First Posted: 2/3/2015
LIMA — Before Lima Senior’s 78-60 boys basketball win over Toledo Central Catholic on Tuesday night, coach Quincey Simpson told the Spartans the Irish would come into the game with a chip on their shoulder.
That was because Lima Senior had rolled to a 70-39 win over Central Catholic two weeks ago in Toledo.
But if the Irish were carrying a chip on their shoulder, it was reduced to sawdust particles by the middle of the second quarter.
Lima Senior jumped out to a 35-15 lead 3 ½ minutes into the second quarter.
If Toledo Central Catholic did come into the game feeling a little feisty, that was all gone by then.
The rematch ended up looking a lot like the first time did with Lima Senior (11-3, 7-2 Three Rivers Athletic Conference) in control from the start against Central Catholic (8-7, 6-3 TRAC).
Elijah Pughsley (15 points), Xavier Simpson (11 points) and Ruben Flowers (10 points, 7 rebounds) led Lima Senior. Eleven Spartans got into the scoring column.
Marcus Winters’ 11 points led Central Catholic. Lima Senior shot 55 percent (31 of 56) and had a 34-26 rebounding edge.
“We played hard. We had a great start like we normally do the last several games,” Simpson said. “They bounced back pretty good but we were able to keep our foot on the pedal and convert some turnovers into scoring opportunities.
“I thought our energy level wasn’t always there. I continue to tell these guys they have to have self motivation. I thought we rebounded excellent. I thought our defense was fine. We didn’t show a lot, we didn’t want to show a lot. Overall, I’m pleased,” he said.
“We had to have some self motivation, we had to have some energy. We did that and were able to get a good win.”
