Granville’s OT win continues Zanesville’s misery

On Jan 14, 2023

ZANESVILLE — Victory continues to elude Zanesville.

Visiting Granville was the latest beneficiary of that trend on Friday night.

Granville's Dante Varrasso tries to score around Zanesville's Rashaud Hampton in Friday's game at Winland Memorial Gymnasium. The Blue Aces won 58-55 in OT.

The Blue Devils watched an eight-point, fourth-quarter lead disappear, while the Blue Aces scored the first five points of overtime to escape Winland Memorial Gymnasium with a 58-55 win in Licking County League-Buckeye Division play.

Zanesville dropped to 1-11 overall and 1-6 in the LCL with the last five losses coming by three points or less.

“Our guys are putting the time in the gym, working hard and not complaining,” ZHS coach Cedric Harris said. “They’re doing all we ask of them, but we can’t seem to get that win.”

Granville stayed atop the Buckeye Division at 6-1 and improved to 8-6 overall. Coach Chris Powell expected a battle and credited his team for staying composed despite trailing for most of the second half.

“(Coach Harris) has his team playing hard and playing good defense. They have a good scheme, and they’re infinitely better than their record,” he said. “At our one timeout, I told our guys we have an opportunity if we make plays and get some stops. I told them if they leave the door open, we have to capitalize. Fortunately, we were able to do that.”

An even first half saw the Blue Aces take a 23-22 edge into the half, but the Blue Devils found their offensive footing in the third quarter, making 5 of 7 field goals.

Mikey Johnson provided the spark with a drive and hoop and a 3 on consecutive possessions to put Zanesville up 27-25. After Jase Becker tied it, Xavier Riley started a 10-2 stretch, which included a Drew Doyle hoop and six points from Rashaud Hampton for a 37-29 advantage.

A Colt Shaw putback pulled Granville within 37-31 after three quarters, while a Becker steal and layup to open the fourth made it a four-point Zanesville lead.

The Blue Devils answered with a pair of free throws by Hampton and a Doyle jumper to stretch the margin to 41-33, and their advantage was 43-36 after Doyle scored, thanks to an offensive rebound with five minutes remaining.

Granville chipped away behind Dante Varrasso, who collected 10 of his team-high 16 points between the fourth quarter and overtime. He pulled the Blue Aces within three twice in the fourth, but the Blue Devils still led by five, 47-42, after a pair of free throws by Greyson Goines with 90 seconds remaining.

However, Becker followed with a three-point play, and after Zanesville missed the front end of a 1-and-1, Rex Rader was fouled on the rebound and made two free throws to tie it at 47 with just over a minute left in regulation.

Zanesville turned the ball over playing for the final shot, while Varrasso’s fadeaway jumper at the fourth-quarter horn was off the mark.

But, Varrasso rebounded quickly. He put the Blue Aces ahead for good with a three-point play to start the extra session, and his ensuing steal set up a pair of Becker free throws for a 52-47 lead.

Zanesville stayed within one possession. Johnson hit a 3 and Hampton converted a three-point play to cut the deficit to 54-53 with 1:19 left in overtime, but Rader’s elbow 3 pushed the cushion back to 57-53 for the Blue Aces, who missed 3 of 4 free throws in the final minute.

Unfortunately, the Blue Devils failed to take advantage with a turnover on their final possession.

Doyle collected eight of his team-high 16 in the fourth and overtime, Johnson knocked down three 3s as part of a 15-point effort and Hampton chipped in 11 for the Blue Devils, who led 15-14 after one quarter. They made 18 of 22 free throws and 17 of 34 from the field with 12 turnovers, eight in the second half and overtime.

Becker tallied 15 counters, Rader made three 3s on his way to 11 and Dillon Niedermeyer had all eight of his points in the first half for the Blue Aces, who had nine turnovers and knocked down 20 of 42 attempts, including 6 of 12 behind the arc.