Youthful West Carrollton holds off rival Miamisburg

Sophomores deliver important points and make big plays late in the fourth.

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By B.J. Bethel, Staff Writer Updated 3:30 AM Saturday, February 19, 2011

MIAMISBURG — West Carrollton’s boys basketball future is bright, thanks to a group of sophomores who turned out the lights on Miamisburg 67-65 on Friday.

There was point guard E.J. Liva darting between defenders and hitting 3-pointers in the first half. There was Connor Myslowski, who came alive in the last four minutes with three key baskets. And there were Blake Craig and Drew Layton, who had three rebounds and three free throws in the last 30 seconds to seal it.

Then there was senior T.J. Bretz, who scored 21 points, had six rebounds and shot 9-of-10 from the field despite an injured hip.

“Your whole life in West Carrollton, no matter what, it’s your goal for the season,” Bretz said. “You could lose all your games but the two against Miamisburg. You win those two and your season is a success.”

Myslowski scored 18 and Liva 16. The two sophomores are part of a group West Carrollton coach Dan Gerhard hopes will lift the team following a 7-13 season.

“As eighth-graders they were 14-0,” Gerhard said. “It’s hard to call them sophomores now after playing 20 games. We’re young, and we have had some growing pains.”

Miamisburg defeated West Carrollton 50-47 on Dec. 11. The Pirates struggled from the line, shooting 9-of-23. This time Miamisburg struggled on defense, unable to contain Liva or Bretz — or grab a late rebound.

“We set the tone for ourselves in the first half,” Miamisburg coach Tim Fries said. “We didn’t play defense. When you struggle to stop guys off the ball, that’s what happens.”

Curtis Johnson led Miamisburg (12-7) with 14. Chris Unice scored 13, Michael Butler and John Giles 10 apiece.

Miamisburg has two wins in its last seven games. Fries hopes Friday’s loss is a wake-up call.

“I hope it is,” Fries said. “We know what we have to work on.”

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