OBERLIN, OHIO – The Keystone Wildcats did their job rather easily Friday night with a 33-point win over the Firelands Falcons but still needed a little help to make them outright PAC Stars Dvision Champions.
They got it.
Thanks to a win by the Buckeye Bucks over the Wellington Dukes, the Wildcats took home the division title, shooting the lights out against Firelands with a 77-43 win.
“Our kids are excited, our coaching staff is excited, the kids worked so hard, the coaching staff works hard, but when you’re able to win championships at the end of the year it makes it so much more special,” Wildcats coach Jeff Holzhauer said.
The Wildcats will play the winner of Firelands and Buckeye who will play in the first-round, two teams they have already had success against this season.
“We just want to play, keep the kids loose, keep the kids confident, make sure the kids confidence is at a high level heading into that game,” Holzhauer said.
The Wildcats are on a tear, as they have won 14 in a row as they now sit at 18-4 on the season, 8-2 on the road, 13-3 in league play.
Friday night belonged to their shooters, as the team started 6-for-6 from the field, hitting four three’s early and took a quick 14-point lead.
Firelands made a solid run at the end of the first to close it to eight at 20-12, and got it to within three when the Wildcats went cold in the second quarter, but Keystone started the third quarter again red-hot, pulling away by midway of the third quarter.
“Their (Firelands) limited as far as what they can do defensively, and against teams like us that can shoot the ball our kids it makes it tough for them,” Holzhauer said.
“We hit 11 three pointers, got open looks and shot them down early, we were very unselfish.”
The Wildcats were led by Senior Drake Rodick who had 17 points in the win.
Senior Brody Kuhl went off for 14, and hit three early shots in the third quarter to put Keystone firmly in control 47-27.
The Falcons were led by senior Richard Maggard who put in 11 on senior night.
Nick Denny and Jacob Schmitz each added 10 for Firelands, who fall to 5-17, 5-10 in Conference play.
“We had 30 made baskets and 25 assists,” Holzhauer said. “We got it to the open guy and we were fortunate tonight.”
For the Wildcats, it was another impressive win for a team that is going to be a tough out in the upcoming playoff tournament.
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