It has been nearly nine months since the Port Clinton Redskins were dumped from tournament play by Margaretta 63-42. A lot of soul searching took place during the intervening timeframe, and last Saturday night, Coach Troy Diels’ team looked to be better for the experience.
In a roller-coaster of a game, the Redskins came from 14 behind in the first half to claim a 70-60 win over a very good Tiffin Columbian team that defeated Clyde the night before. It was the season and home opener for Port Clinton, and the home team looked a little shaky starting off. The Tornadoes jumped out to a 14-point lead early in the second period before the Redskins went on a 20-4 run to claim a two-point lead by the time the teams went into the locker rooms at halftime.

“We tried switching defenses early in the game to slow them down,” said Coach Diels on Monday, adding, “they were hitting some perimeter shots that hurt us. We then started trapping them at different areas on the court and that seemed to change the game around.” Diels said the coaching staff knew Tiffin Columbian is a fast-starting team. “We did not get the ball inside early and I think that also caused us to get off to a slow start,” said Diels.
Once the adjustments were made, Diels said he thinks the increased defensive pressure turned the game around. “The defense led to some easy baskets and gave us momentum.”
The Redskins featured four players in double figures scoring-wise. Josh Francis led with 20, followed by Ryan Hicks with 18, Cory Brown with 16 and Derek Colston with 11.
The Redskins start Sandusky Bay Conference play on the road Friday night at Clyde, who lost a pair of games this past weekend to Columbian and Norwalk. “Both games were close,” said Diels. “They are a big group and pretty physical. Ben Danhoff and Kyle Smetzler are two talented players for them. They both have the ability to play inside and outside. Keeping them in check will be a big key for us.”
Saturday, the Redskins host Woodmore, who opened its season Tuesday night against Oak Harbor.

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