When the Warriors fell behind 16-2, Martindale’s mandate didn’t look so good. But the Warriors fought back to trail 33-26 at halftime. And when the trailed 53-40 after three, it looked bad again. But an early run in the fourth quarter cut the lead to seven.
Grayson, however, led by smooth point guard Deivon Smith, who will play at Mississippi State, and guard Caleb Murphy, headed for South Florida, found another gear again and finally subdued the Warriors 71-56.
“I was proud of our fight,” Martindale said. “We talked about competing for an entire game, and our kids competed tonight. Our bench had a lot of energy, and I thought we did a great job of keeping each other up and keeping our focus.”
Malcolm Curry and Cam Fancher led the Warriors with 13 points apiece. The difference for Grayson other than Smith (12 points, six assists) and Murphy (17 points, five assists) was 25 offensive rebounds. The Rams only shot 39.7 percent from the field, but the offensive rebounds and more dunks than could be counted were too much for the Warriors.
Still, Martindale walked out of the locker room feeling much better about his team that started the season 7-2 and now is 7-7.
“I told our kids if we’re going to play that way the rest of the year then we’re going to be successful, and with a young team that’s what you want to see,” he said.
Martindale said the players showed the most buy-in to what the coaches want from them against Grayson. Curry, the Warriors’ leading scorer, agreed.
“The team has been together, but us and the coaches haven’t,” he said. “I feel like we all came together tonight because we could’ve done big things. This is going to get us prepared for the playoff run.”
Other games: Highly regarded Huntington Prep lost for the second time this weekend, falling to Lakewood St. Edward 75-66. Montorie Foster, who will play wide receiver at Michigan State, led St. Edward with 19 points, and Devontae Blanton added 18 in the upset.
Columbus Walnut Ridge got 27 points apiece from VonCameron Davis (Kent State signee) and Kaveon Ross to thump Cincinnati Woodward 87-55.
Jerry Saunders scored 19 points and ultra-tough point guard Casey George scored 14 points to lead Pickerington North to hold off Milton, Georgia, 62-56.
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