PIQUA – The Franklin Monroe Jets defeated the Fort Loramie Redskins 63-37 in an OHSAA DIV sectional tournament game that would see the Jets lead balloon to 31-points in second-half play.
“Defensively I thought we were locked in from the jump,” said Franklin Monroe veteran coach, Troy Myers. “In the tournament, you have to get stops to start a game to give you momentum and get going on the offensive end and it was a perfect win tonight.”
Behind seven first-quarter Eric Brenner points, the Jets opened the night’s play with a 12-8 lead after one-quarter of play.
Franklin Monroe’s high-pressure defense and accurate shooting led to a Jets 18-6 second quarter sending the teams to the break with FM holding a commanding 30-14 advantage.
“We shot it well at the start of the game,” Myers stated. “We were getting stops and making shots early. That allowed us to build a lead and play confidently.”
Brenner accounted for nine second-quarter points including his second and third 3-pointers of the night and Gage Wackler added five points including his first of three triples on the day.
The Jets added 19 points to the third quarter board behind eight EB Fall points including a trey while limiting the Redskins to six points for the second consecutive period upping Franklin Monroe’s lead to 49-20 with one quarter to play.
Fort Loramie found its range in the fourth to score 17 points while the Jets were adding 14 points to the board and clearing the bench to earn a 26-point tournament win over the taller Fort Loramie Redskins.
“The preparation of our kids is what that was,” Myers said immediately following the game as he walked to the Jets’ locker room. “That was a reflection of their preparation and I am so proud of them.”
Eric Brenner led Franklin Monroe and all scorers with a game-high 18 points.
BOXSCORE:
FRANKLIN MONROE – E. Brenner 18, G. Wackler 13, EB Fall 12, T. Wilson 6, L. Brenner 5, B. Riffle 3, D. Winterrowd 3, B. Denlinger 3 – TOTALS 12 6-7 11 63
FORT LORAMIE – A. Maurer 16, E. Heitkamp 9, A. Boeger 6, A. Berning 3, C. Gasson 2, E. Grillot 1 – TOTALS 4 2-3 9 37
3-POINTERS
Franklin Monroe 11 (G. Wackler 3, E. Brenner 3, B. Riffle 1, D. Winterrowd 1, B. Denlinger 1, EB Fall 1, L. Brenner 1)
Fort Loramie 9 (A. Maurer 4, A. Boeger 2, E. Heitkamp 2 A. Berning 1)
SCORE by QUARTERS
12-18-19-14 63 Franklin Monroe
08-06-06-17 37 Fort Loramie