FRHS defense keeps Rangers in check

FORT RECOVERY — If it wasn’t in the form of 3-pointers — specifically from Troy Dwenger — New Knoxville struggled to find points against the Indians.

Fort Recovery High School’s boys basketball team took a double-digit lead in the opening quarter and rolled Friday to a 56-29 Midwest Athletic Conference victory over the New Knoxville Rangers.

The Indians (12-8, 4-4 MAC) ran out to a 17-6 lead in the first quarter in which all of New Knoxville’s points came from long distance. They pushed the lead to 20 points at halftime and pulled away in the fourth quarter.

Cale Rammel added another 20-point game to his resume, single-handedly outscoring the Rangers in the first quarter en route to his game-high 20 points. Rex Leverette joined him in double figures with 14 points and Alex Dues added eight.

Eighteen of the 29 points for the Rangers (2-16, 0-8 MAC) came from long distance. Dwenger, a junior, hit four of his team’s six 3-pointers and finished with a team high 15 points.

The game bodes well for the Indians, who will meet New Knoxville again in the opening round of the Division IV sectional tournament at St. Marys on Feb. 21. Before that, they will visit Newton Local tonight and then host New Bremen in the regular-season finale Friday.

Fort Recovery’s defense in the junior varsity game, which was limited to two quarters, was even more dominant as it won 27-2. Briggs Overman led the Indians with nine points and Gavin Evers added eight.