McDougald on a back door play to put the Irish up 44-40.

McDougald found a streaking Eric Stamets after a defensive rebound and the speedy senior hit a contested lay-in for a 46-40 lead with just under two minutes to go.

The Irish used a zone defense that seemed to confuse the 76ers and following another miss, the Irish played keep away until St. John was fouled with 57 seconds to go. He split a pair of free throws to give the Irish a 47-40 lead.

After another 76ers miss, the Irish spread the floor and ran clock until Mills found an unguarded McKinley under the basket for a 49-40 lead with only 12 seconds to go.

Greg Dawkins went coast to coast for a lay-up to break the 9-0 run and after McDougald split a pair of free throws, Tyler hit a long trey at the buzzer for the final margin.

Although the Irish had a low shooting percentage in both halves, they were able to establish the lead by taking good care of the ball and rebounding well until late in the third quarter. Once they started turning it over, the smaller and quick 76ers scored several transition buckets that allowed the momentum to switch.

The win over Independence marked the second consecutive game in which the Irish had to rally late to secure a win.

McDougald was the leading scorer and rebounder for the Irish with 14 points and 9 boards. McKinley chipped in 12 points and hit all three made Irish treys. Mills had 7 points and 7 rebounds, while Deji Olatoye had 6 points and 6 rebounds.

Other Irish players in the scoring column were St. John with 5 points, Rainer Duzan with 4 and Stamets with 2.

Duzan, Mills and St. John had 2 assists each.

Scioto is home for the first time in three weeks on Friday, January 2 with a game against the Mt. Vernon Yellow Jackets. During halftime of the varsity game the Irish will honor basketball alumni.

UNOFFICIAL BOX SCORE

Scioto: McDougald, 5-4-14; McKinley, 4-1-12; Mills 1-5-7; Olatoye, 3-0-6; St. John, 1-3-5; Duzan, 2-0-4; Stamets, 1-0-2.
Team: 17-13-50

Three Point Goals: McKinley, 3

Independence: Tyler, 15; Dawkins, 11; Simms, 6; Henry, 5; Wells, 4; Brown, 2; Collins, 2.
Team: 19-5-45