Upper Scioto Valley’s Jason Helton lets go a shot against Allen East’s Ethan Young during Tuesday night’s game at Allen East. See more high school basketball photos at LimaScores.com.
HARROD — With a chance to clinch a Northwest Central Conference crown Friday, Upper Scioto Valley head coach Dre White may have been a little concerned his team might not be as focused for non league affair against Allen East on Tuesday night.
But a little revenge against a rival and some early precision perimeter shooting lifted the Rams past the Mustangs, 72-63.
White admitted the team understands what is at stake against Ridgedale on Friday as USV can win its first league title since 2017-18 when it shared it with Elgin. The last five years have seen the Rams finish runner-ups.
“To be able to clinch on Friday night and go out right on senior is really, really exciting but I think a Tuesday game before that is not easy but if there was any game I knew our guys were ready for and focused for would be against Allen East,” White said. “It is a big rivalry game and the kids know each other really well so that worked out in our favor…and we are super excited about Friday.
Earlier in the year, Allen East defeated USV, 53-51, in overtime.
“It was a big win for us,” White added. “This game, historically and in the last couple of years a dog fight. Last year I think it was three or four overtimes and earlier in the year it was an overtime game so to come here and get a win is big.”
With the win, USV improves to 15-6 on the year. Allen East, who is playing four games this week and were coming off a win over Lincolnview Monday, fall to 13-7. The Mustangs finish with an away game against Columbus Grove Friday followed by a game against Perry with an early junior varsity start time at 1 p.m.
Both teams came out of the game, hitting shots as both teams, knocked down their first six baskets and by the end of the first quarter, USV led 20-18.
The intensity on both ends of the court continued into the second stanza but it was the Rams who stayed slightly ahead of the Mustangs but began to pull away as the first half came to an end and when Alex Sanders hit a short buzzer beater the Rams owned a 36-29 lead.
With 4:39 showing in the third quarter, Sanders gave the Rams a double-digit advantage, 46-36, when he popped a 3-pointer. From there USV would never see the lead dip under 1o points until Keaton Lhamon nailed a 3-pointer at the end of the game.
Sanders led the Rams’ balanced attack as USV saw six different Rams score with 26 points with 19 coming in the second half. Maddox Underwood poured in 18 points and he grabbed 9 caroms.
“We made shots,” White said. “I know that is cliche and I know a lot of coaches say that but I thought that was a key tonight.We weren’t tremendously defensively, giving up 63 isn’t us, but Allen East is a tough guard. They had some guys that stepped up and made some shots.”I have nothing but respect for (Keaton) Lhamon. He is a tremendous player.
“They made some shots too. They were 10-of-22 from 3-point line but yes we executed offensively and made a couple of adjustments from the first contest where we thought we could get some good looks. Our guys didn’t have a lot of times to reverse that and rep that but I was really proud how they executed.”
For Allen East, Keaton Lhamon scored a game-high 28 points and was instrumental in keeping the Mustangs in the game. However, he was held to two points in the pivotal third quarter.
Reach Jose Nogueras at 567-242-0468.
