Jonathan Alder’s Ryan Mark (11) hits a jumper against Columbus Bishop Watterson during a game from earlier in the 2023-24 season. The Pioneers will face Columbus Bishop Ready during the Division II district semifinals on Wednesday. The game will be played at Ohio Dominican University.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
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The boys basketball squad from Jonathan Alder is the only local hoop team left standing in post-season play.
The sixth-seeded Pioneers toppled No. 12 Licking Valley, 61-45, during a Division II sectional championship contest.
The Pioneers led 16-10 after the opening period and increased their advantage to 30-20 by halftime.
Licking Valley was limited to just eight points during the third quarter.
As a result, Jonathan Alder climbed to a 46-28 margin as action moved into the final period.
“Our guys came out ready to go from the opening tip,” said Pioneer coach Derek Dicke.
“We had been off for a little more than a week and that gave us plenty of time to rest up from the regular season and get prepared for Licking Valley,” he said. “We had a game plan defensively to limit their transition points and force them to take tough shots.
“We executed that plan and I am very pleased with how our guys played and how physical and together we were.”
The Pioneers shot the ball very well.
They hit 18 of 37 from the field (49%) and tallied 24 points from beyond the three-point arc.
Jonathan Alder hit the boards for 29 rebounds, which included 10 on the offensive glass.
Licking Valley managed to sink only 43% from the floor and made only four out of 16 shots that came from beyond the three-point line.
The Panthers tallied just 19 rebounds.
Alder’s team work was well on display with 13 assists.
Peyton Heiss poured in 33 points to lead Jonathan Alder. He connected on nine-of-16 field goals for 56%.
He also sank 12 of his 13 free throw attempts.
Ryan Mark joined him in double figures with 13 points.
Noah Hess and Sam Cramer both tallied five, Blake Atkins scored three and Chase Meutzel added two.
The Pioneers will move into the district semifinal game on Wednesday.
They will face third-seeded Columbus Bishop Ready with an 8 p.m. tip time at Ohio Dominican University.