Newark 60, Olentangy Orange 54
A dominant third period and Ty Gilbert's career-high 26 points keep the 'Cats undefeated
Written by 270 Hoops staff writer Greg Glasser
LEWIS CENTER, OH - An anticipated out-of-conference duel between the defending state champion Olentangy Orange and Newark, the current favorite to represent the region, lived up to the hype as the Wildcats utilized a 21-10 third quarter advantage to overcome a four-point halftime deficit and defeated the Pioneers 60-54 on Orange’s home court on Saturday.
Although the Pioneers only returned one starter from their title team from last season, they showed championship-level traits in a first half where they shot 60% from the field and made seven threes. The final first-half triple came from junior Grant Miller, which gave Orange a ten-point lead late in the second quarter.
Yet Newark junior guard Tybron Brooks responded with a three of his own and later scored the final bucket of the half to give the Wildcats a manageable 33-29 halftime deficit.
The three from Brooks may have sparked the momentum Newark needed, as a three from Ty Gilbert tied the game at 35, followed by a made free throw from Jake Quackenbush after an Orange technical foul gave the Wildcats a lead at the 5:22 mark of the third, which would hold for the remainder of the game.
Gilbert finished with a game and career-high 26 points, but it was also Newark’s team defense in the second half that limited a well-rounded Orange team who 30% from the field and made only one three in the final two periods.
