Jonathan Tolber’s knee injury created a sizeable hole in the New Albany High School boys basketball team’s perimeter defense.

“He’s been our best defender all year,” coach Sam Davis said of the junior guard.

The Eagles have managed to hold their own during Tolber’s absence, however. They posted OCC-Capital Division victories over Franklin Heights 47-46 on Feb. 3, Big Walnut 48-28 on Feb. 7 and Delaware 55-42 on Feb. 10.

They also nearly upset Westerville North, losing 52-50 on Jan. 31. North was 12-3 entering that game.

The Eagles jumped out to a 15-5 lead against Big Walnut, which had won seven of its past nine games, and gave up only 13 points through three quarters. Big Walnut’s Grant Beam and his brother, Tyler, managed just six points apiece against the Eagles.

“That was probably our best defensive effort of the season,” Davis said. “We played very, very well. We defended very well and held both of the Beam brothers to season lows (in points). I credit that to the fact that our kids can really follow a game plan, and our staff does a great job putting together scouting reports.

“When we’re shooting the ball well and not turning it over, we’re OK because our defense has been so steady.”

The Eagles had won three consecutive games and five of their last seven before playing non-league Upper Arlington on Feb. 14. They are 9-4 in the OCC-Capital and in third place behind Mount Vernon (11-2), which has clinched a share of the title, and Olentangy Orange (10-3) entering the regular-season finale at home against the Yellow Jackets on Friday, Feb. 17.

New Albany has won five of its six games in the second half of the league schedule, and four of the victories were by 13 or more points. Its defense had a lot to do with that, too. The Eagles were giving up 49 points per game before playing UA and are allowing 46.3 points in OCC-Capital play.

Tolber was expected back sometime this week in at least a limited role.

“(Sophomore guard) Darrell Miller has stepped up admirably. He’s been getting a lot of quality minutes, and he did an outstanding job against Franklin Heights,” Davis said. “It’s the same with (sophomore guard) Avery Schneider, who has played (junior varsity) most of the year. He’s been getting more time, too. He’s 6-3 with good hands.

“Between those two, we’ve been able to cover (Tolber’s absence).”

Schneider’s brother, Evan, will be one of three seniors honored before the Mount Vernon game. The others are Jay Marshall and Chris Scott.

“All three of them played j.v. last year,” Davis said. “We lost 11 kids from last year’s (OCC-Capital winning) team. Seven graduated and four others decided not to play. I just can’t say enough about how this group of seniors has really steadied us.

“And the best thing is we’re still getting better. I just wish the season was longer because I really feel we’re just now coming into our own.”