Port Clinton's seniors will have plenty to remember

Port Clinton senior Carter Rumball thought he could treat Friday's game with Oak Harbor like any other.

He was wrong.

"During the day, I didn't think it would be different," Rumball said of his final game on the home floor. "When they announce you as a senior, the emotions run through and it's way different."

Rumball will also remember Friday because the Redskins defeated rival Oak Harbor 75-71 in overtime in the Sandusky Bay Conference.

"That makes it a little sweeter," Rumball said.

Port Clinton (9-13, 6-6 SBC) scored the first seven points in overtime, including five from Stefan Daniels.

"I didn't want to walk out of the last game on the home court with an 'L' so I tried to put my team in position for the 'W,'" Daniels said.

The Rockets' Tyler Sievert canned a 3-pointer for a 68-66 deficit with 1 minute, 10 seconds left to play. But the Redskins scored the next five points. Oak Harbor's Paul Shay, who had 11 points, made a 3 for a 73-69 deficit with 33.6 seconds remaining but the Rockets got no closer.

Cole Weirich scored off his own steal for a 55-51 advantage in the fourth quarter but Rumball ultimately made a 3 to force overtime. Rumball had 15 points and Daniels 12.

"The energy and the emotion and the will to overcome this thing ... those seniors were bound and determined to come out on top," Port Clinton coach Von Graffin said. "We've become a family. These guys don't want this (season) to end."

Rumball and Daniels have been in double figures as the Redskins won their last three games after losing seven. They were also in doubles the game before the skid began.

Port Clinton was more patient in overtime.

"We had to get it inside and outhustle them," Rumball said. "We forced it a little bit in the fourth quarter but in overtime we accomplished what we needed to do to win."

Drew Fodor scored a career-high 23 points, including a bucket following his offensive rebound to start overtime.

"He was a monster," Graffin said. "We had the advantage inside. (Oak Harbor coach Eric) Sweet does a great job. He's been in so many games all year long."

Daniels and Joe Brenner each had 13 rebounds for Port Clinton.

"That's what lost us this game," Sweet said. "We didn't rebound."

Sievert, who had a game-high 27 points, scored 10 straight points, including three 3s in the second quarter. The Rockets (5-17, 2-10) made 7 of 13 3s in the first half.

"Tyler had a phenomenal game," Sweet said. "He shot the ball with some confidence and got a little edge to him and it showed when he got hot."

Tytan Rumball scored 15 of his 18 points after the second quarter.

"We tweaked some things and made some adjustments," Graffin said of half-time. "They were all on the same page."

Cal Laurel and Marcus Hogan are also seniors for Port Clinton. Many of the football players attended the game and the atmosphere was lively.

"The student section was as good as it's been all year long," Graffin said.

mhorn@gannett.com

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