by Atwater, Ohio – Waterloo used a late charge to prevail over Columbiana Crestview, 55-50, Tuesday night in the Division III, Northeast 1 Niles District sectional semifinal.
Crestview jumped out to a 16-6 lead in the first quarter thanks to the efforts of Jonathann Best and Kirkland Miller, who combined for 11 of the Rebels’ 16 points. Waterloo would hit a pair of baskets late in the quarter to trim their deficit to 16-10 after one.
In the second quarter, the Vikings caught fire from long range. Navarre Alhassan hit a trio of triples. Anthony Podojil, Jackson Eichler, and Aidan Hall also connected from long range. Waterloo led by as much as eight (25-17), but Crestview responded in turn to cut their deficit to 30-29 going into the halftime break.
The third quarter was evenly matched as both teams sank a pair of triples. Kirkland Miller and Jameson English each connected from long range for the Rebels, and Anthony Podojoil hit all three for the Vikings, who led 41-40 after three.
English would later connect from the right wing to give Crestview its first lead since the second quarter, 48-46, with 3:12 left. They would not lead for long, as Navarre Alhassan sank another triple to give Waterloo back the lead, 49-48. He also went 8-10 from the charity stripe to help the Vikings preserve the lead and the eventual win. The senior guard finished with 24 points Tuesday evening, followed by fellow classmate Anthony Podojil, who had 17.
Waterloo improves to 15-8 and advances to Friday night’s sectional final against #7 Newton Falls.
Columbiana Crestview ends their season at 11-12. The Rebels were led by senior wing Kirkland Miller, who had 25 points, followed by sophomore Jonathan Best, who had 13.
