Jackets seek second streak
2/28/2008Perrysburg will look to expand its second winning streak of the season tonight when it takes on Findlay in a Division I boys basketball district semifinal at Liberty-Benton.
The Yellow Jackets - winners of 19 in a row to start the regular season - are looking to get on a roll in the tournament.
"I think we're playing well and we've got a lot of confidence at this point in the season," Perrysburg coach Dave Boyce said.
The Yellow Jackets (20-1) are coming off an impressive 71-38 win over Northern Lakes League rival Bowling Green in a sectional final. That demonstrated there were no lingering effects after falling to Southview in a regular-season finale, which resulted in the two teams sharing the league championship.
The Yellow Jackets showed balance against BG with Thomas Salmon scoring 15 points, David Hieber 14, David Boyce 12 and Charlie Hughes 10.
Neal Linthicum, the Yellow Jackets' leading scorer during the regular season, finished with seven.
Findlay (13-8) also heads into the contest with momentum after knocking off Anthony Wayne 58-49 in a sectional final. The Trojans lean on Luke Kraus and Garrett Dugay for leadership.
It's Kraus, a junior, who the Yellow Jackets will keep a close eye on.
"We can't let Kraus dominate the game," Boyce said. "I think the team that dictates the tempo will probably have an edge."
Boyce is expecting a tough test against Findlay, which figures to draw a sizable crowd since Liberty-Benton is located nearby.
"They're extremely well coached and they will be ready to play," Boyce said. "Playing at Liberty-Benton is like a home game for them."
- Donald Emmons