On the surface, Bellefontaine’s last two games look similar to the rest of the season. A 17-point point loss to Jonathan Alder on Friday and a 16-point defeat to North Union on Tuesday don’t look especially impressive on paper.
But a closer look shows that the winless Chiefs are making progress.
Bellefontaine (0-14, 0-6) got to within 10 points late in the fourth quarter against the Pioneers and trailed by just six with four minutes left in Tuesday’s game vs. the Wildcats. Alder and North Union have a combined record of 25-2.
“I definitely feel like there has been improvement over the last two games,” said BHS head coach Jason Calton. “We played two really good teams and were within five or six points in the later stages of the game. We just couldn’t get over the hump. The next step is to be able to finish off those types of games.”
Bellefontaine will have another opportunity to test itself against a quality opponent Friday when it hosts Kenton Ridge for the finale of their regular-season series.
The Cougars (10-4, 4-2) beat the Chiefs 73-61 on Dec. 13.
Kenton Ridge features one of the biggest starting lineups in the Central Buckeye Conference, led by 6-7 senior Tyler Everhart and 6-8 senior Collin Perkins.
“Obviously, we have to rebound well against their size,” said Calton. “They are big and physical and it can be tough staying with them on the boards. We have to match their physicality and hold up inside against them.”
Eberhart is averaging a double-double on the season with 19.3 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, while Perkins is contributing 8.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per contest.
The supporting cast has been strong as well for the Cougars. Chase Younts, Michael Stewart, Blain Dotson and Malcom McKay are all averaging over six points per game.
Adding to the challenge for the Chiefs is that they will have to play a man down after senior guard Carter Sterling suffered an ankle injury Tuesday. He is not expected to play Friday.
“We were already a little thin to begin with our depth, so it means guys are going to have to keep stepping up,” said Calton.