GRATIS – Preble Shawnee got off to a fast start and 14-6 first quarter lead that eventually would be the difference in the game as they held off Arcanum in the final period to grind a 55-46 Western Ohio Athletic Conference win.
In the opening frame the Trojans struggled to find offense while Preble Shawnee put up 14 points; 7 from Mason Shrout.
Arcanum was returning two of the top guards in the conference this year but had some unfortunate injuries that sidelined Ian Baker for most of the football season and basketball along with Jake Goubeaux missing almost half of the basketball season
Those injuries took away 30 points of offense and taxed coach Roger McEldowney to be creative in trying to find ways to score without them … it hasn’t been easy, but the Trojans found ways to win.
Over the last few games Jake Goubeaux has returned to the lineup but hasn’t got back into the flow and Ian Baker finally has been given the green light but is far from ready to contribute lots of minutes.
Struggling to find offense Goubeaux provided it in the 2nd quarter scoring 9 of the Trojans 10 points and 11 total in the first half while the defense was able to slow down Shrout to trail 25-16 at the half.
Shrout would also have 11 points for the Arrows at the break.
Goubeaux continued to provide offense in the 3rd quarter scoring 10 more points and got 4 from Nick Sharritts inside but they couldn’t slow Shawnee forward Mason Shrout who scored 15 in the 3rd quarter as the Arrows went ahead 43-30.
In the final stanza the Preble Shawnee assigned Shrout to guard Goubeaux and he would use his 4” height advantage to prevent him from getting off shots.
Arcanum would need to find offense elsewhere and they got it from Chad Pitzer who knocked down 3 triples all within the span of two minutes to close the gap to 5. The Trojans had an opportunity to get it within a score after making a steal but turned it right back over with about a minute left in the game.
Arcanum was left to foul and the Arrows were money from the free throw line going 22-for-29 in the game while Arcanum was just 1-for-11. Preble Shawnee would win the game 55-46.
Mason Shrout led all scorers with 32 points while Arcanum Jake Goubeaux had 23.
Preble Shawnee improves to 10-2 overall and 5-1 in the WOAC one game behind league leading Tri-Village who they will play on February 4th. The Arrows are back in action on Friday when they host Mississinawa Valley.
Arcanum falls to 9-5 overall and 6-2 in the league and they will travel to Lewisburg to play Tri-County North on Friday.
