OTTAWA – Visiting Archbold probably wondered why the sounds of the 1981 hit “Under Pressure” by Queen and David Bowie could be faintly heard in the distance as they entered the Supreme Court on Tuesday night.
Perhaps in an homage to their karaoke at the state tournament last season, the Titans belted out the former #1 hit to the tune of 32 Blue Streak turnovers en route to a 55-16 victory.
Alongside classmate Makenna Siefker, seniors Kaitlyn Kimmet, Kaelyn Grothause, Carlie Brinkman, and Megan Horstman combined for 30 of the Ottawa Glandorf (19-0) markers on the night.
Kimmet started the scoring for the host blue and gold in the first minute with a bucket and was joined quickly by Brinkman who knocked down a corner three pointer to push O-G ahead for good at 5-2.
Though the Titans connected thrice more behind the arc in the opening quarter of play, the biggest dent to Archbold’s hope of cutting into the lead came just before the horn when Kaelyn Grothause pushed the advantage to 19-4 with a triple.
Senior @KGrothause beats the first quarter buzzer on senior night against Archbold. pic.twitter.com/zmdlCVsPo0
— Michael Hirn (@MichaelHirnPBP) February 5, 2025
O-G continued their relentless pressure in the second quarter while continuing to throw fresh bodies at their opponents in short bursts. Junior Makenna Thiel scored both of her baskets in the quarter for Archbold (16-5) with the last coming at 4:55 on the clock before the break.
Six players, led by Kimmet’s seven points in the period scored for the hosts in the second quarter to drive the lead to 39-8 Titans.
“There was little to any drop off as we subbed nine deep,” said O-G head coach Troy Yant. “I thought this was our best defensive game in quite awhile and as good as some of our best in the last three or four years.”
Held to just five points with the running clock in effect in the third, Ottawa Glandorf proved to be rude hosts as they shut the Blue Streaks out from the field the entire period to take a 46-12 advantage into the final eight minutes.
In all, the Titans defense kept the visitors offense to just six free throws in the second half until a layup from freshman Jade Frey with :29 remaining ended a drought of 20:26 of game action from the field.
Seniors Kaitlyn Kimmet and Carlie Brinkman shared game high honors with 10 each but were followed by junior Karsyn Erford with eight, and sophomore post Madison McKee’s six point contribution.
McKee provided solid defense with a trio of highlight level blocks as well as a buzzer beater just before the third quarter stoppage. “I thought tonight was Madison McKee’s best defensive game,” said Yant.
“Ultimately the defense fed the offense and the seniors made sure to slam the door shut,” opined Yant on the win. “It was a great night for the seniors, they set the tone and played the way you want your team to play by playing hard nosed defense, diving on the floor for loose balls, and rotating to cover for one another.”
Archbold, led in scoring by junior Charlee Forward with six points returns home for their final regular season game on Thursday as they host Wauseon. O-G finishes up Western Buckeye League and regular season play hosting Celina Thursday night.
Scoring:
OG (55):
Liv Grothause 2
Karsyn Erford 8
Carlie Brinkman 10
Gracie Lammers 2
Megan Horstman 5
Madison McKee 6
Kaelyn Grothause 5
Greta Liebrecht 2
Kaitlyn Kimmet 10
Allison Kuhlman 2
Brie Fuka 2
FT: 6/12
3PT: 6 (C. Brinkman 2, Horstman, Erford, Kimmet, K. Grothause)
TO: 15
Archbold (16):
Charlee Forward 6
Makena Thiel 4
Miley Gericke 2
Reagan Wendt 2
Jade Frey 2
FT: 6/8
3PT: 0
TO: 32
JV: Ottawa Glandorf (19-0) 51-40