Panthers Claim Outright GMC Championship with 62-46 Win Over Tinora
PAULDING — The Paulding Panthers left no doubt Friday night, defeating Tinora 62-46 on February 13 to secure the Green Meadows Conference championship outright and cap off a remarkable regular season.
Paulding (15-4) delivered a balanced and efficient offensive performance, shooting 51.2 percent from the field (21-of-41), including 7-of-13 from three-point range, while knocking down 13-of-17 free throws in the decisive victory.
Tyson Manz led the way with a dominant 24-point performance, connecting on 10-of-14 shots from the floor, including three three-pointers. Blake Rhonehouse added 19 points, drilling four three-pointers and converting 7-of-8 from the free throw line. Xander Kuckuck chipped in nine points, and Jalen Manz contributed six as the Panthers showcased their depth.
Rhonehouse also filled the stat sheet with seven rebounds, five assists and two steals, while Tyson Manz added five rebounds and three steals. As a team, Paulding recorded 13 assists and 13 steals, forcing Tinora into 19 turnovers while committing just 10 of their own .
Tinora (9-11) was led by a balanced effort but struggled to keep pace with the Panthers’ offensive efficiency. The Rams shot 42.1 percent from the field and were limited to 4-of-12 from the free throw line .
The night carried special significance beyond the conference title. “Senior Blake Rhonehouse surpassed the 1,000 point mark in this game! Becoming the third boy ever in school history to do so,” said Panther coach Payton Beckman. Rhonehouse’s milestone added even more excitement to an already historic evening for the program.
Rhonehouse also earned recognition as the GMC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, further cementing his legacy as one of the most accomplished players in school history.
With the outright conference championship secured and postseason play on the horizon, the Panthers head into tournament action with momentum, confidence and a championship banner to their name.