Birds Beat Stryker In Final Meeting On "The Stage"
by Greg Waidelich Buckeye Correspondent

Alex Frey, seen here against Hilltop, led PHS with 12 points in its 55-46 win at Stryker.- photo by Scott Schultz

It was a perfect atmosphere for a high school boys basketball game.

Pettisville and Stryker, two bitter Buckeye Border Conference rivals, were playing their last meeting on "The Stage," Stryker's elevated court that has provided a lot of excitement through the years. Stryker is building a new high school, and will play on a new court next year.

The Birds outscored the Panthers 31-21 in the middle two quarters on their way to a 55-46 victory.

Pettisville remains undefeated at 4-0, 2-0 BBC. Stryker drops to 1-2, 0-2 BBC.

Stryker held a 10-9 lead after one period. Pettisville outscored the Panthers 15-11 to take a 24- 21 lead into the locker room.

The Birds continued to set the pace in the third period, outscoring Stryker 16-10 for a 40-31 lead going into the final eight minutes. Both teams got into the bonus quickly, shooting numerous foul shots in the fourth quarter. The Blackbirds hit enough of theirs to hang on for a 55-46 league victory.

The Blackbirds had four players in double digits. Alex Frey led PHS with 12 points. Michael Deffely, Logan Frey, and Josh Bruner each had 11 for PHS, which was 11-27 from inside the arc for 41% and 6/20 from three-point range for 30%.

The Birds out-rebounded the Panthers 40-25, with PHS snagging 17 offensive rebounds compared to seven for Stryker. PHS had 23 turnovers, compared to 16 for Stryker, which shot 12/35 from the floor for 34% and 2/9 in three-pointers for 22%.

PHS was 15/36 from the foul line for 42%. Stryker was 16/27 for 59%.

BOX SCORE

PETTISVILLE (55) - Deffely 11, Nofziger 7, L. Frey 11, A. Frey 12, Haase 3, Bruner 11. Totals 17-15-55.

STRYKER (46) - Olmstead 14, Sullivan 4, Jaggers 6, Short 18, Erb 4. Totals 14-16-46.

PHS	9	15 16	15	- 55
SHS	10	11 10	15	- 46

Reserve score: Stryker won 42-37 OT.