LATHAM — Hitting three-pointers early, and sinking one-pointers late, the New Boston Tigers took care of business on Wednesday night in a Southern Ohio Conference Division I boys basketball makeup matchup.
That’s because the visiting Tigers notched four first-half three-balls, then converted 14-of-20 second-half free throws, en route to capturing a key 68-62 win at Western.
The Tigers, the top-ranked team in the second weekly Associated Press Ohio High School boys basketball Division IV poll, remain atop the SOC I standings —and are now a perfect 8-0 in the league.
New Boston is now 13-1, and stretched its lead in the SOC I over Symmes Valley and Ironton St. Joseph, which are both 5-2.
The makeup victory at Western, in fact, comes a night after the Tigers topped Symmes Valley 69-55.
The Indians are now an even 6-6 —and 4-4 in the SOC I.
The Tigers led after every stop on Wednesday, including 19-7 following the first quarter, 40-29 after the second stanza and 50-44 following the third frame.
Kyle Sexton with two and Tanner Voiers and Grady Jackson with one apiece made first-half threes, while the Tigers took 30 free-throw attempts —including 10-of-16 in the fourth period.
New Boston meshed 22 free throws, while Western was only 10-of-14 at the line — despite holding a 23-21 advantage in total field goals.
Sexton scored a game-high 19 points on five field goals and 7-of-9 free throws, and grabbed 14 rebounds while dishing out six assists.
Voiers followed suit with 17 points on seven field goals and 2-of-3 free throws, while Malachi Potts put in three baskets and 5-of-5 freebies for 11.
Potts chipped in five steals and five assists, and took a key charge late in the game.
Jackson netted nine points, with 6-of-8 foul shots in addition to his trey.
Jerome McKinley with seven points, Chase Clark with three and Marcus Saunders with a bucket rounded out the New Boston scoring.
Clark also pulled down 11 rebounds.
Colton Montgomery, on six field goals and a free throw, paced the Indians with 13 points.
Austin Beckett bucketed a dozen points on four field goals and 4-of-5 free throws, while Coleman Gibson and Maveric Ferneau finished with 11 points apiece on a deuce and three treys.
New Boston begins the back half of SOC I play on Friday night —when it travels to East.

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