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ATHENS – Entering the Division IV regional semifinal showdown between Unioto and Circleville, everyone knew it would be a battle to the end. And that’s exactly what occurred.
The Tigers and senior guard Cole Nungester got off to a quick start, and even though the Sherman Tanks didn’t shoot well through the first two-and-a-half quarters, they leaned on senior guard Blake Fitch to spark a fourth-quarter comeback.
Down by eight, Fitch keyed an 8-0 to tie the score at 36. But in the end, Nungester was able to make enough plays down the stretch for the Tigers to escape with a 50-48 victory on March 11 at Ohio University’s Convocation Center.
Unioto, which was 14-0 in the Scioto Valley Conference, won its second consecutive district championship and finished 20-4; Circleville improved to 23-2 and won its 18th game in a row. The two teams met on Dec. 13 at Unioto and the Tigers pulled out a 66-59 double-overtime win.
More: Behind Milee Smith's monster game, Unioto is headed to the Final Four
Nungester finished with a game-high 31 points, including 17 in the first half. He went 7-of-9 from the free throw line, including going 4-for-4 in the final 20 seconds to keep the Shermans at bay.
“In a game like that, you have to get off to a quick start, so you gain the momentum,” Nungester said. “I tried to get going early and tried to get downhill and get my guys the ball. At the end of the game, when it’s crunch time, I like to have the ball in my hands I feel like I thrive in that situation. We knew Unioto wouldn’t quit, but we didn’t want our season to end, either, so we just kept pushing.”
Fitch did all he could by scoring 19 of his team-high 25 points in the second half.
The Tigers jumped out to a 13-9 first-quarter lead and led 27-17 at halftime. Heading to the fourth quarter, Circleville still held the upper hand and led 36-28.
At the start of the fourth, Fitch scored points and Isaac Coy had a steal and turned it into a layup, and just like the Shermans had tied the score. However, a huge sequence took place in the next minute.
Nungetster scored inside, was fouled on the play, and Unioto player was whistled for a technical foul. Nungester completed the three-point play, made one of the technical foul shots, and then hit a 10-footer to push the Tigers’ lead to 42-36.
Unioto was able to cut the margin to two on four occasions, including a 3-pointer by Fitch with 3.7 seconds left that cut the deficit to 48-46, but Nungester calmly sank two free throws to push the lead back to four. Fitch threw in a runner as time expired.
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at [email protected] for comments or story tips. Follow him on X at twil2323.
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Circleville defeats Unioto in regional semifinal
Continue reading...
The Tigers and senior guard Cole Nungester got off to a quick start, and even though the Sherman Tanks didn’t shoot well through the first two-and-a-half quarters, they leaned on senior guard Blake Fitch to spark a fourth-quarter comeback.
Down by eight, Fitch keyed an 8-0 to tie the score at 36. But in the end, Nungester was able to make enough plays down the stretch for the Tigers to escape with a 50-48 victory on March 11 at Ohio University’s Convocation Center.
Unioto, which was 14-0 in the Scioto Valley Conference, won its second consecutive district championship and finished 20-4; Circleville improved to 23-2 and won its 18th game in a row. The two teams met on Dec. 13 at Unioto and the Tigers pulled out a 66-59 double-overtime win.
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More: Behind Milee Smith's monster game, Unioto is headed to the Final Four
Nungester finished with a game-high 31 points, including 17 in the first half. He went 7-of-9 from the free throw line, including going 4-for-4 in the final 20 seconds to keep the Shermans at bay.
“In a game like that, you have to get off to a quick start, so you gain the momentum,” Nungester said. “I tried to get going early and tried to get downhill and get my guys the ball. At the end of the game, when it’s crunch time, I like to have the ball in my hands I feel like I thrive in that situation. We knew Unioto wouldn’t quit, but we didn’t want our season to end, either, so we just kept pushing.”
Fitch did all he could by scoring 19 of his team-high 25 points in the second half.
The Tigers jumped out to a 13-9 first-quarter lead and led 27-17 at halftime. Heading to the fourth quarter, Circleville still held the upper hand and led 36-28.
You must be registered for see images attach
At the start of the fourth, Fitch scored points and Isaac Coy had a steal and turned it into a layup, and just like the Shermans had tied the score. However, a huge sequence took place in the next minute.
Nungetster scored inside, was fouled on the play, and Unioto player was whistled for a technical foul. Nungester completed the three-point play, made one of the technical foul shots, and then hit a 10-footer to push the Tigers’ lead to 42-36.
Unioto was able to cut the margin to two on four occasions, including a 3-pointer by Fitch with 3.7 seconds left that cut the deficit to 48-46, but Nungester calmly sank two free throws to push the lead back to four. Fitch threw in a runner as time expired.
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at [email protected] for comments or story tips. Follow him on X at twil2323.
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Circleville defeats Unioto in regional semifinal
Continue reading...
