The North Baltimore Tiger Boys Basketball team traveled to Eastwood High School for OHSAA Sectional Tournament play versus Arcadia, having already topped the Redskins a couple of weeks ago in Blanchard Valley Conference play.
NB was not able to get into their usual offensive rhythm, shooting just 38% on 2-point shots (10 of 26); just 26% from 3-point land (5 of 19) and a very poor 5 of 13 from the foul line (38%), which basically was the difference in the game.
NB got strong play for most of the game from Derek McMahan who led the Tigers with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Levi Newcomer would hit for 10 points, Chad Wright 6 points, Noah Brian 4 points and Lane Bishop 3 points, as NB picked a bad game for their poorest offensive output of the season.
Give the Tigers credit for not giving up and playing gritty defense against a fired up Arcadia team, who jumped to a 22 – 13 halftime lead. NB cut that lead with a strong 3rd quarter, outscoring the Redskins 18 – 13. The boys would finally tie the game and briefly take the lead late in the 4th, but missed some crucial inside shots to take control and lost the momentum down the stretch. Arcadia (14 – 9) held on for the 43 – 40 win, they advance to play Toledo Christian on Friday night in the Sectional Final.
Josh Ireland led Arcadia with 17 points.
NB ends the season with a 14 – 9 record.
photos by Ferg