jmetcalfe@delphosherald.com

ADA — One did it its usual way.
So did the other.

No matter which way they did it, Elida and Bath set up a third matchup in 2012-13, this time in Saturday’s Division II District finals (7 p.m.) at Ohio Northern University’s Sports Center in Ada, with impressive victories Tuesday.

The Bulldogs (17-7) downed Lexington (16-9) 64-49 in the nightcap using its developing steady half-court defense and balanced attack, while Bath (21-4) crushed Willard (18-7) 84-60 by using its withering full- and half-court press and fast-break attack.

The Bulldogs placed four players in double digits in the second game: Louis Gray with 17 (3 treys), Dakota Mathias a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards (along with 7 assists), Austin Allemeier 12 and Aric Thompson 10.

“Our offense has developed a lot over the course of the season; we weren’t even close to having that kind of balance earlier this year,” Elida mentor Denny Thompson said. “Early on, we just stood around and waited for Dakota to do something. Now, the kids are moving and making themselves available; they realize that if they do so, Dakota will find them. He is more than willing to take advantage of what defenses are doing to him to find the open guys. They are hitting those shots; that is the key now. Lexington was very physical with him, maybe more than anyone so far.” The Minutemen had only one hit double digits: Mason Willeke with a game-high 23 to go with a game-high 12 boards.