The Mansfield Tygers are off to a 2-0 start to the 2012-'13 basketball season after wins over Lima Senior 77-67 and Toledo Scott 72-65 on Saturday.  In week two, the Tygers will play just one against rival Madison at Pete Henry Gym.  First year coach at Senior High Johntory Reese, was pleased with the fact his team was able to beat two squads with athletic ability and quickness and doing it on the road up at Toledo Saturday evening.  He stressed though his team should not have had the number of turnovers on Friday and Saturday.  Reese also commented the Tygers must play better close out defense.

As the Tygers prep for Madison, Reese is telling his club to expect a tough game, one which goes four quarters.  Last season the Rams stopped Mansfield Senior in overtime at Wayne E. Miller Gym 66-65, after the Tygers had started the year with impressive wins over Toledo Scott and Massillon Perry.  Mansfield did win the rematch in January 64-48 at Pete Henry.

On Esley Lane, first year varsity coach at Madison Tim Mergel is getting his troops ready after a last second loss to Shelby 35-34 in the opener.  Mergel was happy with his team's effort and hussle, but says his troops defense needs to get better and the Rams need to convert more when they get the ball down low.  The coach also commented that the game with the Tygers will be much different than what was against the Whippets last Friday.  Mergel says the Rams must be ready to "play" the game not letting the Tygers beat them up and down the floor.  He's also prepping his inside people to be physical with the likes of Robert Jones and Donovyn Benson of Mansfield who played well against Lima scoring 22 and 16 points.

The Rams did not have any double digit scorers last week against the Whippets as they were led by Byrce Luckie with seven and Cory Peterson with six.  Kobi Johnson had five.  After the teams ballgame with Senior High Friday, the Rams will play host to Galion on Saturday evening at Wayne E. Miller Gym.  The T-I Tigers bounced Madison last season a night after the Rams had stopped Mansfield in OT, 67-47.