Birds Fall To Panthers, Pilots; Fall To 11-4
by Greg Waidelich Buckeye Correspondent

Michael Haase gets fouled as he drives for a layup. Haase scored 10 points in the PHS loss to Stryker.- photo by Mary Huber

Looking to wrap up at least a share of the Buckeye Border Conference boys basketball championship, Pettisville hosted the Stryker Panthers, Friday, Jan. 25.

The Blackbirds entered the contest undefeated in the league with a 6-0 record, while Stryker was second in the BBC, sporting a 4-2 mark.

Pettisville's league title dream will have to wait, as the Panthers avenged an early-season 55-46 loss with a 45-41 victory.

Pettisville lost its second game in as many days, Saturday, Jan. 26 at Ayersville. The Birds scored only nine secondhalf points, falling 55-33 to the Pilots, ranked sixth in Division IV by the Associated Press.

Pettisville dropped to 11-4, 6- 1 BBC.

Stryker 45, PHS 41

The score was deadlocked at 10 after one period. Michael Deffely completed a conventional three-point play to open the second, giving PHS a 13-10 lead.

Stryker (8-6, 5-2 BBC) then went on a 10-4 run, hitting eight of 10 free throws to take a 20-17 lead at the half.

Logan Frey opened the third period with a jumper, and Michael Haase's bucket gave PHS a 21-20 lead with 6:02 left in the third.

It was the last time Pettisville led the contest.

Blake Ruffer's two foul shots put Stryker back on top 22-21.

The Panthers scored five more buckets, while Pettisville's final four third-quarter points all came on free throws.

Stryker held a 32-26 lead going into the final eight minutes.

The Panthers had widened the gap to eight, 35-27, when PHS attempted a comeback. Haase went to the foul line for two free throws.

He made his first, missed his second, but got the rebound and scored to close the deficit to 35- 30.

Stryker's Zach Erb made one of two free throws for a 36-30 lead. Josh Bruner and Alex Frey each hit two foul shots to tighten the gap to 36-34.

Tyson Short was fouled and hit one of two free throws for SHS. Deffely scored off a rebound, and Stryker's lead shrunk to one, 37-36.

But Pettisville couldn't get over the hump. Jordan Jaggers sank two free throws for Stryker and Short drove the lane for a layup after taking a minute off the clock, giving the Panthers a 41-36 lead with 52.5 seconds left.

Jordan Olmstead hit two free throws for a 43-36 advantage and only 22.5 seconds remaining.

L. Frey hit a three-pointer with 10.4 seconds left, but Short went to the foul line for Stryker after getting fouled on the inbounds pass. He sank both free throws.

Haase made a basket at the buzzer for the 45-41 final.

Pettisville was 12/33 from the field for 36% and 15/28 from the free-throw line for 54%. Deffely and Haase led the Birds with 10 points each.

The Panthers, led by Jaggers with 15 points and Short with 14, were 11/33 from the field for 33% and 23/30 from the line for 77%.

PHS committed seven more turnovers, 19-12, and had 27 rebounds to Stryker's 24.

Ayersville 55, PHS 33

Pettisville came out with intensity as Bruner intercepted a lob pass and passed upcourt to L. Frey, who laid the ball in for a 2-0 lead.

L. Frey scored eight more points in the quarter, while A. Frey scored four, and Ayersville led 15-14.

Pettisville stayed close in the second, scoring 10 points to Ayersville's 13 as the Pilots led 28-24 at the half.

Ayersville came out on fire in the second half, scoring 10 quick points for a 38-24 advantage.

Deffely finally stopped the Pilots with a trey at the 2:43 mark.

Both teams only scored two more points in the quarter for a 40-29 AHS lead.

Ayersville outscored the Blackbirds 15-4 in the fourth for the 22-point win.

Deffely was the only Blackbird to score in the second half, scoring nine of his game total of 13 points.

L. Frey was the only other Blackbird in double figures, with 14.

Ayersville was led by Wolfrum with 23 points. He was 5/5 from the free-throw line and had four three-pointers and three two-point field goals.

BOX SCORES

PETTISVILLE (41) - Deffely 10, Q. Nofziger 3, L. Frey 8, A. Frey 7, Haase 10, Bruner 3. Totals 12-15-41.

STRYKER (45) - Olmstead 2, Sullivan 4, Ruffer 2, Doehrmann 1, Jaggers 15, Short 14, Erb 7. Totals 11- 23-45.

PHS	10	7	9	15	- 41
SHS	10	10	12	13	- 45

Reserve score: Stryker won 26-18.

PETTISVILLE (33) - Deffely 13, L. Frey 14, A. Frey 4, Bruner 2. Totals 13-5-33.

AYERSVILLE (55) - Wolfrum 23, Martin 8, Zachrich 7, King 6, Trapps 4, Engel 3, Fishpaw 2, Ewers 2. Totals 18-14-55.

PHS	14	10	5	4	- 33
AHS	15	13	12	15	- 55

Reserve score: Ayersville won 44- 35.