ELIDA - Dick Kortokrax realizes a lot of people didn't give his Kalida basketball team much of a chance to go deep into the postseason.
The Wildcats, the 2009 state runner-up, have only two seniors on the roster.
And yet, here is Kalida, back in the district final after a 59-44 win over Ada Tuesday night in a Division IV district semifinal showdown at the Elida Fieldhouse.
Kalida will meet Putnam County League rival Continental on Friday night for the district title. The Pirates defeated Arlington 39-35.
"No one really talked about Kalida at the beginning of the season," Kortokrax said. "I am really proud of this team. We shouldn't be here. We shouldn't be having the season that we are having. It's a credit to the team."
The 10th-ranked Wildcats (19-2) seized control of this game early on. They used a 13-2 run to close the first half and were up 18-7 at the end of the first quarter.
Kalida capitalized on the inside attack of Kristopher Osterhage and Jordan Basinger to build their early cushion. Osterhage clicked for 16 points and Basinger pumped in 14 points.
Mike Bockrath gave the Wildcats a lift as well. He scored 10 points, including six on 3-pointers, on a night when Kalida was 21-of-37 from the field.
Kalida was up 29-16 at halftime and went into the final quarter with a 42-31 advantage as Ada never seriously threatened the Wildcats.
"We are proud of Mike. He hit a couple of big 3-pointers and has been a great player all year," Kortokrax said. "He is a blue collar senior and always gives everything he has to give."
Ada was 14-of-43 from the field and took the majority of its shots in the second half as it tried to get back into the game.
Ty Joliff scored 15 to pace the Bulldogs (8-14) and Konnor Baker dropped in 10 points.
The Wildcats held a decisive 32-18 edge on the boards and are thankful to be moving on down the tourney trail. The biggest concern Kortokrax had on Tuesday was his team's turnover problem. Kalida had 17 turnovers. Ada finished with 12.
"We have to play a lot better against Continental," Kortokrax said. "They are a great team and we know it's going to be a tough game. Hopefully we can come out and play our best. We are going to need a great effort."
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