Photo by Nick Henthorn Bellaire’s Jace Violet makes a pass from the top of the key Thursday during the Big Reds’ home game against Steubenville Catholic.

BELLAIRE — Timing is everything … and for Bellaire boys’ basketball there is no better time than now for entering post-season play.

The Big Reds closed out their regular-season schedule by pocketing their fourth straight triumph Thursday night, downing Steubenville Catholic Central, 78-68, at The House of Champions. The win also avenges an earlier 55-50 setback at the hands of the Crusaders.

Bellaire (5-17) opens sectional play Feb. 28 at top-seeded St. Clairsville. SCC, meanwhile, makes its sectional debut Feb. 27 against the winner of the Malvern-Tusky Catholic contest.

The Big Reds did much of their offensive damage from long range. The hosts converted 14 three-point goals, tying the school record. Juniors Michael Dippel and Jace Violet delivered seven treys each.

Bellaire’s hot shooting yielded a 52-27 halftime lead. SCC (9-13) did make matters somewhat interesting by paring the deficit to five in the fourth quarter before the hosts quelled the Crusader surge.

Coach J.R. Battista’s squad displayed a three-pronged scoring attack.

Violet led the way with 29 points while Dippel ended with 24, 23 of which came prior to halftime. Junior Alex Padgett did yeoman’s work, producing a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

“I thought we shot it really well in the first half and so we were able to build a nice lead,” Battista said. “But in the second half give Steubenville Central credit as they came back as their pressure bothered us.

“They made a game of it but we were able to hang on,” added the former Big Reds’ All-Ohioan. “We weathered the storm by making some shots and making our free throws.”

Raheen Mitchel was sparkling in a losing effort, tallying 23 points. Kolbe Krupp was next with 12 points while Michael Fabbro chipped in with 11.

“I wasn’t pleased with our effort and energy in the first half. I also thought we were settling for too many jump shots,” SCC head coach Don Ogden said. “So at halftime I stressed to them we had to play harder and with more energy and try to go downhill and get to the rim.

“We did that and made a good run. But we just had too steep a hill to climb,” he added. “But give Bellaire credit. They really shot the ball well from three.”

Bellaire started quickly, moving to a 24-16 lead after the opening eight minutes. Violet fueled the surge with 11 points while Padgett and Dippel added seven and six markers, respectively. Dippel unloaded 17 points in the second quarter as the Big Reds’ lead ballooned to 52-27 at intermission.

SCC started trimming its deficit methodically in the third quarter. Mitchell scored 11 points in the frame to draw SCC to within 62-53 after three quarters.

The Crusaders continued to ride the wave of their momentum to close within 67-62 on a Fabbro bucket with 3:40 remaining. Padgett, however, came up big for the Big Reds, converting on an offensive rebound while also being fouled. He meshed the free throw, pushing the lead back to eight with 3:14 to play.

Krupp goaled for a 70-64 lighting. The two teams traded hoops before Padgett bucketed with 1:49 showing for a 74-66 Bellaire advantage. After a SCC miss, Violet goaled to provide Bellaire with a comfortable 10-point lead with just 1:02 remaining.

“We are currently riding a four-game winning streak. That is a direct result of the kids working hard every day and trying to improve their game,” Battista noted.

Bellaire committed nine turnovers to just six for the Crusaders.

The reserve game also featured some excitement as Bellaire frosh Kaden Furman poured in 41 points as the Big Reds prevailed.