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Shermans spoil senior night for McClain

The Highland County Press - Staff Photo - Create Article
McClain's Michael Noszka Jr. and Unioto's Blake Hoops battle in their non-conference game Tuesday at MHS. (HCP Photos/Jim Jones)
By
Jim Jones, The Highland County Press

It was a night to honor McClain’s three senior players and seven varsity cheerleaders, but the visiting Unioto Shermans spoiled the festive evening by soundly defeating the Tigers, 65-35, and showing why they are at the top of the Scioto Valley Conferenc and one of the area’s best basketball teams.

Unioto led from start to finish and dominated the game both offensively and defensively, as the score indicated. The Shermans also shot lights out from behind the arc, connecting on eight 3-pointers for the game, and used a smothering full-court man-to-man defense most of the night to limit McClain to just the 35 points in the game.

In the first quarter, Unioto connected on four long balls and grabbed a double-digit 22-12 lead with junior Caden Cutright hitting back-to-back trifectas, as did K.B. Perkins.

McClain’s leading scorer in the frame was senior Seth Weller, who had five points which included a long three, and Michael Noszka Jr. also drained a long ball.

The Shermans continued to shine from long distance in quarter two when they made four more threes, giving them eight in the opening half, and they extended their advantage to 42-19 at the half after outscoring the Tigers 20-7 in the period. Sophomore Blake Fitch had the hot hand in this period, scoring eight points that included two trifectas.  

Senior Andrew Potts led McClain in the second quarter with four points, and Weller had the other three points on his second three of the game. Fitch led all scorers at the break with 14 points, while Weller led McClain with 8.

Both teams struggled a little to score points in the third quarter, but the Shermans still were able to win the period 11-8 and almost doubled up the Tigers on the scoreboard with a 53-27 lead heading to the fourth. McClain’s Owen Sykes scored four points in the third, while Ashton Crace netted two baskets for Unioto. 

The fourth quarter saw both coaches empty their benches and let everyone get some valuable varsity playing time as the Shermans finished the sweep winning the final period, 12-8.

Despite losing by a lopsided margin, McClain continued to fight and play hard the entire four quarters but were just out-matched and out-shot by the athletic and talented Shermans.

It was supposed to be McClain’s final home game, but a game with Chillicothe rescheduled due to weather will be played Saturday, Feb. 10 with the freshman contest starting at 3 p.m.

Senior night activities were held as planned for the three senior players Seth Weller, Andrew Potts and Jayden Allison, along with seven varsity cheerleaders, Khadijah Coleman, Renae Wright, Jacolyn Bolender, Gracie Bowers, Presley Patterson and Alexis West.

All 10 have performed admirably and shown a lot of pride and leadership throughout their varsity career at McClain and will be greatly missed by everyone.

Seniors Weller and Potts fittingly led the Tigers in scoring with 11 points each and Allison played well, especially on the defensive end defending a 6-6 post player for the Shermans. Rounding out the scoring for McClain was Sykes 6, Riley Cummins 4 and Noszka 3. The Tigers made 4-of-6 free throws for 66 percent and connected on three long balls, with Weller making two and Noszka having one.

Unioto was led in scoring by Blake Fitch with a game-high 14 points, followed by Ashton Crace, who tallied 13. The Shermans made all four free throws they shot for 100 percent and made eight threes.

McClain’s next game is at Hillsboro Friday, Feb. 2.