National Trail defeated the Panthers in their road WOAC opener, 59-51. The boys held North scoring star Logan Flory to his season low 8 points, spearheaded by Nick Brubaker. Brubaker also drilled a 3 to put Trail ahead early in the 4th quarter, a lead they didn't relinquish. The boys got off to a slow start in the first quarter, but played their best quarter of the season in the second, outscoring North 20-6. Brancin Mowen scored a quick 5 points in the quarter to spark the run.
Trail gave back the momentum of the 2nd quarter early in the 3rd due to turnovers and poor shot selection, but steadied the ship early in the 4th. After Brubaker's 3, sophomores Tayden Blevins and Kellen Laird combined for 12 fourth quarter points to seal the victory for Trail. Logan Smith played another solid game, scoring 14 points on 6-7 free throws. Blevins and Laird each had 13 points. Mowen scored 8 key points and Tyler Lesh added 6 points and some key steals late. Ethan Osswald was 2-2 from the foul line for 2 points. The boys and the girls head out on the road Saturday to take on Miami Valley. Girls tip at 4:30 followed by the JV boys at 6:00.
