High school boys basketball: Olympus runs away from Skyline with dominant second half

Box score

For a few brief minutes early in the third quarter, it looked like Skyline might hang around and give Olympus a run for its money. In a blink though, the Titans took over with execution at both ends of the floor and ripped off a 15-2 run.

In the fourth, they carved out another 10-0 run as the Titans ran away for the 58-37 Region 6 win at Skyline on Friday night.

Gavin Lowe led Olympus with 21 points, while Caden Jackson ended one of his best games of the season with 17 points on four 3-pointers.

Olympus improves to 6-0 through the first half of region play, while Skyline falls to 4-2 after dropping its second region game this week.

“I thought our defense was really good most of the night,” said Olympus coach Matt Barnes. “For us, it’s all about our defense. Our defense has got to carry us, and when we get stops and turnovers, that’s where we’re good. And then we get transition baskets and easier baskets in the half courts.”

Olympus defense forced 14 turnovers and held Skyline to 37% shooting while knocking down 52% of its own shots.

The decisive stretch came early in the third quarter. Skyline trailed 27-18 at the half, but came out of the locker room and scored on four of five possessions to cut the lead to 29-27 on a David Rasmussen layup.

Olympus’ response was cutthroat.

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It started with a tough play by Ty Goldsberry that Barnes said helped fire up his team and fueled the 15-2 run.

“Ty Goldsberry made that tough drive on the baseball line and made a tough shot to put us up four and then our defense kind of took over,” said Barnes.

Beginning with Goldsberry’s layup, Olympus scored on six of seven possessions, which included included a pair of tough 3-pointers from Jackson and a couple of tough shots by Lowe.

“Gavin’s a tough cover, cause they have to choose how they want to play him, and if they really help off and pack the paint that gives our shooters opportunities,” said Barnes.

Luke Owen also hit one of his two 3-pointers during the key stretch in the third quarter.

Olympus didn’t let up in the fourth quarter either as it held Skyline to 0-of-5 shooting and forced five turnovers.

“We’re not that potent offensively like we’ve been in years past, so we have to really defend and guard and that’s why say our defense leads to our offense. I’m happy with the progression,” said Barnes.

For the Titans, it all starts with the intensity of its junior point guard Lowe, who is just relentless with his dribble penetration and is a great finisher at the rim. Of his 20 points, 18 came on layups at the rim.

He was Olympus’ only returning starter from last year’s state championship team, and he’s helped instill that winning attitude in this year’s squad.

“His overall work ethic and bringing these guys along, it’s what makes him an elite player. He’s really special. He knows he can’t do it by himself, and everyone’s got to do their part and help and contribute. He’s a coaches dream, a kid who really understands and gets it, loves winning,” said Barnes.