NORTH ROBINSON — The Colonel Crawford boys basketball program has been a model of consistency over the years and have won 14 straight sectional titles.
Most schools are envious of the Eagles’ success, and coach David Sheldon is so proud of it.
“It’s just the consistency of our program,” Sheldon said. “There are a lot of people that would like to have one. We talked to our guys, don’t take it for granted; this could change in a matter of moments. When you look at programs in the area.
“I’m proud of our guys; they took care of business,” Sheldon added. “And now we get to the next level where we want to be, and that’s the district tournament.”
The top-seeded Eagles got off to a slow start against ninth-seeded New London and the game was tied at 9-9 after one period, but Crawford ramped up the defensive pressure and scored 22 points in each of the next two periods en route to a 53-23 win.
The win was the 21st straight for the state-ranked Eagles, who improved to 21-1. Crawford dropped its opener to Crestview but has been unscathed since. The Wildcats ended this season at 2-21.
Crawford advanced to the Ontario district tournament and will face Western Reserve on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The Roughriders, coached by David Sheldon’s brother, Chris, beat Mansfield Christian to advance.
To say the Eagles got off to a slow start is somewhat of an understatement. Crawford made just four of 12 shots from the floor and point guard Brayden Holt scored seven of the points.
The Eagles, however, brought more pressure in the second period and the move garnered instant dividends, as Crawford outscored New London, 22-9, in the frame to take a 31-18 lead at the half.
“In the first quarter, we were a little lethargic,” Sheldon said. “We didn’t shoot well, and our defense wasn’t as good. But then in the second and third quarters we scored 44 points, get it to a running clock in the third quarter, and I thought our defensive pressure amped up.”
New London coach Tom Howell said that the game plan worked early, but his team doesn’t match up well with Crawford.
“We did, but we also knew that eventually they were going to figure it out,” Howell said. “We had to make a few adjustments. There’s a difference between being physical and physicality in both these teams.”
The Eagles continued to press the Wildcats on defense, outscoring New London, 22-3, in the frame to increase the lead to 53-21, entering the final frame. The game went into a running clock late in the period.
In the second half, Sheldon cleared out the bench early. But the starters certainly made their marks. Holt led the way with 19 points, and John DeGray and Payne DeGray each added 11.
“It’s a great win to play all 14 players tonight, especially because our scout guys do a great job of getting our starters ready to play a game,” Sheldon said.
“We got great minutes from all of our players and that’s a key, but the kids know their roles and stepping up, no matter when your name’s called. And our kids have been doing that all season.”
Two New London players, Aiden Ruggles and Grady Heileman, each scored eight. But Howell felt that his team was undermanned against the Eagles.
“They are more physical, under control,” Howell said. “That’s where we have to get to physical-wise. The first quarter-and-a-half, we did what we wanted to do. We didn’t score the way we wanted to score but they picked up the pressure and they got in our face a little more and we had trouble.
“(The Eagles) can just guard so well,” Howell added. “On the ball. And it’s not only that, but they guard off the ball; we didn’t do what we had to do to help the person with the ball and they do a good job of that as well.”
Box score
New London 9 9 3 2 — 23
Colonel Crawford 9 22 22 0 — 53
New London (2-21): Shots 7-28; 3-pt. shots 3 (Aiden Ruggles 2, Grady Heileman); Free throws 6-13; Rebounds 15; Turnovers 17. Scoring: Aiden Ruggles 3 0 8, Grady Heileman 2 3 8, Jaxson Schaefer 0 3 3, Brody Sword 1 0 2, Matthew Miller 1 0 2.
Colonel Crawford (21-1): Shots 19-42; 3-pt. shots 5 (Logan Goddard 3, Lucas Foy, Brayden Holt); Free throws 10-13; Rebounds 29; Turnovers 6. Scoring: Logan Goddard 3 0 9, John DeGray 5 1 11, Lucas Foy 1 0 3, Brayden Holt 5 8 19, Payne DeGray 5 1 11.