LUCAS — The coronation ceremony was more subdued than in year’s past, but it was a moment worth celebrating nonetheless.
Logan Toms scored 20 points and Ty Lehnhart added 16 as Lucas won its fourth straight outright Mid-Buckeye Conference crown with a resounding 54-26 win over Loudonville at the Cub Cave on Wednesday.
The Cubs (15-4, 9-1) already had secured at least a share of the MBC title thanks to Mansfield Christian’s upset of Kidron Central Christian on Saturday. Wednesday’s win was never in doubt and as the players and coaches posed for a team photo afterward.
The moment felt almost anticlimactic to Lucas coach Taylor Iceman.
“We’re 15-4 now and it’s almost like there’s not that much excitement. There’s not that much buzz,” said Iceman, who became the program’s winningest coach earlier this season. “That’s because it’s kind of to be expected down here now. That’s great, but these guys need to be celebrated just like all the other teams.
“I told them the ante keeps getting upped here. We’ve got to keep pushing.”
Any thoughts the Redbirds (4-15, 2-7) had of springing the upset were put to bed early. Lucas scored the first 15 points of the game and led 17-2 after the first quarter. Lehnhart did most of the damage, scoring nine points in the period.
“It feels pretty good,” Lehnhart said of winning a fourth straight MBC championship. “The upperclassmen always set the bar high and … we keep on rolling with it.”
Lucas continued to build on its advantage in the second quarter with Logan Toms and older brother Corbin combining for 11 points. By the time sophomore guard Zach Diehl connected on a 3-pointer just before half, the Cubs led 34-11.
The third quarter was more of the same as Logan Toms scored eight points in the period. Lucas built a 54-18 lead after three, triggering a running clock for the fourth.
Corbin Toms scored 13 points for the Cubs. The junior guard connected on three 3-pointers.
Isaac Gessner and Aaron Stephenson each scored six points to lead the Redbirds.
The Cubs close the regular season with three non-conference games before beginning defense of their district title. Lucas has advanced to the Sweet 16 in Division IV each of the past two seasons.
Before then, however, Lucas will enjoy its fourth straight MBC crown.
“It’s a testament to the kids we’ve got down here right now,” Iceman said. “It’s a special time.”
