By Bill Bray
FREMONT– “Winners never quit, and quitters never win,” This quote from Vince Lombardi can be used to define the Ross High basketball team. Despite the determination and battling our team displays every time out, there was another heartbreaking loss. This time to the Irish of Central Catholic 67-65 in overtime.
The Little Giants started the game against the no. six team in the state in Division II with fire in their eyes. By the time the first quarter came to an end, our Giants held a 21-16 lead. Carter Rodriguez nailed two three-points, Jaedyn Bulger added one and Kaden Holmes scored the fourth ‘three’ of the quarter. Ayden Carter added seven points to help his team’s lead.
After winning the first quarter, 21-16, Ross held their ground over the second eight minutes and took a 38-27 lead into the locker room. Rodriguez hit his third three and had two buckets from close range as the junior was playing inspiring basketball.
Central Catholic came out the third quarter and slowly began to take away Fremont’s momentum. After scoring 38 points in an impressive first half, the Giants were held to 10 points during the quarter’s action. Central used a pair of ‘threes’ as they collected 17 points and held Ross to 12. Six of those Ross points came from the shooting touch of Kaden Holmes. Holmes played a big part in attacking the bigger Irish team with his always physical style of play.
Hanging on to a 50-44 lead heading into the fourth quarter, the Central defense stiffened. All of Ross’ 10 points were scored by Holmes and Carter. Meanwhile the Irish chipped away as they scored a three along with two two-point shots.
With the score knotted a 60-60 the teams ended with an overtime session. Central broke the tie with a three-point make. Ross committed a turnover leading to another Irish three pointer expanding their overtime led to 66-60. After an Anthony Vann miss, Bulger was fouled. Going to the foul line, Bulger made one of his two free throws to make the score 66-61 with just over a minute remaining in the overtime period. Central took some valuable time off the clock until they finally called a time out. Holmes committed a foul but Central’s one and one was not converted. Bulger rebounded leading to a Holmes’ three attempt that fell short and Central had possession. Bryson Hammer, who displayed some terrific defense for the Giants during the contest, got his hands on the inbound pass and gave possession right back to Ross. Carter, on an assist from Bulger, made a close-range bucket that closed the Central lead to 66-63. With that coach Cahill took a full timeout. Full court pressure by the Giants led to Carter’s fourth foul. Central missed yet another one and one opportunity as Carter pulled down the rebound. The next offensive possession was another two pointer from Carter on an assist by Rodriguez to make it a 66-65 Central lead. With Central’s next possession, Hammer’s quickness and defensive presence led to tying the Central ball handler up. With that, Ross won possession and had one final chance to overtake Central’s six-point lead. The possession ended with no points on Carter’s miss. In an effort for the rebound, Holmes fouled and Central had a chance to added to their one-point lead as time was running out. One of two foul shots were converted. Fremont called their final time out with Central holding a two-point lead at 67-65. A desperation three with 1.4 seconds remaining by Bulger from half court following the time out was off the mark and Central escaped with the overtime victory.
“We showed a lot of poise. We got two good looks and showed some guts,” Cahill said. “But its just hard to continue to think that ‘hey it’s going to work out’ when you just keep finding ways to lose these things. They are the number six team in the state in Division II and have a chance to go to Columbus, I mean we are RIGHT THERE. “
Ross finishes their regular season Friday with a trip to Conference leader Lima Senior. They will have a third meeting with St. John’s as they move into tournament action on February 26th at Toledo Start High School, Ross will be there because winners never quit.
Bryson Hammer (2) had some key defensive plays during the TRAC battle with Central Catholic.
Carter Rodriguez’s sharp shooting in the first half gave Ross a comfortable margin at the half.
Kaden Holmes (55) made contributions with his point production and rebounding ability. Holmes led Ross in scoring with 21 points and hauled in six rebounds to go with his two assists.
Varsity assistant, Mark Gedeon, gets his point across during a fourth quarter time out.