FINDLAY – If there is one message Little Giants boys basketball coach John Cahill and his staff are trying to get through to thier players in their first season with the program, it’s the need to do everything “the right way.”
The more the Little Giants do things “the right way” the more they’ll begin to have success.
Friday night, visiting Findlay, Ross ended the first quarter holding the lead for the first time this season. Though the lead didn’t last, the Little Giants’ competitiveness did, as Ross battled to the end in a 60-53 loss to the Trojans.
“I keep harping on this but, (it’s about) doing the right things,” Cahill said. “We have some self-inflicted wounds that we can take care of if we determine that we’re going to do the right things.
“There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Bryce McKinstry (wrist fracture) should be back in January, and we have some kids not playing right now and, if they are playing, it changes what we can do,” he added. “If we do the right things and take care of our end, as student-athletes and good citizens, I like where we’re going.”
Ross enjoyed a balanced attack in the first quarter, as five players scored field goals to take an 11-7 lead into the second quarter. But an influx of youth into the lineup showed itself when Findlay turned up the pressure in the second quarter.
“They came at us with some pressure and they made some shots,” Cahill said. “They’re a good team, and they have really good players on the perimeter with Roth and Nunn.”
Freshman LaBronze Barnett started his second-straight varsity game and freshman Kurt Harrison and junior Jaevon Martin also made their varsity debuts Friday with positive results.
After trailing 26-19 at halftime, Ross battled back in the third quarter and entered the fourth quarter still very much in the game, trailing by just four, 38-34.
“We stuck around four throughout, four or six, but we never got it down to one possession,” Cahill said. “We hung in there and made some shots to keep us in the game. Hayden (Lehmann) played well tonight. He started the season not tremendously confidently and he was good tonight.”
Jabryis Heidelburg led Ross with 12 points while Martin added 10 and Ben Gedeon added nine.
Though the Little Giants’ record drops to 0-5 overall, 0-4 in TRAC, Cahill said there are positive things happening on the court.
“We’re not happy with the loss – we’re not happy with what we’re doing result-wise – but I am happy with the way we’re competing and we’ve definitely had our fair share of adversity but we keep continuing to battle and compete and that’s all you can ask.
“As a Fremont Ross grad, if I were sitting in the stands, I’d be proud of the way the kids in purple played,” he added. “They battled, and they competed. I think the wins will come if we take care of ourselves.”
Findlay 60, Fremont Ross 53
FR| 11—8—15—19 53
FHS| 7—19—12—22 60
FREMONT ROSS (53)
LaBronz Barnett 6, Ethan Chumley 5, Hayden Lehmann 5, Jabryis Heidelburg 12, Ben Gedeon 9, Jaevon Martin 10, Dontrez Brown 6.
FINDLAY (53)
Max Roth 21, Nunn 22, Adams 15, Strzempka 2.