Margaretta runs record to 13-1 with win over PC

CASTALIA — The first quarter went about as well as it could for Margaretta. The Polar Bears scored 25 points while forcing turnovers by playing with great energy on defense. They moved the ball well on offense. It was more than enough of a precursor for the rest of the game, which saw Margaretta hold off Port Clinton for the final three quarters to defeat the Redskins 75-49 on Friday at the Iceberg. Margaretta forward Tyson Bailey scored inside off a well-designed play 15 seconds into the game to put the Bears (13-1, 6-0 Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division) ahead to stay at 2-0. They never looked back. Margaretta got baskets from Bailey, Judah Keller, Julian Washington, Keiygan Morris and Kale Bailey as it got off to a 12-0 lead. The first basket for Port Clinton (9-5, 2-4) came with 4:31 to play in the quarter when Jonny Peck scored inside. For the rest of the first quarter, the teams traded baskets and Margaretta led 25-11 after the first eight minutes. In the second quarter, Redskins guard Tre Armendariz scored to begin the quarter, Keller responded with a field goal and Peck scored to cut the deficit to 27-15. With 4:50 left to play before halftime, Washington had the first of his three dunks on the night, igniting the crowd, and from there, the Bears went on a tear to take a 39-18 lead into the half. "I thought our guys did a nice job bringing energy. We had a difficult week of practice with the weather," Margaretta coach Steve Keller said. "We had a lull there in the second quarter, (but) all in all, we did a lot of good things." Keller has always preached defense and the role it plays in basketball. "When we guard, we can be pretty good. At times, we guarded well," he said. "Credit to Port Clinton. They stuck around and responded in the second quarter. It all starts for us on the defensive end." In the second half, Washington's second dunk came midway through the third quarter, giving the Bears a 49-23 lead. Margaretta took a 58-35 lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Bears continued to build the lead in the final eight minutes, which included Washington's final dunk of the night, his best one yet. Washington scored a game-high 25 points, including 17 in the first half when Margaretta built its lead, Morris added 13 and Kale Bailey chipped in with 12. The Bears had eight players score, including three in double figures. "What I like is we have the ability to have lots of guys step up," coach Keller said. "This is an unselfish team and guys like Keiygan and Kale have been playing well. "I think our seniors set the tone and we've got some juniors that have been around. Our juniors have been extremely important for our cohesiveness and not taking possessions off." On the other side, Port Clinton coach Jared Rhode talked about the game. "We had a poor start, but that's one of the best teams in the state with one of the state's best players (in Washington)," Rhode said. "The lights were a little too bright for some of the guys tonight. But we'll continue to fight and work to make this program what we want it to be. "I think our guys are maturing. This game can be a learning tool, we've got to learn from this. My staff and I, we've gotta be better, and we have to ask more of our kids." Armendariz and Grayson Jones had 12 points apiece to lead the Redskins. "They both played well," Rhode said. "Tre's role has increased a lot since last year. He's not going to be intimidated, he's tough. "Grayson has gotten a lot better from last year to this year. He competed well tonight." Port Clinton, which had won three straight games coming into the contest, travels to Rossford on Saturday to face the Bulldogs, who play in the Northern Buckeye Conference. "It will be a challenge," Rhode said. "They have a 6-5 and 6-7 player, but our kids are resilient." Washington talked about the Bears, who have won five consecutive games since losing to perennial power Colonel Crawford in late December. "I feel like we're playing pretty well. I think our loss did more good for us," he said. "It put a chip on our shoulder." The senior, who is headed to the University of Dayton after he graduates, said he was watching highlights of Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards before the game. "I was watching some of his dunks, and I thought, I'll try and get a couple down tonight," Washington said. "It's exciting." PORT CLINTON (9-5, 2-4) Grayson Jones 4 4-5 12, Tre Armendariz 4 3-4 12, Lucas Bodie 1 0-0 2, Jonny Peck 2 0-0 4, Derek Abernathy 1 0-0 2, Landon Leis 4 0-0 9, Kyle Abernathy 1 0-0 2, Zack Speer 2 0-0 6. Totals 19 7-9 49 MARGARETTA (13-1, 6-0) Kale Bailey 5 1-2 12, Jake Bouy 1 5-6 7, Ayden Miller 2 0-0 4, Keiygan Morris 5 0-0 13, Julian Washington 11 3-5 25, Judah Keller 2 1-2 5, Rob Cox 1 0-0 3, Tyson Bailey 3 0-0 6. Totals 30 10-15 75 Port Clinton 11 7 17 14 — 49 Margaretta 25 14 19 17 — 75 Three-point goals: Port Clinton 4 (Speer 2, Armendariz, Leis); Margaretta 5 (Morris 3, K. Bailey, Cox)