IRISH ROLL TO 71-43 WIN OVER BRUINS

Scioto jumped out to a 43-18 halftime lead and rolled to a 71-43 win over Columbus Briggs in the sectional opener on Wednesday night at Worthington Christian.

The Irish will play a sectional final against Columbus West (5-15) at 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, February 28 at Olentangy Orange. The winner of that game will advance to a district semi-final against either Reynoldsburg or Columbus Walnut Ridge.

Eleven of 17 Irish baskets in the first half were assisted. Bradley McDougald and Deji Olatoye led the way with 3 apiece. Rainer Duzan chipped in 2 and Tyler Harrell, David McKinley and Jamare Mills had 1 each. The Irish held a 22-7 advantage on the boards and forced 11 Briggs turnovers in the first half.

All 12 Irish players dressed for the game played and 10 of them scored. McDougald led the way with 15 points. He was joined in double figures by Olatoye (13) and Marco St. John (10). Also scoring for the Irish: Duzan (8), Harrell (6), Eric Stamets (6), McKinley (5), Jacob McPheters (3), Jason Reinick (3) and Mills (2).

As a team the Irish hit 51 percent of their shots and held a 44-28 advantage on points in the paint. Twenty-two of 30 baskets were assisted. McDougald had a game high of 6, followed by Olatoye (5), Duzan (3) and McKinley (3). Neither team went to the free throw line frequently with the Irish hitting 4-9 and Briggs 3-7 for the game.

Olatoye had a game high 9 rebounds and Mills was next with 5. The Irish ended up with a 39-20 advantage on the boards.

Giovannie Cartwright scored a game high 17 points, with 11 coming in the first half for the Bruins. Desmond Page had 12 points and Myleak Daniels had 8 rebounds.