ONTARIO, Ohio — Lexington has exceeded everyone’s expectations, including those of coach Scott Hamilton.
Cade Stover scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and the Minutemen held on for a 54-49 win over Ontario in the Richland Source NOL-OCC Challenge at the O-Rena.
At 6-0, Lex is the area’s lone remaining unbeaten team.
“I didn’t expect us to have this good of a start,” Hamilton said. “I think we can be really good and I don’t think we’re there yet.
“It is a pleasant surprise to be 6-0 at this point.”
Sluggish Start: Neither team was especially sharp in the early going. Lexington led 16-9 after the first quarter thanks largely to Stover, who had eight points in the opening frame.
“Stover was really good tonight,” Ontario coach Joe Balogh said. “We knew he was going to be a challenge for us.”
The Minutemen pushed the lead to 29-17 at the half. Ontario (2-4) connected on just 7 of 26 field goal attempts through the first two quarters and was 2 for 10 from beyond the 3-point arc.
“We’re struggling scoring right now,” Balogh said. “I don’t know what our percentage was. I’d say we’re close to 30 percent and it’s tough to win games like that.
“It just makes every offensive possession so much more crucial. There’s a frustration level that comes in.”
Hanging Around: Despite its offensive woes, Ontario began chipping away in the second half. The Warriors outscored Lex 13-10 in the third and trailed 39-30 going to the fourth. A Jackson Todd offensive rebound and stickback with 1:02 remaining cut Lexington’s lead to 50-44.
“We hung in there,” Balogh said. “We had some shots late that were half way down and came out.
“The big thing right now is we’ve got to keep fighting.”
Lexington’s Traevin Harrison made six free throws in the final 1:16 to put the game. away. Harrison and Dana Shoulder each scored 12 points for the Minutemen.
Trey Jordan and Jackson Todd led Ontario with 15 points apiece.
Unfamiliar Territory: After opening the season with back-to-back wins, the Warriors have dropped four straight. It’s Ontario’s first four-game losing streak since the 1998-99 season.
“Trey and Quan (Jackson) have been a part of a few teams that have had great success,” Balogh said. “I think it’s tough.
“We’ve got some guys who don’t have a lot of varsity experience and we’ve got some with no varsity experience at all. We’ve got to be patient with that.”
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.
