A Bellefontaine team breaking in several new players struggled to handle the speed of the varsity game Friday night against Troy.
The visiting Trojans unleashed a fast-paced attack to run away from Bellefontaine 74-58 in the season opener.
Bellefontaine was plagued by 15 turnovers and struggled to stop the Trojans’ transition game.
“Our effort was good,” said BHS senior guard Brett Belser. “We got down by 20 points, but we kept fighting and didn’t quit. We didn’t handle their pressure very well, though. Moving forward, we have to do a better job getting into our offense.”
Bellefontaine jumped out to an 11-6 lead. However, it was short lived.
Troy went in front 16-14 by the end of the first period and outscored Bellefontaine 22-12 in the second quarter to lead 38-26 at halftime.
“On a positive note, the guys worked for 32 minutes,” said Calton. “They busted their tails. But we struggled at times from a mental standpoint. I think we had some mental fatigue. It’s like the General Patton quote that says fatigue makes cowards of us all. That happened to us tonight.”
The second half did not go any better for Bellefontaine. Troy increased its lead to 22 points (57-35) after three quarters.
“They sped us up and we allowed them to play the style they wanted to play,” said Calton. “They wanted to play a fast-paced, sloppy game and we let that happen. We tried to prepare for the pressure in practice, but we have to go back and work harder. Tonight’s experience will make us better.”
Belser led the Chiefs with 12 points, while Maverick Calton also scored in double figures with 11 points. Declan Ashcraft, Jarrid Baughman and Hunter Warner chipped in with eight points apiece.
Shaeden Olden led Troy with a game-high 19 points.
In the junior varsity game, Bellefontaine rallied from a double-digit deficit to win 46-40. Nolan Smith led the Chiefs with 23 points and Jaeden Campbell added 11 points.
Troy won the freshman contest 52-43. Kayden Reames had 20 points and Declan Shannon scored 14 to lead the Chiefs.
Bellefontaine is back in action Tuesday at home against Wapakoneta.
TROY 74, BELLEFONTAINE 58
TROY (1-0)
Stanaford 1 1-2 3; Owens 5 0-2 13; Archie 2 3-7 7; Reynolds 2 0-0 4; Henry 3 1-1 8; Olden 7 2-2 19; Smith 1 0-0 2; Terrell 0 5-6 5; Walker 2 0-0 4; Holley 4 0-0 9. Totals: 27 12-20 74.
BELLEFONTAINE (0-1)
Ashcraft 1 6-8 8; Sterling 2 0-0 5; Gross 3 0-0 6; Baughman 2 3-4 8; Calton 5 0-3 11; Belser 4 4-6 12; Warner 4 0-0 8. Totals: 21 13-21 58.
Trojans 16 • 22 • 19 • 17 — 74
Chiefs 14 • 12 • 9 • 13 — 58
Three pointers: Troy 8 (Owens 3, Olden 3, Henry, Holley); Bellefontaine 3 (Calton, Baughman, Sterling). Turnovers: Troy 7; Bellefontaine 14. Team fouls: Troy 18; Bellefontaine 20.