Spartans speed to sectional title

MARION – Pleasant turned rebounding and fine defensive work into offense to spark a 66-53 win over North Union Thursday night in a Division III boys basketball sectional-title game.

The host Spartans pounded the glass well, defended even better, and ran North Union right out of the tournament with an 11-12 record.

Pleasant (17-7) advances to play either Grandview Heights or Columbus Academy at 7 p.m. Tuesday at a site to be determined in a Central District semifinal game.

Pleasant's transition game turned a two-point deficit after one quarter into a five-point halftime advantage.

The Wildcats had assumed their early edge with 6-foot-4 Ronnie Rayburn establishing himself underneath for seven points. Brandon Allen beat the quarter buzzer with a 3-point goal to give him five points in the initial frame.

Allen continued a hot streak with the first seven North Union points of the second quarter on a trio of buckets.

Pleasant, however, used some hustling defensive efforts and good work on the glass to ignite a transition game which gave the Spartans an 8-0 run and the lead.

Bobby Husted came off of the Pleasant bench to contribute six points and five rebounds in period number two for the Spartans.

Pleasant tallied the final six points of the second frame as Husted and Joe Craycraft canned buckets and Ryan Maniaci made two free throws for its five-point intermission edge.

The Spartans out-rebounded the Wildcats 13-3 in the second period.

Pleasant canned 7 of 11 fielders in the third period to keep its foot on the gas. Another 8-0 run helped the Spartans take control 50-36 at the break.

Foul shooting became important in the final period for the Spartans. With North Union in the bonus situation the entire period, Pleasant hit 10 of 10 from the line to seal the decision.

Robby Martin led Pleasant's balanced scoring attack with 14 points. Maniaci and Craycraft each tallied 13, and Devon Brooks tallied 11.

Allen hit for 19 for the Wildcats and Rayburn totaled 17.

For more on the game, stayed tuned to www.marionstar.com and pick up a copy of Saturday's print edition of the Star.

dmcphers@nncogannett.com

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Twitter: @starsportsdenny