Paul Vernon/ThisWeekScioto's Josh Ashwill was averaging a team-best 14 points through five games. Buy This Photo

Below are the recent results and coming schedules for the Scioto boys and girls basketball teams:

Dec. 13 Defeated Marion Harding 66-43. Josh Ashwill scored 18 points and Ryan Duncan scored 14.

Dec. 16 Def. Westerville North 45-41. Ashwill scored 15 points, Duncan scored 11 and Antonio Bisutti scored 10.

Of note: The Irish were 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the OCC-Cardinal before Dec. 21.

Dec. 16 Def. Westerville North 58-40. Anna Buhigas and Katie Kollins each scored 13 points and Casey Suich scored 10.

ThisWeek Community Newspapers Wednesday December 21, 2011 10:06 AM

As the Dublin Scioto High School boys basketball team closes out December, it has displayed poise not seen in two seasons.

Buoyed by a 45-41 victory over Westerville North on Dec. 16 and a 55-47 overtime win at Olentangy on Dec. 6, the Irish have reason to believe they can be a competitive force in the OCC-Cardinal Division this season.

In a 63-59 loss at Westerville South on Dec. 9, Scioto led for most of the game before the Wildcats, a favorite in the OCC-Cardinal, closed the contest on an 8-1 run.

"Certainly, the South game was a tough pill to swallow because we were so close and had control of the game," said coach Tony Bisutti, whose team was 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the OCC-Cardinal before playing Westerville Central on Dec. 21. "But the North game was certainly a landmark win for us. We haven't been able to turn the corner and this is where we beat somebody really good."

The good start to the season might not be a surprise to an experienced Scioto team that suffered through losing seasons the past two years, finishing 8-13 a year ago and 5-16 in 2009-2010.

The past two seasons, Scioto's lineup consisted predominantly of underclassmen such as junior Josh Ashwill, a three-year varsity player.

"I think our record shows we're working hard and the win against North really gives us a lot of confidence," said Ashwill, who scored 15 points against North. "We had a big lead on them and they came back and that shows we can be resilient."

The Irish led 28-15 at halftime before North went on a 9-2 run to close to within six points at 30-24.

North played most of the contest without one of its top players in point guard Jack Gibbs, who left the game early with a knee injury.

"There are going to be a lot of close games in this league for us," Bisutti said. "I know (the players are) excited about the start, but I know they also understand we're going to face some challenges. We have a bad shooting night or don't rebound and there are no guarantees."

Scioto played well defensively against North, holding the Warriors to 1-for-20 from 3-point range, but the Irish also have stepped up the offensive output, as they had three players averaging in double figures through five games.

Last season, Scioto relied on 2011 graduate Raneal Ewing, who averaged 15.6 points and was named first-team all-league.

Through five games this season, Ashwill was averaging 14 points, followed by wing player Ryan Duncan (12) and point guard Antonio Bisutti (10). Bisutti also was leading the team in rebounds (9.0) and assists (4.5).

"We have the ability to spread people out," coach Bisutti said. "We're definitely a more multi-dimensional group and our offense is kind of set up for that. This group relies on each other. Once our passing gets better, I think our shooting will only get better."

Scioto plays host to Walnut Ridge on Dec. 29 before returning to OCC-Cardinal play Jan. 3 at Olentangy Liberty. Heading into play this week, Liberty was atop the league standings at 4-0, followed by South (3-0) and Scioto.

"We're shooting the ball and we're playing well defensively, but we need to come out stronger in the second half (of games)," Duncan said. "We've been up twice (at halftime) and lost one of them."