Bailey's career high helps Bears win big

CASTALIA — Kale Bailey knows that his number can be called at any time. Thursday at the Iceberg, Bailey made sure his minutes mattered, scoring a career-high 27 points while leading a balanced attack for Margaretta (16-0) in a 91-40 route over visiting Port Clinton (5-9). "I know my number can be called at anytime on a team like this," Bailey said. "Everyone wants to beat us and every night we have to come ready to play." The hosts jumped ahead early 9-0 behind junior Judah Keller, who buried consecutive 3-pointers to remove any doubt of an upset in the first minute. Margaretta kept the momentum going throughout the first stanza and led 25-6. Margaretta coach Steve Keller knows every night brings new opportunities for his group. "We were battling sickness tonight and Kale coming in and giving us that performance is huge," Keller said. "This team can get scoring from a lot of places." Port Clinton responded in the second quarter going on a 9-2 run to cut the lead to 27-15, led by Zach Speer who added six points. After that both teams traded baskets for the rest of the half. In the quarter Bailey added eight points, while junior Julian Washington contributed seven points, which included a one-handed dunk over multiple Redskin defenders. The Redskins tried to focus on just playing sound basketball in the second half. "I told them in the locker room just to play hard, no matter what the scoreboard showed," Port Clinton coach Jared Rhode said. "Margaretta is the best team in the area and it is not even close. They come at you in so many ways." The second half started like the first quarter as Keller, Washington and Bailey kept scoring. The Polar Bears scored the first six points of the second half, which included an off-the-backboard alley-oop from Keller to Washington. The hosts road the momentum to a running clock for the rest of the game. Margaretta had four players in double figures, hit a total of 12 3s, and dished out a total of 29 assists. "The idea of getting players involved is very important to us," Keller said. "After playing in a game Monday versus a very good team in Valley View, it is nice responded with a very good division win." Washington finished with 24 points, Keller had 14 and Nolan Wiley contributed 13. Leading the Redskins charge were Jonny Peck with 9, Grayson Jones 8 and Speer with 8. The Polar Bears now turn their focus to a strong Old Fort team on Saturday right back in the Iceberg in an SBC cross-divisional matchup. "We know they will give us a great game, as we have had very good matchups with them in years past," Keller said. "Our schedule has helped us get challenged and ready to play games like this." Port Clinton turns its focus to Northwest Ohio Classical Academy on Monday back at home. PORT CLINTON 5-9 (2-4)Grayson Jones 3 0-0 9, Martez Wilson 1 2-2 4, Romney Turner 1 0-4 2, Tre Armenderiz 1 0-1 2, Danny Baker 1 0-0 3, Jonny Peck 4 0-0 9, Aiden Finn 2 0-0 4, Zach Speer 3 0-0 8. TOTALS 16 2-7 40 MARGARETTA 16-0 (7-0)Kale Bailey 12 1-1 27, Ayden Miller 1 0-0 3, Keiygan Morris 2 0-0 4, Julian Washington 11 1-1 24, Nolan Wiley 5 1-2 13, Judah Keller 5 0-0 14, Ben Coffman 2 0-0 6. TOTALS 26 3-4 91Port Clinton 6 17 11 6 — 40Margaretta 25 19 29 18 — 91Three-point goals: Port Clinton 6 (Jones 2, Speer 2, Baker, Peck); Margaretta 12 (Keller 4, Coffman 2, Wiley 2, Bailey 2, Washington, Miller)