GWOC boys hoop: Butler suffers first loss to Sidney in OT

This is the second time around for Andre Gordon at Sidney and he’s cherishing every clutch basket.

An outstanding four-year starter at guard, Gordon transferred back to Sidney from Huntington Prep (W.Va.) just a month ago. He never played a game for the prep school national power.

“This feels great,” said Gordon after being instrumental in a 51-46 overtime defeat of previously unbeaten and host Butler in a boys high school basketball game on Tuesday.

“I’m with all my best friends and I’ve been with them since second grade. I love it being home and seeing mom every day. It feels good to be home.”

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Vandalia’s Student Activity Center might as well be christened a second home for Gordon and the Yellow Jackets. It was the fifth straight win there in as many seasons for Sidney. Three of those wins were by two points or less, including 36-34 last season.

It took a remarkable comeback by Sidney, which trailed by 11 points with slightly more than two minutes left. Gordon hit a 3-pointer followed by another from Darren Taborn to cut the deficit to six. Gordon bombed another and Ratez Roberts converted a three-point play to draw even at 41-all.

Butler missed a shot at the end of regulation.

“I think everybody in the gym felt like we had the game won when we’re up 11 with two minutes to go,” sighed Butler coach Darren Wyrick. “Next thing you know they hit a couple 3’s and get some confidence and we’re on our heels.”

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Sidney’s Keith Lee began the OT scoring with a 3-pointer, Gordon followed with a transition dunk and the Yellow Jackets had broken a tie with Butler for the Greater Western Ohio Conference American North lead (5-1, 4-0).

Gordon had a game-high 18 points and Roberts added 16. It was the fourth straight win by Sidney, which tied Butler for the GWOC North title last season and won an outright title in 2017.

Michael Kreill and Bryant Johnson each had 13 points for Butler (6-1, 3-1).

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The rematch will be at Sidney on Feb. 12, which is good with Yellow Jackets coach John Willoughby. “Teams have a hard time here,” he said. “This place is known to not be so kind to the visiting team.”

Xenia 100, West Carrollton 90: Samari Curtis hit four 3-pointers and had a season-high 47 points in leading the Buccaneers (4-2, 2-1) at home in GWOC American South play. It's the third time in his career he's surpassed 40 points and he went for a career-high 50 as a junior. Senior Ryan Brown scored a season-high 33 points for the Pirates (1-6, 0-3).

Troy 56, Tippecanoe 55: Sophomore Jaden Owens' free throw with no time remaining was the difference for the visiting Trojans (2-2, 2-2) in another GWOC American North matchup. Austin Stanaford led Troy with 15 points and Nolan Mader had 17 for Tipp (2-3, 2-2).

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Stivers 75, Miami Valley 40: Antonnio Aubrey had 11 points and the top-ranked Tigers (D-III area power rankings) pushed their perfect start to 6-0.

Fort Loramie girls 59, New Bremen 38: Ava Sholtis had 15 points, 10 rebounds and five steals in leading the host Redskins. That sets up a great showdown on Saturday when Loramie (6-1) hosts Versailles (8-0) at 2:30 p.m.

• Wayne graduate and Youngstown State freshman Darius Quisenberry had a team-high 17 points in Tuesday’s 75-56 loss at Ohio State. The guard is second in scoring (10.5) for the Penguins (4-9).

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