Marlington gets hot, cools down, hangs on to nip Salem and earn 60-58 NBC triumph
Boys basketball
MARLINGTON 60, SALEM 58 The Dukes outscored Salem 31-17 in the middle quarters then held on down the stretch to eke out the NBC victory. Michael Huberty dropped in 20 points and Austen Brady added 17 for the winners. The Quakers outscored the hosts 26-19 in the final quarter but it wasn’t enough as Marlington improved to 6-2 overall and 5-1 in the league.
CARROLLTON 66, CANTON SOUTH 64 Carrollton recovered from a fourth-quarter drubbing and a scoreless third overtime period to outpoint the Wildcats 10-8 in the fourth OT and earn its first NBC win of the season. Adam Chaney clicked on four 3s and scored a game-high 24 points for the Warriors. Chris Fontes nailed a tri of 3-pointers and scored 23 points for Canton South, which outscored the visitors 24-14 in the fourth quarter to force overtime.
CENTRAL CATHOLIC 55, ORRVILLE 38 William Jackson scored 14 points and Stone Sirpilla finished with 12 to lead the Crusaders past host Orrville. Eight Central Catholic players scored.
WEST BRANCH 67, ALLIANCE 43 T.J. DeShields scored 15 points and Reese Leone finished with 13 to lead the Warriors past the Aviators in Northeastern Buckeye Conference action. Jeff Talbert had a team-high 14 points for Alliance.
MALVERN 75, TUSKY VALLEY 52 Mark Mayle poured in 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to power the Hornets to an Inter-Valley Conference win over the Trojans. Malvern broke open the game in the third quarter by outscoring Tusky Valley 28-15. Christian Grimm hit four 3-pointers and finished with 13 points for the Hornets. Jake Moser added 12 points and Johnny Browning finished with 11. Brandon Smith scored 12 points to lead the Trojans. Sam Ray finished with 11.
STRASBURG 55, EAST CANTON 28 Mitch Neidenthal hit three 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 24 points to lead the Tigers past the Hornets in an Inter-Valley Conference matchup. Trey Mallonn and Mitch Mitchell scored 8 points apiece to lead East Canton.
SANDY VALLEY 72, CONOTTON VALLEY 32 Tied after one quarter, the host Cardinals outscored the Rockets 22-4 in the second on their way to the blowout IVC win. Dan Bartholomew poured in 16 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and had five assists for Sandy Valley. Bryce Kelly scored 14 points and Dante Tucci and Jared Eichelberger added 10 apiece for the balanced Cards.