Big second half leads Ross past Norwood

Fernandez, Madden have career days in  64-49 conference win.

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By Bob Ratterman, Contributing Writer 2:37 AM Saturday, January 14, 2012

ROSS TWP. — The Ross High School boys basketball team used a big second half Friday night to pull away for a 64-49 Fort Ancient Valley Conference West Division triumph over visiting Norwood.

Brandon Fernandez tied a career high with 19 points and Gus Madden scored a career-high 18 points for Ross, which improved to to 8-3 overall and 4-1 in the FAVC West.

“I challenged them to be the toughest team in the second half on every play,” Ross coach Matt Wilhelm said. “They rose to that challenge.”

Knotted at 26-all at the break, the Rams had a 17-9 edge in the third quarter and outscored the Indians 21-14 in the fourth quarter.

Norwood’s first seven fourth-quarter points were all free throws until 1:32 remained in the game when it finally got a field goal to cut the Rams’ lead to 62-44.

“In the fourth quarter, (Ross) threw the kitchen sink at us,” Norwood coach Kevin Schulte said. “They hit us with everything and nothing we did worked. We got behind and with our two big guys on the bench we were in a lot of trouble. “Those two threes in the second quarter were momentum busters.”

Fernandez drained a pair of 3-pointers just before halftime that got Ross back even after it trailed 26-20.

Wilhelm lauded the play of Madden, noting the junior’s effort on the boards and around the basket.

“I’m proud of Gus for getting a lot of rebounds and taking big shots. His finishing picked us up when we needed to be picked up,” Wilhelm said.

Madden, for his part, said he was happy to be part of such a team effort.

“I was glad to see the crowd come out for that big of a game,” Madden said. “The guys stepped up when our top scorer (Max Mischkulnig) was triple-teamed. (Tyler) Noonan shut down (Norwood’s Diontez) Mcgee. Our goal was a fast start in the second half.”

It was only the second loss of the season for the Indians (8-2, 2-2), both losses coming this month in Butler County. They lost at Talawanda Jan. 6.

McGee scored 19 points and Glen Frank added 10 points to lead the Indians (8-2, 2-2).

Mischkulnig finished with 12 points for Ross, which hosts Harrison next Friday night.

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