That goes for all of the 20,000-plus total spectators who are expected to fill Trent for another 18 games over the next three days. The event will feature 37 teams, a mixture of area, Ohio and national prep powers.
Fairmont (7-6) raced to a 13-2 advantage and withstood Sidney’s second-half comeback to dash the disappointment of losing by 11 to Lebanon for only its second win. Drollet tallied a game-high 20 points and converted 9 of 10 free throws. Junior guard jack Hendricks added 15 points and Kellan Bochenek 12.
“We’ve had some off-the-court things that have happened this week that has really tested the competitiveness of our team,” Fairmont coach Blair Albright said. “In hindsight, all of that adversity really brought us together and allowed us to accomplish something that we can build from.”
Sidney (9-2) had a seven-game win streak snapped. Standout sophomore guard Andre Gordon had 17 points and four rebounds, but no one else hit double-digits in scoring.
“They hit me with a box-and-one and I wasn’t’ ready for it,” said Gordon, also a promising quarterback who missed most of last season with an injury. “I had help, but I need a little more help. We’re young. We’re going to get there.”
IMG Academy (Fla.) 70, Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 57: IMG easily won Friday's nightcap, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Hamilton drew the most attention. An unexpected late signee with Kentucky, he was swarmed by fans wearing Big Blue colors afterward.
He patiently greeted well-wishers and posed for many selfies to go with his 18 points and six rebounds. A Canadian, he decommitted to Florida and essentially charmed UK coach John Calipari into awarding him a scholarship. It didn’t hurt his potential is untapped and he’s been compared to another high-flying Candian, Timberwolves sensation Andrew Wiggins, also a Flyin’ alum.
FACEBOOK: For more high school sports you should like Marc Pendleton
Trevon Duval led IMG with 20 points and 7 assists. A senior guard, he’s not committed but is considered among the nation’s top 10 players. Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Virginia Tech signee) led Hamilton with 21 points.
• Alter (10-2) will play Cleveland St. Joseph Academy at 11:30 a.m. to begin Saturday’s six-game slate. The contest will mark the Flyin’ debut for girls basketball.
Landing Alter was a good move by Flyin’ creator Eric Horstman. The Knights are the two-time Division II state champs and should draw a good early crowd. St. Joe arrived at Trent on Friday night and watched the opening doubleheader.
• Flyin’ isn’t the only hotspot for high school basketball this Martin Luther King holiday weekend. It’ll be standing room only at Trotwood-Madison (9-0) for tonight’s matchup against visiting Akron St. Vincent-St. Marys (8 p.m.).
Both state heavyweights also will play at Flyin’. SVSM is matched against Pickerington North at 3 p.m. Sunday. Trotwood is paired against Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) at 1:15 p.m. Monday in what should be a great matchup.
• Classic in the Country at Berlin Hiland High School in Holmes County is the girls equivalent to Flyin’. Tri-Village plays Orrville at 10 a.m. today. Wayne and Lakota West will play games on Sunday and Monday. D-I top-ranked Mason also plays on Sunday.
PREMIER HEALTH FLYIN’ TO THE HOOP
At Fairmont’s Trent Arena, Kettering
Friday’s games
Fairmont 60, Sidney 51
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) 70, Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga, Tenn.), 8:15 p.m.
Saturday’s games
Alter girls vs. Cleveland St. Joseph, 11:30 a.m.
Springfield vs. Col. Eastmoor Academy, 1:15 p.m.
Beavercreek vs. Hilliard Bradley, 3 p.m.
Pickerington Central vs. Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.), 4:45 p.m.
Our Savior New American (N.Y.) vs. Massillon Jackson, 6:30 p.m.
Wayne vs. Huntington Prep (W.Va.), 8:15 p.m.
Sunday’s games
Gahanna Lincoln vs. Thurgood Marshall, 11:30 a.m.
Centerville vs. Cleveland Heights, 1:15 p.m.
Pickerington North vs. Akron SVSM, 3 p.m.
Upper Arlington vs. Garfield Heights, 4:45 p.m.
Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) vs. Huntington Prep (W.Va.), 6:30 p.m.
Dunbar vs. Covington Catholic (Ky.), 8:15 p.m.
Monday’s games
Tri-Village vs. Versailles, 11:30 a.m.
Trotwood-Madison vs. Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.), 1:15 p.m.
Princeton vs. Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.), 3 p.m.
Bethel vs. Cin. Roger Bacon, 4:45 p.m.
Chaminade Julienne vs. Wesley Christian (Ky.), 6:30 p.m.
Alter vs. Middletown, 8:15 p.m.
MORE ONLINE
View photos and video from the game at MyDaytonDailyNews.com
About the Author