SHELBY — The Ontario basketball team wasted no time grabbing control of Saturday’s duel with Clear Fork at the NOL-OCC Challenge.
The Warriors sprinted to a 7-0 lead, built it to a 12-2 margin, opened an 18-4 bulge, and coasted through the first quarter with a commanding 22-5 advantage. From there coach Sarah Krichbaum’s team cruised to a 51-27 victory at Shelby High School.
“It was a good start for us,” Krichbaum said. “We had a tough game on Thursday and it was good to come out and get off to a good start.”
Playing earlier in the day than usual at the 12-team extravaganza didn’t seem to bother the Warriors. In fact, senior Emily Yeager looked wide awake from the opening tip.
The 5-foot-9 standout poured in 17 points in the first half and finished with a game-high 25 points.
“We have a young team and we don’t have a defensive stopper yet,” Clear Fork coach Chuck Schmitt said. “(Ontario) is a very good team.”
The Colts warmed to the task in the second quarter, but still trailed 36-17 at the half. Schmitt’s squad outscored the Warriors 5-4 in the third period, but the gap was still 40-22 heading to the final eight minutes.
“I’d like to see our halfcourt defense get a little stronger,” Kirchbaum said. “But I feel pretty good about where we’re at.”
Amanda Nething supported Yeager with 13 points to help the Warriors improve to 3-1 on the season.
Val Golder and Darian Gottfried each had 7 points for the Colts, who dipped to 1-5.
“I thought we played together and that’s where we have to start. Our attitude was there,” Schmitt said. “I thought out girls competed.
“We’re still a young team learning what to do at the varsity level.”
Events such as the The Richland Source NOL-OCC Challenge do not happen without tremendous partners. The NOL-OCC Challenge is presented by Mechanics Bank Be the Change scholarship program in partnership with The Holden Agency and Marco Photo Service. Supporting sponsors include Olive Garden, North Central State College, Rinehart Walters Danner Insurance, Prospering Life Events, Best Buy, TextLoyal, The Vault Wine Bar, The Ohio State University at Mansfield, and Lantz Star Graphics.
