Boys basketball: Newark secures win over Pickerington North with strong second half
Friday, January 12, 2024
By Scott Gerfen
sgerfen@cbussports.com
Newark’s Braylon Morris, who led the Wildcats with 21 points, moves with the ball Jan. 12 at Pickerington North. Photo: John Hulkenberg
Every possession mattered in the final minutes.
“They didn’t steal anything and get layups, and that’s where they’ve hurt us in the past,” said Quackenbush, whose team improved to 11-1 overall. “Give our kids a lot of credit. They’re a tough team to beat, no doubt, and especially playing here, which is a tough place to win.”
Newark’s Steele Meister (left) defends Pickerington North’s Daunte Curtis on Jan. 12 at Pickerington North. Photo: John Hulkenberg
Newark also hit seven of eight freethrows in the final 1 minute, 15 seconds.
None bigger than the two freethrows made by Braylon Morris with 14 seconds left to give the Wildcats a three-point lead. He finished with a team-high 21 points.
“We gave the most effort we could in that third and fourth quarter,” Morris said. “We didn’t come out as strong as we should have, but in that second half we decided we have to put them away as soon as we can.”
Newark led 25-23 at halftime and opened the second half with a 3-pointer by Jake Quackenbush, which sparked a 7-0 run.
Morris’ field goal gave the Wildcats their biggest lead, 40-31, with about five minutes left.
Newark’s Ty Gilbert (left) and Pickerington North’s Favor McFadden go for the ball Jan. 12 at Pickerington North. Photo: John Hulkenberg
Arness Lawson, who led all scorers with 25 points, helped fuel the Panthers’ late surge. J.R. Bates’ basket made it 52-50 with 45 seconds left.
While North had opportunities late, Panthers coach Jason Bates pointed to possessions earlier in the game that made the difference.
“We had a bad drought in the third quarter,” said Bates, whose team dropped to 8-4 overall. “You can’t get down nine against a team like them. … It’s hard for our guys to understand that those types of games don’t come down to one play. That’s what they’re thinking. You want them to understand … it’s not just the last play.”
Steele Meister also finished in double figures with 15 points for the Wildcats, while Quackenbush added nine.
Jaiden Vital and Favor McFadden each had seven points for North.
Newark’s Steele Meister (left) and Pickerington North’s Favor McFadden jump for the opening tip Jan. 12 at Pickerington North. Photo: John Hulkenberg