BOYS' BASKETBALL - Truckers end two-game losing streak

By MICHAEL GRECO
Reflector Sports Editor
mgreco@norwalkreflector.com

Coming off a rough weekend with losses to both Willard and Port Clinton, Norwalk’s boys’ basketball team was looking to rebound.
Step one complete.
The Truckers overcame a tough start and 28 turnovers to down Fostoria 38-35 Friday in Northern Ohio League action.
Norwalk improved to 7-3 overall, 6-1 in the league and hold a one-game lead over Bellevue, a 54-53 winner over Willard Friday.
The Truckers outscored the visitors 25-17 in the second half to help the cause.
With the game tied at 35-35, Jacob Cashen’s putback with 51 seconds left gave Norwalk a two-point advantage.
The Redmen, 3-7 and 3-4, missed two shots in the closing seconds.
Norwalk’s Jordan Burke converted  a free throw to extend the margin to 38-35 with seven seconds remaining in the game.
A last-second Fostoria shot missed the mark.
“We played better in the second half,’’ Truckers coach Steve Gray said. “The thing I’m most proud of is I thought even though we didn’t play well offensively, we defended and did a good job of limiting their second shots.’’
That was not the case in the first half.
Norwalk scored just two points in the opening quarter, committing nine turnovers, in trailing 8-2.
Junior Evan Light provided a much-needed spark off the bench with eight points, including the team’s first five of the second quarter.
“I thought Evan Light was outstanding,’’ Gray said. “He passed the ball, he defended and I thought he stepped up and gave us a great night.’’
The Redmen ended up with an 18-13 halftime advantage.
In the third quarter, Norwalk closed with a 9-0 run to lead 28-25 heading into the final eight minutes.
“I take the blame for the turnovers,’’ Gray said. “Instead of playing relaxed and confident, I think it was my fault we came out tight.’’
Jacob Cashen led the Truckers with 12 points, including 10 in the second half. Jared Cashen put in nine points with seven in the second 16 minutes.
The Truckers were 15-of-35 from the field and 6-of-10 from the free-throw line with 27 rebounds. Jordan Burke and Jared Cashen each hauled down seven boards.
Fostoria, which received 12 points from Colin Echelberry, shot 15-of-48 from the field and 5-of-11 from the charity stripe with 20 rebounds and 14 turnovers.
The Truckers are back at it tonight with a non-league contest at Edison.
The Chargers fell to Perkins 60-52 Friday in Sandusky Bay Conference play.
“We get a great opportunity to play again,’’ Gray said. “(Edison coach Chris) Ceccoli does a great job at Edison. That will get us ready for Bellevue (Friday).’’
Fostoria earned a split, winning the reserve game 55-51.
Leading 23-22 at halftime, the Redmen outscored the Truckers 16-10 in the third quarter. Norwalk, 4-6 and 3-4, rallied with a 19-16 advantage in the fourth, but couldn’t pull out the win.
Three players reached double digits for the Truckers, led by Jake Fetherolf with 17 points. Michael Finch netted 11 points and Tyler Woodworth contributed 10.


Boxscores
Varsity
Fostoria 35
Cousin 3-0-6, Marker 1-0-2, Tyson 1-0-2, Johnson 2-4-8, Echelberry 6-0-12, Settles 2-1-5. Totals: 15-5-35.
Norwalk 38
Light 3-0-8, Cook 1-0-2, Burke 3-1-7, Jared Cashen 4-1-9, Jacob Cashen 4-4-12. Totals: 15-6-38.
Fostoria    8    10    7    10 — 35
Norwalk    2    11    15    10 — 38

Reserve
Fostoria 55
Tucker 4-2-10, Kirk 1-0-2, Layton 8-5-22, B. King 2-0-4, Cousin 3-5-11, E. King 3-0-6. Totals: 21-12-55.
Norwalk 51
Bodde 0-1-1, Koehn 0-4-4, Finch 4-1-11, Cook 1-0-2, Beveridge 1-0-3, Fetherolf 8-1-17, Woodworth 4-2-10, Weisenburger 0-3-3. Totals: 18-12-51.
Fostoria    14    9    16    16 — 55
Norwalk    12    10    10    19 — 51