Fulton County Ohio Media

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The Swanton Bulldogs played a nearly flawless first two quarters, essentially putting on a basketball clinic, as they raced out to a 34-point lead during the first half on their way to a 66-40 road victory over the Delta Panthers in an NWOAL boys contest.  In fact, the 44 points scored by the Bulldogs in the half was enough to win the game as the Swanton offense was knocking down baskets from almost any where on their side of the court.  They made 15 two-point shots and hit 11 three-pointers on the night.

 “We got contributions from a lot of different guys and that helps,” said Swanton coach Bruce Smith commenting on the nine Bulldog players that scored in the game.  The defense was just as impressive, holding the Panther offense to just 13 first half points, the final three coming on a buzzer beater by Bryce Gillen.  “This is game 18.  You ought to be doing something right by this time,” said Coach Smith regarding his team’s overall performance.

Despite the overwhelming 31-point halftime deficit, Delta came out strong in the third quarter, scoring the first seven points of the second half to finish a 10-0 run that started at the end of the first half.  Swanton regrouped and battled back to win the quarter 14-13, taking a 58-26 lead into the final frame. 

With the insurmountable advantage, no Bulldog starter saw any action in the fourth quarter as Coach Smith emptied his bench.  “They (reserves) come to practice every day just like the staters do,” he said.  You like to get a game like this where everybody feels like they contributed.  It was nice to see that.”  It was not long before Delta coach Matt Brighton followed suit and replaced all the Panther starters.

Nic Borojevich led Swanton with a game-high 17 points including four three-pointers.  Luc Borojevich scored 15 points while hitting three shots from behind the arc and Sam Betz had 13 points, also with three makes from long range.  Kayden Davis had six points, Cole Mitchey added five, Charlie Wood had four while Lathan Pawlowicz, Ryan O’Shea and Drew Smigelski had two points each.

Leading the way for Delta was Justin Ruple and Nolan Risner with nine points apiece.  Bryce Gillen scored eight points, Jude Gibbons and Josh Tresnan-Reighard had five each and James Ruple and Alex Hodge each scored two.

The victory moves Swanton’s league record to 5-0 and 16-2 overall.  Delta drops to 1-4 in the league and 6-10 overall.

Pictured:  Nic Borojevich lays in two of his game-high 17 points.

Click on the link above to access all photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for no charge courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.