KETTERING — It was pick your poison for Bellefontaine defensively on Friday against Kettering Alter.
Facing a team featuring five players that average in double figures in scoring, the Chiefs could not figure out a recipe to contain the Knights en route to a 70-26 loss in a Division II boys sectional tournament basketball opener at Fairmont High School.
“They are a very tough team to defend because they spread the floor well and they shoot the ball really well,” said Bellefontaine head coach Henry Stolly of the Knights (14-7). “They also have the 6-9 kid (Jacob Conner) that can play inside and outside. They make you defend every part of the court and that is difficult to do.”
Alter’s defense was just as impressive as its offense as Bellefontaine failed to get into any type of rhythm.
“They are probably the quickest team we’ve faced this year,” said Stolly. “They do a really good job of getting in the passing lanes and getting deflections. A lot of those led to turnovers and they turned them into easy baskets.”
Alter raced to a 22-4 lead after one quarter and never looked back. The Knights led 43-15 at halftime held a 58-23 advantage at the end of three quarters.
Senior Hunter Warner led Bellefontaine with 12 points and Jaeden Campbell added five points.
Anthony Ruffolo led the Knights with 14 points.
It was a tough end to a difficult season for the Chiefs, who finish with a 2-17 record.
Bellefontaine was forced to shut down twice for virus-related quarantines.
“We’ve never experienced a season like this with all of the outside circumstances we had to deal with,” said Stolly. “We would have liked to have won more games, but the thing I was proud of is these guys never gave up. Led by our six seniors, they battled until the end. They didn’t quit on their coaches or their teammates, and that is a good life lesson to learn.”
K. ALTER 70, BELLEFONTAINE 26
BELLEFONTAINE (2-17)
K. Smith 0 1-2 1; Campbell 2 1-1 5; Hardy 1 0-0 2; Snapp 1 0-0 2; Baughman 2 0-0 4; Warner 5 2-2 12. Totals: 11 4-5 26.
ALTER (14-7)
G. Leen 1 0-0 3; Ruffolo 5 2-2 14; Bernecker 1 0-0 3; Geisel 4 1-1 11; Shane 4 2-4 10; A. Leen 5 3-4 14; Slocumb 1 0-0 2; Conner 4 1-2 9; Rocco 2 0-0 4. Totals: 27 9-13 70.
Chiefs 4 11 8 3 — 26
Knights 22 21 15 12 — 70
Three pointers: Bellefontaine 0; Alter 7 (Geisel 2, Ruffolo 2, Bakoes, G. Leen, A. Leen). Team fouls: Bellefontaine 12; Alter 9.