Arlington offense goes cold in second half against Montpelier

BOWLING GREEN – Late in Tuesday's game with Montpelier, with Arlington trailing just 45-42, senior center Calvin Willow slashed to the basket and put up a short shot.The ball appeared ready to roll through the hoop, but it caught iron on the far side, and as it rolled off, Arlington's hopes might have rolled away with it.On a night when sure shots came with a whisper and a prayer, Arlington went from a sizzling first half to a frigid second one and fell 56-48 to the Locomotives in a Division VII regional semifinal at BGSU's Stroh Center."We did not execute as well in the second half," said Arlington coach Jason Vermillion."And that's a credit to them because they are a very good basketball team."Montpelier improved its record to 24-2 and advances to Saturday's regional final against Kalida. The Cinderella team remaining in the Division VII field, Kalida (15-11) edged Pettisville 49-47 in Tuesday's opener when Owen Grime, who hit a game-winning 3-pointer in the final seconds of the Wildcats' 39-37 win over Minster in Saturday's district final, popped in a game-winning 12-foot jumper in the lane with 4.9 seconds left in overtime."Not Many people gave us a chance to get this far. We had to prove we could do it," said Montpelier coach Nick Ramos.Arlington, coming off a trip to the state semifinal last season, was riding an 18-game winning streak and hoping to punch a return ticket to Dayton, but fell short. The Red Devils ended the season with a 22-4 record."Winning 20 games is not easy, and this group did it in back-to-back years," Vermillion said."This group, this senior class is joining some really good teams that have come through our program."Arlington led 18-13 after a bombs-away first quarter in which the Red Devils nailed four 3-pointers and Montpelier answered with three.Montpelier continued its barrage in the second period, and at crucial times. Arlington kept trying to widen its lead, going up 20-15 on two Willow free throws, 28-20 on Trenton Heacock's 3-pointer and and-one three-point play, and 32-25 when Willow scored back-to-back inside.Montpelier kept reeling the Red Devil back, though. Gavyn bass drilled two 3-pointers and sophomore guard C.J. Fielder, who led all scorers with 24 points, nailed another in the final seconds to trim the deficit to 32-28 at the half."I thought we played a clean first half," Vermillion said after Arlington went 5-for-9 on 3-pointers and 17-for-27 overall in the first half.The turning point came in the third quarter.Fidler quickly tied the game, his second basket coming on a steal and two-hand slam 1:04 into the period.Willow put back an offensive rebound and Ayden Cavinee scored to put Arlington back on top 36-32, but Kenneth Smeltzer scored on a third-chance rebound, Fidler hit a floater in the lane and Wesley Hartsock connected on Montpelier's seventh 3-pointer of the game.After stalling the ball for most of the final three minutes of the period, a free throw by Hayden Sharps had Montpelier up 40-36 after three.Fidler boosted the Locomotives lead to seven (43-36) when he opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer.Willow's and-one three-point play trimmed the margin to 43-41, and Arlington got within three (47-44) on Heacock's dribble-drive down the lane.Sharps answered with one basket, though, Fidler hit another, and Hartsock's floater pushed it back to a five-point game.Baskets by Heacock and Willow kept it close, but Kenneth Smeltzer converted 5-of-6 free throws in the final 1:19 to earn Montpelier its berth in the finals.Smeltzer added 11 points and Bass had nine – all on 3-pointers – for Montpelier.Willow finished with 20 points and seven rebounds. Heacock added 10 points and Cavinee had eight for the Red Devils, who went ice cold in the second half. Arlington was 0-for-7 on 3-point shots and 7-of-31 overall in after the break. "What this group accomplished in January and February and into tonight is a tremendous accomplishment," Vermillion said."It always stings to be in this spot. But from my perspective, we have great kids, we have a tremendous following … That's what it's all about."I know when we get together in the future the conversation is going to be about all the success and fun we had. I guarantee these guys will look back and be very proud of what they accomplished." MONTPELIER (24-2)Sharps 2-1—5; Fidler 10-0—24; M. Smeltzer 0-1—1; Hartsock 2-1—6; K. Smeltzer 3-5—11; Bass 3-0—9. TOTALS: 20-45—8-12—56.ARLINGTON (22-4)Metzger 1-0—3; Rausch 2-0—5; Heacock 4-1—10; Cavinee 3-0—8; Willow 8-4—20; McIlroy 1-0—2. TOTALS: 19-42—5-8—48.Montpelier 13 15 12 16 – 56Arlington 18 14 4 12 – 483-POINT GOALS: Montpelier 8-18 (Fidler 4, Bass 3, Hartsock); Arlington 5-16 (Cavinee 2, Metzger, Rausch, Heacock).REBOUNDS: Montpelier 26 (Hartsock 6, K. Smeltzer 6); Arlington 23 (Willow 7).TURNOVERS: Montpelier 6; Arlington 9.