The Olentangy Liberty boys basketball team evened things up thanks to a pair of Parker Van Engelenhoven free throws with 17.4 seconds left, but host Olentangy answered with a hoop from Ceasar Abouchahine with 4.5 to go to put the finishing touches on a thrilling 57-55 non-league win Saturday night in Lewis Center.
Van Engelenhoven’s free throws were his 11th and 12th points of the quarter. He finished with 21 to back teammate Tyler Kropp, who poured in a game-best 27 for the Patriots (9-7, 3-4).
That, though, was pretty much it as the rest of the team combined for just seven points.
The Braves (10-6, 5-2), meanwhile, were a little more balanced. Ulysses Ponder, who went 7-for-11 from the charity stripe, closed with 22 points; Jay Agrawal, who had five triples, collected 16 points; and Carter Hire, who had two threes as part of a 16-11 third Olentangy used to get some breathing room, chipped in 11 points in the win.
Both teams return to action Friday. Liberty is slated to host Hilliard Bradley while Olentangy will travel to Hilliard Darby.
FROM FRIDAY
Delaware Hayes maintained its spot atop the OCC-Capital Division standings with a 58-48 win over host Worthington Kilbourne Friday night.
Jesse Burris led the way with 17 points for the Pacers (15-1, 9-1). Jeremiah Russell and Landon Vanderwarker were also solid, collecting 12 points apiece, while Carter Piatt-Brown finished with 11.
Also: Olentangy Berlin 65, Hilliard Darby 55; Whitehall 52, Buckeye Valley 50; Olentangy Liberty 57, Upper Arlington 45; Olentangy Orange 57, Dublin Coffman 48; Thomas Worthington 62, Olentangy 54.
