By Cort Reynolds
RAWSON - Visiting Ada got off to a good start and beat Cory-Rawson decisively 65-50 in a non-conference boys basketball game Saturday night.
Ada led 16-8 after one period and maintained that eight-point edge into halftime. The Bulldogs stretched their margin to 48-35 heading to the final stanza, which they won 17-15.
Bulldog junior guard Brandon Hull scored 20 points to lead the victors. Junior wing Micah Cook netted 13 markers, and senior post Jake Rayl tossed in a dozen points.
The Bulldogs improved to 3-5 overall with their second win in as many nights, while C-R fell to 2-4 with the defeat.
"It was a very positive weekend for our program as both varsity and junior varsity were able to get two wins," said Ada fourth-year head coach Dre White. "We got off to a strong start which was a goal for us, so I was pleased with that.
"Some foul trouble slowed us down, but we were able to apply enough pressure and get some transition buckets to keep us ahead," he continued. "It's very promising to see our guys not only accepting roles, but trying to excel at whatever that role is.
"When everyone can do that, good things happen."
Hornet Tommy Stauffer led all players with 21 points, while Carson Hauck added 15 markers. But the rest of the C-R team managed just 14 combined points.
The Bulldogs connected on 29 of 65 shots overall from the field (45 percent). They canned three of 13 beyond the arc (23 percent), and found the mark on 26 of 52 two-point shots (50 percent).
Ada converted four of nine from the charity stripe (44 percent).
The Hornets shot 50 percent overall from the floor, sinking 19 of their 38 field goal tries. C-R canned a sizzling 18 of 27 from two-point range (67 percent), but hit only one of 11 from three-point distance (nine percent).
Cory connected on 11 of 18 free throw tries (61 percent).
In its two wins this weekend, the Ada defense limited Allen East and C-R to just two of 27 (seven percent) accuracy from three-point land.
"We had positives across the board," White summed up. "Micah got off to a hot start. Brandon did a great job of constantly putting pressure on their defense with his penetration. Ty Miller put together two great games; his effort was outstanding.
"Rayl was able to get to double figures. Phil Coulson made our staff really proud ths weekend. Despite his struggles being able to score, he stuck with it and stayed invested to his teammates," White added.
Senior post Miller led Ada with six boards.
Cory out-rebounded Ada, 26-21. The Bulldogs committed 18 turnovers, but forced the Hornets into 26 errors.
Ada picked up its first road win in four tries with the win at Cory.
The Bulldogs also won the junior varsity game 51-33 to improve to 4-4.
Ada 65 (3-5)
Swaney 4-0-8, C. Murphy 1-0-2, Hull 10-1-21, Coulson 2-3-7, Rayl 6-0-12, Cook 5-0-12, Miller 1-1-3.
Totals: 29-65/4-9/65. 3-pointers (3-13): Cook 3.
C-R 50 (2-4)
Tinman 1-0-2, White 2-0-4, Hauck 6-2-15, Stauffer 7-7-21, Lee 2-0-4, Miracle 2-0-4.
Totals: 19-38/11-18/50. 3-pointers (1-11): Houck 1.
1 2 3 4 F
Ada 16 16 16 17 65
C-R 8 16 11 15 50
JV: Ada 51, C-R 33.
The Bulldogs next play Waynesfield (2-5) in the semifinals of the third annual Border Battle at Upper Scioto Valley. The game tips off at 6 p.m. on Friday, December 27. Allen East then plays USV in the second semifinal Dec. 27.
The third-place consolation game is at noon on Saturday, Dec. 28. The title game is set for 5 p.m. on Dec. 28.
"I am looking forward to the Border Battle," said White.
The Tigers edged visiting Calvary Christian 60-57 Dec. 21. Waynesfield's other win came over Temple Christian in overtime. Against other common opponents with Ada, they lost to AE 68-56 and to Perry 81-55.
Ada beat AE 55-42 and lost to Perry, 78-49.
