NEW CONCORD – A sold-out gym against a rival was all the fuel John Glenn needed.
The third-seeded Muskies endured an early rush by second-seeded Cambridge, then used a third-quarter surge to capture a 66-45 victory in a Division IV district final on March 6 at Muskingum University’s Anne C. Steele Center.
Bates, Dolan lead the way again
Stehl Bates collected 13 of his 21 points and CJ Dolan chipped in nine of his 15 in the second half to lead John Glenn to victory.
The atmosphere was one the Muskies embraced, noted Dolan.
“Everyone came through. It was electric, and that energy definitely fueled us,” Dolan said. “Our coaches told us to get past the first four minutes. Then we were able to play our game and wore them down.”
Having a veteran group kept John Glenn poised as the Bobcats rushed out to a 13-8 lead in the first quarter. The Muskies cut that deficit to 13-12 at the break and took the lead late in the second, holding a 32-28 halftime advantage.
It proved to be a key turn of events.
“We trusted our veteran players,” John Glenn coach Eric Sheck said. “They’ve been playing for us three and four years and know what we do well. Cambridge is an outstanding team, and I told our guys we had to weather the storm. We did a good job keeping the game within reach. We didn’t let them find their rhythm and we settled into our game.”
Briggs fights injury, helps JG pull away
Garrett Carpenter, a first-team All-East District performer who finished with 17 points, scored five in succession to put the Bobcats ahead, 35-34, early in the third.
The Muskies responded with a 14-4 run as Bates opened it with four points, then found a cutting Dolan for a layup and a 40-35 lead. Cooper Briggs, playing through an ankle injury suffered during the first quarter of a semifinal win against Indian Valley, also hit a key 3 during that stretch.
It pushed the Muskies’ advantage to 48-39 entering the fourth quarter and Cambridge never got closer.
“Garrett and (Cam) Lauer are good players — we had to limit their looks,” Bates said. “We handled that adversity early and played good defense on their shooters. We’ve been working towards this moment for four years. It feels great to get it done.”
Briggs and Ben Stamm chipped in nine points and Brayden Davis had eight for John Glenn; Lauer and Mason Gregg added 13 points for Cambridge (22-3).
Looking ahead
John Glenn won for the 23rd straight time after since a home loss to Muskingum Valley League rival Maysville in the second game of the season, a game the Muskies stayed within striking distance well into the fourth quarter.
Ironically enough, their win against the neighboring Cats sets up a regional showdown with the defending state champion Panthers (24-1) at 7 p.m. on March 11 at the ECO Center, located on the Ohio University-Eastern Campus in Belmont.
That winner advances to the finals at the Ohio Convocation Center at 2:30 p.m. on March 14 against either Circleville or Chillicothe Unioto, who play their regional at 6 p.m. on March 11 at The Convo.
Sheck will let his team enjoy the win.
“I’ve been here for seven years, and this senior group has been my guys — they’re a special class,” he said. “Their commitment has led us to this point. They’ve put the work in to earn these opportunities.”
X: @brandonhannahs
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: John Glenn declaws Bobcats for regional bid, eyes Maysville rematch
Reporting by Brandon Hannahs, Special to the Times Recorder / Zanesville Times Recorder
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
