SPRINGFIELD — Bellefontaine fought like crazy to catch up to Kenton Ridge in the second half here Friday. Once the Chiefs did, though, they did not have enough energy left to finish off the rally.
Bellefontaine overcame a 12-point deficit to tie the score with 2:41 left in the third quarter. But the Chiefs then went over six minutes without scoring a point as the host Cougars regained the momentum to pull away for a 73-61 victory in a Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Trail division boys basketball game.
“We had to really battle to get caught up and we used a lot of energy to do that,” said Bellefontaine head coach Jason Calton. “We looked a little fatigued there at the end of the third quarter and in the fourth quarter. I always try to look at myself first and there were some things I probably could have done differently as far as the rotation. Fatigue just set in there a little bit and they took advantage of it.”
Bellefontaine drops to 0-4 overall and 0-2 in the league, while the Cougars move to 3-1, 1-1.
The Chiefs did an admirable job containing Kenton Ridge 6-7 senior wing Tyler Eberhart through three quarters, holding him to nine points.
But Eberhart came on strong with 15 points in the fourth quarter to finish with a game-high 24.
“The game plan was to be physical with him and make him earn his points,” said Calton. “We did a good job of that for three quarters, but we couldn’t finish off the job. We will use the same game plan next time and hopefully we can execute if for all four quarters.”
Bellefontaine found itself down 18-13 after one period and the Chiefs trailed by 12 midway through the second quarter before getting to within eight (35-27) at halftime.
A 17-9 run by the Chiefs in the third period knotted the game at 44-44. Jarrid Baughman buried a three-pointer from the top of the key to pull the Chiefs even with the Cougars.
The Chiefs were unable to grab the lead. Kenton Ridge closed the quarter with five straight points and it scored the first 10 points of the fourth period to lead 59-44 with 4:55 left in the game.
Bellefontaine could not get closer than 10 points the rest of the way.
“I am proud of the guys for their effort,” said Calton. “From the second through fourth quarter, we played as hard as we have all year. I told them that in the locker room. I know that probably doesn’t mean a lot to them when we are sitting here at 0-4, but there were definitely some positives we can take from tonight.”
Bellefontaine saw numerous players contribute. Brett Belser led the way with 14 points, Baughman had 11 points, Maverick Calton scored eight and Hunter Warner, Carter Sterling and Declan Ashcraft each added seven points.
Kenton Ridge won the junior varsity game 49-41. Nolan Smith led the Chiefs with 25 points.
The Cougars also prevailed in the freshman contest, defeating Bellefontaine 49-37. Kaden Reames and Jack Hutchins each had 11 points for the Chiefs.
Bellefontaine is back in action Tuesday at home against Versailles.
KENTON RIDGE 73, BELLEFONTAINE 61
BELLEFONTAINE (0-4, 0-2)
K. Smith 1 0-0 2; Stolly 1 0-0 2; Ashcraft 3 1-4 7; Sterling 2 2-2 7; Baughman 5 0-0 11; Calton 3 0-0 8; Belser 6 0-0 14; Warner 3 1-1 7; N. Smith 1 0-0 3. Totals: 25 4-7 61.
KENTON RIDGE (3-1, 1-1)
Dotson 4 0-2 10; McKay 2 8-12 13; Dibert 2 2-4 7; Younts 3 0-1 8; Severt 2 0-0 6; Eberhart 9 5-9 24; Perkins 2 1-2 5. Totals: 24 16-30 73.
Chiefs 13 • 14 • 17 • 17 — 61
Cougars 18 • 17 • 14 • 24 — 73
Three pointers: Bellefontaine 7 (Belser 2, Calton 2, Sterling, Baughman, N. Smith); Kenton Ridge 9 (Dotson 2, Younts 2, Severt 2, McKay, Dibert, Eberhart). Turnovers: Bellefontaine 13; Kenton Ridge 15. Team fouls: Bellefontaine 20; Kenton Ridge 8.