Minford Defense Shines In District Title Win Over Zane Trace

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The (23-1) Minford Falcons claimed the Division 5 Boys District Championship Friday with a 60-51 over the (20-5) Zane Trace Pioneers at Ohio University’s Convocation Center.

The Pioneers held an early 15-9 lead, only to see Minford use a tenacious full-court press that aided their 12-0 run for a lead they never relinquished. ZT’s 15-13 lead at the end of the first quarter disappeared quickly as the Falcons scoring run went to 21-15 before the Pioneers finally scored to cut it to 21-17. Minford continued to stretch their lead to 29-20 and settled for a 29-22 margin at halftime.

Zane Trace had a run of their own in the third quarter that got them to within two points at 29-27 and 31-29, but never got any closer.

Minford’s advantage was 40-31 after three periods and stretched to double figures and ended with a 60-51 final.

The Falcons shot 20/45 from the field- including 1/10 from the arc for a total of 44%. They added an impressive 15/17 from the foul line. Zane Trace shot 18/46 from the field- including 9/23 from the arc for a total of 39%. ZT added 6/11 from the foul line. Minford won the rebounding battle 28-22. Zane Trace committed 16 turnovers to only 8 for Minford.

6’6 senior Bennett Kayser led the Minford offense with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Myles Montgomery scored 22 points, Jackson Shoemaker added 8, Ashton Reeder 4, and Curtis Glenn with 2.

The Pioneers were led by Gunnar McCullough’s 16 points and 10 rebounds. Grady Stewart with 13, Landen Jarrell 11, Landon Robinson 5, then Roman Berry and Ezra Rippeth scored 3 points each.