Trotwood-Madison coach on his team’s 153-point outburst: ‘I’m not going to tell our kids to not score’

»RELATED: Thursday’s high school roundup, scores

The 153 points are the most in an Ohio high school game since Deavertown set the state record with 171 in a win over Chesterhill in 1965. Both Morgan County schools are now defunct.

The previous area record for points in a game was set by Colonel White in a 130-122 win over Sidney on Dec. 11, 1993. The 252 combined points in that game is still a state record.

“We weren’t even looking at the scoreboard,” Rockhold said. “We were just trying to limit what kids were doing and still work on some things. We really were trying to mix it up. No disrespect to Northmont at all.”

Trotwood, which forced 43 turnovers, played all 12 players in a 40-point first quarter. The Rams led 78-33 at halftime and 121-50 after three quarters.

Seven Trotwood players reached double figures, led by Sammy Anderson (28 points) and Carl Blanton (25). No Trotwood starter played in the fourth quarter.

“Our kids play hard,” Rockhold said. “It’s hard to tell them to just stand there and hold the ball when it’s just the second quarter. At end of the day, I’m not going to tell our kids to not score.”

»RELATED: OHSAA boys basketball records

Trotwood needs to score. Defensively the Rams are allowing 80.4 points and have allowed games of 109, 99, 97 and 87. The Rams recently lost 100-78 to D-II rival Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary at Flyin’ to the Hoop. They led the No. 1 ranked Irish 44-42 at half.

“We don’t guard all that well,” Rockhold said. “We give up a ton of points. We’re not a great defensive team. We’re trying to be, but we’re not. We’re going to score points, and we’re going to allow our kids to score points. If that makes me a bad guy so be it. I’m not going to be a guy who calls four corners and says hold the ball.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing how we respond,” Northmont athletic director Micah Harding said. “Losing is a part of life. We will learn from this.”

The T-Bolts visit Springboro (7-10, 2-5) on Friday, while Trotwood faces a stiff test at GWOC American Division leader Centerville (9-8, 7-1). Saturday the Rams travel to Hilliard Bradley (15-1), which is ranked No. 3 in the D-I state poll.

“If you’re going to play us and beat our pressure, you may not want to shoot it right away,” Rockhold said. “You might want to make 6-7 passes and that’s what Centerville’s going to do. I don’t know if we have an answer for their big kid (6-foot-9 senior Mo Njie). Size-wise certainly not. We’re going to have to try to turn them over. It’s all about pace. For us and for them.”

Shelby County Showdown: Jackson Center's 37-34 win over Fort Loramie on Tuesday sets up a meeting Friday with visiting Anna to decide first place in the Shelby County Athletic League boys basketball standings. The Tigers (14-2, 8-1) and Rockets (11-3, 7-1) are tied in the league loss column. Anna beat Jackson Center 59-38 on Dec. 30.

The Tigers trailed Fort Loramie 26-13 at halftime before holding the third-place Redskins (10-5, 6-3) to eight second half points.

Triple-Double: Ponitz transfer Stanley Shrivers has made an immediate impact at West Carrollton. The 6-2 junior guard notched the Pirates fifth triple-double in program history with 18 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists in an 87-68 win over Fairborn last Friday. Shrivers had been close before with 17 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists in a 68-61 win over Grenville on Jan. 7

Big Shots: Arcanum sophomore Hailey Unger had a triple-double (29 points, 15 steals and 10 rebounds) in an 87-26 win over Dixie on Jan. 21…Tri-Village senior Maddie Downing surpassed 1,000-career points in an 85-48 win over Middletown Madison on Monday…Madison boys head coach Jeff Smith won his 400th career game on Wednesday as the Mohawks beat Bethel 72-51.