ASHLAND, Ohio — Mario Young and his Mansfield Senior teammates had revenge on their minds Friday at Arrow Arena.
Young dropped 27 points and swiped 10 rebounds as the Tygers knocked off Ashland 68-64 in Ohio Cardinal Conference action.
Senior High (6-3, 5-0) took over sole possession of first place in the conference standings and snapped a three-game losing streak to the Arrows (3-7, 2-3). Ashland swept the season series last year before ending Mansfield Senior’s season with a 61-58 win in the Division I district semifinals at Liberty-Benton.
Mansfield Senior’s last win over the Arrows came in the district semifinals in 2014.
“This was a real big win, especially since we were 0-for-3 against them last year,” Young said. “We wanted to get them back. That was a major factor.”
Wild Finish: The teams exchanged the lead six times in the first 5:30 of the fourth quarter before B.J. Patrick gave the Tygers the lead for good with a layup at the 2:30 mark of the fourth quarter, making the score 56-54. A pair of David Hall free throws followed by a Hall offensive rebound and stickback gave Senior High a 60-54 advantage with 1:30 remaining.
The 6-foot-2 Young, who scored nine of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, helped keep the Arrows at arm’s length with six straight free throws in the final minute.
“What makes him different from a lot of players is his confidence,” Mansfield Senior coach J.T. Reese said of Young. “If we were playing the Cavs, he would think he was the best player on the floor and he would want to win.
“I think his will and drive to win comes out in the game.”
Young was 10 for 20 from the field and 7 of 10 from the free throw line. He also had three assists and four steals.
“He’s quick off the dribble and he’s got extremely strong hands,” Ashland coach Jason Hess said. “He absorbs that contact and he’s got great hands offensively and defensively.
“He’s a heck of a basketball player.”
Balance: Patrick backed Young with 18 points on 7 of 12 shooting. Hall had 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three blocked shots and four steals.
“He does so many things,” Reese said. “He helps us a number of ways.”
Logan Brewer led the Arrows with 22 points on 7 of 9 shooting and eight rebounds. The 6-foot-5 senior forward connected on four of Ashland’s eight 3-pointers. Freshman sharpshooter Garrett Denbow added 13 points, sinking 4 of 5 treys. John Wolfe added 11 points.
Driver’s Seat: Mansfield Senior’s win, coupled with Lexington’s 68-64 loss at Wooster, left the Tygers alone atop the OCC standings.
“This is a great win for us,” Reese said. “Every win on the road in our conference in a great win, no matter who you play.
“Our team … turned the corner at the right time.”
