The boys are up next, and it’s a dandy: Trotwood-Madison vs. Dunbar at Fairmont’s Trent Arena.
All three of those programs have kept area basketball at the highest level over the years, both locally and state-wide.
Alter is a two-time defending D-II state champ. All that stands in Alter’s way is former nemesis Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown (18-10) in a 10:45 a.m. title matchup at Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center. Brown set a state record with 37 straight postseason wins and five consecutive titles from 2009-14, which included championship defeats of Alter in 2010 and ’14.
Alter beat Brown in the 2008 title game for its first state championship. This will be Alter’s fourth straight state title appearance. Of the 16 participating girls teams at state, just five are private schools, which includes Alter and Brown.
Think Alter (27-2) is on cruise control? Not a chance.
“There’s a lot of emotions that play into it,” Alter senior standout Braxtin Miller said with a nod to teammate Libby Bazelak following a 50-43 overtime defeat of Ottawa-Glandorf in Thursday’s state semifinal. “Obviously, we’re seniors and we have a lot at stake. There’s a lot of pressure to do your best and be your best because this is our last go at it. We definitely have some pressure to deal with.”
Joining Alter in playing for a state title is Versailles (26-3), which is matched against Gates Mills Gilmour Academy (23-5) for the D-III state title at 5:15 p.m. also at the Schott.
This is a rematch for Trotwood (25-2) and Dunbar (24-3) and the one that counts most, because the winner will advance to next week’s state final four. Trotwood outlasted visiting Dunbar 98-89 on Feb. 4. The countdown to a rematch started before the teams left the court that night.
“Both (Dunbar coach Pete Pullen) and I hoped it would be this,” Trotwood coach Rocky Rockhold said after being pushed by Taft in Thursday’s regional semi, 61-56. “We went on the bracket early on and we said if we’re going to have to play each other, let’s make it mean something. And it does.”
The high-end star quality that has defined previous great Trotwood and Dunbar teams is lacking, but both are loaded with next-level talent. It’s fitting that one will represent Dayton-area basketball at state next week. They are the last area boys teams remaining in the postseason in any division.
“We’ve watched them a million times and they’ve watched us a million times,” Rockhold said. “There won’t be any secrets or surprises. They’re going to do what they do and we’re going to do what we do and see who gets that trip to Columbus.”
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