Photo by Andrew Grimm Toronto’s Austin Buchannon goes up for a shot while Buckeye Local’s Kolton Carothers defends.

CONNORVILLE — Friday night’s meeting between Toronto and Buckeye Local was one between an once-beaten team near the top of the OVAC standings, and a youthful group looking for its first win of the season.

Without knowing that in advance, those watching would not have been to guess that scenario.

While Toronto used a strong second half to win for the ninth time in 10 outings, 51-35, the improving Panthers were more than competitive with the Red Knights, leading after the opening quarter and closing within five points in the fourth quarter.

“You have got to give Buckeye ll the credit in the world, they came out and played harder than us,” Toronto head coach Sean Tucker said. “They played harder than us, especially in the first half. We told the team coming in that we couldn’t come in and act like we’re playing an 0-9 team because they don’t play like an 0-9 team, they play hard and they’re coached well. They did a really good job (Friday) and they have a good group of kids.

“We were able to knock down some shots in the second half, and our defensive pressure helped that, because we were able to get out and get some transition points in the second half.”

Buckeye Local (0-10) led 14-11 after the opening quarter. While they could not make that lead hold up, coach Chris Heaton saw a lot of signs of things headed in the right direction against a challenging opponent like the Red Knights.

“I can’t be mad, we played probably our best game of the year against a really good Toronto team,” Heaton said. “We came out with the energy and intensity we’ve been searching for and now the kids I think have seen they have it in them, they are capable of doing it.

“We’ve got to take this and build off it and bring that energy the rest of the season.”

Toronto pulled ahead 20-17 at halftime and led 36-28 going to the fourth quarter.

The Panthers were within five again about a minute into the final quarter, but the Knights rattled off a 7-0 run to go up by 12.

“We were right there,” Heaton said. “We have some young guys that haven’t really been in that spot yet. We’re growing up in a hurry and it’s part of the process. I’m pleased with the effort. Hopefully we can continue to get better.”

Buckeye Local made one more charge, getting a 14-point margin back down to single digits, but the Knights scored the final eight points of the game to take the 16-point victory.

“We hadn’t played in a week, we had a lot of time to prepare for them and we just didn’t do a real good job in the first half,” Tucker said. “They out-rebounded us and won the 50-50 balls in the first half. It was a lack of focus. That’s on me, I have to do a better job of figuring out a way to keep these guys engaged with that long of a break.

“In the second half, the guys adjusted and calmed down offensively. We had some guys really step up and our bench did a great job. We got going in the second half.

“The thing that makes this group a special group is they care about each other, they want each other to be successful. When someone is struggling, someone steps up and you have to have that.”

Toronto was led by 19 points from Landon Grimes and 13 from Aiden Filby. Grimes drained four triples in the game.

The Panthers had a pair of players reach double figures as Mason Griffin tallied 11 and Rylan Walker netted 10.

UP NEXT

Toronto: Was slated for a quick turnaround to host Shenandoah on Saturday night before a trip to Harrison Central on Tuesday.

Buckeye Local: Is back at home on the Kara Bright Court on Tuesday to host Shadyside.