An early battle between Continental and Ottoville Boys Varsity looked to be a close affair till the momentum turned to the Big Green when Pirate Started Freshman Monty Rayle went out with an injury. The game looked like it was going to be all Big Green as they put up the first 9 points of the game on a pair of 3s, a basket and a free throw. The Pirates pulled to within 1 as Monty Rayle would hit a 3, Konnor Knipp Williams a basket and a 3 by Mason Rayle. Big Green 9-8. The Big Green would convert a 3 point play to finish off the first quarter scoring at 12-8 Big Green.
With 6:47 left in the half Monty Rayle drove to the basket to make a layup and then slipped to the floor. Action was stopped for 10+ minutes while the Ottoville EMS was called to the court to transport Monty. It looked to be an injury to his knee area at the time. Big Green 12-10. When play resumed it was all Big Green the rest of the half as the put in 12 points, including a basket at the buzzer, while the Pirates could only counter with a Knipp Williams basket. Big Green 24-12 at the break.
The third quarter started with a Big Green basket and a Rhenn Armey basket Big Green 26-14. The Big Green would make a basket to push their lead to 14. Knipp Williams would make a free throw. Big Green 28-15. The Pirates would follow up a Big Green basket with a Knipp William basket and a Mason Rayle basket to cut the Big Green lead to 11, 30-19. The Big Green would put in the last 4 points of the third with a free throw and a 3 at the buzzer, Big Green 34-19.
The Big Green would open up the fourth with a 3 to push their lead to 18, 37-19. A pair of Knipp Williams free throws was followed up by a pair of Big Green baskets and it was Big Green up by 20, 41-31. Knipp William would make 3 free throws for a 41-24 score. A basket by the Big Green was matched by Knipp Williams, Big Green 43-26. A pair of Big Green 3 put then up by 23 49-26. The Pirates would score 4 of the last 6 points on a Knipp Williams basket and a Mason Rayle basket. Big Green 51-30 final.
Konnor Knipp Williams led the Pirates with 15 points. Mason Rayle put in 7, Monty Rayle 5, Rhenn Armey 2, and Jonathon Etter 1. The Pirates made two 3s, 1 each by Mason and Monty Rayle. The Big Green put in six 3 pointers. The Pirates were 6-11 from the line. The Big Green were 7-11 from the line.
Continental falls to 7-10 (3-2 PCL) and will host Montpelier on Saturday for “All A’s” night. Ottoville improves to 14-4 (4-1 PCL).
Continental and Ottoville entered the game in a second place tie. With the Big Green win Kalida has clinched at least a Championship tie. The Pirates and Kalida play next Friday. Ottoville came into the game 3rd in the Elida District, 6th in the Bowling Green Regional and 16 in the State Martin RPI ranking. Continental was 9, 27, and 101. The Martin RPI will be used for seeding in the Bowling Green Regional and it looks like the Pirates will be the #9 seed at Elida while Ottoville will be the #3 seed.
Continentalenews and Pirate nation wish a speedy recovery for Monty Rayle.
–Mike Jones, Sportswriter
