MANSFIELD – Lexington could not have drawn up a worse start on the chalkboard before its district semifinal game Wednesday against Sandusky Perkins.
Ironically, the normally fast-paced Pirates built a 19-5 lead over Minutemen by slowing down and burying three first-quarter triples en route to a 66-52 win at Mansfield Senior High School.
“We did not count on them shooting 60 percent (6 of 10) from behind the three-point line in the first half,” Lexington coach Scott Hamilton said. “We knew they liked to run and they are a strong rebounding team.
“We saw six of their game films and saw two of their games and never in any of those games did they shoot the ball the way they did tonight,” Hamilton said. “We wanted them in a halfcourt game, but we didn’t expect them to shoot that well.”
The Pirates (21-3) presented physical match-ups all over the floor for the Minutemen (16-9), who saw their eight-game winning streak snapped. Lexington’s most recent loss was Jan. 31 inside the same Pete Henry Gym against Mansfield Senior.
Perkins coach Scott McVeigh said his team’s shooting has improved the last several games – an improvement he credits to passing.
“A lot of (recent success) is because we are making the extra pass, setting solid screens and getting open looks,” he said. “Lexington has a talented team. They are big inside and they have some skilled guards. We talked about getting off to a good start and making them play from behind.”
Perkins built a 37-18 halftime edge with three Pirates hitting double figures at the intermission. Guard Nick Williams, a 6-foot-4 senior headed to Wheeling Jesuit University next season, had 13 points, hitting three of four shots from behind the arc. Senior forward Kyle Lewis had 11 and senior guard Dale Irby had 10, including two of three treys.
Staring at a 19-point deficit, Lexington battled back in the third quarter. The Minutemen outscored the Pirates 14-5 in the first six minutes of the third quarter, including back-to-back triples by sophomore guard Joey Zahn, to cut the deficit to 42-32 with still 1:48 left in the third period.
“We cut the lead to 10 and then we took a shot we probably shouldn’t have taken,” Hamilton said. “They scored on their next two possessions and the lead was back to 14 at the end of the quarter.”
Indeed, Perkins took full advantage of every second in the first three periods, canning two triples and a put-back at the buzzer each time, accounting for eight of their points.
“We talk about finishing each quarter strong,” McVeigh said. “We executed tonight and did that.”
Lexington, who in January lost four of five games at one stretch, could not get closer than 14 in the final period.
“That first half really hurt us tonight,” Hamilton said. “One our strengths this season has been our abilty to get the ball inside. We just couldn’t do it tonight.
Despite the loss, Hamilton said he was proud to have his team back in the district tournament and to have posted consecutive 16-win seasons in his first two years running the program. He also knows he has a great deal of talent returning, including Zahn and a front line that could be the biggest in the area with sophomore Jonah Yaussey (6-5), sophomore Ashton Ray (6-6) and freshman Chase Munro (6-8) all returning.
“We were joking that the farther along the tournament we go, the higher the expectations for next season,” Hamilton said with a smile. “Next season starts tomorrow.”
Zahn, who had scored 44 points in two sectional victories, again led Lexington with 16 points, despite being banged around by a physical Pirates defense. Senior Matt Barkett ended his career with 14 points. Senior Trent Richwine added six and senior Bryan Truax had five.
Williams led Perkins with 21 points and Irby finished with 20. Lewis added 14 and Matthew Schweinfurth added 10.
Perkins had a 33-32 rebounding edge, led by 14 from Williams. Senior Zach Temple had 10 for Lexington.
Perkins committed 13 turnovers, compared to 16 from the Minutemen.
Perkins advances to play Norwalk (24-1), which hammered Clyde, 74-45, in the second game on Wednesday at Mansfield Senior. The Truckers handed the Pirates two of their three losses this season. That district title game will be Saturday at 7 p.m. at Mansfield Senior.
“We were joking that the farther along the tournament we go, the higher the expectations for next season,” Hamilton said with a smile. “Next season starts tomorrow.”
