Ottoville boys swat off Hornets

By Jessica Honigford, The Delphos Herald
Published:  Monday, November 26, 2007 (1 year, 1 month ago)
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Ottoville junior Brad Turnwald cuts through Cory-Rawson’s defense and puts in the short jumper Friday night at Heckman Gym. The Big Green opened 2007-08 on a winning note, beating the Hornets 51-46.OTTOVILLE — The Ottoville boys hardwood team opened its 2007-08 season at L.W. Heckman Gymnasium Friday night and pulled down a 51-46 victory over Cory Rawson.
This triumph came despite the Big Green being outscored 15-9 in the fourth quarter.
Going into the second quarter of play, Ottoville was trailing 9-6. About a minute in, they started an 8-point run. Phil Sargent (14 points), the 5-11 Ottoville senior, attributed six during that run, including a bunny shot to put the Big Green up 12-9 and force Cory-Rawson to call a 30-second timeout.
Ottoville’s defense attributed to the team’s successful second quarter as well, holding the Hornets scoreless for more than four minutes and allowing just seven points. The home team had a 24-16 lead heading into the locker room.
The third quarter was another big one for both teams, with Ottoville out-scoring the Hornets 18-15. Sargent (14 markers) stepped up yet again, putting up six points, including a bunny shot to give the Big Green a double-digit lead with 4:50 remaining in the quarter. With one quarter left to go, Ottoville was leading Cory Rawson 42-31.
The Hornets had their own point run to start the fourth quarter. They pulled within five and held Ottoville scoreless until just 3:48 remained in the game. The Big Green defense struggled in the final quarter, allowing three goals from beyond the arc. Blaine Beilharz (14 markers) hit a 3-point goal with just over a minute left that brought the Honets within three. Ottoville responded though with four straight points. John Erford (14 points) knocked down a 3-pointer with 5.4 seconds left but it was not enough to overcome Ottoville before the final buzzer sounded.
Ottoville’ head coach Tom Von Sossan says what hurt his team the most was fouling when they were ahead and unguarded shots.
“If you have a hand in their face and they still make a shot, you move on and play,” he said. “But them scoring unguarded shots, that’s just not acceptable.”
Von Sossan is going to take the next week to work with his team, hoping to improve before their next game at Marion Local on Dec. 1.
“It’s really a process,” he added. “Sure you have scrimmages but before you get out there and play a real game, you don’t really know as much as you think you do about your team. We’re going to continue to work and try to improve.”
Brad Turnwald led Ottoville with seven boards and four assists.
Cory-Rawson entertains Jefferson tonight at 6 p.m. (JV start).

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