12 THREE-POINTERS NOT ENOUGH TO BEAT CELTICS

The O'Hara boys basketball team defeated the Smith-Cotton Tigers 77-64 in a make-up game on February 19th but had to overcome twelve three-pointers, nine of which were scored in the first half of the game. The first 12 points scored by Smith-Cotton were on four of the three-pointers and the Celtics didn't take the lead until Joe Pepple scored to make the score 21-20 before the first quarter ended. By the end of the period, O'Hara led 27-23. Then 12 of the Tigers' next 14 points were on three-pointers boosting them to a six point advantage. Leading 39-33 going into the last two minutes of play before halftime, the Tigers saw their bubble burst. The Celtics behind the fast breaks and layups of DJ Jackson and TJ White along with a pair of Aaron Stubblefiled free throws scored the last nine points of the second period, and O'Hara was able to go into the second half ahead 42-39. The first seven points of the third quarter were O'Hara's, provided by Mark Braden and Dominique Fields. The Tigers did not handle the pressure in this quarter and managed only three buckets for 6 points while the Celtics poured in 21 points. Eventually O'Hara built up a 20 point lead when they reached 65-45. The Tigers attempted an unlikely comeback in the fourth quarter and were helped by three more three-point shots. Bryce Roher shot five treys for the Tigers while both Andrew Byrd and Evan Schnicker had three. TJ White led the Celtic in scoring with 25 points. Dominique Fields had 16 and Mark Breden had 13. This was the final home game for seniors Trevor Krasowsky and Joe Pepple. Pepple scored 9 points on a three-point shot, a layup, and four free throws.