Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
KINNIKINNICK — Unioto and Zane Trace’s rivalry has always run deep, no matter the occasion.
But Unioto’s Caden Cutright seemed to take Friday’s matchup personal.
Usually known for his defensive prowess and his ability to cause chaos, he flipped the scouting report and poured in points, turning into the Pioneers’ worst nightmare in the process.
The senior guard struck early, brought unmatched energy and never took his foot off the gas pedal as he finished with a game-high 19 points to lead his Shermans to a resounding 64-40 victory.
CREDIT: Raymond Gleadle/SOSA
“We had an extra meeting after our loss on Tuesday to Jackson, and it came down to us playing together and finding that confidence again,” Cutright said. “That was a big game we lost for tournament seeding, so this one was incredibly important for us to have. It all started on the defensive side for us, and once we’re able to get things going on that side, it opened the door for our offense to start rolling.”
The victory moves Unioto (16-3, 11-1 SVC) into sole possession of first place in the SVC. The Tanks need one more win to claim at least a share of the league crown.
“Being atop the conference is great and all, but there’s still two games left and that should be our focus,” Unioto coach Matt Combs said. “This was a great win and the guys played incredibly well. We just have to continue playing together offensively, not worry about who is getting credit and playing with a one-for-all and all-for-one attitude.”
Cutright wasn’t the only issue the Pioneers (15-3, 10-2 SVC) had, though. He formed a deadly 1-2 punch with Blake Fitch, and they took turns delivering one dagger after another throughout the first half.
Cutright splashed back-to-back 3’s, alongside buckets from Fitch and K.B. Perkins, to spark a quick 12-0 run that put Unioto ahead 14-3 before closing out the first quarter with a 16-5 lead.
PHOTOS: Images from Unioto’s win over Zane Trace
“Caden is a streaky player, but when he sees that ball go in, he starts feeling it a little bit and we let him go after it,” Combs said. “We needed some scoring aside from our usual guys, Blake Fitch and Blake Hoops. That balance is needed and it was a great sight to see from him.”
That avalanche was something Zane Trace wasn’t prepared for. Unioto was already smelling blood in the water, and it was feeding time.
Fitch turned his aggression up a notch, muscling his way through traffic for a tough bucket underneath while additionally pulling up for a midrange jumper. He and Cutright combined to score 21 of Unioto’s 31 first half points as they controlled a 31-16 halftime lead — one that remained in double digits for the rest of the night en route to victory.
“My teammates were doing a great job finding me. K.B. was setting some great screens, and I was really connecting on my shots in the first half,” Fitch said. “I don’t think I missed a shot in the first half. They started packing in the paint in the second half, but Blake, Caden, K.B. and Jaxon [Zickafoose] were all right there for the dump passes underneath and we were just playing great team basketball.”
Following Cutright’s 19-point night was Fitch, who finished with 13 points and five assists while Blake Hoops added 10 points and seven rebounds.
For Zane Trace, Gunnar McCullough finished with a team-high 12 points and six rebounds.
Unioto returns to action on Friday at home against Piketon, while Zane Trace travels to play at Jackson on Tuesday.
“Blake Hoops had a great night rebounding and being aggressive on the boards, as did K.B. and Blake [Fitch] and that’s something we all have to continue working on moving forward,” Cutright said. “Boxing out and defensive rebounding.”
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