Alder boys and girls pick up wins

By Chris Miles

Sports Editor

The Jonathan Alder boys basketball team has played well in stretches this season, but a full 32 minutes of focus and execution haven’t happened very often.

On Wednesday evening, everything fell into place for the Pioneers as they knocked off visiting Grandview Heights 51-46.

“It was a great atmosphere,” Alder coach Brent Cahill said. “We’ve played well in spurts all season long and we really didn’t do anything different but finish.

Grandview (13-3) entered the contest with just two losses on the season, while the host Pioneers (3-14) had just two wins to show for all their hard work.

The Alder players weren’t intimidated playing one of the best D-III school’s in the Central District, in fact the Pioneers played perhaps their best game of the season.

“There were two or three times where our kids could’ve folded but they kept fighting,” Cahill said. “That’s a very good team and our guys found a way to get it done.”

Trailing 44-40 with just over 2:30 to play, senior Mason Will came up with a driving basket and was fouled on the play. He finished off the three-point play to cut the deficit to 44-43.

Junior Hayden Hess led the way for the Pioneers, scoring 16 points, he also pulled down four rebounds. Freshman Tanner Killian (13) and Will (11) also reached double figures in the win.

“I think our younger players are growing up a bit,” the coach said.

Alder took a 10-4 lead after one quarter and was up 20-14 at the half. But the coach knew that the Bobcats would make a second half run and his Pioneers had to be ready to withstand it.

“We reminded them that they had been in that situation before this season and didn’t finish,” Cahill said. “We knew they were going to come at us with everything they had.”

Alder fell behind in the second half, but continued to fight and claw and eventually found a way to win a close game.

“This a big positive for us going into the tournament in the next two or three weeks,” Cahill said.

“We’ve been a tough team to score on all year long. So when we can do some things offensively and score some points it really helps.”

The team will host Dublin Scioto Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and welcome in Buckeye Valley Tuesday.

Shekinah Christian 86,

Gilead Christian 36

The Flames pushed their record to 9-7 with an easy home win Saturday.

Mitchell Yoder (18), Tyler Headings (16), Thomas Miller (13) and Michael Gingerich (11) all reached double digits in points.

Girls basketball

Jonathan Alder 65,

Marion Pleasant 48

There haven’t been too many nights this season where the Jonathan Alder girls basketball team played a game and walked away with smiles afterward.

Jonathan Alder’s Alexis Milesky drives to the basket during the Lady Pioneers win Saturday.

However one of those nights happened to be Saturday, as the team scored a rewarding 65-48 victory over visiting Marion Pleasant.

Ashley Day scored a game-high 17 points, Lacy Purdum finished with 15 and Alexis Milesky added nine of her own in what was just the Lady Pioneers fifth win of the season.

Alder (5-11) jumped out to a 24-6 advantage after the first quarter and coasted from there.

The win came one night after a disappointing 79-47 loss against North Union. The team will play host to Hilliard Bradley Saturday and will entertain Dublin Jerome Monday.

Shekinah Christian 68,

Kidron Central Christian 42

The Flames (13-5) continued their march toward the postseason with a convincing home victory Saturday.

“It was a good overall game for us,” coach Rod Troyer said.

The team’s three-pronged scoring attack was led by Bridget Troyer’s 19 points. Annelise Rohrer added 16 and Ashley Gingerich chipped in 12 more.

The team will get a break from playing until Saturday when they will host Upper Scioto Valley Saturday.

“It should be a very good game,” Troyer said.

The team will also play at Horizon Science Academy Friday.