DOUBLE DOUBLE … Cayden Jacoby scores down low for Pettisville in the third quarter. Jacoby dropped 26 points on the night to go with 12 rebounds and five blocks. (PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER, STAFF)
By: Nate Calvin
NAPOLEON – No.9 seed Fayette and No. 7 Pettisville added another chapter to their rivalry with their Division IV sectional semifinal on Wednesday night at the Grand Canyon in Napoleon.
Fayette was able to cut Pettisville’s double-digit lead down to three points on two occasions in the second half, but the Blackbirds responded both times and pulled away in the final minute for a 46-35 win.
Senior Elijah Lerma gave the Eagles a brief 7-6 lead with two free throws late in the opening quarter.
Pettisville then would put together a 12-2 run that carried over into the second quarter led by eight points from Cayden Jacoby as they built their lead to 20-9.
Fayette’s Wyatt Michell was able slow the Pettisville momentum though with two buckets to end the half and cut the Pettisville advantage to 20-13.
The Blackbirds pushed their lead back to double figures to start the second half with a bucket and a free throw from Jacoby followed by a Zakkai Kauffman field goal to make it 25-15.
Kaden Frenn would keep Fayette close with triple, Lerma was 2/2 at the line, and Lerma then registered a three-point play with a layup and a foul after a Quinn Mitchell to steal to make it 27-23.
Skylar Lester would hit a free throw to bring Fayette within 27-24, but the Blackbirds tallied the last four points of the quarter ending with an offensive rebound bucket by Jacoby as the score was now 31-24.
The Pettisville momentum continued into the final frame as they scored the first five points to increase their lead to 36-24.
Fayette battled back with an 11-2 run starting with triples by Demetrius Whiteside and Quinn Mitchell to cut the Blackbirds lead to 36-30 with 2:40 left.
After two makes at the foul line by Jacoby it was Lerma with a bucket and then a step-back 3-pointer from the left wing to bring the Eagles to within three points again at 38-35 with 1:30 left.
Once again Pettisville had a response, scoring the game’s last eight points starting with a layup by Joey Ripke and then going 6/8 as a team at the line in the final minute.
The Blackbirds ended the game 14/20 (70%) at the line including 9/12 (75%) in the final quarter to seal the game.
Pettisville (12-10) went 16/32 (50%) from the floor while Fayette (10-12) finished 12/47 shooting overall for 25% and was 5/20 (20%) from 3-point range.
Jacoby led the Pettisville attack with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and five blocks. Lerma had 12 (10 in the second half) to pace Fayette.
FAYETTE 7 6 11 11 – 35
P’VILLE 10 10 11 15 – 46
Nate can be reached at sports@thevillagereporter.com