Warriors split week, fall to Alliance in key EBC rematch

If push came to shove and Carrollton was forced to split the two games on its schedule, the Warriors basketball squad definitely would have preferred it be the other way around.

This past week, the Warriors had a nonconference road game on their docket as well as a date that had been circled repeatedly since Dec. 12 – the rematch contest against Eastern Buckeye Conference rival and reigning co-champion Alliance.

First up, however, was the Jan. 20 game at Garaway. Carrollton jumped out to a quick 11-2 lead but the Pirates proved to be tough as they almost caught up to the Warriors by the quarter’s end, trailing 11-9. The second quarter, however, proved to be Garaway’s undoing as Carrollton embarked upon a 20-12 run that put the Warriors on top at halftime by a score of 31-21.

That 10-point lead would stretch to as many as 18 points in the second half as the Warriors proved to have too many weapons for Garaway (2-14), resulting in Carrollton’s comfortable 62-46 victory, the Warriors’ seventh win in eight games.

Tayvian Johnson led Carrollton, scoring 21 points while snaring five rebounds and dishing out four assists. Jayven Johnson also added 13 points and seven boards. Hunter Allison also grabbed seven rebounds as well.

Three nights later, Carrollton welcomed Alliance for a critical EBC matchup. And if the Warriors were banking on the home cooking doing them good, they were mistaken as Carrollton’s shooting touch went cold as the Aviators pulled away for a 65-44 victory to gain the season sweep.

As the contest got underway, it looked to have the makings of a close game. The dogged Warriors stayed close with Alliance throughout the first quarter, and as the buzzer sounded signaling the end of the period, Carrollton trailed by only one, 15-14.

The second quarter is when the wheels fell of the wagon. Almost as if someone had placed a cover over Carrollton’s basket, the Warriors simply could not make a shot fall. Alliance went on a 17-4 run that quieted the crowd and gave the Aviators an imposing 32-18 halftime advantage.

Carrollton’s offense did recover somewhat in the second half, but the Warriors were never able to recoup their first half deficit, spelling doom for Carrollton and for all intents and purposes, turning the EBC race into a one-game showdown between Alliance (14-2, 6-1) and West Branch (8-5, 7-0).

On an evening when the Warriors would make only three of 26 attempts from beyond the arc, Jayven Johnson scored 11 points and Tayvian Johnson added 10 to lead the Warriors (10-4, 3-3). The Aviators’ JR Jackson, meanwhile, led all scorers with 19 points and Taije Nicholson finished with 13.

Girls Basketball

Much like the boys, the Lady Warriors also played a crucial EBC contest with championship implications. And like the boys, Carrollton went down to defeat, this time to West Branch in a Jan. 24 match. The final score of 30-27 was much closer, however, which made the sting of defeat even more pronounced.

Before the West Branch showdown, the Lady Warriors hosted Salem Jan. 21 for an EBC match. Carrollton took control from the outset, outscoring the Quakers (10-7, 4-4) 12-1 in the first period as the Warriors cruised to a 43-24 victory.

Kylie Ujcich led Carrollton with 13 points while Ryleigh Hanenkrat and Emma Shafer each scored eight points, respectively.

The stage was now set for the Jan. 24 showdown at West Branch. Carrollton entered looking for payback for its only EBC loss of the season – a 44-41 defeat at home in December to West Branch.

In a tight, low-scoring affair, the Lady Warriors held a one-point lead in the end of the first half as West Branch’s Madi Hoopes scored all seven of her team’s points in the second period to stay close.

West Branch then took the lead in the third period, as West Branch held a narrow two-point lead entering the deciding final quarter. Free throws in the remaining minutes allowed West Branch to stretch its lead to three. Carrollton had two more chances tie as the time wound down but neither shot would fall, giving West Branch (15-2, 9-0) the win and its third consecutive EBC title.

It is small consolation to the Lady Warriors, but to come this close despite the serious injuries this team has suffered says a lot about its heart and competitiveness. Carrollton (12-6, 7-2) was led by Ivy Bishop’s nine points, while Brae Roudebush and Kamryn Shaw scored eight points apiece.