Basketball

Wednesday,  March 3, 2010 2:41 PM

By SCOTT GERFEN

ThisWeek Contributor

After falling to eventual state champion Northland a year ago in a Division I regional final, the boys team suffered through its worst season under coach Tony Bisutti.

The Irish finished at 5-16 overall following a 56-49 loss to Grove City in a first-round tournament game Feb. 23. Scioto won two of its final three regular-season contests over Hilliard Bradley (42-38 on Feb. 17) and Marysville (48-35 on Feb. 19).

Grove City outscored Scioto 20-7 in the fourth quarter.

"We bounced back and really competed in that game," Bisutti said. "We just ran out of offense. They hit some big shots and they had three guys back with experience from last year's regional team."

Scioto finished last in the OCC-Cardinal Division at 2-12 behind champion Westerville South (14-0), Westerville Central (11-3), Westerville North (11-3), Olentangy Liberty (7-7), Olentangy (4-10), Dublin Jerome (4-10) and Marysville (3-11).

Scioto entered the season with just one returning starter in junior Jamare Mills, who was sidelined the last two months of the season with a shoulder injury.

The Irish also lost key players to eligibility requirements.

"I really felt like if we could've kept everyone together, we could've been a decent team by the end of the year," Bisutti said. "We had to start over philosophically three times throughout the season. Once is hard enough."

Just one senior leaves the program in Hector Cintron, who scored 11 points in the first quarter against Grove City.

Freshmen guards Antonio Bisutti and Ben Ashwill and Travis Yates (6-foot-2 post player) all gained valuable experience.

Juniors Max Brundige and Jacob McPheters and sophomores Gabe McGlone and Ryan Duncan also are expected to be contributors next season.

Scioto was led in scoring by junior Raneal Ewing (13 points), who was ineligible for a number of games.

Mills' return also remains uncertain.

"It's a big unknown," Bisutti said of the Division I football recruit. "He's decided to wait and have surgery and get through the camps he needs to. I'm upbeat about getting into summer and working with these guys."

At a glance

BOYS

•Record: 5-16 overall, 2-12 (last) in OCC-Cardinal

•Seniors lost: Hector Cintron

•Key returnees: Josh Ashwill, Antonio Bisutti, Max Brundige, Ryan Duncan, Gabe McGlone, Jacob McPheters and Travis Yates