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Wellsville’s Scott scores 15 in OVAC win

ST. CLAIRSVILLE – All-star basketball games usually feature a lot of 3-point baskets.

Ohio’s boys’ squad took that to a new level.

The Buckeye state squad knocked down 17 shots from behind the arc and went on to score a 102-88 victory in Sunday’s Samuel A. Mumley OVAC All-Star Classic held at Ohio University Eastern’s Health and Physical Education Center.

“It was a 3-point contest early on and we were able to build a lead by hitting some,” said Ohio head coach Ben Porter, of Union Local. “It was a fun game and it’s even more special when you come out on top.”

Ohio dialed long distance eight times in the first half. Wellsville’s Nate Scott had the hot hand, burying five from behind the line for 15 points. Wellsville’s Camden Douglas and East Liverpool’s Hayden Cunningham posted eight points each.

All told, the Buckeyes built a 45-36 lead at the intermission.

“They shot it extremely well,” said West Virginia head coach Mel Stephens, who led Wheeling Central to a Class A state title last month. “When they did miss, they were getting the offensive rebounds for even more chances.”

Linsly’s Anthony Wallace did all he could to keep West Virginia close. The West Liberty commit connected on a 3-pointer on four consecutive possessions. He finished with 15 points.

The Ohio lead stretched to as many as 24 in the second half. Buckeye Local’s Brennan Czuchran was the go-to-guy in the second half. He knocked in four triples and finished with a game-high 16 points.

After several possessions of standing pat on 99 points, Czuchran took a long outlet pass after a West Virginia bucket and buried his fourth triple at the buzzer for the final tally.

“Scoring the 100th point was pretty cool,” Czuchran said. “I didn’t know if I was going to get the shot off or not. We wanted that 100 points. This is just a special game to be a part of.”

Czuchran was complemented in the scoring column by Scott’s 15 points. Steubenville Central’s Ryan Fletcher finished with 11 points and nine rebounds. Martins Ferry’s Robert Vargo, who will play in the Ohio North-South Game later this month, added 10.

West Virginia was paced by Wallace. Magnolia’s Zach Willhoite added 12 points. Madonna’s Ross Comis and Morgantown’s Scottie Core evenly divided 22 points.

Wheeling Central’s Alonzo Manns netted 10. Central’s David Park, who only scored seven, had a game-high 15 rebounds.

At halftime, Park claimed the 3-point shootout title.

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