Zane Trace and Piketon punched their tickets for the Boys Division III District Tournament with a Pioneers 53-40 win over Belpre at Athens High School and a Redstreaks 80-47 thumping of Westfall Saturday.


ZANE TRACE 53, BELPRE 40
It’s the fifth sectional title in seven seasons for the Pioneers as Zane Trace rode Wes Beam and Connor Smith on the baseline to build a 31-22 lead at the break. The two had combined for 21 of the Pioneers’ points by halftime.

Belpre had held on early, trailing 13-11 through the first quarter, but then the Pioneers began to pull away. Smith knocked down three straight field goals, capped by a three pointer from the side and Beam teamed by an Eric Hutton bucket to give ZT a 26-18 lead in the second.

The Eagles made a 12-2 run late in the third quarter and to start the final period. Before the run, Zane Trace hit shots by Smith, Tyler Hinty back-to-back and guards Hutton and Pierce Mowery dropped in layups to build a 16-point lead at 44-28.

The Belpre run cut the margin to 46-40 but failed to get the Eagles any closer.

Zane Trace hit 56% from the field to Belpre's 42% and had a slight edge from the line (9-of-12 to 7-of-9). Turnovers were relatively even but the Pioneers dominated the glass 24-14.

Smith led all scorers with 15 points, Beam had 14, Hinty 9, Mowery 7, Hutton 6 and Walt Petzel 2.

Belpre got 11 each from Ryan Leasure, Bryce Pittenger and Nick Therriault with Dakota Hoffman adding seven.

The Pioneers (17-5), winners of five straight, will face Lynchburg Clay Saturday March 2nd at 8:45pm at the Convo in Athens.


PIKETON 80, WESTFALL 47
Playing without junior forward Jeremy Farmer, due to a sprained ankle, the Piketon Redstreaks didn't miss a beat in their win over the Mustangs. Leading 13-9 after one quarter, Piketon exploded on a 27-5 second quarter run for a 40-14 lead at halftime. That lead went to 57-27 after three periods and at one time was 72-38 in the fourth before settling for the 80-47 victory.

(20-3) Piketon was led by senior guard Craigen Moore's 23 points, followed by senior forward Zach Farmer's 21 points. Sophomore guard Wyatt Brewster added 12 points.

(7-17) Westfall had a big game from senior post-player Alek Stonerock, who scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Doug Hardin added 9 points and 8 rebounds.

The Redstreaks shot 53% from the field on 25/47- including 6/13 from the arc. They were also 24/32 at the foul line.

Westfall was 18/46 from the field- including 2/12 from the arc for 39%. They were 9/18 from the charity stripe.

Westfall out-rebounded the Redstreaks 30-20, but committed 18 turnovers to Piketon's 9.

Piketon plays the Lucasville Valley at 5:15pm March 2nd at the OU-Convo.