Margaretta can't find rhythm in regional final setback
Sophomore Julian Washington scored 15 points Saturday as Margaretta’s historic season came to an end.
The Polar Bears fell to Ottawa-Glandorf 57-43 in a Division III regional final on a night when they never seemed to get going. The Titans were ranked first in the final poll and Margaretta fifth.
“I was pleased with how we didn’t allow them to get out and spurt early,” Polar Bears coach Steve Keller said. “We were able to fight back, and it wasn’t a huge first quarter for them.”
After trailing 8-2 in the first quarter, Margaretta (24-3) called a timeout and seemed to settle in, allowing it to close the gap to two at 13-11 by the end of the first.
“We handled their pressure well for the night with eight turnovers,” Keller said.
Boys basketball Old Fort struggles to find rhythm in regional semifinal setback
Ottawa-Glandorf (24-3) scored 16 points from Polar Bear turnovers. Margaretta failed to score off any of the Titans' five.
Ohio State commit Colin White scored 26 points and added 11 rebounds for Ottawa-Glandorf. The 6-foot-6 guard bullied his way to the bucket and was the recipient of numerous calls that led to a discrepancy in fouls in the Titans' favor.
Margaretta managed to capture the lead in the second quarter, but it was unable to hold on and trailed 28-23 at the half. It trailed 46-32 after three quarters.
The Polar Bears were plagued by Ottawa-Glandorf's ability to secure rebounds and were outrebounded 34-25 over the course of the game. The Titans were able to use 13 offensive boards to score 14 second chance points.
Margaretta broke a 92-year draught as it reached the regional final for the first time in nearly a century while setting a program record for wins in a season.
“I hope they know it can be done,” Polar Bears senior Gage Bodey said looking forward. "We’re here and ready to win. This is going to be the new normal for us.”
Bodey became the first Margaretta boy to play in two regional tournaments with his appearances as a sophomore and this year. Washington and classmate Judah Keller will work to join him.
“It’s been great,” Bodey said of his time with the Polar Bears. “Every guy that I’ve stepped on the court with was wonderful. I wouldn’t trade being with those guys [for anything].”
Margaretta struggled to get the ball to drop in the second half shooting just 7 for 21, compared to Ottawa-Glandorf's 11 for 21.
MIcah Groot joins Bodey as the seniors on the roster.
“He’s [Groot] amazing,” Keller said. “He’s sticking around and practicing with the freshmen and working in the gym for three hours and even more on some nights.”
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Margaretta falls in OHSAA boys basketball regional final
