MANSFIELD — Dom dominated.
Galion’s Dominic Capretta scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds and the Tigers avenged two regular-season losses to Clear Fork with a 54-44 win in the Division IV boys district basketball semifinals at Pete Henry Gym.
“I knew they couldn’t guard me in the paint,” said Capretta, a rugged 6-foot-3 power forward. “We had way more energy. That’s the biggest thing. We were more physical this game than the (regular-season meetings).”
Capetta was 8-for-11 from the field.
“They really focused on getting him the ball in the paint down low,” Clear Fork coach Brandon Baumgardner said. “They hadn’t done that in the games past.
“We don’t have that big who can handle that size and strength. He took over the game tonight.”
Fourth-quarter frenzy
Galion (8-16) led 33-32 going to the fourth period. The Tigers outscored the Colts (9-15) 21-12 in the final eight minutes to win going away.
“I think we just really executed late,” Galion coach Tyler Sanders said. “We finally decided to put our head down and go to the rim and not worry about contact.
“Tonight we just decided the 3-point shot wasn’t falling for us so we’re going to go to the rim.”
Capretta scored eight points in the fourth quarter, while 6-foot-3 senior forward Christian Bare scored eight of his 13 in the decisive frame. James Glew added nine.
Everybody pitched in today,” Sanders said. “It was a team win.”
Jacob Brokaw and Trey Sellers scored 15 points apiece to led the Colts.
District final drought
The last time Galion played in the district final was 2009. The Tigers will play Van Wert for the district title at 7 p.m. Saturday at Paulding.
“The pressure is not on us. It’s on Van Wert. They’re the higher seed,” Capretta said. “If we go out and play our ball we can compete with anybody on any given night.”