Boys start slow, end with power over Parma

  The Weiser boys basketball teams played Parma at their place on Thursday, January 19. The frosh/soph team struggled in the beginning trailing through three quarters respectively 6-4, 16-9 and 20-19. The fourth quarter they owned blowing Parma out of the game and winning 41-34. The JV had a tight game and at any given time, either team was in charge. Weiser trailed by one at the end of the first quarter 10-9, led by one point at the half 23-22 and had a good lead at the end of the third, 41-36. The fourth foul trouble hurt as the teams were tied 55-55 sending them into overtime. Parma would win in OT 64-60.
  The varsity also began slow with a majority of the shots hitting the front of the rim. However, the presence of mind of these warriors stood out in the second quarter as Weiser built a lead and never relinquished it winning 65-48. Starters for the game were Drew McKie, Issac Zanelli, Justin Roberts, Tyler Hemphill and Elias Daniels.  McKie controlled the tip with ease but as stated, Weiser couldn't buy a basket. Weiser's first bucket came via McKie to Roberts for two. Parma hit three shots in a row. McKie was fouled draining both shots. Roberts to Bruce Hamilton for the bucket, 6-6. McKie passed to Ethan Thomas for the THREE! Hamilton passed to Thomas on the baseline for his second THREE! Weiser trailed by one, 13-12 at the end of the first quarter.
  In the top of the second quarter, Thomas fired a bullet to Brock Bumgarner for the hoop. Thomas took the ball to the hoop untouched for his two points. At 4:00, Weiser took the lead on McKie's drive for two, 18-17. Zanelli hit the jumper. Roberts received the inbound pass at the top of the key burying the THREE! McKie took a charge on defense that lit up the crowd. Thomas hit nothing but the bottom of the net on his third THREE! Hemphill putback an offensive rebound. McKie putback an "O" rebound while still in the air - Sweet! Weiser had the lead at the half 30-17.
  Daniels graced the board with his shot in the top of the third quarter. Roberts was fouled making one count. McKie for two, 35-20. McKie to Daniels at the free throw line for the shot. Daniels to Hemphill in the open for the bucket. McKie for two more. Hemphill had the backhanded lay-up that had the crowd oohing and ahhing. Thomas to Derek Reyes for two, 45-31. McKie sank another shot. Thomas drained two free throws on two trips to the charity stripe. Garrett Crawford fought for the offensive rebound, yanked it away and sank the shot. Weiser led 51-34 with a quarter to go.
  Bumgarner's "O" rebound putback added to the lead in the fourth quarter. Weiser's defense was tenacious blocking shots and rejecting shots. Daniels made a free throw. McKie made a free throw. Weiser was only about 50%  in that category. Roberts picked off a Parma inbound pass aka football style and finished with the basket, 57-36. Parma begin to foul in earnest with many players making the trip to the line. Roberts and Hamilton were each perfect from the line. Logan Loomis and Zanelli each made one free throw as Weiser won the game 65-48.
  Scoring: Thomas and McKie 13 each, Roberts 10, Hamilton and Hemphill 6 each, Daniels 5, Bumgarner 4, Zanelli 3, Reyes and Crawford 2 each and Loomis 1.