OSSIAN – Revenge was sweet for the Whitko boys basketball team Tuesday night.

The Wildcats used a huge third quarter to rally past Bellmont 41-35 in first-round action of the Class 3-A Norwell Sectional.

Whitko had lost a 32-19 decision at Bellmont back on Dec. 1.

The Wildcats, now 6-15, advance to play Heritage (8-13) in the second semifinal game Friday night back at Norwell at approximately 7:30 p.m. The 6 p.m. semifinal on Friday will pit Norwell (15-6) versus Mississenewa (8-12). The winners return for the championship game Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.

Whitko trailed 8-3 after the opening period Tuesday night and were down 16-4 at halftime before staging a huge second-half comeback. The Wildcats outscored Bellmont 19-2 in the pivotal third period of play to take a 23-18 lead.

Senior Trey Weber led the way to the win for Whitko with 14 points.

Senior Stephen Bennett scored 10 points and senior Gabe Powell six for the Wildcats. Alex Stoddard had five points and Dylan Cumberland and Cole Kessie each added three.

Bellmont finishes its season at 4-17.

Host and two-time defending sectional champion Norwell exploded past Eastbrook 97-72 in Tuesday night’s other first-round matchup.