ASHLAND – The Ashland boys basketball team hasn’t had trouble finding a scorer in recent years.
The Arrows have boasted an All-Ohioan in each of the last five seasons – the longest run for the program since the 1970s – and graduated their top two all-time scorers in 2022 (Luke Denbow) and 2023 (Grayson Steury).
Kicking off their 116th season Friday night against visiting Norwalk, it was clear Ashland will be looking for its go-to guy as things get rolling this year.
The Arrows led 37-31 with 2:49 to play after a layup from senior Isaac Stewart, but they never scored again and the Truckers escaped Arrow Arena with a 39-37 victory.
Ashland had eight scorers in the game, but none of them got into double-digits (Stewart led the hosts with eight points).
“Eight guys played and we’ve got eight guys (scoring),” said AHS head coach Jason Hess, now 90-95 at the start of his ninth season. “That has not been the case in the past, but we don’t have that one guy that is going out and giving us 20.
“Late in the game, it’s going to have to be who is going to step up by committee and make shots.”
Ashland held Norwalk scoreless for a five-minute stretch of the fourth quarter, but the Truckers found their footing with the game’s final eight points inside the final 2:31.
The game-winner came with 25 seconds left when Dalton Chapin dumped a pass down to 6-foot-4 center Ben Rothhaar (nine points) in the lane for a layup.
The Arrows’ drew a foul with 3 seconds left, but the ensuing free throws both missed and Ashland couldn’t secure the rebound.
“(Scoring late) says a lot about them being a together group, and when it comes time to fight at the end, to find a way,” Truckers coach Adam Kreischer said. “As poorly as they feel that they played tonight – especially at the offensive end of the floor – to come together as a group and still find a way to get the win is what it’s all about.”
Ashland shot out to 9-1 lead to open the game behind 3-pointers from senior Keith Bowman, senior Max Swaisgood and Stewart, but couldn’t get much separation while going just 1 for 7 inside the perimeter before halftime.
Sophomore Reed Emmons and Stewart hit triples in the second quarter to push the AHS lead out to 18-11, but the Truckers got within 18-14 heading into the half.
Norwalk’s Mason Gamble netted 10 of his game-high 18 points in a back-and-forth third quarter to set up the finish.
“Mason has been there, he’s done that,” Kreischer said. “He’s going to be counted on to do those types of things this year.”
Arrows 6-foot-5 sophomore center Nathan Bernhard (six points) had his third foul just three minutes into the third quarter, but the Ashland defense scrapped to keep things close with him on the bench.
Hess felt the game was similar to last year’s opener, a 48-45 Norwalk win.
“Not the way you want to start the season, especially with a young group, because it’s important to get them confidence to get some momentum early,” Hess said.
“I was really proud of our defensive effort tonight, we just couldn’t make enough baskets to get over the hump.”
The Arrows outrebounded the Truckers, 30-22, but both teams had trouble holding onto the ball, with Ashland closing the night with 14 turnovers and Norwalk totaling 15.
Next up for the Arrows is a road contest next Friday at Mansfield Senior.
