ATWATER, OH- Fred Brookover Gymnasium in Atwater was the scene for a pivotal MVAC Scarlet Division matchup between a pair of 13-4 teams in the Springfield Tigers and host Waterloo Vikings. Both teams sat tied atop the division at 10-2. The Tigers were looking for their third straight win while the Vikings were looking to stretch their win streak to seven.
Springfield's Dylan Sheely goes up for a shot in the paint
Springfield jumped out to an early 5-2 lead after a Sean Guerriero three ball. Waterloo came back to score five straight capped off by a Kaii Warren three to take a 7-5 lead. The Tigers answered back with back to back three's from Dylan Sheely and Guerriero to take the lead back at 11-7. After Waterloo tied it up at 13 on a Jackson Eichler three, the Tigers ended the first quarter with an and-one conversion by Carson Cunningham and a three from Isaac LaMorticella to take a 19-13 lead after one. The teams combined for seven three point makes in the quarter.
Waterloo Vikings Kaii Warren converts a layup inside
The Tigers would score the first points of the second quarter on a Cunningham basket making it an 8-0 run going back to the first quarter to take their biggest lead at 21-13. The Vikings would answer in a big way going on a 13-2 run highlighted by a pair of Eichler deep balls to take a 26-23 lead. They would carry a 30-28 lead into halftime. It was a big quarter for Eichler who hit three shots from deep and led all scorers with 12 points.
Springfield's Aiden Apple goes up for a layup in the 2nd quarter
The game took a big turn in the third quarter. It was a low scoring quarter that featured some great defense from Springfield holding the Vikings to only two points. Seniors Sean Guerriero and Dylan Sheely accounted for all 10 of the Tigers third quarter points scoring five points a piece with each of them converting an and-one. Springfield took a 38-32 lead into the final quarter.
Springfield coach Jeff Brink talks with his team during a 4th quarter timeout
The Tigers did not let up as they opened the fourth quarter on an 8-2 run to take a commanding 46-34 lead midway through the fourth. Waterloo was able to close the deficit to eight at 46-38 after back to back buckets by Kyle Werbeck, but that's as close as they would get the rest of the way. Springfield closed out the impressive win going away 53-42 avenging a three point loss the the Vikings at home earlier this season.
It was a big night for a couple Springfield seniors as Dylan Sheely had 17 points and 6 rebounds while Sean Guerriero chipped in with 15 points.
Jackson Eichler led the Vikings with 12 points on those four first half three balls while Kaii Warren chipped in with 10 points.
Springfield returns home on Friday as they host McDonald while the Vikings will host McKinley.
Unofficial stats:
Springfield:
Dylan Sheely: 17 pts, 6 reb
Sean Guerriero: 15 pts
Carson Cunningham: 13 pts
Waterloo:
Jackson Eichler: 12 pts
Kaii Warren: 10 pts, 7 reb
Kyle Werbeck: 9 pts
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