Blue Lions stage comeback, top Logan Elm, 58-55

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The Washington Blue Lions rallied in the fourth quarter on Tuesday to edge host Logan Elm 58-55 in a non-league game in Pickaway County.

The Braves led 16-6 following a quarter of play, 27-22 at halftime and 44-37 entering the fourth quarter, but the Blue Lions won the final period of play by a 21-11 margin.

Ridge Young led all scorers with 22 points, Dylan Smith had 16, Preston Schultz tallied seven and Marcus Paul added six for the Braves.

“Five turnovers and 3 of 10 shooting in the first quarter put us in a hole against a good team going into the second quarter,” Washington head coach Shannon Bartruff said. “Taking care of the ball and playing better defense got us back into the game by the half.”

“We played a lot of two-man game with Ridge and Dylan,” LE coach Doug Stiverson said. “Ridge did a nice job of getting to the basket and scoring for us, then both Ridge and Preston did a nice job of finding Dylan inside for some easy ones.

“Dylan also had another nice night on the boards against a good rebounding team.”

Griffin Shaw led the Blue Lions (15-3) with 16 points, Max Knisley tallied 14 and Cameron Eckles contributed 12.

“Knisley hit some big threes for Court House in the second half to get them going, and they also did a nice job of utilizing some of their other guys, like Eckles and Shaw,” Stiverson said. “They tried to turn the pressure up on us, but our guys did a nice job of handling it with just two turnovers in the second half.

“We struggled hitting shots in the fourth quarter, and we need to find a way to finish better at the end.”

“We were down by as many as 11 in the fourth,” Bartruff said. “Then we started to press and make threes. Max only had two points in the first half, but, he made four threes in the second half to spark our comeback.”

Another senior, Cameron Eckles, was in foul trouble in the first half, according to Bartruff.

“Cam didn’t play much until half way through the third and he scored 12 points in the second half,” Bartruff said. “Kenny Upthegrove continues to improve and make big shots and played great defense in the second half.

“Kory (Proby) guarded well,” Bartruff said. “He got a huge rebound and put back to put us up three late. Griffin played tough in the second half and made some big shots. It’s as much grit as I’ve seen from this team. To get a win on the road against a well-coached, senior-laden team was huge for us.”

Logan Elm’s five losses this season have come by a combined 16 points.

The Braves (13-5) resume MSL-Buckeye action on Saturday at Hamilton Township.

The Blue Lions are back in SCOL action at Miami Trace Friday night. The j-v game starts at 6 p.m. It will be senior night for the Panthers.

Washington has a home game against Springfield Shawnee Tuesday, Feb. 9 and has two SCOL make-up games remaining: at Wilmington on Feb. 11 and home against McClain on Feb. 12. The Blue Lions stand in second place in the SCOL at 10-1.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

W 6 16 15 21 — 58

LE 16 11 17 11 — 55

WASHINGTON — Max Knisley 5-0-14, Jarett Patton 2-0-5, Kory Proby 1-1-3, Kenny Upthegrove 4-0-8, Griffin Shaw 7-0-16, Cameron Eckles 5-2-12. Three-point goals — Knisley (4), Shaw (2) and Patton. Totals — 24-3-58.

LOGAN ELM — Young 7-6-22, Schultz 3-0-7, Saxton 2-0-4, Smith 8-0-16, Paul 2-2-6. Three-point goals — Young (2) and Schultz. Totals — 22-8-55.

Washington Blue Lion junior Griffin Shaw, at right, blocks a shot during a non-league game at Logan Elm High School Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016. At left are Blue Lion seniors Max Knisley (1) and C.J. Taylor (10).
http://www.recordherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2016/02/web1_GriffinShawatLoganElm222016.jpgWashington Blue Lion junior Griffin Shaw, at right, blocks a shot during a non-league game at Logan Elm High School Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016. At left are Blue Lion seniors Max Knisley (1) and C.J. Taylor (10). Courtesy photo

By Brad Morris

Circleville Herald &

Chris Hoppes

Civitas Media

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