By TODD REED
News Leader Sports Editor
www.tnl-news.com
Malvern needed overtime to win its fourth straight sectional title at New Philadelphia High School.
Trailing by as many as 12 points in the fourth quarter, Tusky Central forced overtime, only to be sent home on a 3-point play by sophomore Travis Tucci with 5.8 seconds remaining in the extra frame.
"We won another nail biter," stated Head Coach Dennis Tucci. "This bunch simply doesn't lose their composure. Tusky Central allowed us to go for the last shot on two occasions, and Travis came through in the overtime.
"Our seniors have never lost a game at New Philadelphia. They are 8-0 with four sectional titles. That is an unbelievable accomplishment."
Tucci had another outstanding game, scoring 21 points, dishing out eight assists and grabbing four rebounds.
On a night when second-leading scorer Adam Wackerly was held in check, Max Kapron and Sean Kettering stepped up to shoulder some of the offense.
Kapron poured in 13 points. But more importantly, he dominated the boards, pulling down 14 caroms.
Kettering tallied eight of his 12 points in the opening half, as Malvern took a 30-20 lead into halftime.
Neither team played particularly well in the third stanza, as the Saints outscored the Hornets 9-8 to cut the lead to nine at 38-29.
A conventional 3-point play by Kapron and two free throws by Tucci stretched Malvern's lead to 43-31 with 7:22 remaining in regulation.
Tusky Central rallied, going on a 16-4 run to tie the game at 47-47 with 70 seconds to play.
Malvern retook the lead as Kapron scored on a beautiful feed from Tucci.
Sixteen seconds later, Tusky Valley's Sam Fondriest forged a tie with a bucket of his own.
The Hornets could not convert on the final possession of the fourth.
In overtime, Malvern held the ball for two and 1/2 minutes, before Tucci drove to his right, against two defenders, and laid it in as he was fouled. He calmly sank the free throw, giving his Hornets a 52-49 lead with 5.8 seconds to play.
The Saints got off a desperation 3-pointer at the buzzer, which fell harmlessly to the floor.
"They did a wonderful job of taking Adam out of the game. They hounded him. However, that created a chance for our other kids to score. Travis was effective going to the hoop, Max did a great job of finishing his post moves, Sean hit some big shots, and Doug had two big baskets in the second half.
"We out rebounded them and that was important. Max was a beast on the boards.
"Nolan (Champer) once again proved valuable with his post defense. Brandon Sweet was the player we had trouble with in our last two games with Tusky Central. We put Nick (Palleschi) on him, and he only had six points when Nick fouled out. That was key. Our foul shooting was also huge."
Malvern connected on 19-of-43 from the floor and 12-of-13 from the line, while Tusky Central was 20-of-53 from the field and 7-of-10 from the charity stripe.
The Hornets led in rebounds 26-24. Both teams took care of the ball, with Malvern committing eight turnovers, to just five for the Saints.
Tyler Sunderlin led Tusky Central with 16 points, 12 coming in the fourth stanza. Sweet added 10 points.
Malvern (15-7) was to face Zanesville Bishop Rosecrans in a district semifinals contest on March 9. The winner will battle either Hiland or Shadyside in the district finals this Saturday, March 13, at 1 p.m. at Meadowbrook High School in Byesville.
treed@the-review.com
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