Division I regional track finals
Fenwick graduation 2012
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Sunday, December 28, 2008
Postseason projections
It’s never too early to put a spin on the postseason.
• Centerville had better up its game to achieve anything close to what the Elks have done in recent boys hoop seasons. The Elks fell 69-66 in OT to D-II Marshall on Friday. And D-IV Jefferson pushed the Elks to the limit with its quickness, trailing just 56-55 with 2:50 left before fading, 68-59 on Saturday. Trotwood-Madison and Wayne should present more formidable D-I hurdles, let alone teams that emerge from the GCL.
• Marshall, Dunbar and Graham are the area’s best in D-II. Graham has experience, with four starters back from a club that fell in the ‘08 state semifinals. Dunbar has some emerging talent, but is lacking the height that served the Wolverines so well the last five seasons. Realistically, Dunbar should make its best tourney run next season.
That leaves Marshall. With Juwan Staten and plenty of other options, the Cougars are a formidable threat. But like Dunbar, they too are lacking in Graham’s experience and probably are a year away from a legit title run.
• Message to Jefferson: Make room in that impressive trophy case for some more big-time hardware. If nothing goes wrong — no injuries, ineligible players or forfeits — the Broncos are a lock to win a state D-IV title. Junior Adreian Payne is a force inside and sophomore Cody Latimer provides another viable option.
The holdovers from New Knoxville’s defending state champs likely will have something to say about that. We can only hope.
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Staten better than ever
Extra points from Saturday’s Dayton Christmas Shootout at UD Arena.
Marshall 58, CJ 55
Centerville 68, Jefferson 59
• Speedy Marshall guard Juwan Staten is better than billed. Besides being a point machine for three seasons, he’s emerging into a legitimate floor leader for the Cougars. That won’t show up in a boxscore, but no question he’s upped his game in that quality.
• The Matt Kavanaugh (Centerville) vs. Adreian Payne (Jefferson) matchup was brief. MK missed all the second quarter with two personal fouls and AP played just one minute because of fouls. They guarded each other, but drew so much double- and triple-coverage that working down low usually wasn’t an option.
With both big men out for such long stretches, that left robust Elks forward Adam Replogle all but free underneath. And he delivered, bulling for a game-high 19 points. Replogle probably won’t get those point-blank shots off taller timber, but still impressive. Besides, he gives Centerville another proven option besides Kavanaugh.
• We know who UD coach Brian Gregory was watching: Kavanaugh, who’s already signed, and Staten, a junior who’s verbally committed to the Flyers. Just wondering who WSU coach Brad Brownell was interested in. Both coaches huddled between games on press row, exchanging pleasantries.
Marshall junior Chris Gainey, a 6-4 transfer from Trotwood-Madison, is recruitable. Another not-so-longshot is Centerville freshman reserve Jake Campbell. His game is not at the varsity level, but at 6-10, what coach can afford for him not to be on his radar?
• Replogle and Elks junior Craig Ashworth have a family history of playing ball together. Their fathers, Tom Replogle and Mark Ashworth, were starters at Beavercreek during the 1973-74 season. The Beavers coach that season: Mark’s father, Norm.
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