A late Ontario push fell short in the D2 District Semifinals at Madison where Upper Sandusky punched their ticket into Saturday's final as 54-45 winners.

 

The top-seeded Rams (23-1) gradually built up a lead over the first three quarters by holding the Warriors stud guards Shaquan Coburn and Griffin Shaver in check. Upper would produce a 12-10 advantage through one quarter of play, extending the margin to 26-15 by the half with Ontario's backcourt duo netting just two first half points.

 

The fourth quarter would begin with a comfortable Rams lead of 37-25 but the Warriors (17-7) would rally to back to make things interesting down the stretch. Shaver would pour in 10 of his team-high 15 pts over the final eight minutes with Kolten Kurtz adding eight more to trim Upper's lead to a single possession.

 

With 9 of 13 made free throws in the final frame, the Rams would close out the win to advance into the title game where defending District Champion  #4 Norwalk awaits.

 

Even Young had a huge performance for Upper Sandusky with a game-best 22 pts while Cam McCreary added 11 and Gavin Carey put up nine. Kurtz finished with 14 pts to go along with Shaver's performance for the Warriors who got just five points from Coburn.