Newark boys basketball does not let Lancaster spoil senior night

On Feb 18, 2023

NEWARK ― The Newark boys basketball team had several 3-point attempts Friday that rattled out. When junior Ethan Stare’s shot from the right wing rattled out but finally dropped back in, the Wildcats exhaled.

Stare scored all seven of his points in the third quarter, adding a driving layup after Lancaster had cut Newark’s lead to 29-25 to help give the host Wildcats some needed breathing room. They earned a 53-40 victory against the rival Golden Gales to wrap up Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division play.

“Obviously, we can’t live or die shooting 3s,” said Newark senior point guard Grant Burkholder, who racked up a game-high 21 points. “We also have to get stops and play basketball inside the perimeter. We did a good job of that. We got some easy baskets on the inside, and then once goes in, it’s easier for everyone confidence wise.”

Newark (15-7, 8-2) honored Burkholder and classmates Drew Oberholtzer and Tucker Anderson along with nine cheerleaders and six Junior Air Force ROTC cadets before the game. The Wildcats seemed to be over a slow start when they opened a 16-8 lead early in the second quarter, but back came the Gales (10-12, 2-8) with a 9-0 run.

After Newark led 18-17 at halftime, Burkholder swished a 3 and completed a 3-point play after scoring in transition to help push the lead to 29-21. The Gales, however, again battled back, holding the Wildcats scoreless during the final four minutes of the third quarter, highlighted when Bruny picked up a steal and layup in the final seconds.

“It’s an emotional night, and we just did not settle in early,” said Newark coach Jeff Quackenbush, whose team hosts Olentangy at 7 p.m. Tuesday to begin Division I tournament play. “It’s hard making jumpers when you are too excited. We responded. It was a good Newark-Lancaster basketball game.”

A Lancaster technical foul gave Newark two points as the Wildcats led 40-29 midway through the fourth quarter, but the Gales made one more surge, cutting the deficit twice to six. Freshman Davis Call hit a 3, but Burkholder went coast to coast through the extended defense for a driving layup.

Lancaster, which had just one senior on the court Friday, again showed resilience after suffering a loss to London at the buzzer earlier in the week. The Gales will attempt to do it again when they host Dublin Scioto at 7 p.m. Tuesday in a Division I first-round game.

“It’s what we’ve seen all year. Kids give us a great effort. They don’t look at the scoreboard and just keep playing,” Lancaster coach Kent Riggs said. “The first thing you are looking for is do you have guys that are going to compete? Then, we can work on the other stuff.”

Lancaster hurt Newark inside all night. Junior Canon Ailes opened the game with a basket in the paint in traffic, and he next assisted classmate Hayden Allen for a layup.

Newark answered, doing its own work in the paint. Junior Steele Meister had eight points in the first quarter before he assisted Oberholtzer for a 3 during the final seconds.

“You have to have to options for him,” Oberholtzer said. “When he drives into the paint, he has three or four guys on him, and someone’s going to be open.”

Meister’s 17 points, five rebounds and four assists complimented Burkholder’s 21 points. Stare added five assists.

Allen led Lancaster with 16 points and five rebounds. Ailes added seven points, six rebounds and four assists and junior Gabe Boyden six points as the Gales made just two 3s but were able to take advantage of Newark’s aggressiveness on the perimeter to score inside.

“During the year, we have gotten better with our patience,” Riggs said. “The proof was tonight. We got some easier baskets because we didn’t force shots early in the possession.”

The points in the paint displeased Quackenbush. The Wildcats also were an uncharacteristic 4-of-17 from 3-point range and were out-rebounded 24-19.

Newark, however, impacted the game in other statistical areas. The Wildcats forced 14 turnovers while committing just 10 fouls, allowing them to make 13 of 16 foul shots compared to just three attempts for the Gales.