Streaks Earn Outright NWOAL Title With Huge Win Over Delta
by Scott Schultz Buckeye Sports Reporter

David Rupp, right, looks for an open teammate in Archbold's league win over Delta Friday night. Rupp scored eight points in the contest.- photo by Scott Schultz

The Archbold boys basketball team and Doug Krauss, head coach, laid claim to an outright Northwest Ohio Athletic League title with a 71-29 drubbing of visiting Delta, Friday, Feb. 8.

The Streaks upped their record to 15-4 and finish the league with a perfect 8-0 mark.

The Panthers fell to 7-11, 2-6 in league action.

"I think our kids did a pretty good job all through the league and played consistently," said Krauss. "It's a great feeling to get the league championship, and to win it outright is even sweeter."

After suffering back-to-back losses, the Blue and Gold got back on track against the Panthers. Jumping out to a 6-0 lead in the opening minutes, AHS rolled to a 16-2 advantage after the first quarter and was never threatened.

Midway through the first and extending into the second, the Streaks went on an 18-0 run before Delta's Nathan Westphal scored on a put-back.

No Panther scored in double digits. Westphal and teammate Nate Jackson led the way with six points each.

The Streaks placed four in double digits. Justin Rupp led all scorers with 16 points; Gene Goering added 13; Colton Martinez and Trey Smith chipped in 10 each.

AHS added 23 points in the third quarter to Delta's 14. In the fourth the Panthers were held to six while the Streaks put in 14 for the 71-29 final.

"We had more energy tonight," said Krauss. "I have always said, you find out about yourself when you go through some tough times. Our guys put it together and got back to what we want to do, so a little adversity is good in that regard.

"I think our kids took that to heart and came out tonight with some renewed enthusiasm for defense and converted on offense, and that is what we have to continue to do.

"Its nice to win the league championship. It's always a goal of ours; it's been a couple of years since we have had it, and we had to have a couple of big league wins along the way.

"We had a big win on the road at PH, and then here against Wauseon. Our kids persevered through those and came out tonight and finished it all up."

The Streaks were 30/43 from the field, including five threepointers, for a blistering 70%. Delta was 12/39 for an ice-cold 31%.

Cory Sprow, Delta head coach, did not wish to comment on the game.

BOX SCORE

ARCHBOLD (71) - Fidler 4, Martinez 10, J. Rupp 16, Price 2, D. Rupp 8, Miller 2, G. Goering 13, Smith 10, Walker 2, McQuillin 2, C. Goering 2. Totals 30-6-71.

DELTA (29) - Beverly 1, Vaughan 3, Jackson 6, Betz 4, Smith 5, Westphal 6, Rash 4. Totals 12-5-29.

AHS	16 18 23 14	- 71
DHS	2 7 14 6	- 29

Reserve score: Archbold won 56-35.