MANSFIELD, Ohio — Ontario played like a team with something to prove.
The top-seeded Warriors exorcised the memories of last year’s early postseason exit with a resounding 75-45 win over No. 12 Oak Harbor in the first game of a Division II sectional doubleheader Tuesday at Madison Middle School.
“That taste really stuck with us for the better part of this season,” senior guard Paul Homan said of last year’s sectional loss to Lexington. “We just knew we had to be focused on this game.”
Mission accomplished.
Ontario (22-1) jumped out to a 23-3 first quarter lead and never took its foot off the gas. The Warriors connected on 9 of 17 field goals and forced six turnovers in the opening eight minutes.
“We really played well in that first quarter both offensively and defensively,” Ontario coach Joe Balogh said. “When you get off to that kind of start it just relaxes everybody a little bit. That start was crucial.”
The Rockets (5-18) did themselves no favors. Oak Harbor misfired on 10 of 11 shots in the first quarter, several of which were at or near the rim.
“You can’t come out against a team like Ontario and get down 23-3,” Oak Harbor coach Eric Sweet said. “We got opportunities, but we missed layups or turned the ball over.”
The Warriors dictated the tempo with their full-court pressure.
“One of the things we were able to do is get them playing a little faster than they wanted to play,” Balogh said. “When you are able to do that, some easy shots don’t go.”
All Hands On Deck: Seven different Warriors scored in the first quarter and nine were in the book before halftime. Of the 13 players who dressed, 12 scored.
“Our depth has been key for us all year,” Balogh said. “The guys coming off the bench have been really good.
“I don’t think our guys look at the number of minutes they play. They try to give a lot harder effort then maybe they would if they were playing 26 or 28 minutes.”
Reserve guard Griffin Niss led Ontario with 14 points. Treyvian Jordan added 10 points, while Homan, Lenell Shelby and Alex Vredenburgh each had eight.
Freshman Alec Gezo led Oak Harbor with eight points. Tyler Sievert added seven.
Battle Tested: Four of Ontario’s five final regular season games were decided by five points or less. The tough stretch helped prepare the Warriors for the postseason.
“We had to battle,” Balogh said. “To win some of the games that we were able to win in January and February, that adds to our confidence coming into the tournament.”
“We really played well in that first quarter both offensively and defensively,” Ontario coach Joe Balogh said. “When you get off to that kind of start it just relaxes everybody a little bit. That start was crucial.”
