BOYS' BASKETBALL - Norwalk keeps pace in NOL title hunt

By MICHAEL GRECO
Reflector Sports Editor
mgreco@norwalkreflector.com

The Norwalk wrestling team is seeking a Northern Ohio League title today.
The Trucker boys’ basketball team is vying for the same accolade.
Norwalk kept pace in the NOL race with a 72-63 win over Upper Sandusky Friday in the first game of a doubleheader.
The Truckers improved to 10-5 overall and 8-2 in the league.
Bellevue tops the NOL at 12-4 and 9-2.
Jordan Burke had a game-high 26 points, including six three-pointers, as the Truckers started to seize control in the first quarter with a 22-15 advantage, then held off the Rams in the second half.
“We came in knowing they wanted to trap,’’ Burke said. “We started off with solid defense.’’
Leading 40-29 at halftime, Upper Sandusky made its charge in the third quarter and cut the advantage to 48-44 heading into the final eight minutes.
An Alex Frey bucket at the start of the fourth brought the Rams (2-14, 0-11) to within 48-46, but Burke and Jared Cashen both converted baskets to bring the Norwalk lead to 52-46.
Burke popped in 11 fourth-quarter points as the Truckers eventually pulled away.
“Our leaders stepped up,’’ Norwalk coach Steve Gray said. “The leaders did a great job of getting everybody prepared. Jordan put in some extra work. It was good to see him get out of his slump a little bit.’’
Jacob Cashen netted 16 points, while Tyson Ringle, Evan Light and Jared Cashen all added eight. Ringle hit a pair of triples, while Light and Jacob Cashen both scored eight points in the second quarter.
“Evan Light has gotten better and better in the second half,’’ Gray said.
Norwalk shot 31-of-53 from the field and 2-of-10 from the free-throw line with 28 rebounds and 13 turnovers.
Jared Cashen grabbed seven rebounds.
Norwalk had its second highest scoring output of the season — the first was a 76-63 decision over the Rams Dec. 30.
“They really extend the floor,’’ Gray said of Upper Sandusky. “We did a good job offensively.’’
Upper, led by Frey’s 16 points, converted 26-of-58 field goals and 8-of-12 from the charity stripe with 22 rebounds and 10 turnovers.
The Truckers have a quick turnaround with a game today at Tiffin Columbian.
Norwalk continues a busy stretch with home games against Shelby Tuesday, Willard Friday and Huron Feb. 20.
“These kids are 17 years old,’’ Gray said. “It’s only a grind if they think it’s a grind.’’
Upper gained a split on the night with a 61-59 reserve win.
The Rams led 30-27 at halftime and 42-39 after three quarters. Norwalk outscored the hosts in the final eight minutes, but fell short of the win.
Three players reached double digits, paced by Darian Cook with 15 points. Jake Fetherolf tallied 12 points and Dirk Weisenburger chipped in with 11.


Boxscores
Varsity
Upper Sandusky 63
Reile 1-1-3, McKee 1-1-3, Logsdon 3-0-6, Johnson 5-0-12, Howard 4-2-10, Frey 6-3-16, Boes 2-1-5, Cheney 4-0-8. Totals: 26-8-63.
Norwalk 72
Wells 2-0-4, Ringle 3-0-8, Light 4-0-8, Bright 1-0-2, Burke 9-2-26, Jared Cashen 4-0-8, Jacob Cashen 8-0-16. Totals: 31-2-72.
U. Sandusky    15    14    15    19 — 63
Norwalk    22    18    8    24 — 72
Reserve
Upper Sandusky 61
Massara 1-0-2, Barth 6-3-15, Witten 1-0-3, Arnold 3-0-7, Mattix 3-5-11, Duress 1-5-7, Young 1-5-7, Walton 2-0-5, Reile 0-4-4. Totals: 18-22-61.
Norwalk 59
Bodde 3-0-6, Koehn 1-1-3, Finch 4-0-8, Cook 6-3-15, Fetherolf 6-0-12, Woodworth 2-0-4, Weisenburger 3-5-11. Totals: 25-9-59.
U. Sandusky    16    14    12    19 — 61
Norwalk    14    13    12    20 — 59