DANVILLE — If a team is going to win a conference title outright, the may as well do it with an exclamation point. That is precisely what the Utica High School boys basketball did in a 78-33 defeat of the Danville Blue Devils on Friday evening. The Redskins were able to take advantage of balanced play and pressure defense to clinch the Mid-Buckeye Conference title. The win also wrapped up the school’s first back-to-back titles since 1959.
“This is just a great day for Utica basketball,” said Redskins head coach Mike DeLaney. “We have been trying to put together the type of program the North Fork community can be proud of, and we are really seeing that come together. I’m really proud of these kids.”
The Redskins were able to grab the first basket of the game, a shot by Shane McGuire, and never looked back. Six foul shots during the quarter helped Utica extend its lead throughout the quarter, and it led, 15-7, after the opening period.
In the second, Utica increased its defensive pressure, and started to make its run. A Garret Blue basket pulled Danville within one, 24-14, at the midway point of the quarter. The rest of the way, though, Utica outscored the Blue Devils, 12-2, and took a 35-16 lead into halftime. Seven players scored for Utica in the second quarter, led by four points apiece from Zack Walton and Michael Sandman.
Danville got the first points in the second half — a pair of free throws by Kelbey Ball — to pull within 17. The next eight points were scored by Utica, including four from Justin Dassylva, to put Utica back up 43-18. The two teams traded baskets over the next few minutes, but the Redskins picked it up once again, scoring the last eight points to end the third quarter.
Utica scored the first six points of the fourth quarter, making it a 14-0 run overall. Nathon Loney scored Danville’s first point of the fourth quarter on a free throw with 4:03 remaining. Their first field goal was scored by Logan Snell with 3:32 on the clock. It was one of three Blue Devils baskets in the final period.
The Redskins went with all reserves for much of the final quarter, but the scoring output did not slow down. Their offense was able to put together a pair of 6-0 runs during the quarter, before finally walking away with the 78-33 win.
It was just an offensive struggle for the Blue Devils, as they made just 14 of their 50 shots (28 percent). They also struggled from the free-throw line — once they were able to get there — making just 4-of-8. At no point in the game were the Blue Devils able to score twice without the Redskins scoring at least once in between.
For the Redskins, it was a far more efficient effort, as they shot 58 percent (29-of-50) from the field. The also had four players with double figures, and four players with at least five rebounds. That balance was a big part of the win.
“It was nice to see the kids execute as well as they did tonight,” said DeLaney. “They played very unselfishly tonight. We had a lot of success with the press, and I think we’re better team when we’re in that full court situation.”
On tap for Utica will be a real test, as they face off against Dover at The College of Wooster this afternoon. The game, orginally scheduled for Dec. 15, is part of the WQKT Showcase. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.
“This is a certainly going to be a tough test for us,” said DeLaney. “They’re an extremely good team.”

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