“I was definitely surprised,” Davis said from the Tiffin campus. “Before it happened, people were tweeting about the play making SportsCenter, but I was told not to get my hopes up because there were so many games.”
The Student Princes lost at home to Trine University (Angola, Ind.), falling to 3-6 just before the holiday break. Afterward, coaches sent the play to ESPN, where Buccigross has been known to “give a shout out to his alma mater,” as Davis put it.
Also in that highlight, incredibly, were two other Heidelberg players from the area in senior guard and leading scorer Darion Capers (Trotwood-Madison) and sophomore forward Victor Fortkamp (St. Henry).
At the 15:37 mark of the first half, the 6-foot-5 Davis grabbed a rebound and pushed the ball up the court to Capers, who missed a baseline jump shot. Next to touch the ball was Fortkamp, whose attempt at a tip dunk rattled out and ricocheted high into the air.
Davis, after soaring higher for the rebound than a Division III player might be expected to, plucked and slammed the ball home all in one motion.
“I just saw the ball go sailing in the air,” Davis said. “I caught myself staring, then I got back in the play and thought, ‘I can get this.’ ”
As fortune would have it, Davis also competes in track, specializing in the high jump.
“It seemed like everyone was involved,” he said. “It was nice afterward because everybody was talking about how we all made it on SportsCenter, not just me.”
A junior communication major with a 3.0 grade-point average, Davis is averaging 9.2 points and a team-leading 9.2 rebounds. He is long past having any regrets about not pursuing bigger schools such as Miami University, which showed moderate interest.
“Heidelberg is great,” said Davis, who grew up in Harrison Twp. “Everybody’s been supportive. As soon as I stepped on campus, I felt the love.”
Campus tour
• Connecticut transfer Samarie Walker (Chaminade Julienne) had seven points and seven rebounds in her Kentucky basketball debut Sunday in a loss to Notre Dame, but her coach thought she talked too much trash with the Fighting Irish. "She didn't keep her emotions in check," Matthew Mitchell told reporters. "I don't want that happening." Walker, in foul trouble early, sat out the game's final 8:06.
• Don't forget the Military Bowl between Air Force and Toledo on Wednesday (4:30 p.m., ESPN) from RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. Air Force senior receiver Zack Kauth (CJ) is coming off a three-touchdown performance in a 45-21, regular-season ending win over Colorado State. The second-quarter plays covered 33, 40 and 50 yards.
If you have information about an area athlete in college, please send an email to smcclelland @DaytonDailyNews.com.
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