By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com

The Buckeye Central Bucks and Wynford Royals basketball teams closed out their regular season Friday night in a battle that saw the Royals emerge with a 37-34 victory.

Wynford started out of the gate getting shots to fall early on, but the Bucks were able to close the gap within three at the end of the first, trailing 11-8. The Wynford defense clamped down in the second allowing just two Bucks’ points off Jacob Shade free throws. Wynford posted another 11 in the second to go into the half leading by double digits on Buckeye Central 22-10.

Buckeye Central emerged from the locker room in the second half with a renewed vigor that allowed them to chip into the Royals’ lead as they outscored Wynford 10-5 in the third quarter to bring the game within seven. Starting the fourth down 27-20, the Bucks continued to chip away at the Royals’ lead. Max Loy would tie the game up with a little over a minute to go at 34-34; however, Wynford would regain the lead by one on a made free throw. Two free throws for the Royals later and they would emerge with their twelfth win on the season.

Jack Reed led the way for the Royals scoring 15 points.

Wynford will finish their regular season at 12-10 and 10-6 in the N10. They will take on Mansfield Christian in the sectional semi-finals at Lexington at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1.

Jacob Shade led the way for the Bucks scoring a game high 16 points.

The Bucks finish the season with a 9-13 overall mark and a 7-9 record in the N10. They will travel to Sandusky to take on Plymouth in the sectional semi-finals at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28.

PHOTO GALLERIES: Wynford vs Buckeye Central | Crestline vs Galion | WQEL BROADCAST: Wynford vs Buckeye Central

In other action from around the N10 Upper Sandusky finished the season undefeated beating Colonel Crawford 63-36. The Rams outscored the Eagles 43-17 in the second half, Carey defeated Seneca East 73-50, Ridgedale picked up their first N10 victory on the season, beating Bucyrus 57 – 40.

In other county action Crestline beat Galion 61-48.

N10 Boys Basketball Standings

Upper Sandusky 16-0 (22-0)
Colonel Crawford 13-3 (16-6)
Carey 13-3 (15-7)
Wynford 10-6 (12-10)
Buckeye Central 7-9 (9-13)
Mohawk 5-11 (7-14)
Seneca East 4-12 (9-13)
Bucyrus 3-13 (3-19)
Ridgedale 1-15 (4-18)