By Bill Bray
FINDLAY– In what can only be described as the tale of two halves, the Little Giants visited the Trojans and came out on the short end of a 81-77 TRAC contest.
The first half was arguably the best half of basketball Fremont has played all season. Ross, led by seven Carter Rodriguez points in the first quarter, along with a tenacious defense, grabbed a 19-16 advantage during the first eight minutes.
The Little Giant (7-12, 3-9) assault continued in the second quarter. Ayden Carter came to life along with the assisting, rebounding and point production from Jaedyn Bulger. Bulger, known for his aggressive style of play, was Mr. Inside and Outside during the quarter. When he wasn’t in the thick of things rebounding and assisting, he nailed a three-pointer and added a second bucket. Carter, again playing at his exciting style of play, finished the quarter with eight big points going along with Bulger’s six points as Fremont carried a 40-30 lead into the locker room at the half.
The third quarter began with Ross still maintaining the momentum. At the 3:54 mark of the quarter Ross had built their advantage to a 15-point 54-39 lead. Enter Findlay’s Max Roth. At that point of the third quarter, Ross had held the Trojan sharpshooter to 19 points. What followed was probably one of the best quarter and half performances in league play this season.
Findlay (15-5, 8-5) used a two-man offense over the remainder of the third quarter and for the entire fourth quarter, as the momentum began to change. Roth’s 19 points quickly became 27 points with under a minute left in the quarter. Joining forces with Roth was Jake Bishop who collected 13 points by the end of the period.
The Trojans came back from 15 points down to just a seven-point deficit with 7:00 left in the contest. With Roth sitting at 29 points and Bishop adding 15. The Ross advantage began slipping away. “We just didn’t to a very good job on those two guys,” coach John Cahill offered. “We tried several different defenses and I think Max Roth showed everyone what a scholarship player looks like tonight.” The momentum, the cheer of the numerous home fans, began to break Ross’ strangle hold on the Trojans. The remainder of the fourth quarter was all about the two Findlay Trojans who rose to the occasion to save the game for their team.
Statistically, the heroic performance by our band of Little Giants, was again overshadowed by ‘a better team’. Roth’s performance was nothing short of amazing, as the Findlay senior led his team. Roth finished with 14 two-point goals, one three pointer and was 10 of 10 at the foul line. Bishop finished with four two pointers, four three’s and a perfect five of five from the foul line for 25 points.
For Ross, Ayden Carter “Mr. Steady” for the Giants finished with his per game average of 21 points. Carter had eight two-pointers, one ‘tre’ and was two of two at the line. Also finishing in double figures were Carter Rodriguez with 19 including three two-point shots, three three- pointers and four of four from the foul line. Jaedyn Bulger was good for 14 points and led in rebounds with 14 while adding four assists.
“I’m proud of our guys”, Cahill said. “We shared the ball well tonight, we played with courage. We are a much better team than we have been since I have been here. We just desperately need that result. I told the guys the options are to quit or keep working and we are all going to keep working. We know we were outplayed the second half, and we have to learn from this, and come out again Saturday night and play harder and better.”
The Giants host Toledo Bowsher in a non-conference contest at the friendly confines of the “Purple Pit”. Come out and show your support for our athletes that continue to work at being successful.
Fremont’s Ayden Carter (22) hit for his per game average of 21 points against the Trojans.
Senior Jaedyn Bulger continued his aggressive style of play hitting the boards for 14 rebounds and adding 14 points against Findlay.