IRISH FINISH LEAGUE SLATE UNBEATEN

The Irish finished their regular season journey through the OCC Cardinal Division with a 77-40 win at Marysville on Friday that enabled them to finish undefeated in league play for the third consecutive year.

This year’s journey began with a 73-59 win at Olentangy on December 6 and included some finely played games and close calls. There were injuries and illness, foul trouble, hostile crowds on the road and nights when the Irish struggled from the field. Yet at the end of the league schedule, Scioto stood tall at 14-0.

Friday’s game started slowly and midway through the first quarter Scioto only led 4-3. They finished the quarter on an 8-2 run and led 12-5. Marysville scored the first bucket of the second quarter but a 13-0 Irish run put them firmly in control of the game.

Although both teams shot less than 30 percent from the field in the first half, Scioto was able to can 13-18 free throws and force 17 Marysville turnovers. This extended the lead to 29-10 at the half and established what proved to be an insurmountable lead.

The Irish came out focused on both ends of the floor and were able to establish a 42-15 lead with less than 3 minutes to go in the third quarter. They had assists on six of eight baskets. They led 46-21 heading into the fourth quarter and Coach Bisutti was able to provide extended minutes to the bench, including five players from the JV squad.

The Irish had assists on 9-11 baskets in the fourth quarter in which nine different players scored. They shot 74 percent from the field in the second half and finished the game 27-54 or 50 percent. They made 8-13 three-point attempts and had a 34-8 advantage in points in the paint. They finished 15-22 at the free throw line.

Marysville only had 5 second half turnovers and totaled 22 for the game. This included 15 Irish steals. Scioto ended the game with 11 turnovers and held a 37-26 rebounding advantage.

Bradley McDougald led the Irish with 17 points. Deji Olatoye and Jamare Mills had 12 apiece. The other varsity regulars who scored were: David McKinley (6), Rainer Duzan (5), Raneal Ewing (5), Eric Stamets (5), Tyler Harrell (4) and Jason Reinick (3).

Also scoring for the Irish: Raneal Ewing (5), J.R. Bernans (3), Jacob McPheters (3), and Max Brundige (2).

Ten different players snared rebounds led by Olatoye (8), Stamets (6), McDougald (5) and Harrell (4).

Eleven players had assists, led by McKinley (4), Duzan (3) and Mills (3).

McDougald led six players who had steals with a game high 5. Stamets (4), Olatoye (3), Duzan (1), McKinley (1) and Mills (1) also had steals.

Marysville’s Michael Waite led the Monarchs with 9 points, including two treys in the waning moments. Trevor Morris and Mike Romesburg had 7 apiece. Braden Short had a team high 5 rebounds.

Scioto finishes the regular season 19-1 overall and 14-0 in the OCC Cardinal. Marysville is 2-17 and 0-14 heading into a home non-league game tonight against Bexley.

Both teams begin sectional tournament play. Scioto faces Columbus Briggs (6-14) at Worthington Christian/Grace Brethren Church at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25. Marysville plays #4 seed Newark at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24 at Worthington Christian.