Slow start can't stop Claymont from winning sectional over Philo

Domanick Jolliff battles through Philo defenders early in their sectional championship game. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

UHRICHSVILLE, Ohio - After a rough beginning, Claymont manages to hang on to secure a tournament win, defeating Philo 44-37.

Domanick Joliff's 3-point shot late in the fourth quarter secured the victory for the Mustangs and earned them the sectional title on their home court.

"As soon as I shot it, I felt like I knew it was in," said Jolliff.

At the start of the game, it would seem both teams were not in sync, as they would miss open layups, have multiple turnovers, and miss open shots, which led to a low-scoring game in the first quarter.

Rusty Trout would score the first two buckets of the game for Philo. But as turnovers and miscues continued to plague the start of the game, they would only manage five more points in the period.

"We didn't start off very good at all. Everything was slow," said Jinks. Jamar Lyles came off the bench to score the initial points for Claymont, who would only be ahead 9-7 when the period ended. 

Walker Dupler (24) goes after a loose ball as Claymont's Brady Fox looks on. Dupler finished the game with 5 points for the Electrics. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

A big second quarter for Philo in which they scored 14 points, led by Grant Rhoades and Griffin Harper, who would score from the field as the team struggled to shoot from outside the arc. 

Claymont also struggled to score from long range, hitting just one 3-point shot from Myles Wolf, as Lyles would pace the game, and Trout would claim two early fouls that would limit his play. 

The second period would end with Philo in the lead, 21-18. "We just didn't come out and play very well. I don't know if it was nerves, but obviously, we didn't rebound very well, said head coach Gary Watkins as he spoke on his team's first-half start. 

The third quarter would belong to Claymont, as their defense would hold Philo to just six points for the period. As they would regain the lead heading into the fourth quarter, speeding the game up, leading 28-27. 

Jamar Lyles goes in for a bucket surrounded by Philo defenders Carter Crabtree (44) and Slade Sprankle (2). Lyles' second-quarter play was key; he finished the game with six points. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) 

As foul trouble would continue to haunt Rusty Trout (fouled out with1:56 left in the game), Claymont would take advantage of not having him on the floor: "We always wanted to get one of the better players in foul trouble, anytime they're not in the game, hopefully that's going to help us," said Watkins. 

"I felt like pushing it a little bit earlier got them a little bit tired," said Jinks. 

The game would go the Mustangs' way as they would score 16 of their final points in this period. With 3:48 left in the game, Domanick Jolliff would sink a 3-point shot that would put them ahead 36-33 and hold the lead for a sectional win. 

Claymont would survive and advance to play New Concord John Glenn in the Division IV East 2 District Semifinal game on Tuesday, March 3.

Philo wraps up their season with an 11-12 record.