STAY TUNED for coverage of the AHS Alumni Association Hall of Honors induction of Mike Lenhart and David Lusk, which included a reception and presentation at the basketball game.

By Cort Reynolds

ADA __The Ada High School boys basketball team rode a big second period to drub visiting non-conference foe Delphos Jefferson 68-44 on Saturday, January 3.

Ada trailed 15-13 after the first period. But the Bulldogs poured in 27 second-quarter points to forge ahead 40-27 at halftime, and were never threatened thereafter.

The Bulldogs carried the momentum into half two with a 16-6 third quarter that stretched their lead to a commanding 56-33 heading into the fourth stanza.

Ada won the final period, 12-11.

“It was a good bounce-back win,” said Bulldog head coach Chris Sautter. “The kids played hard and showed what they are capable of. 

“There are still things we can improve on,” he noted. “Kayleb had a good game.”

Ada improved to 8-3 overall with the decisive win, which improved their record to 7-1 at home to close the first half of the schedule.

Delphos Jefferson dropped to 4-5 after the road defeat.

Bulldog Kayleb Hickman tallied 10 of his 16 points in the decisive second-period outburst. He sank two triples and two deuces in the quarter.

Bulldog senior wing Zack Zimmerman scored 14 points with two treys.

Junior guard Blake Zoladz contributed 11 markers. Versatile Bulldog junior Carson Conley netted eight points.

Junior Gavin Howell was the lone Wildcat in double figures with 13 points. He scored five points in each of the first two periods. Senior Isaac Rostorfer added eight.

The Bulldogs connected on 21 two-point goals and drained five triples. Ada converted 11 of 18 throws (61 percent).

DJ canned 15 deuces and nailed a pair of treys. The Wildcats sank eight of 15 foul shots (53 percent).

The Bulldog defense allowed just 29 points over the final three periods.

Ada also won the junior varsity game, 38-32. Sophomore Max Baumgartner scored 12 points. Soph Lucas Henson tallied 11, and freshman center Collin Brown added 10 markers.

The Bulldogs (3-1 in the BVC) resume league play Friday, January 9, with a big game at Liberty-Benton (5-3, 3-1 BVC). The foes are tied for third in the BVC after both suffered tough league losses Friday on the road.

L-B lost to BVC leader Van Buren, 51-43.

Ada (1-2 road) then visits backyard arch-rival Upper Scioto Valley (4-4) Saturday, Jan. 10.

“We have two big road games,” said Sautter of the upcoming double weekend. “We need the win Friday to stay in the hunt for the BVC title. L-B’s Size will definitely be a challenge for us.

“Saturday is a rivalry game,” he noted. “Emotions will be high, and we are definitely going to have to play really well to win.”

Ada 68 (8-3)

Oldfield 2 1-1 5, Zimmerman 4 4-6 14, Stauffer 1 0-0 2, Conley 3 2-4 8, Zoladz 5 1-3 11, Allen 2 0-0 5, McKean 1 0-0 2, Hickman 7 0-0 16, Griffith 1 3-4 5.

Totals: 21-5/11-18/68. 3-pointers: Hickman 2, Zimmerman 2, Allen 1.

DJ 44 (4-5)

Howell 4 3-5 13, Rode 2 0-1 4, Harter 0 2-2 2, Rostorfer 3 2-4 8, Palomares 1 0-0 2, Carder 5 1-1 11, Miller 2 0-1 4.

Totals: 15-2/8-15/44. 3-pointers: Howell 2. 

JV: Ada 38, DJ 32.