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FOUR-PEAT Dalton boys win share of title with Norwayne, Smithville

PHOTO BY LISA McGINTY | LMc Photography

Dalton’s Brady Hignight and Braylon Wenger celebrate their fourth year of winning at least a share of the WCAL title.

PHOTOS BY KATIE GOOD (katiegoodphotography.mypixieset.com)

Dalton’s boys basketball team and the crowd go wild after the Dawgs beat Norwayne to secure at least a share of the Wayne County Athletic League title — for the fourth consecutive season.

The Dalton student section cheers on their team.

Dalton’s Jack Steiner lays the ball up at the basket against Norwayne. Steiner scored 17 total points, including a crucial three-pointer to put the Dawgs in the lead with five minutes to play in the game.

By ARIEL STAHLER
DGKN sportswriter

For four consecutive seasons, Dalton High School’s varsity boys basketball team has held at least a portion of the WCAL championship. The Dawgs had to make a comeback in their 76-70 home win over Norwayne Feb. 17 to secure their share of the title this season with Smithville and Norwayne. All three teams finished the season 12-2 in the league.

Dalton led early before the Bobcats took control in a gym packed full of supporters and students. The evening also marked Senior Night and senior basketball players and cheerleaders were recognized.

Both teams fought hard and the crowd was in for quite a ride. The Norwayne lead was as much as nine points in the first half, but the Dawgs started their comeback after halftime. Dalton tied the score twice in the third quarter and once in the fourth, but Norwayne kept regaining the lead.

With less than five minutes left in the game, Jack Steiner nailed a triple to put the Dawgs ahead. Dalton subsequently went on a 12-4 run to extend the margin and secure a win in their final game of the regular season.

Braylon Wenger was Dalton’s leading scorer with 34 points, including six 3-pointers. Steiner totaled 17 points. Brady Hignight and Keller McFarren both scored six points. Braden Fiesler and Ethan Stutz added four points each. Grayson Lehman and Quentin Lehman combined for five points.

Dalton is the No. 7 seed in the Division IV Northeast 2 tournament. They will play the winner of No. 34 Ashtabula St. John/No. 15 Middlefield Cardinal in the sectional final Feb. 24.

Comets win one at home, one on road

Central beat Temple Christian 59-20 at home Feb. 14. Bryan Martin totaled 14 points, while Lyle Endsley scored 12 points. Ruben Carr and Thatcher Rohrer both scored seven points each. Josiah Bixler, Drew Badertscher and Richard Carr all scored four points. Christian Galvern finished with three points. Silas Coleman and Ilya Prytup had two points apiece.

The Comets defeated St. Peter’s 58-41 on the road Feb. 16. Martin scored 20 points for CCS. Rohrer added 17 points. Endsley totaled 10 points. Richard Carr ended with eight points and Ruben Carr scored three points.

Central holds the No. 11 seed in the Division IV Northeast 1 tournament. They will face No. 23 Berlin Center Western Reserve in the sectional semifinal Feb. 21.

Golden Bears continue to advance

Waynedale won Feb. 22 against Independence 60-50.

Follow Ariel on Twitter @AStahlerDGKNews

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