Bellefontaine landed a flurry of early punches, but Wapakoneta connected with the knockout blows Tuesday night.
The Chiefs got off to a fast start and led by as many as 14 points late in the third quarter before the visiting Redskins mounted a 23-6 run to rally for a 66-63 win in a non-league boys basketball game.
Bellefontaine drops to 0-2, while Wapakoneta improves to 2-1.
“We stayed aggressive for most of the first three quarters and then we started to play not to lose,” said Bellefontaine senior guard Maverick Calton, who scored a game-high 22 points. “We didn’t handle their pressure very well in the fourth quarter and we didn’t rebound very well. We have to learn that we can’t let up on our aggressiveness.”
Bellefontaine led 57-43 with 45 seconds left in the third period. Wapakoneta went on a 19-4 flurry to take a 62-61 lead with 2:59 remaining in the game.
The Chiefs were unable to get the lead back from there.
“I thought we came out tonight with a puncher’s mentality,” said Bellefontaine head coach Jason Calton. “We came out swinging. We were really aggressive offensively. Maverick had a great first half and the guys did a great job of finding the hot hand.
“They started to face guard Maverick in the second half and we kind of tightened up. We forced some shots and didn’t handle the ball very well.”
Calton scored 17 points in the first half as the Chiefs built a 10-point advantage (44-34) at halftime.
Bellefontaine stayed in control for most of the third quarter, but wilted against Wapakoneta’s defensive pressure down the stretch. Turnovers and forced shots resulted in a six-point offensive effort in the fourth period.
“They out toughed us late in the game,” said Calton. “They got up on us and we didn’t deal with their pressure very well. That has been the case two games in a row now. That is something we have to get better at in practice. We have to make our practices as intense as possible so we are prepared to face pressure in games.”
Despite the lackluster fourth quarter, the Chiefs still had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds.
Leading 65-63, the Redskins made one of two free throws with 8.7 seconds remaining for a three-point cushion.
After advancing the ball past half court, the Chiefs called a timeout with 7.1 seconds left.
Bellefontaine drew up a play that resulted in a three-point attempt with about five seconds left. That shot did not fall and another attempt after an offensive rebound fell short as time expired.
Declan Ashcraft joined Calton in double figures with 10 points. Hunter Warner scored eight points and Jarrid Baughman and Kam Smith added six points apiece.
Braeden Goulet led the Redskins with 15 points and Reed Mericle had 14 points.
Bellefontaine won the junior varsity game 41-38. Nolan Smith led the Chiefs with 13 points.
The Chiefs lost the freshman contest 54-36. Carter Snapp had 18 points to lead Bellefontaine.
BHS returns to action Friday night at Jonathan Alder.
WAPAKONETA 66, BELLEFONTAINE 63
WAPAKONETA (2-1)
Ambos 3 5-6 12; Merricle 5 1-2 14; K. Siefring 2 2-3 8; Goulet 6 1-2 15; Debell 1 2-2 4; Wave 2 0-0 6; G. Siefring 3 1-1 7. Totals: 22 12-16 66.
BELLEFONTAINE (0-2)
Smith 3 0-0 6; Stolly 1 0-0 2; Ashcraft 4 2-4 10; Sterling 2 0-0 4; Gross 1 0-0 2; Baughman 2 0-0 6; Calton 9 0-0 22; Belser 1 0-0 3; Warner 4 0-0 8. Totals: 27 2-4 63.
Redskins 12 • 20 • 15 • 17 — 66
Chiefs 17 • 27 • 13 • 6 — 63
Three pointers: Wapakoneta 10 (Merricle 3, K. Siefring 2, Goulet 2, Wave 2, Ambos); Bellefontaine 7 (Calton 4, Baughman 2, Belser). Turnovers: Wapakoneta 8; Bellefontaine 12. Team fouls: Wapakoneta 11; Bellefontaine 15.