Tigers’ 2nd-half surge wipes out Miami East in sectional semifinal
VANDALIA — Indian Lake showed Miami East on Tuesday that it is a much improved team than what the Vikings saw when the two teams met in late November.
In that game, which was the Tigers’ season opener, Miami East dominated for a 47-34 victory.
Seventh-seeded WL-S turned the tables on the fourth-seeded Vikings in a Division III sectional semifinal matchup Tuesday night, using a second-half explosion to roll to an impressive 70-51 victory at Butler High School.
“The first time we played them, we really struggled,” said WL-Salem Darrin Leichty of the earlier loss to the Vikings (14-9). “We didn’t guard the ball well, we didn’t play with toughness and our ball movement wasn’t very good. All of those things were there tonight. We are peaking at the right time.”
The Tigers (15-8) won for the sixth time in seven games. They move on to face a familiar opponent in Indian Lake at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the sectional final.
“Everyone is stepping up right now,” said Leichty. “Every guy out there is filling their role and that is really big for us.”
After a tightly played first half that ended in a 32-32 tie at the break, the Tigers broke loose in the second half.
Fueled by senior Nick Burden, WL-S sliced up the Vikings’ defense while also bottling up Miami East’s offensive attack.
The Tigers outscored Miami East 23-12 in the third quarter to open up an 11-point cushion (55-44).
The fourth quarter was more of the same as WL-S continued to add to its lead.
Burden scored 19 of his game-high 29 points after halftime. He received plenty of assistance as well.
Logan Saylor scored 12 points and Owen Johnson and Tanner LeVan each added 11 to aid the WL-S victory.
“For our offense to work the way we want it, every player on the court has to be a threat,” said Leichty. “That is what happened tonight. Every guy that came in gave us a lift. Drew Hardwick came in and hit a three-pointer at the end of the third quarter that was huge for momentum.”
While the Tigers were able to avenge one regular-season loss Tuesday, they hope to do the same Saturday. They lost to Indian Lake 68-57 in a regular-season matchup Jan. 9.
“They play with a lot of energy and we will have to match it,” said Leichty. “They are a tough basketball team.”
WL-SALEM 70
MIAMI EAST 51
WL-SALEM (15-8)
Burden 10 7-9 29; Hardwick 1 0-0 3; Johnson 4 1-3 11; Strapp 1 2-2 4; Brown 0 0-1 0; LeVan 4 1-3 11; Saylor 5 1-2 12. Totals: 25 12-21 70.
MIAMI EAST (14-9)
Zapadka 2 1-2 6; King 2 0-2 4; Apple 1 0-0 3; Prince 3 4-4 11; Abshire 1 2-2 4; Roeth 7 6-9 23. Totals: 16 13-19 51.
Tigers 22 10 23 15 — 70
Vikings 17 15 17 7 — 51
Three pointers: Miami East 6 (Rotes 3, Prince, Apple, Zapadka); Indian Lake 8 (Burden 2, Johnson 2, LeVan 2, Saylor, Hardwick). Team fouls: Miami East 19; WL-Salem 17.