IRISH FINISH PRE-SEASON WITH OHSAA FOUNDATION GAME AT DESALES

Scioto’s three boys basketball teams completed the pre-season scrimmage schedule with Ohio High School Athletic Association Foundation games at Columbus DeSales.

Here are brief re-caps of the games.

VARSITY

The Irish varsity used a 7-0 run at the beginning of the second quarter to take control of the game against the Stallions en route to a 74-36 win.

They led 13-8 after the first quarter and held a 20-8 lead when DeSales called a timeout with 5:55 to go in the second quarter. One of the keys in building the lead was solid free throw shooting. Scioto was 12-14 at the line in the first half and led 33-17 at the break.

The Irish opened the third quarter with an 18-4 run over the first six minutes and led 56-25 at the end of the quarter. Seven different players scored in the third quarter, led by Jason Reinick with 6 points on a pair of treys. They outscored the Stallions 18-11 in the final stanza for the final margin of 74-36.

The scoring was balanced, with five Irish players hitting for double figures. They were led by Bradley McDougald and Deji Olatoye with 12 apiece. Rainer Duzan chipped in 11 points, and, Tyler Harrell and Jamare Mills each scored 10 points.

A new addition to the pre-season schedule, the games are similar to college exhibition games. Gate proceeds go toward the OHSAA cholarship and leadership development and a charity of the participating schools’ choice.

DeSales and Scioto chose the MoMM Foundation, a charitable organized founded by Scioto faculty member Phil Callaghan. He is a DeSales alumni, and coached both DeSales and Scioto in a career that led to his induction in the Ohio High School Baseballl Coaches Association Hall of Fame. If you are interested in supporting the work of the MoMM Foundation, please visit The Miracle of Mom’s Memory (MoMM) Foundation

JUNIOR VARSITY

DeSales rallied from a 1 point halftime deficit to build a 41-28 lead early in the fourth quarter and held on beat the Irish 47-41. The Irish only trailed 30-26 late in the third quarter, but an 11-2 DeSales run gave the Stallions a 41-28 lead midway through the fourth quarter. Using pressure defense, the Irish cut the lead to 45-41 in the final minute and had a chance to cut the lead to one point when a trey attempt rimmed out. The Irish were led in scoring by Raneal Ewing with 11 points. J.R. Bernans scored 10 points and Jacob McPheters had 7 points.

FRESHMEN

The opening game saw the Irish freshman team jump out to a 27-12 halftime lead and hold on for a 52-44 win over the Stallions. Both teams had good looks at the basket, but shots weren’t falling in the first quarter. It ended with the score tied 5-5. In the second quarter, the Irish were able to take advantage of their team speed and press to outscore the Stallions 22-7. The score was 37-24 at the end of the third quarter. The teams continued trading baskets in the fourth quarter, leading to the final margin of 52-44. Eight different players dented the scoring column, led by Gabe McGlone’s 10 points. Six other players scored between 6 and 8 points. All three teams will be in action with the season opener at home against Worthington Kilbourne on Saturday, December 6. The freshman game will tip at 4:30 p.m. The JV game will start at approximately 6 p.m. and the varsity game at 7:30 p.m.