Behind 27 points from Shadowens, Fairmont romped to a 74-61 defeat of Troy in a Division I boys basketball sectional game on Thursday, March 4, at UD Arena. The seventh-seeded Firebirds (14-8), who have won seven straight, advance to play Sidney at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Nutter Center in a sectional final.
They’ll enter as a much different team than they were in December. Since regaining three players from injury — defensive force Sherman Wilkinson, versatile Kevin Sharick and 6-foot-6 Austin Meddford — Fairmont has leaned on its get-to-the-basket game and tight defense, as it did against Troy (14-7), to be playing its best ball.
“We’re playing good basketball and we’re guarding a little better, too,” said Fairmont coach Hank Bias.
Shadowens, who leads the team with a 13.3-point scoring average, shares Fairmont’s momentum.
“We’ve been having our best practices, and we’re working hard,” Shadowens said. “Plus, we’re locking up more on ‘D,’ and everything starts with defense.”
Centerville 63, Springboro 46: The Elks led 23-12 at halftime and separated to take their biggest lead at 43-21 with 1:57 left in the third. Springboro scored 23 of the next 30 points to cut the deficit to 50-44 with 4:03 left. But Centerville steadied in a game with 43 fouls to advance.
Matt Sullivan led Centerville with 14 points. The Elks (12-10) face Trotwood-Madison in a sectional final at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Nutter Center. Adam Patton scored 12 points for Springboro (8-12).
Trotwood-Madison 74, Fairborn 45: The Rams led by 15 points after the first quarter with help from Darnell Tubbs (24 points) and DaWuan Thomas (14). Sophomore Kendrick Williams scored 23 points for Fairborn (3-18).
“I liked our defensive intensity,” T-M coach Mark Baker said. “We did that really well early in the year, and we’re doing better. We’re getting stops.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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