Margaretta pulls away from Genoa, advances to Division V regional final ELIDA, Ohio (AP) — Margaretta’s accuracy at the free-throw line and a decisive run spanning the middle quarters lifted the Polar Bears to a 70–58 victory over Genoa in a Division V regional semifinal Wednesday night at the Elida Fieldhouse. The win moves Margaretta (23-3) into the regional championship game, where the Polar Bears will face Columbus Academy (22-4) at 2 p.m. Saturday at Ohio Dominican University. The matchup will be a rematch of last season’s regional semifinal, when Columbus Academy eliminated Margaretta. Margaretta’s ability to capitalize at the foul line proved critical in the victory. The Polar Bears finished 24-of-27 from the free-throw line, an 88 percent performance that helped seal the game late. Margaretta made all four of its attempts through the first three quarters before repeatedly getting to the line in the fourth quarter. The Polar Bears went 20-for-23 from the stripe in the final period as Genoa attempted to rally. Junior Tyson Bailey led the Polar Bears with a career-high 22 points and played a major role throughout the game, contributing offensively while also matching up defensively against Genoa’s 6-foot-8 center Walter Plantz. Julian Washington added 18 points and nine rebounds, while Kale Bailey finished with 15 points. Judah Keller and Keiygan Morris each contributed six points, and Jake Bouy added three points to round out the scoring for Margaretta. Genoa (25-1) started quickly and controlled the early moments of the game. The Comets jumped out to an 8–2 lead behind a basket from Ryan Routson and later stretched the advantage to 15–8 after Plantz converted two free throws late in the opening quarter. Margaretta began to shift momentum late in the first quarter when Bouy knocked down a jumper to pull the Polar Bears within five points at 15–10. That basket ignited a 15–0 run that carried into the second quarter and allowed Margaretta to take control. Kale Bailey opened the second quarter with a basket, and Washington followed with a three-pointer that tied the game. Tyson Bailey then scored during the surge, and Kale Bailey added another basket before Keller converted two free throws to cap the run and give Margaretta a 23–15 lead. Genoa responded with seven consecutive points to close the gap, but Washington hit two free throws late in the half to give the Polar Bears a 28–24 advantage at halftime. Margaretta created separation in the third quarter behind the play of Tyson Bailey. He scored on a putback early in the period, then followed with a baseline jumper and another basket inside. Bailey later banked in a shot from the elbow to push the Polar Bears’ lead to 36–26 with just over five minutes remaining in the quarter. Kale Bailey kept the lead at double digits with another basket, and Keller added an offensive rebound and putback that helped Margaretta carry a 42–32 lead into the fourth quarter. The Polar Bears quickly extended their lead at the start of the final period. Washington opened the quarter with a three-point play, and Kale Bailey added two free throws to increase the margin to 47–32. Washington later punctuated the run with a powerful dunk that briefly gave Margaretta a 16-point advantage. Genoa attempted to mount a comeback with several three-pointers down the stretch, but Margaretta maintained control by consistently converting its free throws. Plantz finished with 14 points for the Comets after scoring six in the first quarter, while Routson also scored 14 points. Ty Asman added 12 points, Jacob Woollard scored seven, Jax Magnone had nine and Myles Mollenhauer finished with two. Margaretta finished with 22 field goals and two three-pointers in the victory, while Genoa connected on six shots from beyond the arc. The Polar Bears will now play in their second regional final in three seasons when they face Columbus Academy on Saturday. The meeting carries added significance as Margaretta looks to avenge last season’s tournament loss to the Vikings and earn a trip to the Division V state semifinals. GENOA (25-1) Jacob Woollard 2 1-2 7, Walter Plantz 4 6-6 14, Ryan Routson 5 1-2 14, Ty Asman 2 7-8 12, Myles Mollenhauer 1 0-0 2, Jax Magnone 3 3-4 9. TOTALS 17 18-22 58 MARGARETTA (23-3) Kale Bailey 4 6-6 15, Keiygan Morris 0 6-6 6, Julian Washington 6 5-5 18, Judah Keller 1 4-6 6, Tyson Bailey 10 2-2 22, Jake Bouy 1 1-2 3. TOTALS 22 24-27 70 Genoa 15 9 8 26 — 58 Margaretta 10 18 14 28 — 70 Three-point goals: Genoa 6 (Routson 3, Woollard 2, Asman); Margaretta 2 (K. Bailey, Washington) BCSN HIGHLIGHTS: Click Here PANCAKE PLAYER OF THE GAME: Click Here OH REPORT MVP OF THE GAME: Click Here OH REPORT PLAY OF THE GAME: Click Here