WEST LIBERTY – WL-S maintained its one-game lead in the OHC by defeating Greeneview, 67-45, in boys basketball on Tuesday.
The game was close early, with Greeneview knocking down some outside jumpers to propel the Rams to a 14-13 lead after one quarter.
“I couldn’t have been more disappointed with our close-outs,” WL-S Coach Darrin Leichty said. “Once we got that fixed, that was the difference in the game.”
The Tigers (15-2, 10-0) exploded in the second quarter, out-scoring the Rams 26-17 en route to a 39-31 lead at halftime.
“I think ball movement and passing and team chemistry has been as important as anything,” Leichty said.
The lead only got bigger the rest of the way, with West Liberty-Salem’s guards hitting shots and slashing to the rim time and again for baskets.
WL-S’s Kannon Stillings led all scorers with a career-high 26 points, while Ross Kelley had 14. Austin Miller scored 9 points and Dillon Callicoat and Tyler Louden each poured in 8.
“Offensively, we’ve dictated pace,” Leichty said. “I don’t know what our shooting percentage is, but I would guess it’s a nice high percentage. It definitely gives me more options. If we need a little more defense or a little more height, we still bring guys in that are going to be able to put the ball in (the basket).”
West Liberty-Salem won the jayvee game, 36-16. Adam Schultz scored 10 points and Cody King had 9 for the Tigers.
WL-S’s 9th graders beat Greenon, 44-36. Dominic Blair had 16 points and Alex Fitzpatrick added 10 for the Tigers.
WL-S plays at Springfield Catholic Central on Friday.
“Every game continues to be a must-win for us,” Leichty said. “We have to keep digging in.”
