Hot start lifts Tecumseh over Springfield

Up 21-8 after first quarter, Tecumseh holds on to beat Springfield.

Tecumseh's Codi Frank (10) is guarded by Springfield's Darryl Perry during Tuesday's game at Tecumseh. Staff Photo by Barbara J. Perenic

Barbara Perenic Tecumseh's Codi Frank (10) is guarded by Springfield's Darryl Perry during Tuesday's game at Tecumseh. Staff Photo by Barbara J. Perenic

ENLARGE PHOTO

Mesoraco's slam sends Reds over Braves
7:38 a.m.
Raiders fall in tourney opener
5/25/12
Rough 1st inning sets up Tipp exit
5/25/12
Local Scoreboard for May 25
5/24/12
Ohio State AD says 12 violations minor
5/24/12
> More sports headlines

By Jeff Gilbert, Contributing Writer 11:08 PM Tuesday, January 3, 2012

NEW CARLISLE — Tecumseh’s boys basketball players will enjoy watching the tape of Tuesday night’s first quarter against Springfield. They will be counting the 3-pointers.

First it was Gabe Winans-Berner. Then it was Chase Culbertson, followed by Dalton Davis, Culbertson again and finally Scott Snarr.

That hot start, a similar performance at the free-throw line in the fourth quarter and 19 points by Gabe Winans-Berner carried the Arrows to a 67-57 victory over the Wildcats.

“Gabe was hitting shots, and it rolled from there,” Culbertson said. “It was contagious.”

The hot start put the Arrows (5-3) up 21-8 after one quarter. By halftime Tecumseh led 36-18 as the cold-shooting Wildcats (4-2) could score only occasionally near the basket. When Rashad Hurt made a 3-pointer with 24 seconds left in the half, it was the first points for the Wildcats outside of the paint other than three free throws.

“We got good looks offensively,” Tecumseh coach Roger Culbertson said. “We were patient enough to take advantage of their aggressiveness. We were very, very unselfish in the first half.”

Springfield found more energy in the second half. Brantley Davis, who scored a game-high 22 points, kick-started a 16-4 run with two breakaway layups. With 2:58 left in the third quarter, the Wildcats trailed 40-34 and the Arrows looked vulnerable against the Wildcats’ full-court press. But the Arrows steadied themselves, never let the lead dip below five points and made 17-of-23 free throws in the fourth quarter.

“Any of our team that’s going to the line I’m thinking it’s going in,” Chase Culbertson said.

Culbertson made all four of his free throws in the fourth and finished with 13 points. Jordan Gozelski added 12 points off the bench.

Springfield second-year coach Isiah Carson said he hopes his young players will learn from this loss, and he won’t let them use the excuse of this being their first game since Dec. 20.

“I preach to the guys ‘learn how to win,’” Carson said. “We have been taking steps forward, but I could tell in our body language that we just weren’t ready to play tonight.”

For Tecumseh, it was a second straight victory over Greater Western Ohio Conference team. A week ago they beat Northmont, which entered that game with one loss.

“It’s a statement game in a way,” Chase Culbertson said. “It’s a big win and keeps us rolling off that Northmont win, too.”

Share this article