ONTARIO — The lanky Ashland basketball team needed every bit of its notable size advantage to dispatch a scrappy Shelby squad on Saturday night at the Richland Source NOL-OCC Challenge.

The Arrows, who start four players 6-foot-4 or better, made a decisive push over the final three minutes, outscoring the Whippets 7-2 for a 59-56 victory at Ontario High School.

“I told the kids before the game we were going to have to match their effort and intensity because Troy (Schwemley) does such a great job, the Shelby kids always play hard,” Ashland coach Jason Hess said.

The Whippets dipped to 3-3 on the season, but not before a valiant effort. Schwemley’s squad led the see-saw contest 54-52 on Davey Hipp’s free throw with 2:58 showing, but managed just one bucket in the final five possessions.

Senior Brock Kehres tried to bank a three at the buzzer, but the shot skidded off the rim.

“I thought defensively we gave ourselves a chance,” Schwemley said. “But offensively, we needed to make the extra pass and get some better looks. I thought we hurried some shots and took some shots we didn’t need to take.”

Early, the Whippets negated Ashland’s size by hitting three triples and 8 of 15 field goals to forge a 23-16 advantage through the first period.

“That first quarter was definitely not Ashland Arrows’ defense,” Hess said.

But his squad rebounded in the next period, outscoring Shelby 19-10 and edging in front 35-33 at intermission.

The Whippets stayed close by taking excellent care of the basketball, suffering just four turnovers in the fast-paced game and trailing just 45-43 deficit heading to the final eight minutes.

“Our execution was pretty good,” Schwemley said. “We have three guards who have played a lot of basketball and they took good care of the basketball. But sometimes a bad shot is the same as a turnover.”

The Whippets made just 21 of 57 shots, 38 percent (6 of 23 from behind the arc). Meanwhile, Ashland (3-1) was 20 of 46 from the field and owned a 37-31 rebounding bulge.

“After the first quarter we talked about not closing out so hard and using our length to contest some of those shots,” Hess said.

Ashland’s 6-4 sophomore Garrett Denbow was the star of the show, pouring in 19 points. Teammate Griffin Gerwig added 11 and Grant Denbow chipped in nine.

“Garrett is getting better and better,” Hess said. “Our seniors recognize his ability and do a good job of getting him the ball.”

Shelby’s Hipp and Brad Kehres each had 15 points for the Whippets.

“That’s a good team and we played with a good team, but now we have to play well enough to beat a good team,” Schwemley said.

HALFCOURT HEAVE: Shelby fan Evan Bogner is going to have a big Christmas.

The teenager drained a halfcourt shot at halftime of Ashland’s 59-56 win over the Whippets to win a 55-inch TV from Best Buy as part of a promotion during the Richland Source NOL-OCC Challenge at Ontario High School.

SPONSORSHIP: The Richland Source NOL-OCC Challenge wouldn’t be possible without tremendous partners. The NOL-OCC Challenge is presented by Mechanics Bank Be the Change scholarship program in partnership with The Holden Agency, Marco Photo Service and BW3. Supporting sponsors include Olive Garden, North Central State College, The Ohio State University at Mansfield, Rinehart Walters Danner Insurance, Prospering Life Events, Text Loyal, The Vault Wine Bar, Best Buy, and Lantz Star Graphics.