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March 2009
Marshall falls in state final
COLUMBUS — Marshall was defeated 59-53 by Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary in the boys high school Division II state basketball final on Saturday, March 28 at OSU’s Schottenstein Center.
SVSM went on a game-ending 10-1 run to ruin Marshall’s upset bid. Juwan Staten was brilliant in defeat. The junior guard tallied a game-high 28 points, including 20 in the first half. But SVSM threw a defensive blanket on him in the second half.
Staten, 12 for 12 from the line in Friday’s semifinal comeback defeat of Circleville Logan Elm in OT, was just 2 of 6 this time and missed 3 of 4 in the closing minutes.
DeAngelo Gates added 15 points and was equally effective for the Cougars with 10 rebounds. Tremayne Scott added five points and Christian Delemos 4. Greg Gainey, hobbled by two ankle sprains, didn’t play for Marshall. That’s 18 points and 10 rebounds that never left the bench.
Daylen Harrison led SVSM with 17 points and hugs from favorite alum LeBron James. The Cavs star sat behind SVSM’s bench the entire game, constantly urged his former team on and donned a green SVSM jacket afterward.
Marshall ends its season at 22-5. Akron SVSM completes a 23-4 run and won its fifth state title.
How good was Marshall?
Of five losses this season, the 6-point setback to SVSM was its greatest margin of defeat. The Cougars lost five games by a TOTAL of 18 points:
Toledo Waite, 69-65.
Dunbar, 62-60.
Meadowdale, 76-75.
Lakota West, 66-61.
Akron SVSM, 59-53.
Marshall’s wins
There were plenty. Among the highlights:
Centerville, 69-66; Elks were the area’s top-ranked D-I team and advanced to the regional.
Dunbar, 83-58; no match in the rematch.
Dayton Christian, 64-61; all the Warriors did was advance to the D-III state semifinals.
Alter, 75-45; a decent, but rebuilding season for the Knights. Anytime Alter loses by 30, that’s worth noting.
Wilmington, 67-60. This town needed a lift, and got it from the 21-3 Hurricane.
Circleville Logan Elm, 62-53 in OT; the D-II state semifinal. All the Cougars had to do was overcome a 12-point, fourth-quarter deficit.
Final analysis
Rank the Cougars among the best to represent the Dayton City League at a boys state basketball tourney. And they might not be done; many of their key players are underclassmen.
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Akron SVSM 59, Marshall 53, final
First quarter
9-5, SVSM, 3:43: Juwan Staten’s 3-ball gave Marshall its only lead at 3-2. Christian Delemos got the starting nod over the injured Greg Gainey, still hobbled with a couple ankle sprains.
9-all: A Staten floater and top of key.
11-9, Marshall; Staten a great weave through the defense, finishing with a twisting layup to beat the buzzer.
Second quarter
18-13, Marshall; Gates from the baseline and Staten another bomb from the wing; Staten has 12 of Marshall’s 18 points and has been unstoppable.
21-16, Marshall; another Staten 3-ball, his third; the junior guard who’s headed to UD owns 15 of Marshall’s 21 points.
21-18, Marshall, 3:14 left.
Notable: If Akron SVSM is a heavy favorite, someone forgot to tell the men of Marshall. Cougars are quicker, a step faster and more deadly from afar.
29-24, Marshall at the half; a Gates FT and transition layup, a Staten 3 fromthe wing and another Staten coast-to-coast transition layup.
Staten has been incredible, scoring 20 of Marshall’s 29 points. He’s netted 8 of 13 shots and all four 3-pointers. Gates has 7 points and Delemos 2 to account for the Cougars’ total.
Akron SVSM is bigger, but not near as mobile as Marshall. That is why the Cougars hold a commanding 22-12 rebound advantage, running down many misses. Even more impressive, Marshall has a staggering 10 offensive rebounds. This is Dayton City League ball at its transition, pull up and fire and rebound like demons best. Championship teams of past should be proud.
The only thing Akron SVSM has going for it is LeBron James, its most famous alum who’s courtside. A second half like the first from Marshall and James’ infectious smile could meld into a smirk.
Third quarter
33-29, Marshall; 2 Gates FT’s and a Delemos transition layup.
Akron SVSM has found its defense, turning up the heat that was lacking the entire first half. That accounted for three quick turnovers by Marshall in their first three possessions.
Gates has put on a great supporting show to Staten, with 9 points and 10 rebounds for the Cougars.
33-31, Marshall.
38-36, Akron SVSM; after a 7-2 run and a flurry of Marshall turnovers.
40-39, Akron SVSM after 3 quarters; Make Hammonds scored 7 of 9 points during SVSM’s 9-3 run. But Tremayne Scott nailed a 3 from the corner as time expired to pull the Cougars within one.
Staten must get untracked if Marshall is to win this game. As much as he ran loose in the first half, he’s been bottled up the second.
Fourth quarter
43-39, SVSM; Akron turning up the defensive heat even more. Marshall is shaken; nothing is coming easy and even less is working.
45-all; Scott putback; Staten putback and Gates transition layup. Here come the Cougars.
52-49, Marshall; 2:01 and Staten at line for 2 FT’s; missed both.
54-52, SVSM; :58.7 left and Staten shooting 2 FT’s; splits.
55-53, SVSM; :31.9 left.
55-53, SVSM; :17.8 left; Gates fouls out.
Gates misses front end of !-and 1; Marshall possession, but Staten travels.
57-53, SVSM with :02 left and at the line.
59-53, Akron SVSM; final.
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Boys state final hoop
COLUMBUS — All four boys state hoop finals will be held today, March 28 at OSU’s Schottenstein Center.
Division IV
Oak Hill 48, Kalida 43, double-OT
• Oak Hill’s Ryan Borden scored 13 points, and his two clutch 3-pointers kept OH in the game. The first in the closing seconds of regulation forced an OT. His second bomb at the end of the first OT forced another extra session.
• Kalida coach Dick Kortokrax (785) and Oak Hill’s Norm Persin (574) own a combined 1,359 career wins. Kortokrax, the state’s all-time win leader, has amassed most of his total at Kalida. Persin collected most of his wins at Chesapeake before taking the OH challenge. In the three prior years (2004-06) before Persin took over, the Oaks had won a combined 10 games. Since then, they’ve won three straight district titles and their first state championship.
Division III
Cleveland Central Catholic 45, Defiance Tinora 38
• Tinora picked the wrong time to lose its shooting touch and trailed 11-0 after the first quarter. That all but sealed the deal for CCC, which withstood Tinora’s methodical comeback.
Chall Montgomery scored 14 points to lead CCC (24-3); Gregg Gerken paced Tenora (23-4) with 17 points.
Division II
Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary 59, Thurgood Marshall 53
SVSM (23-4) went on a game-ending 10-1 run to ruin Marshall’s (22-5) upset bid. Juwan Staten was brilliant in defeat, scoring a game-high 28 points, including 20 in the first half. DeAngelo Gates added 15 points and was equally effective for the Cougars with 10 rebounds. Tremayne Scott added five points and Christian Delemos 4. Greg Gainey, hobbled by two ankle sprains, didn’t play for Marshall.
Daylen Harrison led SVSM with 17 points and hugs from favorite alum LeBron James. The Cavs star sat behind SVSM’s bench the entire game, constantly urged his former team on and donned a green SVSM jacket afterward.
Division I
Columbus Northland 60, Cincinnati Princeton 58
Mr. Basketball Jared Sullinger converted a couple free throws in the final seconds and Northland withstood Princeton’s fourth-quarter rally to win its first state title.
J.D. Weatherspoon tallied 18 points and Sullinger 17 for Northland (27-1). Its only loss was to San Diego Senior at Flyin’ to the Hoop. Jordan Sibert led the Vikings with 21 points and Orlando Williams 19. Princeton finishes 25-2.
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Marshall advances to state final
Juwan Staten scored 22 points and Marshall overcame a 12-point second-half deficit to stun Circleville Logan Elm 62-53 in overtime in Friday’s boys high school Division II basketball state semifinals.
The Cougars (22-4) return to OSU’s Schottenstein Center at Columbus for Saturday’s D-II state final against the Akron St. Vincent-St. Marys/Columbus St. Francis DeSales winner at 5:15 p.m.
Marshall was without junior inside presence Greg Gainey for much of the game. The junior who averages 18 points limped through three early ineffective minutes, pulled himself and didn’t return.
But DeAngelo Gates filled in with 15 rebounds and 10 points to offset that loss. Staten hit 12 free throws and Shawn Robinson knocked down the biggest 3-pointer in school history with about :06 left to draw even at 47-all and force OT.
Christian Delemos put the Cougars up early in OT, then Logan Elm chased — and fouled — Staten and Robinson while trying to play catch-up. Instead, Marshall pulled away, completing a game-ending 30-11 run in the fourth quarter and OT.
The Cougars will be making their first appearance in a state final since the 1990 Colonel White squad won the D-II title.
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Marshall beats Logan Elm 62-53 in OT
If Marshall (21-4) hopes to knock off Circleville Logan Elm (24-1) in this morning’s Division II boys state hoop semifinal, it’ll have to be done without a healthy Greg Gainey.
The burly and productive inside force for the Cougars spent most of this week on crutches and rehabbing two sprained ankles. If warmups at OSU’s Schottenstein Center are an indication, he needs more rehab. He played about three ineffective minutes in the first half and didn’t score.
First Quarter
Marshall led 7-4, but Logan Elm countered with a 9-1 run. JaQuan Johnson’s free throw at the end of the quarter drew the Cougars within two, 13-11.
Second Quarter
Melvin Banks hit a bucket to draw even and Juwan Staten put Marshall up, 15-13. That’s an 8-0 run by Marshall.
16-all: Staten has been everything as billed. Midway through the second quarter he has 10 points on 4 of 8 shooting, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
22-all at halftime: Staten canned a couple free throws in the final minute to pull the Cougars even at the break.
Staten lead Marshall with 12 points, Shawn Robinson has 6, Melvin Banks 3 and DeAngelo Gates 1. First-team All-Ohioan Brandon Amann leads Logan Elm with 10 points.
Neither team has found its long range: Marshall is just 2 of 12 in 3-pointers and Logan Elm just 2 of 9. Logan Elm’s mad bomber, Tim Congrove, has just 2 three-pointers. Should he get untracked, Marshall will be in trouble. Congrove has hit 228 career 3-pointers.
Of course, had Marshall gotten any kind of production out of Gainey, that could have offset Congrove. Instead, it’ll be up to Staten, Gates, Robinson and Banks to carry the Cougars in the second half.
Third Quarter
Gates drew Marshall within 30-29, but Logan Elm found its touch, bolting to a 38-29 lead, their greatest. Worse, Logan Elm is in the 1-and-1 with 1:39 left in the quarter. Logan Elm has just one foul against it.
42-32 Logan Elm at the end of the third Q: Logan Hauserman, a 6-8, 275-pound junior monster, has been unstoppable for Logan Elm. He scored most of his 11 points in the decisive quarter and banked a bucket in the finals seconds.
Fourth Quarter
Too much foul trouble for Marshall. Worse, Gainey still hasn’t played since leaving early in the first quarter.
Logan Elm 44-32.
Logan Elm 44-41: Marshall has unleashed relentless full-court pressure — and a great half-court trap — to get back in at 4:18. Staten pulled the Cougars within 5 on a transition bucket and James White converted a steal into an easy layup.
44-43 Logan Elm: Gates on the bucket, but he twists an ankle afterward. He’s been good for 8 points and 14 rebounds, including 7 offensive.
46-45 Logan Elm with 2:23 left: Staten hits 2 FTs. He has 18 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists. Marshall on a 13-4 run to get back in the game.
Marshall just 4 of 24 in 3-pointers.
1:20 left: Marshall’s Quinn for 1-and-1, trailing 46-45; misses front end; Logan Elm holding ball.
47-45 Logan Elm with :48 left.
Robinson missed 3-pointer; foul, Hauserman hits 1 of 2 FTs.
48-45 Logan Elm.
Robinson snares long rebound, lets fly all alone from wing and buries the draw-even bomb, 48-all with :06 left.
Logan Elm shot in lane a buzzer misses; OT.
OVERTIME
50-48, Marshall
52-48: Staten drives, dishes to Christian Delemos for easy bucket; 2:03 left.
52-49, Marshall.
54-49, Marshall on 2 Staten FT’s; he’s 8 of 8 from line.
54-50, Marshall.
56-51, Delemos bucket; Staten at the line.
58-51, Marshall; Staten 2 FT’s; 20 points for Staten; 15 rebounds for Gates.
58-53, Marshall, :53 left.
59-53, Marshall, Robinson FT; Gates steal; White to line.
60-53, Marshall, White FT.
:43 left: Staten 1-and-1.
62-53: Staten 2 more FT’s.
62-53 final: Unreal comeback by Marshall. They’ll be in their first state final since the 1990 Colonel White team won a D-II title.
Marshall, trailing by 12, went to a full-court press and unloaded a game-ending 30-11 fourth-quarter and OT run.
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Dayton Christian falls in state semifinal
Defiance Tinora beat Dayton Christian 43-38 Thursday in a Division III state semifinal at Value City Arena.
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Let the state boys hoop games begin
One day down, two days to go in the 87th boys state hoop tournament at OSU’s Schottenstein Center:
Thursday’s semifinals
Division IV
Kalida 57, Cleveland Heights Lutheran East 46.
Oak Hill 55, Ada 46.
Division III
Cleveland Central Catholic 76, Piketon 52
Defiance Tinora 43, Dayton Christian 38
Today’s semifinals
Division II
Thurgood Marshall (21-4) vs. Circleville Logan Elm (24-1), 10:45 a.m.
Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary (21-4) vs. Cols. St. Francis DeSales (22-3), 2 p.m.
Division I
Warren G. Harding (23-2) vs. Col. Northland (25-1), 5:15 p.m.
Cin. Princeton (24-1) vs. Toledo St. John’s Jesuit (20-5), 8:30 p.m.
Saturday’s finals
D-IV
Kalida (23-3) vs. Oak Hill (24-2), 10:45 a.m.
D-III
Cleveland Central Catholic (23-3) vs. Defiance Tinora (23-3), 2 p.m.
D-II
5:15 p.m.
D-I
8:30 p.m.
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Baseball Players to Watch
With an assist from Milwaukee Brewers scout Roger Janeway, here are some of the area’s top baseball players who have committed: Blake Beemer, Northmont outfielder (Ball State) Nate Bowles, Stebbins catcher (Miami) Nick Bruns, St. Henry shortstop (Bowling Green) Bill Geeslin, Coldwater pitcher (Wabash C.C) Cory Klenke, Coldwater shortstop (Miami) Zach Mosbarger, Bellefontaine outfielder (Lake Erie College) Austin Pressly, Franklin-Monroe pitcher (Sinclair C.C.) Mason Reynolds, West Carrollton pitcher (Miami) Jon Richard, Versailles pitcher (Xavier) James Sheltrown, Springboro catcher (Akron) Adam Skelly, Bellefontaine catcher (Olney C.C.)
Eastern Kentucky signee Kyle England, one of the gems in the 2009 class, will not play for Carlisle (injury). The hard-throwing right-hander impressed scouts at the Bob Ross Classic last summer.
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Reporting spring games, Varsity stats
Contact the DDN with information as soon as possible after games. Info received from calls, faxes or e-mails after 10:15 p.m. will be published only on DaytonDailyNews.com.
To report scores and stats, call 225-2250, fax 225-7352 or e-mail sports@DaytonDailyNews.com.
For Varsity stats, submit info by noon on Wednesdays to the above numbers and e-mail address. Include stat leaders, records, best times and distances.
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Let the spring sports begin
There’s no greater way to end the school sports year than a brief spring fling.
That’s how quickly the baseball, softball, boys tennis and boys and girls track seasons will fly by. As a bonus, add enough rain-outs to gut a third of the baseball, softball and tennis schedules.
Here’s the breakdown:
Track & Field
• Coaching began March 9.
• The season begins Saturday, March 28.
• The postseason begins with the district the week of May 18-23; D-I at Welcome Stadium and Troy; D-II at Welcome Stadium and Milton-Union; D-III at Welcome Stadium and Milton-Union.
• The regional is May 27-30; D-I at Welcome Stadium; D-II at Welcome Stadium; D-III at Piqua.
• The state meets are June 5-6 at OSU’s Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, Columbus.
Baseball
• Pitcher and catcher coaching began Feb. 23.
• Coaching began March 9.
• The season begins Monday, March 30.
• The postseason begins with the sectional the week of May 9-16.
• The district is the week of May 18-23; D-I at Fairmont and Princeton; D-II at Mason; D-III at Centerville; and D-IV at Northmont.
• The regional is May 28-30; D-I at UC’s Marge Schott Stadium; D-II at UD’s Time Warner Stadium; D-III at WSU’s Ron Nischwitz Stadium; D-IV at Wayne’s Jim Harrison Field.
• The state tourney is June 4-6 at Huntington (Clippers) Park, Columbus.
Softball
• Pitcher and catcher coaching began Feb. 23.
• Coaching began March 9.
• The season begins Monday, March 30.
• The postseason begins with the sectional the week of May 9-16.
• The district is the week of May 18-23; D-I at Fairmont and Lakota East; D-II at Mason; D-III at Tippecanoe; and D-IV at Brookville.
• The regional is May 28-30; D-I at UD; D-II at Northmont; D-III at WSU; D-IV at Wayne.
• The state tourney is June 4-6 at Akron Firestone Stadium.
Boys tennis
• Coaching began March 9.
• The season begins Monday, March 30.
• The postseason begins with the sectional the week of May 11-16 at Centerville and Troy.
• The district is the week of May 18-23; D-I at Centerville, D-II at Mason.
• The state tourney is May 29-30 at Ohio State University’s Stickney Tennis Center.
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Neff, Henry, Mays win state indoor T&F titles
After last weekend’s state indoor track and field meet at the University of Akron, a new label fits area Division I boys: Good as ever.
Vandalia Butler’s Danny Neff swept his specialties, William Henry of Trotwood-Madison served notice he can’t be beat and Northmont’s Mark Mays has jets to burn.
All sped to first place in the boys meet on the 300-meter oval in Stile Athletics Field House. The boys and girls meets were sponsored by the Ohio Cross Country and Track Coaches Association on Saturday, March 21.
Neff won the 800 (1:53.49) and 1,600 (4:12.38), with just 30 minutes of recovery between races. The defending state outdoor 1,600 champ is bound for the University of Georgia to run.
Henry was just as impressive in posting a meet record in the 400 (47.91). That places him seventh nationally according to DyeState.com, which tracks national times. He also was second in the 200 (22.09).
The junior capped his impressive run by anchoring the Rams’ 1,600 relay to another first (3:17.96). Joining him were Jordan Pascal, Ruby and Chad Nickerson. Trotwood’s qualifying 3:17.05 is the nation’s No. 2 time.
Mays led an impressive area-dominated lineup in the 60, outleaning Wayne’s Demoye Bogle 6.87 to 6.88 to win. Trotwood’s Tony Ruby was fourth and Terrance Glenn of Dunbar seventh.
Trotwood’s Dominique Reed also cleared 6 feet, 9 inches to place second in the high jump.
For the girls, Wayne’s Alexis Thomas captured the D-I weight throw (53-7.5) and Bethel’s Kylie Koop was best in the combined Divisions II-III long jump (16-11.75).
The boys and girls outdoor track and field seasons begin Saturday, March 28. The Versailles Lady Tiger Classique is annually the first major girls meet. The 12th annual meet is Saturday.
The 34th annual Versailles boys invite is Saturday, April 4.
Boys tennis, baseball and girls softball seasons begin Monday, March 30.
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Alter vs. Hathaway Brown updates
COLUMBUS — We’re underway for the Division II state semifinal between Alter and Hathaway Brown. The Blazers hold a 4-2 lead with 5:45 to play in the first quarter.
HB is controlling the tempo and winning the battle inside for a quick 9-2 lead with 4:49 left in the first quarter. HB has it 4-of-5 shots, while Alter has one field goal and three turnovers.
Five different players have scored for HB, which has hit 5-of-8 shots and forced five Alter turnovers. HB seems quicker getting to the ball.
It’s HB 18-7 after Mylan Woods’ spin and foul in the lane. There’s 2:14 left in the first quarter.
It’s tough, physical and going HB’s way in the first quarter. The Blazers lead 18-11 after one after Mary Bruner’s jumper from the corner at the buzzer. HB is 7-of-11 from the field, while Alter is 5-of-13.
Two free throws by Molly Crosby makes it 20-11 early in the second. Alter is having trouble getting inside against HB’s aggressive defense and there are too many loose balls on the Knights’ end of the court.
Timeout at 6:09. HB, 24-11. One area the Knights are winning is the student section. A little more than 100 Knights are here compared to about 15 Blazers. I’m told it’s spring break for HB.
Alter’s Mary Bruner has seven of her team’s 14 points after just hitting a 3-pointer. HB, 26-14 witwh 4:10 to go in the half. HB’s Tanisha Lawler is tenacious on defense up top.
Alter’s mini 6-0 run has them within 26-17 with 2:10 to play in the second quarter.
We’re at the half at the Schottenstein Center. Hathaway Brown leads the D-II state semifinal 26-19. The Blazers, maybe going for the jugular, were a little too up-tempo in the second quarter.
Alter’s 8-0 run capped the second quarter, highlighted by Bruner’s 3-pointer and Megan Courtney’s drive down the lane. Bruner leads Alter with eight points. HB’s balanced offense has six different players in the scoring column.
Here are halftime stats:
Shooting: Alter 8-25 (32 percent); HB 9-21 (42 percent)
Free throws: Alter 1-4 (25 percent); HB 7-9 (77 percent)
Rebounds: Alter 17; HB 14
Turnovers: Alter 10, HB 6.
Third quarter has tipped off and HB has taken off. Alanna Guy’s 3-pointer has the lead back to double digits, 29-19 with 7:02 left. Knights need some defensive stops to get back in this one.
It’s been a rough shooting afternoon for Alter. They’ve opened the second half hitting two of their first nine shots and trail 33-23 with 3:58 to play in the third. Bruner still has eight points and Megan Courtney six to pace Alter.
A play to sum up how tough it’s been for Alter: The Blazers stole an inbouds pass right off the baseline, outlet to a streaking Alexis Dobbs and spinning layup in the lane.
Alter’s Kaila Howe countered with a 3-pointer. HB 35, Alter 26 with 1:46 left in the third.
Alter — which has never led in this D-II state semifinal — is staring down what could be its final quarter of the season. HB leads 39-26 after Dobbs floater in the lane with three seconds left. The Blazers are quick, physical and hitting 15-of-31 from the field. Alter is 11-of-40, including 3-of-10 from 3-point range.
HB has pushed the lead to 41-27 with six minutes to play. Key stat: Alter is just 2-of-10 from the free throw line. Those eight points would be handy to have at this point.
Timeout with 4:26 to go: HB 43, Alter 29. Knights have given it a good run, but HB’s pressure and sense of urgency has Alter rushing a few shots to get back in the game. Says HB’s parent/fan section: FInish it! It’s time for some getback! … Alter beat HB in the D-II title game last year.
Two minutes left in the game and HB is working the clock: HB 47-33.
With 58 seconds left Alter coach Kendal Peck is clearing the bench. HB 53, Alter 36.
It’s final in Columbus: Hathaway Brown 53, Alter 40. HB advances to play Wapakoneta for the D-II state final on Saturday.
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Alter ready for Hathaway Brown
Are you ready for some roundball, Alter?
Tip-off for the Division II state semifinal between the Alter Knights (24-2) and the Hathaway Brown Blazers (19-6) is about 90 minutes away. The winner returns to Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center on Saturday to play the winner of Wapakoneta (24-1) and River View (23-2) for the state title.
Here are the projected starting lineups:
ALTER
F Mary Bruner, 5-10, senior
F Whitney Dabbelt, 6-0, sophomore
G Ali Mygrants, 5-8, junior
G Ashley Christie, 5-7, junior
G Courtney Christie, 5-7, sophomore
HATHAWAY BROWN
W Mylan Woods, 5-11, junior
W Tanisha Lawler, 5-7, sophomore
W Alanna Guy, 5-7, sophomore
P Erica Almady, 6-0, junior
G Alexis dobbs, 5-5, junior
Notes: This is Alter’s second straight trip and third overall (2008, 2002). The Knights won the D-II title last season. … Alter outscores its opponents an average of 52-31. … Alter was ranked No. 5 in the final AP poll. … Co-head coach Christina Hart is 241-111 in 15 seasons. … This is Hathaway Brown’s third straight trip to state and third overall. The Blazers have twice been state runners-up. … Hathaway outscores its opponents 60-42. … Hathaway was ranked No. 14 in the final AP poll … Coach Paul Barlow is 146-67 in nine seasons.
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Oak Hill honors teammate’s memory
Maybe it’s coincidence the Versailles Tigers, desperately needing a clutch shot late in the fourth quarter of its Division IIII state semifinal, were stuck on 41 points.
The Oak Hill Oaks know better.
During the fall, freshman basketball player Janie Hatfield died of cancer. Her number? 41.
“We promised her parents we’d never forget her,” Oak Hill coach Doug Hale said. “When we leave Oak Hill for every away game, we leave 41 on the clock. When we get back Saturday afternoon I can’t wait to look up at the clock and see Janie’s number up there.”
So maybe with her teammates needing a little help in the D-III semifinal on Thursday, March 19, Hatfield didn’t forget about them. Versailles, the defending state champs, tied the game at 41-41 with 1:58 left in the fourth. They didn’t score again until 2.6 seconds left.
Oak Hill — a small town of about 1,600 in Jackson County in Southern Ohio — plays South Euclid Regina for the D-III title on Saturday. Nothing against Regina, a five-time state champion, but you have to pull for the Oaks.
The Oaks also made it to the state finals in 2004 so it’s not quite Ohio’s version of Hoosiers, but it brings the same feel. And watching them, you get the idea that this bright-eyed team that starts two juniors, a sophomore and two freshmen and brings a junior, sophomore and freshman off the bench are genuinely appreciative of just being in the big city.
“We’re a blue-collar community and our people see us work hard,” Hale said. “We go out and do food drives in the fall. If the community needs something done they know they can count on our student-athletes at Oak Hill. We’ll jump in and help them all.”
The basketball teams get a banner on the wall for every district title and beyond they win. They’d like to add another Saturday.
“We’ve got a lot of tradition there,” Hale said. “Our girls, every day they walk into the gym they see that tradition on the wall.”
And No. 41 on the clock.
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In the end, Trotwood has more worthy issues to address
Centerville’s 52-51 defeat of Trotwood-Madison in last Saturday’s Division I district final boys basketball game offered a bit of everything.
• Drama: Last-second free throw to win.
• Cries of foul: The lowest level of employment — officiating — was once again assaulted.
• Protest: The Ohio High School Athletic Association was asked to declare that referee Angelo Zolotas made the wrong call at the end of the game.
• Great video: If only DDN videographer Ken-Yon Hardy had been around for Matt Sylvester’s tip — after the buzzer — in Moeller’s defeat of Beavercreek in the regional final 10 years ago.
Check out the Trotwood-Centerville replay for yourself on the DDN Web site. Several things to consider:
• Trotwood shot four free throws in the final 57 seconds, and made 21-of-26 overall. Centerville shot six in the final minute and 23 of 32. Close enough.
• T-M’s Aaron Robinson could easily have been called for a charge — twice — with 6.6 left. Instead, he hit two free throws.
• Matt Kavanaugh was clearly fouled with 0.8 left, thumping a misfire off mid backboard.
• At 6-foot-1, Trotwood’s Marcus Graham had no chance to block the 6-10 Kavanaugh’s shot. He might have gotten away with a face guard, but no swipe.
Then there’s that costly Trotwood recruiting scandal, another failed school levy last fall and a halftime fight among players.
Trotwood has many things to be concerned about; petitioning the OHSAA about a game-deciding foul isn’t one of them.
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Versailles falls in state semis
COLUMBUS — Versailles nearly pulled it off, but the Tigers fell in the Division III state semifinals to Oak Hill 47-43 on Thursday, March 19.
Oak Hill’s Lakin Caudill hit a pair of free throws with 1:09 left to give the Oaks the lead, 43-41. After a Versailles turnover, Oaks teammate Taylor Hale added a pair of bonus tosses with 58 seconds left to push it to 45-41 and Mikie Strite added two more with 22 seconds, making it 47-41.
Versailles’ Karen Smith scored inside with 2.6 seconds left for the final.
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Versailles one quarter away
COLUMBUS — The Versailles Tigers are just eight minutes from the D-III state title game.
Versailles, the defending state champs, leads 34-29 going into the fourth quarter.
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Versailles trails at halftime
COLUMBUS — Turnovers helped evaporate Versailles lead in the second quarter as Oak Hill took a 19-17 advantage at the half.
Oak Hill’s Breanna Butler drained a 3-pointer with three seconds left for the game’s fifth lead change. Versailles, paced by Emily Frey and her seven points, turned the ball over 15 times in that first half. Oak Hill had eight turnovers.
Other key stats:
Shooting: Versailles 5-11 (45 percent); Oak Hill 8-23 (34 percent)
Free throws: Versailles 6-6; Oak Hill 1-4 (25 percent)
Rebounds: Versailles 12, Oak Hill 10
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Versailles leads after first quarter
COLUMBUS — Versailles takes an 8-3 lead over Oak Hill into the second quarter of the Division III state semifinal at Ohio State University on Thursday, March 19.
The Tigers, led by Karen Smith’s four points, sprinted to an 8-2 lead. Oak Hill hit a free throw with 37 seconds left to avoid tying the D-II state semifinal record for fewest points in a quarter. Sugarcreek Garaway still holds the mark, scoring two against Youngstown Ursuline in 2006.
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Versailles ready for Oak Hill
Here are the projected starting lineups in the Division III state semifinal between Versailles (18-8) and Oak Hill (24-1) at the girls high school basketball tournament in Columbus. Tip-off is 8 p.m. tonight, March 19:
Oak Hill
Rebecca Puckett, 5-10, junior, forward
Taylor Hale, 5-10, freshman, forward
Karissa Adkins, 5-9, junior, guard
Mikie Strite, 5-5, sophomore, guard
Breanna Butler, 5-7, freshman, guard
Versailles
Emily Frey, 5-11, senior, forward
Megan Campbell, 6-0, junior, forward
Emily Eilerman, 5-10, senior, forward
Karen Smith, 5-6, senior, guard
Susan Berger, 5-6, junior, guard
Versailles is the D-III defending state champion and making its third straight state appearance and fifth overall (2009, 2008, 2007, 1998, 1992). Oak Hill is making its second state appearance (2004).
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District 9 all-star basketball games
The 32nd Annual District 9 Basketball Coaches Association All-Star Games are a great time for girls and boys from 52 schools in eight counties to share fast breaks, jumpers and passes.
But the real winner is Children’s Medical Center.
The coaches association has donated $96,966 to the hospital. Last year $8,800 was given.
Two girls games will be played at Edison State College in Piqua on Thursday, April 2. The Division IV game is at 6:30 p.m., followed by a combined Divisions I, II and III game.
The same format will be followed for the boys games on Friday, April 3.
Cost is $5 at the door. The teams are chosen from seniors who reside in Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Logan, Miami, Montgomery and Shelby counties.
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Greeneview Names Seevers to Rebuild Grid fortunes
Greeneview has named Isaac Seevers as its new head football coach. He replaces Adam Taylor who went a disappointing 5-25 in three seasons and returned to Beavercreek, his alma mater, as offense coordinator.
The last winning season for the Rams came in 1996 (10-0). Seevers brings a background as a passing-minded offensive coordinator at Anderson University.
“I am excited to return to Ohio and to high school football,” Seevers said. “I had the experience at the college level and that was beneficial to me in terms of my football development, but I missed the high school game. I missed the time spent with students every day in the hallways and in the classrooms. High school football in Ohio is special and I am excited to be a part of the tradition at Greeneview.”
Greeneview will host a Meet the Coach Night on March 24 at the high school at 7 p.m.
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Wayne, Fairmont fall in district finals
By Chick Ludwig Staff Writer
DAYTON — That wasn’t a misprint in Wayne’s box score against the La Salle Lancers on Saturday night.
Wayne sophomore guard Travis Trice II had an uncharacteristic and unbelievable “O-fer” shooting night, getting shutout in the Warriors’ 68-64 loss to La Salle in a Division I district championship game at UD Arena.
Trice, who averages 15.1 points a game, was 0-for-11 from the field, 0-for-1 at the foul line and Wayne’s season ended with an 18-6 record.
La Salle (22-2) will face Centerville (21-3) in a regional semifinal at Xavier University’s Cintas Center on Wednesday, March 18, at 8 p.m.
“Our game plan was to stop (Trice) — keep the pressure on him and wear him down,” said 5-foot-6 senior dynamo Jordan Crawford, who led four Lancers in double figures with 20 points. “We wanted to welcome them to the GCL and show them how we play.” And that is?
“Rough,” Crawford said.
Jordan Bazile erupted for a game-high 23 points and single-handedly kept Wayne in the game. Only five Warriors scored.
The score was tied three times with seven lead changes but La Salle’s nine-point lead at 2:34 of the second quarter (29-20) went to 10 (62-52) at 2:29 of the fourth quarter, and the Lancers held on.
“I never in a million years would have seen this coming,” Wayne coach Travis Trice said about the first scoreless game of his son’s high school career. “He works hard and does everything right. It’s not fair it happened to him. It’s going to be a rough summer. He’s got a lot of work to do.”
Princeton 63, Mason 40: The Vikings (22-1) scored the first eight points en route to a 23-5 lead, and dismantled the Comets (14-9), who couldn’t match Princeton’s size, speed, quickness or leaping ability.
Jordan Siebert and Orlando Williams scored 18 and 11 points for the Vikings, who face Aiken in a regional semifinal at the Cintas Center on Wednesday, March 18, at 6:15 p.m.
The game was marred by a scuffle at 5:31 of the fourth quarter that resulted in Williams and Mason’s Derek Cox getting hit with technical fouls. Luke Sutphin led the Comets with 13 points.
Aiken 63, Moeller 59: Darren Goodsen’s “double-double” (15 points and 10 rebounds) led the Falcons (16-7), who used a 13-2 scoring run to turn a 49-47 deficit into a 60-51 lead with 45.4 seconds to go. Brian Vonderhaar paced three Crusaders in double figures as Moeller finished 20-3.
Aiken’s 6-foot-7 Chane Behanon, the consensus No. 1-ranked sophomore in Ohio, had 13 points, six rebounds and two blocked shots. His dunk with 1:20 remaining served as the exclamation point.
St. Xavier 57, Fairmont 42: Erik Stenger scored 19 points as the Bombers (14-9) built a 20-point lead and cruised into the Columbus regional.
Mark Shadowens’ 10 points led the Firebirds (15-9). Fairmont reeled off eight straight points in the third quarter to pull within 30-19, but Xavier was too much.
Luke Massa’s alley-oop pass and Stenger’s one-handed catch and dunk at 1:20 of the third quarter was worthy of a highlight reel.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com
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Centerville falls 7-0 in hockey state semi to Toledo St. John’s
By David DiCenzo Contributing Writer
COLUMBUS — After a great postseason run, the Centerville Elks hockey season came to an abrupt end in Columbus’ Nationwide Arena.
Centerville, making its first appearance in an state tourney Final Four since 1997, was defeated 7-0 by Toledo’s St. John’s Jesuit in a state semifinal, Saturday, March 14.
Fourth-ranked St. John’s held a 3-0 lead after two periods and scored four times in the third, including three on the power play, to eliminate the unranked Elks.
Despite the loss, Centerville coach Adam Frank said he was proud of his players, especially for bringing the school’s program back to prominence after a few down years.
“Obviously, we wanted this game to go differently but there’s no question the year was a huge success,” Frank said. “We won the North division of our league and we went 11-1 in league.”
Frank said he knew the Elks needed to weather the storm early against St. John’s, the 2007 state champions. Up 1-0 in the second period, the Titans made it 2-0 at the 1:19 mark on a shorthanded effort by George Wilkinson, which Frank called “deflating.”
Nick Walla stretched the lead to 3-0 at 10:25 of the second period before St. John’s exploded in the third thanks to a rash of Centerville penalties.
“We came out bringing hits in the third period but the refs were calling penalties,” said Frank. “A game that was 3-0, real quick turned to 7-0.”
Centerville (20-10-2) was outshot 42-15.
“Their positioning was very impressive,” said Frank. “We knew that we could get something in on the goalie (Christian Davis) if we got some shots but we just had a hard time getting them.”
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Centerville’s only state hockey title. The Final Four appearance was the school’s fourth.
Centerville posted four straight playoff wins, including back-to-back double-overtime victories over St. Francis De Sales and Dublin Jerome.
“These seniors and this roster helped re-establish the winning tradition of Centerville hockey,” Frank said. “Now, the legacy of the Final Four is back. The younger players have that legacy to live up to.”
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Boys hoop district final results
BOYS BASKETBALL
Saturday’s results
DISTRICT FINALS
D-I at UD Arena
Centerville 52, Trotwood-Madison 51
Princeton 63, Mason 40
Cin. Aiken 63, Cin. Moeller 59
Cin. La Salle 68, Wayne 64
Cin. St. Xavier 57, Fairmont 42
D-III at Elida
Coldwater 58, Ottawa-Glandorf 54
Tuesday’s games
REGIONAL SEMIFINALS
D-IV at Trent Arena, Kettering
Lockland (16-7) vs. Fort Loramie (16-8), 6:15 p.m.
Ada (21-3) vs. Summit Country Day (14-9), 8 p.m.
Wednesday’s games
REGIONAL SEMIFINALS
D-I at Cintas Center
Cin. Aiken (16-7) vs. Princeton (22-1), 6:15 p.m.
Cin. LaSalle (22-2) vs. Centerville (21-3), 8 p.m.
D-I at Col. Fairground Coliseum
Newark/Dublin Scioto winner vs. Cin. St. Xavier (14-9), 7 p.m.
D-III at Wilmington College
Anna (21-2) vs. Miami East (22-1), 6:15 p.m.
Dayton Christian (20-4) vs. Bloom-Carroll (14-10), 8 p.m.
D-III at Bowling Green State U.
Coldwater vs. Col. Crawford/Wynford winner, 8 p.m.
Thursday’s games
REGIONAL SEMIFINALS
D-I at Col. Fairground Coliseum
Dublin Coffman vs. Grove City, 7 p.m.
D-II at Cintas Center
Graham (24-0) vs. Col. Watterson (14-10), 6:15 p.m.
Marshall (19-4), vs. Wilmington (21-2), 8 p.m.
Friday’s game
REGIONAL FINALS
D-IV at Trent Arena, Kettering
7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 21 games
REGIONAL FINALS
D-I at Cintas Center
11 a.m.
D-I at Col. Fairground Coliseum
7:30 p.m.
D-II at Cintas Center
3 p.m.
D-III at Wilmington College
7:30 p.m.
D-III at Bowling Green State U.
7:30 p.m.
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Versailles holds off Madison for girls D-III regional title
By Greg Billing Staff Writer
VANDALIA — Versailles’ high school girls basketball team finished seventh in the Midwest Athletic Conference.
When it comes to the Southwest District, though, there’s no one better.
Versailles won its second straight Division III regional title with a second-half surge to beat Middletown Madison 43-31 at Vandalia Butler’s Student Activity Center on Saturday, March 14.
Versailles — the D-III defending state champion — plays in the state semifinals 8 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Ohio State University.
Madison — making its first regional appearance — grabbed its largest lead (17-11) on Shelby Roe’s 3-pointer to start the second half. After that it was all Versailles.
The Tigers rattled off a 15-3 run to end the quarter. And after the Mohawks pulled to 28-25 early in the fourth, the Tigers responded with a 15-4 game-ending run.
“I can’t give enough thanks and credit to the teams in the MAC,” said Versailles’ Emily Frey, who finished with 13 points. “We got beat up. We had things done to us we didn’t even know would happen in a game. … We lost, but we learned something from every game.”
On Saturday, the Tigers (18-8) learned they better score.
Both teams combined to miss their first 13 shots to start the game, and Madison (20-6) went the first 7:10 without a basket. Still, the Mohawks led 14-11 at the half and took the second-half momentum with Roe’s 3-pointer.
But a minute later Ally Malott, the D-III Southwest District player of the year, picked up her third foul. Versailles took advantage inside with Megan Campbell (15 points) and Emily Eilerman (7 points).
Eilerman’s defense also helped limit Malott to six points.
“Eilerman is the core to our defense,” Versailles coach Jacki Stonebraker said. “And if she can stop Malott, she can stop anybody. Malott is 10 times the player our team has.”
The Tigers outrebounded the Mohawks 36-20, including a 12-2 advantage offensively. Karen Smith, a 5-foot-6 guard, led the Tigers with 10 rebounds.
“Don’t take anything away from last year, they had an extreme amount of pressure on them,” Stonebraker said of state title expectations, “but this time I didn’t feel there was any pressure. Just go out and play and whatever happens, happens.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2400, ext. 6991, or gbilling@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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Fairmont falls to Mt. Notre Dame 3rd time
By Dave Long Contributing Writer
FAIRBORN — Fairmont did its best to derail Cincinnati Mt. Notre Dame’s effort to make Division I girls high school basketball history Saturday, March 14.
But Mt. Notre Dame proved to have too many offensive options in a 52-35 regional final victory at Wright State’s Ervin J. Nutter Center.
Next stop for the Cincinnati school with a 25-1 record is the semifinals of the state big school tournament. This is the sixth straight year the Cougars have advanced to the Final Four.
They have captured the last three state crowns and four in the last five years.
Fairmont ends the season at 22-4. Three of those losses were to Mt. Notre Dame.
Saturday’s game was not unlike the other two. Mt. Notre Dame went on an 8-0 run during a three-minute span at end of the second quarter to take a 23-14 lead. Baskets by Cassie Sant and Holly Carey in the last 30 seconds of the half got Fairmont within 23-18.
But Mt. Notre Dame extended its defense the second half taking away Fairmont’s cuts to the basket and not letting the 6-foot-2 Sant see the ball.
“We had a fantastic season, tied the for (Greater Western Ohio) conference championship, won the district, got to the regional final,” said Fairmont coach tin Cogan. “We stayed with them the first half, but they extended their defense the second they made it tough for us to score.
“They’re so good because they have five girls who can score, take away a lot your options offensively and don’t allow you second shots.”
Sant was Fairmont’s only double figure scorer with 18 points, 12 in the first half. Welch added nine, seven coming in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter.
Kendall Hackney, a 6-2 senior headed to USC, had 17 for the winners followed by 13 from Kathryn Reynolds and nine from Ohio University-bound Ashley Fowler. Gabby Smith, a 5-11 guard going to Vanderbilt, had five points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals.
“I was very concerned about Fairmont, especially playing them for the third time,” said Mt. Notre Dame coach Dante Harland.
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Kavanaugh’s last-second FT carries Centerville over Trotwood, 52-51
By Chick Ludwig Staff Writer
DAYTON — The Big Game lived up to all the hype, all the anticipation and all the expectation. When it ended, there was ecstasy for Centerville and agony for Trotwood-Madison.
Matt Kavanaugh’s free throw with eight-tenths of a second remaining gave the Elks a 52-51 victory in the first of five Division I boys high school basketball district championships at UD Arena on Saturday.
It was the fourth district title in eight years — the first since 2005 — for the Elks, who take a 21-3 record into the regional semifinals at Xavier University’s Cintas Center on Wednesday, March 18, at 8 p.m.
The Rams, who never led in the showdown of Greater Western Ohio Conference powerhouses, finish 20-4.
“We’re a very veteran team (eight seniors),” Centerville coach Jim Staley said. “We should step up and make plays. We’ve been a very good free throw shooting team in the fourth quarter, especially Matt. I thought he’d make it. He’s a senior. It’s what he’s supposed to do.”
Centerville bolted to a 22-8 lead, but the Rams took advantage of foul trouble by the Elks’ Kavanaugh and Adam Replogle, and made it all the way back with a suffocating press.
Trotwood senior Aaron Robinson tied the score at 43 on a right-side jumper with 5:06 to go, and Robinson hit a pair of free throws for a 51-all tie with 6.6 seconds to go, setting up the dramatic ending.
Centerville point guard Patrick Crawford caught Craig Ashworth’s inbounds pass and hustled down the left side of the court only to have the ball stripped away by the swarming Rams.
“It hit off (Crawford’s) knee and rolled right to me,” said Kavanaugh, who unleashed a shot near the top of the key. Whistle. Foul.
“The second half of the year, I’ve been pretty good at the line,” Kavanaugh added. “I know that if I get two shots, I’m going to hit one. I missed the first one, and just made it a little interesting. But I knew I was going to hit the second one.”
Senior point guard Keith Winn scored 16 points and Robinson 15 for the Rams. Dominique Reed — in his first game back since breaking his right hand in a Feb. 10 locker-room fight with teammate Marcus Graham — had eight points and three rebounds.
“I’m very, very proud of my guys, especially my seniors,” Trotwood coach Mark Baker said. “I wanted it for them so bad. I told them that in the competitive arena, you always want to give yourself a chance. We gave ourselves a chance. We just came up short.”
When the buzzer sounded, the 6-foot-3, 275-pound Replogle (12 points) carried the 6-10 Kavanaugh (18 points) across the court and planted him in front of their cheering fans.
“He’s pretty heavy,” Replogle said.
One point too heavy for Trotwood.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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Alter state hoop tickets available
The Alter girls basketball team is calling on all its rowdy friends to support them in the state basketball tournament at Columbus.
Tickets for Friday’s semifinal will be available at the athletic office from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday. All tickets are reserved seating and cost $8.
The girls state tourney is Thursday-Saturday at Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center. The Knights advanced to the Division II Final Four by going OT to eliminate previously unbeaten Tippecanoe 45-43 in Friday night’s regional final at Vandalia.
Alter (24-2) plays Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown (19-6) at 3 p.m. on Friday. The other semifinal pits Warsaw River View (23-2) vs. Wapakoneta (24-1) at 1 p.m. Friday.
The winners meet at 5:15 p.m. in Saturday’s state final. Alter is the defending state champion.
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Frozen Four, Prep hockey-Style
The Centerville ice hockey team is not worried about nerves or the big crowd that will await it in the 32nd state high school hockey tournament.
The final four is played at Nationwide Arena in Columbus. The sixth-seeded, unranked Elks enter a history-soaked, high-powered field with St. John’s, defending champ Lakewood St. Edward (11 titles) and top-ranked University School.
“We’ve played with composure and won two early double-overtime games in the tournament,” said second-year coach Adam Frank. “The emphasis is to make sure our players know that they can beat St. John’s. We’re not going to be intimidated. St. John’s has four players from their 2007 state title team and they’re obviously older and more experienced.
“We can’t play on our heels,” he continued. “We have to bring a high-pressure, fast style to them ourselves.”
Said the Elks red-hot goaltender Nick Petrosino: “We’re hyped up and motivated to play at Nationwide. We need to continue to play with intensity.”
The semifinal could be a battle of goalies. Petrosino has been exceptional, averaging 45 saves in the district tournament and boasting a save percentage of 90 percent. St. John’s junior goalie Christian Davis has a save percentage of 92 percent.
Captain Brian Hickson has been a shutdown defender for the Elks while Joe Breslin (53 goals, 35 assists), Tyler Bottermuller (22 goals, 27 assists) and Michael Trick (10 goals, 19 assists) fuel the offense.
St. Edward plays University School Saturday at 1 p.m., followed the Centerville-St. John’s match at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 (adults) and $8 (students). Championship is Sunday at 11 a.m.
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Miami East wins district title
Standing in the hallway and ready to make an emphatic entrance onto the University of Dayton Arena court for the Division III district final, the Miami East Vikings were greeted by the light and breezy “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol on Thursday, March 12.
Grey’s Anatomy fans or not — and I’m guessing not judging by the rolling of eyes — the Vikings were hoping for something a little more powerful.
The noise the Vikings left the court to, though, was music to their ears. The Vikings’ faithful cheered East’s first district title since 2002 following the team’s 65-36 win over North College Hill.
Logan Carey led East with 14 points and 10 rebounds, Dan Hickman scored 13 and handed out six assists and Kyle Karadak added 10 ¬— including a clutch 3-pointer — to lead East. A few of Hickman’s passes — especially a few behind the back dishes underneath the basket — drew ahh’s from NCH fans.
“Dan is an exceptional kid,” Miami East coach Allen Mack said. “He has great vision and sometimes he has a little flair with it.”
Turning point: East led 43-26 early in the fourth quarter and NCH was turning up the pressure. Karadak knocked down a 3-pointer and was fouled after the shot, pushing the lead to 46-26, giving the ball back to Miami East and deflating the Trojans.
Next game: East (22-1) plays defending regional champ Anna (22-2) in the D-III regional semifinals 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, at Wilmington College.
“At the tournament draw I said they’re the favorite in the sectional, district and regional until somebody beats them,” Mack said. “We know the road to the state tournament goes through Anna.”
Key stat: This is East’s fifth district title and first since 2002. That Mack — who stepped down after the 2001-02 season to pursue career opportunities — is part of it comes as no surprise. The Vikings have gone 37-8 in his two seasons back. Their record the previous five seasons: 36-69.
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Creek’s Mikaela Ruef Gatorade Ohio Player of the Year
What does Beavercreek senior Mikaela Ruef have over former girls hoop standouts Alison Bales, Amanda Reese and scores of other former BHS girls greats?
Ruef is the Gatorade Ohio Girls Basketball Player of the Year, the first Beavercreek girls hoopster to be honored by the sports drink.
The 6-foot-2 center was good for 14.7 points, 13.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists this season. She led Creek (21-3) into the D-I regional semifinals this week, losing to Fairmont.
Ruef also is a two-time GWOC Player of the Year and has been invited to play on the South team in the upcoming Ohio North/South All-Star Game.
She also has a 3.7 GPA, which should come in handy this fall when she joins the Stanford University women’s hoop team.
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ESPN airs DC long shot
The Dayton Christian boys basketball team has gone national.
Casey Weber’s 90-foot swish in last Friday’s sectional 63-46 defeat of Arcanum at UD Arena has truely evolved into “the shot heard ‘round the world.”
ESPN News aired the bomb at 6:27 p.m. Tuesday, March 10. ESPN’s Sports Center followed soon afterward.
As a bonus, SC also aired the WDTN video of Weber reprising the magic moment during Monday’s practice. He bombed out on his second attempt from about 80 feet at the Far Hills Community Church gymnasium.
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Time change for Trotwood vs. Centerville boys hoop
Rams and Elks basketball fans take note: The Division I boys high school district final between Trotwood-Madison and Centerville will tip off at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, at the University of Dayton Arena.
Cincinnati Aiken and Cincinnati Moeller were scheduled to start the five-game schedule, but that game has been moved to 3:45 p.m.
Here’s the updated schedule:
• 11 a.m. — Trotwood (19-3) vs. Centerville (19-3).
• 2 p.m. — Princeton (21-1) vs. Mason (14-8).
• 3:45 p.m. — Cin. Aiken (15-7) vs. Cin. Moeller (20-2).
• 7 p.m. — Wayne (17-5) vs. Cin. LaSalle (21-2).
• 8:45 p.m. — Fairmont (15-8) vs. Cin. St. Xavier (13-9).
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Area players dot Southwest District first teams
Mikaela Ruef, of Beavercreek; Chaminade Julienne’s Samarie Walker; and Matt Kavanaugh, of Centerville were Division I first-team selections on the Associated Press All-Southwest District basketball teams released Monday, March 9, in Columbus.
Ruef, a 6-foot-2 senior headed to Stanford, averaged 13.9 points and 11.8 rebounds for Creek (21-2).
Walker, a 6-1 post player, averaged 15.5 points and 10.1 rebounds for the 17-7 Eagles . The junior has verbally committed to UConn.
Kavanaugh, a 6-10 senior who will play at Dayton, averaged 17.7 points for the Elks. Marshall’s Juwan Staten, Alter’s Ryan Siggins and player of the year Josh Schuler of Graham are D-II first-teamers.
Tippecanoe’s Abby Dowd is the D-II girls player of the year. She averaged 14.9 points in leading the Red Devils to a 20-0 regular season and No. 1 in the final state poll.
Dan Hickman (22 points per game) of Miami East is the D-III player of the year. Joining him on the D-III first team are Aaron Deister, of Dayton Christian; Kyle England, of Carlisle; Derek Billing, of Anna; and Waynesville’s Travis Williams.
D-IV area first-teamers are Adriean Payne, of Jefferson; Zac Schmitz, of Lehman Catholic; and J.P. McFarland, of Southeastern.
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Tipp trips Oakwood in D-II district final
MASON — Seventeen years passed since Oakwood High School’s last trip to the Division II district finals in girls basketball. After getting a taste of it on Friday, March 6, the Jills might not wait so long again.
“I hope it doesn’t take 17 more next time,” Oakwood coach Aaron Oakes said. “For our underclassmen, their goal should be to get back here next year and give it another shot.”
Oakwood gave Tippecanoe a run on Friday at Mason High School, but the Red Devils pulled away for a 50-33 win in the third game of the night. Alter and Carroll won D-II titles in the early games.
Tipp (24-0) jumped out to a 19-5 lead in the first half. But Oakwood (17-6) rallied to make it 19-16 after two quarters and tied the game on Molly Breidenbach’s 3-pointer to start the third. The lead never went above six until late in the third quarter.
Oakwood’s Hannah French scored to pull the Jills to 29-25 with a minute left in the third. There was still time for Tipp’s Abby Dowd to score on a drive and for teammate Leah Schiller put back her own miss at the buzzer. The Red Devils added the next four points to start the fourth quarter for a 12-point advantage that never dropped below nine points again.
“We talked about making hustle plays and that was a big one,” Tipp coach Todd Varvel said. “That propelled us into the fourth quarter.”
Tipp’s lead never fell below nine in the fourth quarter.
“They’re swarming defensively and we knew that coming in,” said Oakes, whose team committed 26 turnovers. “We knew you gotta have your head up at all times. You’re never going to get to the basket cleanly, most of the time. It’s chaotic offensively.”
Alex Miller led Oakwood with 16 points. Tipp clamped down on senior post Cathryn Hardy, who finished with four. Hardy did have 10 rebounds.
Tipp’s Cassie Berning, meanwhile, worked inside for 14 points and was a physical presence. Abby Dowd added 12.
“When (Berning) wants to she can be as fierce of a post and basketball player as they come,” Varvel said. “She can be a dominant force.”
Oakwood graduates three seniors in Hardy, Breidenbach and Ali Botello.
“(When I took over four years ago) I wanted to get to this point where we could start thinking about regional semis and regional finals,” Oakes said. “Cathryn has been a big, big part of that. All three of the seniors have been a big part of it.”
Tipp plays Carroll in the regional semifinals 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, at Vandalia Butler’s Student Activity Center. Tipp will sell tickets at Clark’s Pharmacy starting Monday and through 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
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