Norwalk bounces back at home

NORWALK — Finish strong. Norwalk watched its once 16-point lead dwindle down to just six points with more than 4:30 remaining. But the Truckers controlled the game the rest of the way, topping Mansfield Madison, 48-32, in non-league action Saturday at NHS. "We were fortunate we played well late in the game," Norwalk coach Adam Kreischer said. "Jordan Parriott really stepped up at the offensive end especially tonight. It started with him playing defense. "I think the way he had consistent effort at the defensive end got him into the flow of the game." Norwalk (11-7) was up just 31-25 after 3-pointers from Owen Wigton and Cameron Kuhn for the Rams (1-17). Ben Rothhaar scored for the Truckers' first points of the fourth quarter. Parriott followed with a 3 and as it fell through, Madison was whistled for a foul. Rothhaar made both free throws for a five-point possession. That pushed Norwalk ahead 38-25. Tallies by Kuhn and Will Keeple kept Madison within single digits, but Rothhaar scored and Parriott splashed in two free throws. Scores from Parriott and Mason Gamble secured the needed win for the Truckers. "A win is huge right now to get back on that winning track after (Friday)," said Kreischer, referencing Norwalk's 52-45 road loss to Clyde the night before. "Madison is a lot better team than what their record would say. "They're right in games with a lot of teams and they're really close to turning the corner and getting some wins." The Rams were playing even with Norwalk for the first six minutes before the Truckers put distance between the two. Garrett Demuth hit a jumper and Brock Kuhl canned a corner 3 to give the Truckers an 11-8 advantage after one quarter. Parriott hit a 3-pointer early in the second quarter before buckets by Rothhaar, Gamble, Demuth, and Parriott pushed the lead to 23-8. That wrapped up a 17-0 run for the Truckers that spanned 8:50. "When we're able to defend, we're able to get out in transition," Kreischer said. "Some of our scores are low because of how well we defend in the half-court. Teams have to take some time usually against us. We want to get out in transition ourselves." Norwalk was up 23-10 at halftime and extended the advantage to 31-15 in the third quarter. Consecutive buckets by Parriott helped the Truckers open their biggest lead of the night. Madison was just 14-of-44 from the field. The Rams attempted just one free throw. "We weren't super aggressive defensively," Kreischer said. "We picked up their point guard full-court. It wasn't to steal or anything, but to turn him and let him know we were there. In the half-court, we talked through screens and helped with screens. "We want to wall up and not get in foul trouble." Parriott topped Norwalk with 17 points while Rothhaar added eight points and 12 rebounds. His rebounding helped the Truckers to a 28-23 rebounding edge. "Ben always rebounds well," Kreischer said of Rothhaar. "His energy and effort is consistent. He has a chance when its all said and done to potentially become the all-time leading rebounder in the history of Norwalk basketball. "With some of the players that have come through here, that is an impressive feat." After three games in five days, Norwalk will get a bit of a break before traveling to Tiffin Columbian on Friday. The Tornadoes have lost six games in a row, but defeated Norwalk in the first meeting back in December. "It will be nice," Kreischer said. "I think we have some guys with tired legs. We don't play a whole lot of guys. It will be nice to get our legs back under us and have a full week to prepare. We are healthy right now and that's a good thing." MANSFIELD MADISON (1-17) Kaleb Gordon 1-0—3, Cameron Kuhn 8-0—18, Will Kepple 3-0—6, Owen Wigton 1-0—3, Justin McCraney 1-0—2. TOTALS 14-0—32. NORWALK (11-7) Mason Gamble 3-0—6, Landon Ferkel 0-2—2, Dalton Chapin 1-4—6, Garrett Demuth 3-0—6, Ben Rothhaar 3-2—8, Jordan Parriott 6-3—17, Brock Kuhl 1-0—3. TOTALS 17-11—48. Madison 8 2 9 13 — 32 Norwalk 11 12 8 17 — 48 3-point FGs: (M) Kuhn 2, Gordon, Wigton; (N) Parriott 2, Kuhl.