FM Jets overpower Fort Loramie to advance in OHSAA tournament

We were getting stops and making shots early ... Coach Troy Myers

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Eric Brenner scores two of his game high 18 points to lead Franklin Monroe to a tournament win over Fort Loramie. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

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.

Gage Wackler scores for FM in the Jets tournament win over Fort Loramie Redskins. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

“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.”

EB Fall drives to the Jets basket in the team’s tournament win over Loramie. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

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.

Trey Wilson scores for FM Jets in tournament win over Fort Loramie. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

“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.

Lucas Brenner drives to the basket for FM in the Jets tournament win over Loramie. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

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.

Ty Riffle brings the ball up-court for Franklin Monroe in tournament win over Fort Loramie Redskins. (Gaylen Blosse photo)

“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