Jonathan Alder’s boys hoopsters took it on the chin against Springfield Shawnee.
The Pioneers slipped to 16-5 with a 50-46 setback on their home court.
The contest was tied at 10-10 by the end of the first quarter.
Alder (which will host Columbus St. Charles this evening) led by a 21-20 edge at the halftime turn.
The Braves took a 32-31 lead into the final eight minutes of action.
The game was about as evenly played as could be expected.
Both teams shot very well from the floor.
Shawnee sank 17 of its 30 field goal attempts for 56%.
The Pioneers were 15-of-27 for 55%.
The Braves held just a slight edge from the charity stripe.
The visitors missed only one of 12 offerings for 91%.
Jonathan Alder was nearly as efficient.
The Pioneers attempted 11 free throws and swished nine for 81%.
The Braves’ free throw shooting helped offset JA’s seven trifectas.
Shawnee hit five from beyond the arc.
Turnovers played a role in the outcome.
JA committed nine miscues and the Braves capitalized with 10 points off those mistakes.
Peyton Heiss led Jonathan Alder with 21 points and was joined in double figures by Joey Walker, who finished with 11.
They were followed by Taber Headings and Tyler Begin-both with five and Grant Welsch-four.
Zion Crowe and Patrick Fultz led Shawnee with 13 points apiece.
R.J. Griffin tossed in 12.
Despite the loss, the Pioneers finished as the Kenton Trail Division champions of the Central Buckeye Conference with a 9-1 record.
The Braves (13-7 overall) were the runner-up with a 7-3 mark.