WELLINGTON, OHIO – Led by another sensational effort by senior Maxwell Joppeck, the Wellington Dukes advanced to the championship game of the Wellington Holiday classic with a solid 75-58 win over the Amherst Comets.
Joppeck, who came into the contest averaging just over 20 points a game, went off for 33 points, as the 6’4 forward controlled the game underneath and also hit a pair of three’s in the win.
The Dukes took control early, hitting four three’s in the first quarter as they took a 21-10 lead after one, and extended the lead to 38-22 at the half.
“I thought our focus was there, this is a big tournament for us, we’ve been in it four years and never won it,” Wellington coach Dan Gundert said.
With the win the Dukes are 7-1 overall, and will play a tough John Hay team in the title game Friday evening at Wellington.
The Hornets beat Open Door in the opener of the four-team tourney.
Joppeck was helped out by guard Mason McClellan with 10 points, as he helped in collecting a number of assists in the win as well.
“I can’t say enough about Max, he’s our guy, he does so much for us, I think he overall played fantastic,” Gundert said.
The Dukes hit 21-of-29 from the free throw line in the win, another huge number considering the Comets were held to just five free throws on the night, hitting three.
The Comets got 17 points in the setback from Alec Dimacchia, no other player on the team was in double digits.
Now the Dukes will move on for what should be an entertaining game Friday against the Hornets of John Hay to try and win the tourney.
“We got our hands full, but I love my guys and our effort,” Gundert said.
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