ZANESVILLE - The offense sputtered out of the gate as Zanesville shot 24 percent (6 of 25) in the first half Friday night.
The defense more than compensated, forcing Marietta into 15 first-half turnovers and less than 30 percent (3 of 11) shooting, as the Blue Devils built a 12-point halftime lead and cruised to a 59-21 East Central Ohio League victory at Winland Memorial Gymnasium.
The Tigers (0-2) finished 6 of 24 from the floor and turned the ball over 26 times, while the Blue Devils (1-0, 3-0) held a 35-24 edge on the glass, including 17 offensive rebounds.
Article Photos
Photo courtesy of Christopher J. Crook
Marietta’s Jordan Satterfield (3) drives on Zanesville’s Dar Stanford (10) during East Central Ohio League boys’ basketball action at ZHS Friday night.
ZHS coach Scott Aronhalt praised his team's defensive effort.
"I thought we made them play faster than they wanted," Aronhalt said. "The defense was solid, and we were able to win the rebounding battle. That is a big step going forward, especially with their size."
Marietta had no answer for the Blue Devils' pressure, despite trailing 5-3 after one quarter. The Tigers had seven turnovers and were held to five points in the second quarter as they fell behind 20-8 at halftime.
Fact Box
Zanesville 59, Marietta 21
Marietta 3 5 3 10 - 21
Zanesville 5 15 20 19 - 59
Marietta (0-2)
Jonathan Wood 1 0-0 2, Cameron Benson 0 1-2 1, Jordan Satterfield 1 0-0 2, Derek Amrine 0 0-0 0, Billy Weekly 0 1-2 1, Adam McKnight 1 1-2 4, Ethan Strauss 0 0-0 0, Braden Riley 1 1-6 3, Andrew Sutherland 0 0-0 0, Corey Hill 0 2-2 2, Zach LaBarre 1 0-0 2, Adam Gearhart 1 1-2 4, Connor Beavers 0 0-0 0, TOTALS 6-24 7-16 21. 3-point goals: McKnight 1, Gearhart 1. Rebounds: 24 (Riley 6). Turnovers: 26. Steals: 6 (Riley 2). Assists: 3.
Jake Phillis 2 2-2 7, Dar Stanford 0 0-0 0, Ramon Wilson 1 0-0 2, Kade Johnson 0 0-0 0, J.T. McFarland 5 2-3 12, Thomas Wibbeler 5 0-0 14, Granger Long 1 3-4 5, Marcus Johnson 3 1-2 7, Malik Bocook 5 1-1 11, TOTALS 22-56 9-12 59. 3-point goals: Wibbeler 4, Phillis 1, Wilson 1. Rebounds: 35 (M. Johnson 6). Turnovers: 11. Assists: 10 (Wilson 3), Steals: 14 (McFarland 3).
Tigers coach J.D. Secrest knew his team would have to battle.
"They're quicker than us at all five spots, and they will win a lot of games" he said. "Their pressure made it difficult to get good looks. We weren't confident with the ball. But, I saw some positives with our effort, intensity and competitiveness."
Zanesville found a rhythm to close out the first half, scoring on three of its final four possessions, including a 3 from Ramon Wilson.
That momentum carried over to the second half. Jake Phillis knocked down a triple to spark an 18-0 run to open the third quarter.
Malik Bocook followed with a putback, and Thomas Wibbeler hit back-to-back treys for a 31-8 edge. The lead would grow to 40-11 entering the fourth.
Zanesville committed just 11 turnovers and made 22 of 56 from the field - 16 of 31 in the second half.
Wibbeler was one of three Blue Devils in double figures with 14 points with four triples. J.T. McFarland added 12 points and three steals, Bocook tallied 11 points and five rebounds, Marcus Johnson collected seven points and a team-high six rebounds, Phillis added seven points, and Ramon Wilson passed out three assists.
Adam McKnight and Adam Gearhart had four points each for the Tigers.
Zanesville won the reserve game 42-36 as Kade Johnson scored 12. Dillon Strum had 11 for Marietta.
