Nine different players scored for Sheffield led by Drew Higby and Matt Dunham with 10 points each. The Wolverines went on an 11-0 run in the first quarter to open up a lead, but Forest regrouped and came as close as five points in the second half.

“We struggled a lot with our focus,” said Sheffield coach Mike Knapp. “We were turning the ball over, just making bad passes and not focusing on our defensive assignments. I think as the game went on we got more focused.”

“We have a tendency with these guys who are really learning the game where we struggle to put four quarters together. It seems like we always have that quarter where we kind of just let down and slip into our old bad habits. That’s what we’re fighting through.”

Dillon DiCorpo and Martin Ralston knocked down three-pointers for the Fires in the third quarter to help chip away at Sheffield’s lead. The Wolverines clung to an eight-point advantage midway through the fourth quarter before another long run helped put the game away.

Sheffield’s Matt Dunham (25) scores a layup during Monday’s non-league game against Forest Area.

Along with 10 each from Higby and Matt Dunham, Sheffield got nine points from Roger Dunham and Austin Simmer while Cale Albaugh chipped in seven. The Wolverines helped their own cause with a 14-of-18 shooting performance from the foul line.

Forest Area’s Seth Berlin led all scorers with 11 points.

With the win, the Wolverines improve to 3-1 to start the year. They’ll go for number four Wednesday at Brookville.

The junior varsity game also saw Sheffield pull away late to take a 37-30 victory. Walker Kyler scored 12 points and Luke Davidson added eight while Seth Seidle paced Forest with seven markers.

FOREST (29): Berlin 5 1-4 11, Marshall 1 1-2 3, DiCorpo 2 0-0 6, Ralston 2 1-2 6, Tirado 1 0-0 3. Totals

Sheffield’s Tanner Leichtenberger (4) comes up with a loose ball and looks to pass during Monday’s game against Forest Area.

SHEFFIELD (53): R. Dunham 3 0-0 9, Simmer 3 3-4 9, Higby 5 0-0 10, Albaugh 1 5-6 7, M. Dunham 2 6-8 10, Donato 1 0-0 2, Retterer 1 0-0 2, Leichtenberger 1 0-0 2, Hawk 1 0-0 2. Totals 18 14-18 53.

Forest       4   9   10   6 — 29

Sheffield       16   8   8   21 — 53

3-pointers: DiCorpo (F) 2, Ralston (F) 1, Tirado (F) 1, R. Dunham (S) 3.

——

Sheffield's Austin Simmer delivers a pass during Monday's game against Forest Area.

Junior Varsity

FOREST (30): Tirado 1 1-2 4, Quinn 0 1-2 1, Parrett 0 2-6 2, Burke 2 0-3 4, Meals 4 0-1 8, Sowinski 1 0-0 2, Siedle 3 1-2 7, Schwab 1 0-0 2. Totals 12 5-16 30.

SHEFFIELD (37): Hawk 1 2-3 4, Kyler 3 4-8 12, Lauffenburger 2 0-2 4, McNeal 1 0-1 2, Davidson 2 4-5 8, Pierce 0 0-1 0, Russo 1 0-0 2, Camp 2 0-1 4. Totals 12 10-21 37.

Forest       5   6   4   15 — 30

Sheffield       9   9   7   12 — 37

3-pointers: Tirado (F) 1, Kyler (S) 2.