The Port Clinton Redskins are perfecting the come-from-behind victory. They had to do it again Wednesday night before pulling ahead in the third quarter and not looking back in their District semi-final win over Mansfield Madison. Trailing by three at the end of the first half (20-17), the Redskins spurted ahead in the third quarter to seal the deal.

“The kids did a great job of never losing focus and never giving up,” said Coach Troy Diels on Friday. “They fought hard to get back into the game. I liked our momentum going in at half-time after Ryan (Hicks) hit the 15-footer as time expired. We played very poorly but were only down three.”
Many observers have felt that the Achilles heel for the Redskins could be running into a super quick defensive team that pressed. They ran into a bit of that against Madison, but worked through it.
“Allen (Tigner) did a great job all night long handling the pressure that they were throwing at him,” said Diels. “He had another great floor game for us. Josh Francis was also a difference maker. He played with a lot of passion and energy on Wednesday night. Our perimeter guys gained confidence as the game went one and Cory (Brown), Derek (Colston) and Josh Graves all hit big threes for us.”
The Redskins meet Bellevue for the Division II District Championship Saturday night at Ashland University. It is their second go-around with the Redmen, who made things tough against them earlier in the season.
“They are led by Cody Ruhlman, who can do a lot of different things at the point for them,” said Diels. “Inside, Curt Watson is a big body that poses an inside and outside threat. They surround those guys with good shooters. They were able to hit 12 threes against us in the first game so we need to make sure we close out on their shooters.”
The Redskins are 22-0 and ranked fourth in Ohio’s Division II. Diels credits his team’s defense as the difference maker.
“We have been playing solid defense in both our tournament games,” he stated. Our effort in both games, especially in the second half, was terrific.”
The Division II Boys Basketball District Final vs. Bellevue at Ashland University will be 7 p.m. Saturday, March 13. Tickets will be available in the PCHS Main Office from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday. Presale tickets are $6 adults; $4 students; all tickets are $6 at the door. The gate will open at 6 p.m.

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