It wasn’t a matter of if it was going to happen, more a matter of when.
Tecumseh exploded out to a 19-0 lead in the opening period of play, and never looked back in a dominating 94-33 victory to secure the CBC championship for the Arrows this season. The Arrows, who have been in control of the league all season, will now celebrate the championship tonight in their final regular season game of the season.
Urbana welcomed the return of 23-point-per-game senior Hunter Rogan from injury, but they could not stop the Arrows as they jumped out to a big lead.
Six different players scored in the first six minutes of the game, as they led 19-0 on consecutive threes from sophomores Corinne Thomas and Mackenzie Pauley with 1:49 left in the opening period. Urbana finally broke through on a free throw with 1:37 left in the first period, but the duo of Thomas and Presley Griffitts kept the push going for the Arrows, as they led 23-3 after the opening period.
Urbana bounced back in the second period to score 14 points but the Arrows added to their lead. Griffitts and Thomas each scored four points in the first four minutes, and the Arrows led 34-10 when Urbana made their only serious run of the game. Rogan scored six points in less than one minute to close their deficit to 20, but back came Tecumseh with five points of their own. Thomas hit three free throws, and Haley Beel scored at the rim, keeping the Arrows in command. Thomas added a layup as the first half ended, giving Tecumseh an impressive 41-17 lead at the break.
Tecumseh had a couple of runs in the third, including a 7-0 run capped by a three from sophomore Pauley, then Griffitts put together a run late in the quarter scoring six points during a 12-0 Tecumseh run to end the quarter, which included three from Thomas and a quarter-ending three from Pauley.
The Arrows were led in scoring by Thomas who ended up with 34 points, while Griffitts added 28 and Pauley scored nine.
Tecumseh returns to action tonight in their regular season finale hosting Bellefontaine. The Arrows will be honoring their successful middle school teams, and will be cutting down the nets following the game against the Chiefs to recognize the CBC champions.
The Arrows also defeated Trotwood last week in a non-conference game 61-48. Thomas led the Arrows with 24 points, Griffitts added 15 and Allison Berner scored 11. Macy Berner added nine points and nine rebounds in a complete game.
