John Bruce, Staff Writer
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
KINNIKINNICK — After trailing throughout the majority of the night, a four-point play from Landen Jarrell brought Zane Trace the momentum it needed to pull off a double-digit comeback on Saturday.
Jarrell’s late-game heroics paved way for the Pioneers (1-2, 1-0 SVC) to stun Unioto by a 49-46 final on the opening night of SVC play.
CREDIT: Hailey Fox/SOSA
Unioto (1-1, 0-1 SVC) led for nearly 30 minutes of play, putting together an efficient offensive attack, alongside a significant advantage in the rebounding column as well.
In the early going, the Shermans’ duo of KB and Jordan Perkins took control with their length and ability to score in the paint, while their teammates helped out by keeping the Pioneers at a distance with timely baskets.
After trailing by eight at the half, Zane Trace came out of the break on fire, making five of their first six attempts in the third quarter — including a trio of baskets from Carter Langley.
However, Unioto’s Zeke Schobelock scored on consecutive trips to make it a seven-point lead heading into the fourth.
Following a short jumper from Blake Fitch, Unioto held a nine-point lead before Jarrell picked up a loose ball and connected from downtown while also drawing a foul.
That was where the wheels started to fall off Unioto’s wagon.
“There was a loose ball, I had a little bit of space and got fouled,” Jarrell said after the game. “The whole place went crazy and the energy just flipped.”
PHOTOS: Images from Zane Trace’s win over Unioto
Following the successful free throw, the Shermans missed a shot in the paint, leading to a runout for the Pioneers, where Landon Robinson buried a triple from the top of the key to make it a two-point game.
“We knew that this game was going to be tight,” Robinson added. :”It was important to keep that momentum going.”
The Shermans pushed the lead back to four when Blake Hoops knocked down a midrange jumper with 3:12 to play, but that’s when Jarrell completely took over.
The junior hit a trey from in front of his own student section before forcing a turnover and scoring an old-fashioned three-point play with 2:29 left, giving ZT its first lead of the night.
The Shermans tied the game at 46-46 when Hoops picked up a steal and a layup with 1:33 remaining in regulation.
But, following a timeout, the Pioneers went back in front when Jarrell drew a double team, opening up Ezra Rippeth, who finished a tough lay-in with 50 seconds to play.
“When I was driving, I knew a defender would step up,” Jarrell said of the winning connection with Rippeth. “I have confidence in Ezra to hit that shot every time. It’s just about trusting someone and giving the ball up when someone is open.”
Following a pair of missed free throws for Unioto and Jarrell splitting a pair, the Shermans had one more possession with a chance to force overtime.
However, a swarming defensive effort from the Pioneers contained the Shermans’ efforts, not allowing a look at the basket and eventually leading to a turnover as time ran out on a huge early-season win for the Pioneers.
Jarrell led the Pioneers with a game-high 17 points and four assists, while Robinson added 12 points and pulled down seven rebounds. KB Perkins led Unioto with 14 points and 13 rebounds, and Hoops added eight points.
Unioto is back in action on Sunday at Shawnee State University, facing Fairland. Zane Trace will return to the hardwood on Friday, traveling to Piketon.
BOX SCORE
Unioto: 14-11-13-8 — 46
Zane Trace: 11-6-14-18 — 49
Unioto scoring: K. Perkins 14, B. Hoops 8, Schobelock 7, Fitch 6, J. Perkins 6, N. Hoops 3, Cutright 2.
Zane Trace scoring: L. Jarrell 17, Robinson 12, Langley 8, Rippeth 5, B. Jarrell 2, McCullough 2.
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