Bellbrook, behind lone senior Bailey Zerby’s game-high 17 points, outscored Waynesville 23-8 the final eight minutes to secure Tincher’s 300th victory. The win also delayed Waynesville coach Tim Gabbard’s march toward 600 victories, leaving him at 594.
Tincher, a 1990 Bellbrook graduate, has led Bellbrook to 10 Southwestern Division titles in the Southwestern Buckeye League, four district championships and two regional championships. He led the Eagles to state semifinal appearances in 2012 and 2018.
“It’s a time to reflect a little bit,” Tincher said of the coaching achievement. “It makes you think about all the kids I’ve been fortunate enough to coach. That journey of watching them grow up, get married, have kids. … I think I’m most blessed with the kids I’ve coached and the staff I’ve been able to assemble.”
Bellbrook is 9-1 overall after Thursday’s 48-35 win over Valley View.. Bellbrook hasn’t had a losing season since 1989.
In addition to Zerby, juniors Mallory Gedeon and Dreann Pryce, sophomores Ashley Frantz, Kelley Griffin and Olivia Trusty and freshmen Taylor Scohy and Alayna Meyer have also played key roles.
Tincher credits his players and coaching staffs, both past and present, along with the Bellbrook administration and community with helping reach his milestone.
“We’ve had great support and it seems like everyone rallies around us. Great memories,” Tincher said.
Poll position: A handful of Miami Valley teams were ranked or received votes in the first Associated Press state poll, released this week.
Centerville debuted at No. 5 and Wayne at No. 7 in the Division I poll. Newark, Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame, Toledo Notre Dame and Reynoldsburg claimed the top four spots. Bellbrook checked in at No. 10 and Miamisburg also received votes.
Tippecanoe was the lone representative in D-II, coming in at No. 6. The Red Devils grabbed one first-place vote.
In D-IV, Fort Loramie and Minster were ranked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, behind top-ranked Sugar Grove Berne Union. Fort Loramie received the most first-place votes with seven, while Berne Union and Minster each had two. New Knoxville was ranked No. 7. Xenia Legacy Christian Academy (which received one first-place vote), Tri-Village and Marion Local also received votes.
There were no teams ranked in D-III.
Gift of grab: Northridge freshman Cadiance Fuduloff leads the SWBL with 13.1 rebounds per game, one of three freshman among the top four. Fuduloff had a season-high 17 rebounds against Milton-Union and has three games with 15.
Dixie freshman Sierra Brinson is second with 11.1 (with a season-high 19 against National Trail) and Milton-Union freshman Rachel Jacobs (13 versus Brookville) is fourth at 9.6.
Brinson is also fourth in the SWBL with 14.1 points per game. She has six double-doubles through the first 10 games.
Carlisle senior Kaylee Dingee (season-high 15 versus Preble Shawnee) is the leading upperclassman with 9.9 rebounds.
Making their points: Wayne is averaging a GWOC-best 78.7 points per game, so it’s not surprising three players rank among the top 10 in scoring with a fourth just outside.
Senior Bree Hall leads the league with 28.2 points. She scored a season-high 32 points twice, against Springfield and Miamisburg, and hasn’t scored less than 22 through the first six games.
Also averaging double digits are senior Alyssa Hargrove-Hall (No. 4 at 14.7), senior Lovie Malone (No. 8 at 11.0 ) and senior Jacquel Bronaugh (No. 11 at 10.5).
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