By Cort Reynolds

The visiting Ada High School boys basketball team lost 73-37 at Arlington in a non-conference game Saturday night, February 4.

The Bulldogs trailed 12-5 after one period and 32-13 at halftime. The Red Devils won the second half, 41-24.

Ada fell to 7-11 after the loss. The Red Devils improved to 14-5 with the convincing win.

"Arlington is very solid," said second-year Ada head coach Vince Halliday. "We just couldn't compete with them tonight. They didn't shoot it that great and still made 10 three's."

Red Devil Jake Vermillion led all players with 21 points on the strength of six triples. Rylar Essinger added 14 markers.

Ada senior Grant Preston led the team with 11 points. Bulldog senior Carter Conley netted seven markers. Senior Gage Hoffer scored four points and hit a trey. Sophomore Troy Erickson added a triple.

Jayden Bankston and Spencer Wall each contributed four markers.

The Bulldogs canned nine deuces and three triples. Ada made 10 of 15 from the charity stripe (67 percent).

Riverdale connected on 17 two-pointers and 10 triples. The Devils converted nine of 13 free throws (69 percent), 

The Bulldog reserves lost, 50-19.

Ada 37 (7-11)

Bankston 2 0-0 4, Wall 2 0-0 4, Sutherly 1 0-0 2, Conley 1 5-8 7, Leal 0 0-0 0, Murphy 0 0-0 0, Hoffer 1 1-2 4, Preston 3 4-4 11, Jones 0 0-0 0, Blankenship 1 0-1 2, Erickson 1 0-0 3, Gossard 0 0-0 0. 

Totals: 9-3/10-15/37. 3-pointers: Preston 1, Hoffer 1, Erickson 1.

Arlington 73 (14-5)

Jak. Vermillion 7 1-2 21, Metzger 3 0-0 8, Russell 3 0-0 6, Kin 1 0-0 2, B. Griggs 3 3-3 9, Jas. Vermillion 2 1-2 7, A. Cavinee 0 2-2 2, J. Griggs 1 0-0 2, M. Cavinee 1 0-0 2, Essinger 6 2-4 14.

Totals: 17-10/9-13/73. 3-pointers: Jk. Vermillion 6, Metzger 2, Ja. Vermillion 2. 

1 2 3 4 F

Ada 5 8 17 7 37

Arl 12 20 21 20 73

JV: Arlington 50, Ada 19.

The Bulldogs (0-6 NWC) host league leader Spencerville (16-1, 6-0 NWC) Friday, February 10. 

The Bearcats entered their showdown battle Saturday night at Marion Local riding a 10-game win streak. Their only loss came at Kalida Dec. 17, 55-45.

Ada then entertains Lima Temple Christian (8-10) Saturday, Feb. 11.

"Next weekend is going to be tough," said Halliday. "Spencerville is really good, and Temple is playing much better of late."