A fast start and balanced scoring lifted Malvern to a district championship Saturday afternoon.
The Malvern Hornets defeated River 44-32 in the Division VII East District Tournament championship game at the ECO Center, securing a berth in the regional semifinals.
Malvern (17-9) set the tone early, jumping out to a 14-3 lead in the opening quarter and maintaining control the rest of the way. The Hornets led 25-13 at halftime and pushed the margin to 36-22 entering the fourth quarter.
River (16-10) made a late push, outscoring Malvern 10-8 in the final period, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome.
Grady Barkley led Malvern with 14 points, while Tripp Tucci added nine points, including three 3-pointers. Delonte Simmons and Jaxon Jones each scored eight points, and Josh Untch finished with four.
Malvern shot 16-of-41 from the field (39%) and held a 20-19 edge on the boards. Jones led the Hornets with five rebounds. Malvern also committed just six turnovers.
River was led by Evan Longwell with a game-high 18 points. Crestyn Isaly added seven points, while Conner Miller scored four and Cam Abbott finished with two.
River shot 9-of-24 from the field (38%) and committed 18 turnovers.
With the win, Malvern advances to the Division VII regional semifinals and will play Thursday, March 12, at 5:30 p.m. at Ohio Dominican University’s Alumni Hall in Columbus.
