ASHLAND — The Ontario Warriors boys basketball team had been facing skepticism from outside observers about the legitimacy of their undefeated start. However, on Saturday, January 3, they silenced the doubters with a decisive 65-60 victory over Ashland. This win propelled them to an impressive 11-0 record, completing the first half of the season without a loss and marking their best start to a season since their historic 21-game winning streak in the 2013-14 campaign.

A Major Test for the Warriors

The Richland County Boys Basketball Power Poll recently saw a significant shift, with the Ontario Warriors making a strong statement in their latest game. They have now secured wins against Shelby, Lexington, and Ashland in three of their last four games, reinforcing their status as a legitimate powerhouse.

Before the game, Ontario coach Jerry Moton addressed each player individually, challenging them to rise to the occasion. “This was our first major test of the year,” he said. “I told each of them to step up, accept the challenge, and pass the test.”

The Warriors did just that. After starting strong with a 13-9 lead in the first quarter, they found themselves trailing 26-23 at halftime. The third quarter proved to be a turning point, as Ontario launched a 16-4 run to take a 45-40 lead. They extended this advantage to 48-42 by the end of the third quarter and carried that momentum into the fourth, pushing their lead to 53-42.

However, Ashland responded with a late surge, cutting the lead to 53-50. Despite the pressure, the Warriors remained composed and closed out the game with a 12-10 final quarter to secure the win.

Key Performances and Team Dynamics

Super sophomores Cardae Brown and Trindon Flenoury were instrumental in the victory, each scoring 20 points. Their combined effort of 18 points in the third quarter was crucial in shifting the momentum. Kolbe Ramion and Jamir Jones contributed nine points each, showcasing the depth of the team.

On the other side, Ashland’s Paxton Ediger led the Arrows with 27 points, while Gabe Baith added 13. Despite the loss, Ashland’s performance highlighted their competitiveness.

“We are grateful for this start,” Brown said. “But we also want to keep our focus on our next game and make sure we do everything we can to prepare for it so we can keep this going.”

Looking Ahead

The Warriors (11-0, 6-0) will face River Valley on January 9, with sole possession of first place in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference on the line. Their 11 wins are just two fewer than the total wins of the last two seasons combined, following six wins in 2023-24 and seven in 2024-25.

“It is great to start like this, especially after the last two years,” Moton said. “What we try to do is let them know that they are supposed to be doing what they are doing. When we win, we celebrate it, but we also keep them humble and grounded at the same time. After this win, we talked about the things we can do better because this wasn’t our best game. We are looking forward to every challenge.”

With confidence built through their undefeated start, the Warriors are ready to face whatever challenges come their way.

“It feels great,” Flenoury said. “We feel like we have the talent that helped us go 11-0 and hopefully even further.”