We know how close we are to getting over the hump. We've had a number of games like this one where we've had opportunities to win. But we're making just enough lapses to lose games.

We keep coming back in these games and we keep playing harder, harder and harder. But we need to play smarter and do the things that make a difference on the scoreboard. We had many opportunities to win this one.

We played the best 29 minutes of basketball we played all season collectively, then we did everything wrong collectively in the last three minutes. We missed free throws, had quite a few turnovers. It was bad. But we were happy to respond so well against Pickerington North. The kids bounced back and showed some poise.

It was the exact opposite of the way we finished against South. We stay poised and confident. If we had played that way in the fourth quarter against South and the last four minutes against Mount Vernon (58-54 loss Jan. 20), we'd be in first place. I think as low as we were after South, we needed a comeback win like this to prove to ourselves we could close out games.

For most of three quarters, we showed what we're capable of doing when we execute and play smart. We led one of the best teams in the district by 20 points. I doubt anyone has led them by 20 this season. But then we got away from the things we were doing, had calls go against us and things started to snowball. Then, just like that, the lights went out for our kids.

We've played some teams in the past couple weeks that really like to slow the tempo. While they've dictated tempo, what I've been pleased with is our ability to be patient. Our shot selection has been good, and that's important when you have fewer possessions. I tell the guys all the time that teams may dictate tempo, but defenses can't dictate shot selection.