Orleans holds off Commodores

LEOPOLD - Orleans, ranked No. 1 in the state in Class A, used several backdoor layups to hit 81.1 percent from the field and beat Perry Central 76-66 in PLAC boys basketball Friday.

Jacob Smith scored 30 points for the Bulldogs. Most came on backdoor layups as the Commodores' defense broke down.

Orleans missed only two shots from the floor in the second half, hitting 14 of 16.

Nick Huber hit a three-point shot from the left side of the key with 3:13 left in the third quarter to pull the Commodores within 48-47.

That was as close as they would get.

"We got within one or two a couple of times and turned them over, then gave the ball right back to them," said Perry Central Coach Matt Carter. "Those are just mistakes you can't have."

Orleans ran off the next five points as Smith a three-pointer from the right wing and Michael Stroud scored inside.

In the fourth quarter, Perry Central's Wes Linette, scored a three-point play on a backdoor cut and foul shot to make it 53-50.

Orleans' Evan Johnson hit an 8-foot shot in the lane extending the Bulldogs lead to five.

The Commodores' Michael Jarboe scored on a shot from the block, was fouled, and made the free throw.

Orleans went on a 13-4 run, though, to put the game away.

Stroud scored from inside to put the Bulldogs ahead 57-53 with 6:30 left in the fourth quarter.

After a Commodore turnover Johnson hit a three-point shot from the right wing. Then, Smith scored off a backdoor cut.

Smith would hit two more layups in that run, extending Orleans' lead to 66-55.

Huber led Perry Central with 27 points and six rebounds. Linette scored 13 points and Zach Rogier added 11.

Jarboe also grabbed six rebounds as Perry Central outrebounded Orleans 18-11.

The Commodores hit 51.1 percent from the field.

Perry Central dropped to 8-4 overall and 1-1 in the PLAC. Orleans raised its record to 13-0 overall and 4-0 in the conference.

The Commodores will visit Crawford County Friday at 7 p.m.

* * * *

Perry Central won the junior varsity game 38-30 as Alex Rogier scored 16 points.

Jacob Schwartz added nine points and seven rebounds and Ian Hahus grabbed seven rebounds for the 7-4 Commodores.