By Cort Reynolds

McCOMB__The youthful Ada High School boys basketball team played its first road game of the season at McComb on Saturday, December 9, and lost 62-34.

The Bulldogs trailed 21-11 after the first period, and were down 34-16 at intermission. A 17-6 Panther the third stanza sealed the verdict, although Ada did win the final quarter, 12-11.   

The young Bulldogs fell to 0-3 after the non-league loss, while McComb is 1-1 after the win.

“We came out flat and got beat down,” said Bulldog third-year head coach Vince Halliday. “Really disappointing.

Ada did knock down 15 of 19 shots at the charity stripe, a big improvement over their first two games.

Bulldog sophomore post Slade Gossman was the lone Adaite in double figures with 10 points, including six of eight at the foul line.

Ada sophomore wing Zack Zimmerman and Bulldog freshman Kolton Dysert netted six points apiece.

Panther senior Parker Downing led all scorers with 18 points as he hit two triples. Senior Blake Wittenmayer chipped in with 14 markers, and classmate J.J. Weaver added 10.

Ada converted 15 of 19 shots at the charity stripe (79 percent). The Bulldogs canned eight two-point goals and made just one triple. 

The Panthers sank 19 two-pointers and hit four treys. The hosts shot 12 for 17 from the free throw line (71 percent).

Ada won the JV game 29-25 to improve their record to 3-0. 

Ada 34 (0-3)

Zimmerman 2 1-2 6, Hickman 2 0-0 4, Conley 1 3-3 5, Dysert 1 4-4 6, Green 0, Blankenship 0, Gossard 1 1-2 3, Lawrence 0, House 0, Gossman 2 6-8 10. 

Totals: 8-1/15-1934/. 3-pointers: Zimmerman 1.

McComb 62 (1-1)

Elbright 4 0-0 8, Downing 5 6-8 18, Schroeder 1 0-2 3, Wittenmayer 6 2-2 14, Weaver 4 2-3 10, Stutzman 2 0-0 4, Holman 1 2-2 5.

Totals: 19-4/12-17/62. 3-pointers: Downing 2, Schroeder 1, Holman 1.

1 2 3 4 F

Ada 11 5 6 12 34

McC 21 13 17 11 62

JV: Ada 29, McComb 25.

Ada (0-2 home) hosts Columbus Grove (0-0) Friday, December 15 in their last NWC opener. The purple and gold Bulldogs then entertain Perry (1-2) Saturday, December 16.

The Commodores beat Delphos Jefferson 55-44 Saturday night.

Grove hasn’t played yet due to their state semifinal football run, but returns four starters, according to Halliday.

“We have a lot of work to do,” Halliday said.