Swanton 8th Grade Boys Win NWOAL Basketball Championship
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Facing an eight-point deficit early in the second quarter, the Swanton Bulldogs went on a 14-0 run to close out the first half and went on to capture the NWOAL 8th Grade Boys Basketball Tournament Championship, 41-34, over the Archbold Blue Streaks in the “Big House” at Evergreen High School. Carson Braden started the run with his first of five three-point bombs and the Bulldogs took an 18-12 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Swanton outscored Archbold 16-13 in the third quarter, giving the top-seeded Bulldogs a nine-point advantage with one period to play. However, the Streaks rallied back with six straight points to start the fourth quarter and eventually pulled within four before another triple from Braden, his 23rd point of the contest, and two critical free throws from Nick Goings sealed the victory.
For this group of players and coaches, it was back-to-back championships after having won the title last year as 7th graders. “First, I want to thank the parents for allowing me to coach their tremendous sons. The kids played their tails off today. We started slow the last couple of games but turned it on when we needed to. The unselfish play of the kids is amazing. They just want to win and it doesn’t matter who is scoring. I am just so thankful for each and every one of them,” said Coach Tim Nelson. “I also want to thank coaches Braden, Thornton, and Borojevich. Thank you to the community of Swanton for the tremendous support all year. GO BULLDOGS.
Archbold Blue Streaks: 7-5-13-14 = 34 Grant Cover (16), Collin Rodriguez (6), Gus Babcock (5), Henry Throne (4), Kane Overmier (3)
Swanton Bulldogs: 2-16-16-7 = 41 Carson Braden (23), Nick Goings (8), Gabe Lennex (6), Chase Bergman (4)
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Photo: Swanton Bulldogs – NWOAL 2026 8th Grade Boys Basketball Champions
Fulton County Ohio Media 