“That’s what we do. We always try and have fun. We fight constantly and have arguments, but at the end of the day we remember that we’re all working toward a goal.”
Part one of that goal was a divisional title, which Trotwood (18-2, 12-1) had already done in the Greater Western Ohio Conference American South. On deck is the second season, for which Trotwood should be crowned a No. 1 seed during Sunday's Division II seed meeting.
This was a tournament-like atmosphere that drew a near-capacity crowd, just the kind of environment Rams coach Rocky Rockhold envisioned.
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“This is the kind of game we have to play to lead into the tournament,” he said. “Hopefully, this gives our guys some confidence. This is one of the toughest places to play. They always have a great student section and the crowd is always good. We did a nice job of being who we are.”
That would be one of the best D-II programs going this season. Belyeu scored a game high 28 points, scored 15 in the fourth quarter and nailed 18 of 21 free throws. Torrey Patton added 20 points, Amir Foster 14 and Amari Davis 10 in a patented Rams’ up-tempo attack.
Centerville hung with Trotwood through halftime but lost contact in the decisive third quarter.
“They’re really good and tough to handle offensively and defensively,” Elks coach Brook Cupps said. “Their kids play hard and compete and make it tough for you in every phase of the game. For the most part we were pleased with the way we played. We took good care of the ball, we just couldn’t guard them.”
Centerville (12-8) had a two-game win streak snapped after stunning Cincinnati D-II power Taft on Tuesday and taking out rival Fairmont on Friday. Keegan Saben led the Elks with 18 points. Sam Lash bottomed three 3-pointers and added 17 points and Donnie Shelton was good for 16 points.
Trotwood's top seed is secure. Centerville could be as high as a No. 4 seed in D-I behind Springfield, Northmont and Wayne.
“There’s a lot of parity in D-I,” Cupps said. “In my younger days I used to get all worked up and worried about it. You have to beat everyone anyway.”
• Centerville introduced three new members into its Athletic Hall of Fame during halftime: David George (1996 graduate, football), Justin Kronauge (’06 grad, tennis) and Jim Staley (boys basketball).
George was the University of Dayton’s football MVP in 2000. Kronauge was a D-I state singles champ and two-time NCAA All-American at Ohio State.
Staley was the Elks coach from 1991-2012. He has a career record of 542-208 and previously was inducted into the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association hall of fame. Among the schools he also served as head coach was Trotwood. He’s currently an assistant to Darnell Hoskins at Middletown.
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