NWOAL ACTION … Cade Brenner puts up a runner in the first half against Delta. Brenner notched a game-high 14 points in a 57-46 Archbold win. (PHOTO BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
ARCHBOLD (January 26, 2024) – A disciplined Delta team took on the offensive powerhouse Archbold Bluestreaks on their home turf and managed to take the lead multiple times throughout the matchup but were unable to hold on at the end during conference play Friday night.
The Panthers took the tip off and immediately scored via a layup from senior Justin Ruple, setting the stage for what would be a competitive game throughout. A further preview would be the Bluestreaks’ first strike, a three-pointer from senior Jayden Seiler.
Delta sophomore Alex York managed to sink a layup while drawing a foul from Seiler, also sinking his free throw attempt.
Archbold junior Micah Nofziger answered with a layup to tie the game at 5, tying it again at 7 with another basket immediately following one from Panther senior Luke Reinhard.
Seiler put in another trey, briefly giving Archbold the lead before another pair of free throws from York and layup from junior John Brasher put Delta back up 11-10.
A distance shot from Bluestreak senior Cade Brenner preceded a layup for York and a basket by Reinhard brought the first quarter to a close with Delta up 15-13.
Archbold’s tight defensive play spawned a run to begin the second quarter with a basket from Nofziger and another pair of three pointers for Seiler.
During the remainder of the quarter, Delta’s Ruple and Reinhard would each get two shots at the line but only make one per visit, and a three-pointer from senior Jude Gibbons rounded out their scoring, while Bluestreak junior Madden Valentine would sink a three to put Archbold up 24-20 at halftime.
A reinvigorated Delta came out of halftime ready to fight and were met initially with equal intensity by the Bluestreaks, with each team scoring on their first two possessions of the third quarter.
A layup by Brenner was matched by one from York, a basket from Nofziger was met and exceeded by a three from Gibbons.
Following the initial trade, with the score at 28-25 Bluestreaks, the Panthers would go on a 10-point run, retaking the lead and then some with baskets from Brasher and York as well as treys from Reinhard and Ruple.
Unwilling to go down easy, Archbold came back with its own run courtesy entirely of Brenner, who scored one basket before eventually putting in a three-pointer, immediately stealing the ball back, and scoring another basket to tie it at 35.
Shortly before the end of the quarter, Reinhard was able to make a shot inside and put the Panthers up 37-35 going into the final quarter.
Bluestreak junior Sonny Phillips started the fourth quarter strong, tying the game with a layup and taking the lead with a free throw after drawing a foul while making the basket. Delta responded with its own layup via Ruple, taking the lead back, 39-38.
That lead would be short-lived and their last of the game, as Archbold went on a scorching 11-point run, during which junior Broden Piercefield put in a basket and a free throw, Phillips nailed a pair of treys, and Nofziger added a pair of free throws, extending the Archbold advantage to 49-39.
The remainder of the game would only see another seven points scored by Delta, in the form of a free throw from Ruple, a three from Gibbons, and a basket and free throw from Brasher.
Meanwhile, Nofziger would put in a basket as well as a pair of free throws, with fellow Bluestreak Phillips putting up two free throws and Brenner hitting four to end the game.
DELTA (46) – J. Ruple 9; T. Ruple 0; J. Gibbons 9; W. Gibbons 0; Reinhard 10; York 11; Hallett IV 0; Sargent 0; Brasher 7: Totals: 12-5-7 – 46
ARCHBOLD (57) – Phillips 11; Brenner 14; Wendt 2; Seiler 12; Diller 0; Miller 0; Piercefield 3; Valentine 3; Nofziger 12; Totals: 10-9-10 – 57
ARCHBOLD 13 11 11 22 – 57
DELTA 15 5 17 9 – 46
JUNIOR VARSITY: Archbold 44, Delta 27
