Comeback Cavs

LIMA - In a matter of 13.1 seconds, Coldwater went from being down four to keeping its season alive.

Jacob Wenning's 3-pointer with 13.1 seconds cut the Cavalier deficit to one and then Cole Frilling scored on a layup off a Ben Wenning steal with five seconds remaining to give the Cavaliers a 35-34 win over top-ranked Archbold in the Division III boys basketball district semifinal on Thursday at Lima Senior High School.

The Cavaliers (16-9) return to Lima on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. to face Ottawa-Glandorf in the championship game. The Titans, ranked eighth in the final Associated Press, defeated Bluffton 68-30 in the nightcap. The Blue Streaks end their season at 23-1.

"We had a great week of preparation," said Coldwater coach Nick Fisher. "I'm so proud of them."

The key to the Coldwater's success was a strong defense. Archbold had not scored less than 47 points in any game this season, yet the Cavaliers held the Blue Streaks to just 13 points in the first half as Coldwater led 22-13.

"I thought we did an unbelievable job defensively," said Fisher of the defense, which included forcing 12 turnovers and taking four charges. "Keeping that high-calibre of an offense (Archbold scored 70 or more points 11 times) in check, give our guys so much credit for the way we fought."

Archbold's defense was sharp as well, especially in the third quarter. The Blue Streaks held the Cavaliers to a free throw over the first five minutes. The Streaks began their comeback on 3s from Jeron Williams and Rigo Ramos to get within two. Ramos tied the game at 23-all with 3:04 to play, only to have Coldwater retain the lead with a Noah Miller basket seconds later. Elijah Zimmerman hit a free throw to cut the score to 25-24, but Frilling hit a 3-pointer with 43 seconds remaining to give Coldwater at 28-24 lead heading to the fourth quarter.

"Have to really give (Archbold) credit defensively," said Fisher, whose team shot just 26 percent from the floor. "It felt like we could not get into anything offensively."

A quick Frilling basket raised the lead to 30-24 before Archbold stormed back. Austin Wiemken scored six straight points to tie the game at 30-all wth 4:57 remaining in regulation. After Coldwater missed scoring on two straight possessions, Williams gave the Blue Streaks their first lead at 32-30 with 3:40 to go. Ramos added two free throws with 1:35 remaining to make it 34-30.

Then the Cavaliers made their moves, forcing a turnover on the Streaks' next possession. Both teams missed front ends of one-and-bonuses, with Coldwater getting the ball with 25.3 seconds remaining. After trying to go inside, Jacob Wenning got a kick-out pass and nailed a trey with 13.1 seconds to cut it to one as Fisher immediately called a timeout to set up the defense.

"We told them to get the steal and attack the rim," said Fisher of the game plan.

The ball went to Williams on the inbounds, but he lost the ball as Ben Wenning got the steal.

"Our plan was to face guard and if they screened we switched," said Ben Wenning. "It was a good pass that bounced off my hand, hit Williams and went into my hands."

Looking inside, he saw a wide-open Frilling, who put the layup in with five seconds left to put the Cavaliers up.

"I looked up and Ben had the ball in his hands," said Frilling. "I don't know how he got it, but I put my hands up, he threw it to me and I made the layup. I had missed 2-3 (layups) before that so I was like 'Don't miss this one.' "

"I was right on the baseline (when) Ben got the steal and Cole was coming down the baseline. I was like 'Hey! We might win this,' " said Fisher. "Just proud of them."

Although they had a timeout, the Blue Streaks tried for the quick score, but the Ben Wenning's pressure on Williams kept the shot from being a good one as the buzzer sounded and Coldwater players and students started to celebrate.
  Frilling led the Cavaliers with 16 points and added nine rebounds. Marcus Bruns added eight points and nine rebounds.

Williams scored 11 for the Blue Streaks. Ramos had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

TICKETS: Coldwater will sell tickets to Saturday's game until 5 p.m. today at the high school office and on Saturday from 9-10 a.m. in the high school office.

Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for students with all tickets $6 at the door. Parking will be $4.