×

Warriors upset: Logan Elm knocks off Warren in overtime

RON JOHNSTON The Marietta Times Warren’s Kyler Dennis, left, handles the ball as Logan Elm’s Cody Anderson defends during a high school boys Division II Southeast District sectional semifinal basketball game Friday night at Jim Myers Gymnasium in Logan. Logan Elm defeated the Warriors, 70-63, in overtime.

LOGAN — Kyler Dennis and Josh Huffman combined to score 48 points for Warren.

Impressive, but the third-seeded Warriors had no answer defensively for Logan Elm’s Ridge Young, who tallied 41 points as the sixth-seeded Braves claimed a 70-63 come-from-behind overtime triumph in a Division II sectional final at Jim Myers Gymnasium Friday night.

“This win feels so good,” said Young. “We just stuck together and believed in each other and what Coach (Doug Stiverson) was telling us. And we just made plays. We were never going to stop fighting. We believed we were going to win all the way through. That’s the attitude you’ve got to have. Because if not, you don’t have a chance.”

Young said that the 41 points were the second most that he’d ever scored in a single varsity game.

“I had 48 last year in a game in Orlando (Fla.),” he said. “So, I guess in Ohio, 41 is my highest.”

Young also set a Jim Myers Gymnasium single-game record with 41 points, according to Logan sports writer Craig Dunn. Warren’s Evan French held the previous high of 37 points.

“I didn’t know that,” said Young of the gym record.

Jim’s Gym has been open for nine years, Dunn said.

Caymen Bryant and non-starter Kamry Wright each added 10 points for Logan Elm (16-7), which advances to district tournament play at the Ohio University Convocation Center next Saturday (March 4).

Dennis led the Blane Maddox-coached Warriors (18-5) with 25 points, while Huffman had a double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Chase Weihl chipped in with eight markers and a game-high 13 boards.

The Braves’ victory also spoiled Maddox’s bid for his 300th career coaching win.

Sparked by five points apiece from Dennis and Huffman, Warren staked itself to a 14-12 first-quarter advantage. Keeping LE close, Young had eight points.

In the second period, there were three lead changes and three ties. But late in the stanza, the Warriors scored six unanswered points to take a 28-22 halftime lead. During that late surge, Huffman’s score gave the royal blue and white a 24-22 lead. That was followed by a Bishop Ford layup on an out-of-bounds play. Trace Congleton got the assist.

With time winding down, Dennis knocked down a short jumper to give Warren a six-point cushion.

Warren maintained the advantage the entire third quarter and its lead bulged to 12 points (43-31) after Dennis converted two technical foul shots at the 1:22 mark.

Logan Elm, however, came right back and cut it to 43-37 on two consecutive threes by Young. In the third quarter, Young scored all 17 of his team’s points, and LE trailed 45-39 going into the fourth quarter.

Dennis opened the final period with a triple and Huffman buried two foul shots to put Warren up 50-39 at the 6:35 mark. But again, Logan Elm rallied, thanks in part to two triples by Wright. With under a minute remaining, the Braves took a 58-56 lead on two Cody Anderson foul shots.

Dennis, though, tied the game with a bucket with 14 seconds left. On the return trip down the court, Young launched a three attempt, but it was off the mark, and the game went into overtime.

In OT, Young’s drive and score made it 60-58. He then scored again and made a bonus freebie to put LE up by five.

With under a minute to play in the extra session, Wright canned a couple at the line to give the Braves a commanding 65-58 lead.

Warren did not score in the extra session until Dennis made a bucket with about 30 seconds remaining. And, then, Warrior senior Jared Hall drained a three at the buzzer, but it was too little, too late.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.15/week.

Subscribe Today