By Matt M. Stutz

The #2-seed Pandora-Gilboa High School boys basketball team claimed the NW2 Sectional Championship on Friday, March 1.

Playing on their home floor, the Rockets (21-2) used a 21-11 fourth quarter rally to pull away late from the #9 seeded Delphos Jefferson Wildcats (7-17) winning comfortably by a final of 58-37. 

P-G led throughout and never really seemed to lose momentum as they held a 25-15 advantage at halftime and 37-26 at the end of the third quarter. Even though they didn’t take a lead, the Wildcats kept the game interesting as they shot well from behind the arc to keep themselves within striking distance through the first three quarters of play .   

The Harris twins led the P-G offensive attack with a combined thirty-four points as Colin Harris posted a game high of 18 points while Aiden Harris was just behind him with 16 points. Nate Maag chipped in with 9 points to go along with 7 rebounds. Aidan Morris added 7 points while Zach Neuenschwander hit a first half three pointer for his 3 points.  Tanner Leichty hit a fourth quarter bucket for his two points and Cam Verhoff hit one late free throw for his 1 point.

Team - 1 -  2  -  3  -  4  -  F

P-G  - 13 - 12 - 12 - 21 - 58

D-J  - 07 - 08 - 11 - 11 - 37

Next up the #2 Rockets will play at the Elida Fieldhouse in the Division IV Elida District semi-final game this coming Tuesday March 5th at 7:30 pm.  The Rockets will take on a familiar foe in fellow Putnam County League rival and the #3 seeded Ottoville Big Green(17-6).  The two teams met back in January in a PCL match-up with P-G winning 63-40.  

The P-G vs Ottoville match-up will be the second game that evening at the Elida Fieldhouse following #1 Delphos St. John’s vs #4 Miller City at 6:00 p.m.