SPORTS

John Glenn has little trouble dispatching E. Liverpool

Brandon Hannahs
Reporter

ZANESVILLE – Facing fourth-seeded East Liverpool didn't faze No. 1 John Glenn on Friday night.

Neither did Drew Rackley getting into early foul trouble.

The Muskies led by as many as 21 points in the first half, cruising to an 84-47 victory in a Division II sectional semifinal at Zanesville's Winland Memorial Gymnasium.

Matt Weir spearheaded John Glenn's charge, scoring 11 of his 24 points in the first quarter, as the Muskies led 18-7 after one. They advanced to play Morgan at 7 p.m. next Friday.

The lead remained in double figures for the rest of the game.

"When Drew was out with an injury for three games, this team gained confidence and grew comfortable with each other," John Glenn coach Greg Woodard said. "Matt stepped up, but it was more than him. A year ago we may have panicked in that situation, but the kids came through."

Rackley and Tanner Slack hit back-to-back 3-pointers to stake John Glenn (21-0) to an early 6-0 advantage.

Isaac Davidson answered with a 3 and Kade Reynolds made two free throws after Rackley's second foul to pull the Potters (17-6) within one at 6-5.

Weir took control with Rackley on the bench. He converted a pair of three-point plays during a 12-2 run to cap the first quarter.

He then made a pair of 3s to open the second, while a Sam Eckelberry hoop gave the Muskies' their largest lead of the first half, 38-17.

John Glenn was up 40-23 at the half and scored 18 of the first 21 points in the third to put the game away.

The Muskies made 14-of-25 from the floor in the first half, hit 12-of-14 field goals in the third, and were 31-of-52 for the game.

They also made 9-of-21 from behind the arc with a 7-of-9 performance in the first half.

"Our offense is dynamic," Woodard said. "We have five guys who can shoot. When we execute and move the ball well, we're a hard team to guard."

The defense did its part, forcing 12 East Liverpool turnovers in the first half.

The Potters finished 15-of-41 shooting with 23 turnovers.

"They thrive on their pressure, but I think our speed got to them," Woodard said. "We were able to identify what they wanted to do. We came out with great focus and intensity, but we did let them get the ball to the rim after we got a big lead. We need to maintain that level (for four quarters) down the road."

Rackley scored 21 points to go with five assists, Austin Blatt grabbed a team-high six rebounds and four steals, and Weir also had six assists and three steals in the win.

Reynolds finished with 13 points and Joey Bickerton scored 12 for East Liverpool.

bhannahs@zanesvilletimesrecorder.com

740-450-6763

Twitter: @brandonhannahs