Alter falls to Hathaway Brown 48-35 in D-II girls state final

By Marc Pendleton | Saturday, March 20, 2010, 02:10 PM

COLUMBUS — All-Ohioan Mylan Woods scored a game-high 16 points and Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown covered Alter with a defensive blanket to win the girls Division II state high school basketball championship at OSU’s Schottenstein Center on Saturday, March 20, 48-35.

Alter never led and pulled within 28-27 late in the third quarter before Hathaway Brown (23-4), the defending state D-II champ, reasserted itself behind Woods and Alanna Guy (10 points).

Whitney Dabbelt led the Knights (24-3) with eight points. Allison Bockrath, Ashley Christie and Courtneyh Christie all added six points for Alter.

Kaila Howe buried a 3-pointer from the wing with seconds remaining in the half to pull Alter within 19-15 at the break. Alter trailed 9-5 after the first quarter in a defensive struggle. The Knights never led in the first half and trailed 18-9 midway through the second period.

It’s the third consecutive year these teams have met in the final four, and each have won state titles. Hathaway Brown beat Alter in last year’s semifinals, then won the championship. Alter took the ’08 title after beating HB 60-48 in that title game. Brown also was the ’07 state runner-up.

This is the second of four title games today. Findlay Liberty-Benton handed Middletown Madison its first loss in a battle of unbeatens in the opening D-III title game, 66-44. FL-B completed a perfect 27-0 season, the 40th girls team to do so in Ohio girls hoop history.

Madison ends 26-1.

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Mid. Madison falls to Findlay Liberty-Benton in girls D-III state hoops final

By Marc Pendleton | Saturday, March 20, 2010, 01:31 PM

COLUMBUS — Middletown Madison fell to Findlay Liberty-Benton 66-44 in a battle of the unbeatens in the Division III girls state high school basketball championship on Saturday, March 20 at OSU’s Schottenstein Center.

The victory completes a perfect 27-0 season for the Eagles, who fell in last year’s sate semifinals. The Mohawks end 26-1.

Madison trailed 38-34 at halftime and drew within 40-38 when Rachel Blevins hit a jumper with 5:19 left in the third quarter. But FL-B unloaded a game-ending 28-10 run to win its first girls state hoops title.

Brittany Shields led the Mohawks with 13 points on 6 of 9 shooting. First-team All-Ohioan Ally Malott was held to 10 points on 4 of 14 shooting. She also collected a game-high nine rebounds.

Liberty-Benton’s trio of Amanda Hyde (23 points), Caite Craft (19) and Amber Peterson (13) provided most of its offensive output.

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Fairmont falls 61-55 to Toledo Waite in D-I state semifinal

By Marc Pendleton | Friday, March 19, 2010, 06:13 PM

COLUMBUS — Toledo Waite, led by Ms. Basketball Natasha Howard, withstood a spirited fourth-quarter rally by Fairmont and won a girls basketball Division I state basketball semifinal at OSU’s Schottenstein Center on Friday, March 19, 61-55.

Howard, headed to Florida State University, scored 22 points and added three blocks. But she drew her fourth personal foul trying to defend a nifty inside move by Cassie Sant and with 1:00 finally left the game.

Sant led the Firebirds with 25 points and was particularily effective in the second half, scoring 17 after drawing a fourth personal foul on Howard with 1:00 left in the third quarter.

Fairmont trailed by as much as nine points in the second half, but pulled within 56-55 with less than 2:00 remaining on another inside power move by Sant. But Waite ended the game on a 5-0 run to earn a spot in Saturday night’s championship against the Canton McKinley/Reynoldsburg winner.

Holly Carey added 12 points for Fairmont, but was also saddled to the bench after she was tagged with three personal fouls in just three seconds of the second quarter.

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Ft. Loramie, Minster fall in D-IV girls state semifinals

By Marc Pendleton | Friday, March 19, 2010, 01:14 PM

COLUMBUS — Fort Loramie couldn’t maintain an 18-point second-half lead and Harvest Prep unloaded a game-ending 22-1 run over the last 10:23 to stun the Redskins 49-46 in their girls high school Division IV state basketball semifinal on Friday, March 19 at OSU’s Schottenstein Center.

It was a crushing meltdown by the Redskins, who led 45-27 when Janel Olberding hit a 3 with 2:47 left in the third quarter.

But Loramie attempted just two fourth-quarter shots and unraveled with 11 turnovers in the final eight minutes. Olberding’s free throw with 2:11 left was the only point Loramie could muster during Prep’s stunning run.

“As ESPN says, that’s one of those ESPN Classics,” beamed rookie Harvest Prep coach David Dennis.

“Everything was going our way, and then the wheels just kind of fell off the bus in the fourth quarter,” said Loramie coach Carla Siegal.

Olberding tallied 18 points to lead the Redskins and Clair Ruhenkamp and Brooke Turner each added 12. Burly junior center Shicole Watts was an inside force to the Warrriors, scoring 16 points to go with nine rebounds.

“You try to tell your players — and yourself — to calm down, regroup and just keep playing your game,” Olberding said.

“The more they started to take over in the fourth quarter, the harder it became to be calm. We tried our best.”

Nothing Loramie did in the fateful minutes worked, and everything Harvest Prep tried continued to work.

“In the fourth quarter things started going their way and everything spiraled out of control,” said Ruhenkemp.

Olberding raced to the top of the key and nailed a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Fort Loramie a 34-24 halftime lead.

Fort Loramie scored the first nine points of the game and led 20-13 lead after the first quarter.

Berlin Hiland 49, Minster 48

Berlin Hiland’s Katelyn Stuckey hit a layup with 18.4 seconds left to beat Minster in Friday’s opening D-IV semifinal.

Hiland opened the second half with a 9-0 run to overtake Minster’s halftime advantage and lead 32-31 after three quarters.

Sarah Huelsman tallied six points for the Wildcats and Maria Dahlinghaus added 5 as Minster posted a 23-19 halftime lead.

Minster (18-8) was just 6-7 in the regular season before getting hot and bringing a 12-game win streak to Columbus. Hiland (25-2) is making its 11th final four appearance to go with four titles.

It’s the first of four games today at OSU’s Schottenstein Center. Up next is Fort Loramie (22-4) vs. Harvest Prep (25-1) in the other D-IV semifinal. That winner will play Berlin Hiland in Saturday’s 5:15 p.m. state championship.

Later tonight, it’s Fairmont (22-2) vs. Toledo Waite (23-2) in the first D-I semifinal. It’s the first state trip for the Firebirds, and they face a formidable task in Waite’s Ms. Basketball Natasha Howard.

The nightcap features Reynoldsburg (21-5) vs. Canton McKinley (23-3) in the other D-I semi. The winners all advance to Saturday’s four championship games.

On Thursday, Alter received a combined 25 points from Courtney and Ashley Christie to outscrap Washington Court House Miami Trace 57-46 in a rugged D-II semifinal. Middletown Madison was just as good, eliminating Ironton 50-43 in its D-III semifinal.

Alter draws defending state champ Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown in its 2 p.m. title game on Saturday. Madison will play Findlay Liberty-Benton at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday in a showdown of 26-0 perfect teams.

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Alter beats Miami Trace 57-46 to advance to D-II girls state final

By Marc Pendleton | Thursday, March 18, 2010, 08:30 PM

COLUMBUS — The Christie sisters, Ashley and Courtney, combined for 25 points in leading Alter to a rugged 57-46 defeat of Miami Trace in their girls basketball Division II state semifinal at OSU’s Schottenstein Center on Thursday night, March 18.

That sets up a championship rematch with defending state champ Hathaway Brown at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Courtney Christie tallied 13 points and Ashley Christie added 12 to complete four opening-day games.

Alter led by 10 points a couple times, but Miami Trace scored at the buzzer to draw within 38-32 of the Knights after the third quarter.

Alter (23-2) scored the first 7 points of the third quarter to go up 30-21. Allison Bockrath knocked down a putback at the buzzer to give Alter a 23-21 halftime lead.

The Knights went on a 10-0 run to forge ahead, 17-7. But the Panthers (24-1) nearly matched that, answering with a 9-0 blitz and pulled even at 21-all before Bockrath, a 5-10 sophomore, hit her only first-half bucket.

Courtney Christie scored 6 points in the first quarter to give Alter a 12-7 lead after one period. Christie led Alter with 8 points at the break.

Whitney Dabbelt added a couple buckets for the Knights, and beat the first-quarter quarter-ending buzzer to give Alter its largest lead.

Alter had no answer for Miami Trace senior Jenna Cobb. Headed to Butler next season, she hit 5 of 8 shots for 12 points and four rebounds to keep the Panthers in contention.

Cobb is the daughter of former Ohio State linebacker Glen Cobb, who teamed with QB Art Schlichter to provide Miami Trace its greatest high school football and basketball run in the late ’70s. Both former Trace standouts were captains of the 1981 OSU football team.

Cobb and Marcus Marek were fixtures as inside linebackers for the Buckeyes from 1979-82.

Blazers move on

Hathaway Brown broke from a 48-all tie with :39 left and went on a game-ending 5-0 run to beat Walsh Jesuit 53-48 in the first D-II semifinal. Walsh, located at Cuyahoga Falls near Cleveland, beat Brown 57-55 in the regular season.

The Blazers (22-4) will play the Alter/Miami Trace winner in Saturday’s 2 p.m. championship.

It’ll be the fourth straight title game for defending state champ Hathaway Brown, which knocked Alter out in last year’s state semi’s, 53-40.

Alter beat Hathaway Brown 60-48 in the ’08 title game. The Blazers fell to Warsaw River View 45-26 in the ’07 title game.

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Dunbar boys beat Col. Watterson; advance to D-II regional final

By Marc Pendleton | Thursday, March 18, 2010, 07:56 PM

The following report is from DDN contributor Dave Long:

KETTERING — De-Vaughn Carter’s contribution was hidden between Geron Johnson hovering around the rim and Ryan Bass being near perfect from 3-point range.

But the 10-point, 9-rebound game off the bench from Carter was a key to Dunbar’s 65-43 win over Columbus Watterson  Thursday, March 18, at Trent Arena.

The Wolverines take a 22-3 record into the Division II boys high school basketball regional final Saturday, March 20 at 3 p.m. in the same venue vs. the Thurgood Marshall/Cincinnati Roger Bacon winner. The regional winner moves on to the state final four in Columbus.

Dunbar, which finished No. 2 in the final state Associated Press ratings, will be seeking its third trip to state in five years.

Johnson led Dunbar with 18 points — four of them highlight reel worthy — along with eight rebounds and six assists.

His slam at 6:26 of the third quarter seemed to ignite his team after it led 29-20 the half. Bass added 14 points, hitting four of five 3-pointers. Two were back-to-back to increase Dunbar’s third quarter lead when Watterson (17-7) went to a zone in quickly abandoned.

Carter, a 6-3, 220-pound senior, is usually the ninth or 10th man off the bench in Dunbar’s rotation. His services were needed when post players Gary Akbar and Deontae Hawkins both picked up their third fouls in the first two minutes of the third quarter.

“My job was to come in, rebound and play defense,” said Carter who became academically eligible in January. “No one was boxing me out so I was able to get to the boards and keep the ball alive or score.

“I feel like to did pretty job on defense with Gary and Deontae out because they didn’t get many points inside.”

Carter got six points and eight boards in the quarter as Dunbar opened a 46-31 lead.

“Big game for De-Vaughn, real big game,” said Dunbar coach Peter Pullen.

“He was a monster on the boards when we really needed him.”

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Madison to play Findlay Liberty-Benton in battle of unbeatens for D-III girls state hoop title

By Marc Pendleton | Thursday, March 18, 2010, 03:40 PM

COLUMBUS — One down, four to go.

Unbeaten Middletown Madison won its Division III girls basketball state semifinal on Thursday, March 18, defeating Ironton 50-43 at OSU’s Schottenstein Center.

The Mohawks are the first of five Miami Valley teams to play here. Alter plays tonight and Fairmont, Fort Loramie and Minster all play their semifinals on Friday. The winners advance to Saturday’s championships.

Madison will play Findlay Liberty-Benton in Saturday’s D-III title game matchup of unbeatens at 10:45 a.m. The Eagles (26-0) defeated Smithville 56-34 in Thursday’s other D-III semifinal.

Amy Malott hit 10 of 14 free throws and tallied a game-high 18 points as Madison pulled away in the closing minutes to run its perfect record to 26-0. Lindsay Hoskins added 12 points.

Ironton (17-8) never found its shooting touch (17 for 57, 30 percent), fell behind 8-0 and didn’t have an answer for the Mohawks’ superior height advantage. Madison has four starters 6-feet or taller, including the 6-3 junior Malott, who’s being wooed by many of the big-time college women’s programs, including UConn, Tennessee, Purdue, Notre Dame and Stanford.

“It was definitely different,” said Ironton’s Brea Tackett, at 5-4 the Tigers’ leading scorer who was hounded into a 3-for-19 shooting night.

“I felt like I rushed my shot. I knew I couldn’t sit there and wait because if I did they’d be all in my face. I had to try and get a quick shot off and I’m more of a set shooter. It never works that way.”

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Jefferson beats Fort Loramie in D-IV boys regional semifinal

By Kyle Nagel | Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 09:29 PM

KETTERING — Joby Jackson scored 16 points and center Adreian Payne got a key steal and two free throws in the final 34 seconds to help the Jefferson High School boys basketball team beat Fort Loramie 50-45 in a Division IV regional semifinal on Tuesday, March 16, at Trent Arena.

Payne, a 6-foot-10 Michigan State recruit, finished with 12 points, while Fort Loramie’s Mark Frilling led the Redskins with 21.

Jefferson will play Fort Recovery in the D-IV regional title game at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Trent Arena.

The game was tied four times in the fourth quarter, but Jefferson trailed for only the first eight seconds of the quarter before Jackson got a basket to put the Broncos up 36-34 with 7:52 left.

Fort Loramie had possession with 1:30 left after Frilling made a free throw to cut the lead to 46-45, but the Redskins couldn’t convert on several 3-pointers, and Payne’s two free throws with 6.8 seconds left help to seal it.

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Fairmont’s 6-2 Sant will have tall task in state semifinal

By Kyle Nagel | Monday, March 15, 2010, 04:59 PM

Fairmont’s Cassie Sant has been a strong inside presence all season. Many times, the 6-foot-2 University of Dayton recruit was the tallest player on the floor, and she mixes her size with strong ball-handling skills and developed moves around the basket.

But Sant will get a bigger challenge in a Division I state semifinal against Toledo Waite on Friday, March 19.

Waite, ranked No. 6 in the state, features 6-2 Shanice McNeal and 6-3 Natasha Howard, a Florida State recruit and McDonald’s All-American, in the startling lineup. McNeal averages 13.2 points per game, and Howard averages 24.5.

Fairmont (22-2) has been successful all year in mixing handling pressure with freshman point guard Chelsea Welch with shooting touch from Holly Carey, Amanda Turner and Jessica Beatty and the inside game from Sant, who averages 13 points per game.

But against Waite (23-2), Sant will have her work cut out for her, and she’ll get a good example of facing teams, like she will at UD, that often have size, as well.

Fairmont is making its first-ever trip to the state tournament, but so are other semifinalists Waite and Reynoldsburg. Canton McKinley, ranked No. 9, has also been a semifinalists in 1984, ‘95 and last season.

Waite, though, will be rushing to work out its nerves. The Indians average 72.5 points per game and allow just 45.

With the size inside that Sant will face, it’s not hard to figure out why.

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D-I teams face rough day at UD Arena

By Kyle Nagel | Saturday, March 13, 2010, 10:52 PM

DAYTON — It was a rough day on Saturday, March 13, for the four area teams participating in the Division I district finals at UD Arena.

Four games, four losses.

— Fairmont, in the day’s opener, stayed closed with Princeton in the first half before the fast-paced Vikings went on a run to pull away and win 59-44.

— Trotwood-Madison guards DaWuan Thomas (18 points) and Darnell Tubbs (17) combined to finish their senior seasons in style, but Moeller held a slim lead throughout the fourth quarter and beat the Rams 51-47.

— Despite 15 points and 10 rebounds from Markus Crider, who had University of Michigan coach John Beilein watching from the UD Arena seats, Wayne also couldn’t make up a deficit late against a Greater Catholic League opponent and lost 46-40.

— Northmont started the game with a 10-0 run, but the Thunderbolts tired under constant pressure from Colerain and, despite big efforts from seniors Steve Newell (20 points) and Zach Newsome (16 points, 12 rebounds), lost 69-63.

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Colerain pulls away from Northmont for district title

By Kyle Nagel | Saturday, March 13, 2010, 10:25 PM

DAYTON — Colerain’s Josh Quigley hit two 3-pointers in the final eight seconds of the third quarter to help break open a close Division I district final as the Cardinals topped Northmont 69-63 on Saturday, March 13, at UD Arena.

The 3-pointers were part of a 15-1 run by Colerain in the third and fourth quarters that followed Northmont taking its final lead of the game, 44-42 with 1:45 left in the third quarter. From there, Colerain took back the lead and pushed it to 57-45 following the scoring barrage.

Colerain (19-4) advanced to the regional semifinals for the first time since 1967.

Northmont (13-10), meanwhile, finished an up-and-down season with promise as three of its main players — Devin Carter, Solomon King White and Justin Trammell — are sophomores.

Halftime: Northmont scored the game’s first 10 points, but Colerain calmed to make the last Division I district final of the day at UD Arena an exciting one at halftime.

Northmont leads 31-30 after six lead changes in the second quarter behind a game-high 10 points by Steve Newell at the break. Colerain has 59.1 percent of its shots, but six turnovers hurt the Cardinals in the first half. Northmont also made 6-of-8 free throws.

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Michigan coach sees inspired performance from possible Wayne recruit

By Kyle Nagel | Saturday, March 13, 2010, 08:53 PM

DAYTON — John Beilein, the University of Michigan basketball coach, sat in the stands behind one basket at UD Arena, laid back in his chair in a maize sweater vest.

The player he came to see, Wayne’s Markus Crider, was much more energized.

The junior scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a strong performance as Wayne dropped its Division I district final to St. Xavier 46-40 on Saturday, March 13.

Crider was offered a Michigan scholarship just last week, according to Brian Snow of Rivals.com, and he impressed his possible future coach in a grind-it-out game. He had five points and four rebounds at halftime and then, as Wayne tried to overcome a St. X advantage through much of the third and all of the fourth quarter, responded with a man-sized second half.

His signature play of the day was a finish of an alley-oop toss from guard Keith Clements with a dunk that brought Wayne within 32-30 with 1:20 left in the third quarter. He added six of Wayne’s 10 fourth-quarter points against a sizable St. X lineup.

His line also included three assists and two blocks.

Beilein must’ve left with a smile.

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Wayne falls to St. Xavier in district final

By Kyle Nagel | Saturday, March 13, 2010, 08:17 PM

DAYTON — St. Xavier used a 14-point scoring run spanning parts of the second and third quarters to take control and top Wayne 46-40 in a Division I district final on Saturday, March 13, at UD Arena.

Guard Travis Trice led Wayne with 12 points, but the Warriors dug a hole when St. X went on the 14-point run to make it 30-23 with 5:13 left in the third quarter. A Trice free throw with 4:55 left in the quarter ended nearly seven minutes without a point.

Wayne (20-3), which finished the regular season No. 1 in the DDN area D-I ratings, then got six straight points, underlined by an alley-oop dunk finished by forward Markus Crider, but St. Xavier (13-10) continued to pull away as Wayne inched closer.

Halftime: Travis Trice scored 11 first-half points for Wayne, but St. Xavier got two baskets in three seconds to help send the Division I district final into halftime tied 23-23 at UD Arena.

There have been four ties and two lead changes in the tight game.

A 3-pointer by Wayne sophomore Keith Clements gave the Warriors a 23-16 lead with 3:49 left and completed an 8-0 Wayne run. But St. X got a 3-pointer from Luke Massa, a basket and a foul by Alex Longi and a put-back by Massa of Longi’s missed free throw to tie the game with 2:31 left in the first half.

Brandon Polking leads St. X with seven points.

Wayne is playing its second straight game without Xavier Jones and Isiah Boddie, transfers who were ruled ineligible by the Ohio High School Athletic Association this week. Jones and Boddie are sitting in the fight row of the stands in their warm-up jackets and uniform shorts.

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Kudos to Trotwood’s guard duo, Thomas and Tubbs

By Kyle Nagel | Saturday, March 13, 2010, 06:49 PM

DAYTON — Moeller coach Carl Kremer had a quick reaction when told Trotwood-Madison guards DaWuan Thomas and Darnell Tubbs were both seniors.

“Well thank God for that,” Kremer said after his Moeller team topped Trotwood 51-47 in a Division I district final on Saturday, March 13, at UD Arena.

He had good reason for the reaction. Thomas scored Trotwood’s final nine points to finish with a game-high 18, and Tubbs used a similar nine-point run in the third quarter to finish with 17. Between them, Thomas and Tubbs had 35 of Trotwood’s 47 points, and Tubbs added eight rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

Throughout the season, the area has included a strong guard pool, and Thomas and Tubbs have been at the top of that list. Trotwood coach Mark Baker regularly said that Thomas was perhaps the bets all-around guard in the area and that Tubbs was probably one of the best athletes in the state.

Moeller, though, took the lead for good early in the fourth quarter, and Trotwood just couldn’t catch up.

Trotwood will be strong again next season, as the Rams often are. But, they’ll be without a guard duo that regularly fed off of each other for energy, points and court smarts to make Trotwood one of the area’s two best D-I teams (with Wayne) all year.

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Trotwood national champion in 800 relay

By Marc Pendleton | Saturday, March 13, 2010, 05:27 PM

It’s one down, two to go for the four horsemen of Trotwood-Madison High School in the Nike Indoor Nationals track and field meet at Boston.

The foursome of Julius Ruby, Jordon Paschal, Michael Jordan and William Henry won by five meters over runner-up Sheepshead Bay (N.Y.) TC in 1 minute, 30.2 seconds.

The Reggie Lewis Center features a 210-meter oval.

“I tell them don’t worry about splits, just win the race,” said coach Randy Waggoner.

This is the first national indoor title for the Rams. T-M previously has won two 1,600 relay and an 800 relay outdoor titles under Waggoner.

The Rams will try and add a national title in the 1,600 relay today. Also, Henry could run in the 400. He’s ranked No. 4 in the nation in that event after running 48.01 last weekend at Kent State.

Trotwood was especially seeking the 1,600 relay title. That they also captured the 800 relay is a bonus.

“I drive it home that that (1,600) relay is special and they really put extra effort into it,” said Waggoner.

The same foursome set an all-time Ohio record of 3:13.32 in the 1,600 relay in last year’s state meet at Columbus.

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Trotwood loses tight battle with Moeller in district final

By Kyle Nagel | Saturday, March 13, 2010, 03:48 PM

DAYTON — Despite nine straight points to end the game from guard DaWuan Thomas, Trotwood-Madison couldn’t overcome Moeller’s slim fourth-quarter leads and dropped its Division I district final 51-47 on Saturday, March 13, at UD Arena.

Trotwood (19-5) trailed 22-18 at halftime before taking its first lead at 31-29 on a Darnell Tubbs layup with 2:44 left in the third quarter. Moeller (19-4) regained the lead on its first possession of the fourth quarter when Charlie Byers converted a three-point play for a 37-34 advantage that Moeller would not again give up.

Thomas led Trotwood with 18 points, and Byers scored 19, including 14 in the second half, for Moeller.

Moeller protected its lead by making 11-of-15 free throws in the fourth quarter.

Moeller led 46-41 with 1:08 left before Thomas sank a 3-pointer with 55 seconds left, missed another on the next possession and then hit another with 18 seconds left to make it 49-47 Moeller.

Moeller’s Alex Barlow made 1-of-2 free throws with 15.4 seconds left to increase the lead to 50-47, and Thomas missed an off-balance 3-pointer in traffic with about 5 seconds left before Trotwood was forced to foul. Another Moeller free throw from Josh Morelock set the final margin.

Tubbs added 17 points for Trotwood.

Halftime: Trotwood-Madison scored seven points in the final 1:47 of the second quarter but trails Moeller 22-18 at halftime of their Division I district final at UD Arena.

Moeller scored the game’s first eight points before Trotwood calmed on offense. Bam Bradley hit a jumper with 37 seconds left in the first half, and, following a traveling call against Moeller, James Brown Jr. hit a 3-pointer from the corner at the buzzer to set the halftime margin.

Griffin McKenzie, a 6-foot-9 Moeller forward, has nailed two 3-pointers and leads the Crusaders with 10 points. Darnell Tubbs is best for Trotwood with six points and four rebounds.

The game is a rematch of a district final from two seasons ago, when Trotwood upset state No. 1 and national No. 8 Moeller 48-45 on the same floor.

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LaSalle regaining past magic, causing more Cincinnati worries for Miami Valley

By Kyle Nagel | Saturday, March 13, 2010, 03:20 PM

DAYTON — LaSalle can get lost in the powerful Greater Catholic League South Division.

Consider the past decade or so. Moeller, a division comrade, has won three state basketball titles since 1999. St. Xavier won a championship in 2000 and has made three more trips back to Columbus since.

La Salle? The Lancers won a state championship in 1996, but they haven’t made the state tournament since.

This year, LaSalle (20-2) has stepped forward in a seemingly weakened GCL South. The Lancers topped Woodward 61-42 on Saturday, March 13, in a Division I district final at UD Arena. With the win, the group ranked No. 4 in the state advanced to a regional semifinal, where it will face the winner of Wayne and St. Xavier (to be played here at 7 p.m.).

That would be a very difficult path for Wayne, especially missing two key players who were ruled ineligible earlier this week by the Ohio High School Athletic Association because they violated transfer rules. Or, it could be another matchup this season between LaSalle and St. Xavier.

As far as the Miami Valley is concerned, area teams were having enough trouble with Moeller, St. Xavier and Elder before LaSalle came on strong. As if the area big schools needed another strong Cincinnati team to worry about.

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Expectations increasing for Fairmont basketball

By Kyle Nagel | Saturday, March 13, 2010, 01:01 PM

DAYTON — A reporter mentioned to Fairmont basketball coach Hank Bias after his team’s Division I district final loss to Princeton that it was a nice finish for the Firebirds after a rough start to the season.

“A rough start? We were .500,” Bias said. “But that’s a nice thing to hear, that .500 isn’t good enough for Fairmont.”

Bias completed his ninth season as Fairmont coach on Saturday, March 13, when the Firebirds lost 59-44 to Princeton at UD Arena. After a 7-8 start, as several key injured players healed, Fairmont won eight straight to reach its second straight district championship game and third in four years.

It wasn’t necessarily the same when Bias arrived. The reason for change? A steady youth program.

“It took two to three years to get going, but now it’s a steady feeder for us,” Bias said. “Everyone’s wearing blue and silver (at the youth level), instead of being the Van Buren Knights and a mix of other teams.

“About two years in I went to a youth game, and there were two Kettering kids on a Kettering team that didn’t even get in, and I said that wasn’t good enough.”

Bias credited Dave Roalef, father of current Firebird sophomore Jacob, with bringing order to the Future Firebirds.

“Now it’s very strong, and it shows,” Bias said.

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Fairmont falls to Princeton in district final

By Kyle Nagel | Saturday, March 13, 2010, 11:34 AM

DAYTON — Fairmont kept the quick Princeton offense in neutral for the first half.

Then the third quarter started.

Princeton, last season’s Division I state runner-up, outscored the Firebirds 27-14 in the third quarter after leading by just one at halftime to win the district championship 59-44 on Saturday, March 13, at UD Arena.

Fairmont finished the season 15-9, but not before leading the 19-4 Vikings in the second quarter and trailing 21-20 at halftime. But, with a mix of quick points and Fairmont turnovers (the Firebirds committed nine in the quarter), Princeton took control in the third period and moved on to the regional semifinals.

Fairmont was further hurt when two key players — guards Mark Shadowens and Sherman Wilkinson — each picked up a fourth foul with more than six minutes left in the third quarter.

Adam Westbeld led Fairmont with 12 points, and Matt Lee added 10 while Kevin Sharick combined six points with 10 rebounds.

Ohio State recruit Jordan Sibert scored 26 points on 8-of-15 shooting for Princeton, and Darrien had 13 points and 10 boards.

Halftime: By slowing the game down and limiting second-chance opportunities, Fairmont has stayed close with favored Princeton and trails this Division I district final 21-20 at halftime at UD Arena.

But two key players, guards Mark Shadowens and Sherman Wilkinson, each have three fouls, and Princeton’s Jordan Sibert, an Ohio State recruit, has collected 12 points.

Trailing 11-8 after the first quarter, Fairmont (15-8) scored six straight points to go ahead 14-11 before Princeton (19-4) quickened the pace and scored on seven straight possessions to end the half.

Adam Westbeld and Kevin Sharick each have five points for Fairmont, which has held Princeton to 6-of-19 shooting, including 1-of-7 from 3-point range.

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Big D-I boys day at UD Arena

By Kyle Nagel | Saturday, March 13, 2010, 10:31 AM

DAYTON — We’re set up for a big day of Division I boys high school basketball at UD Arena, with five district finals, including four involving local teams. Here’s the lineup:

— Fairmont (15-8) vs. Princeton (18-4), 11 a.m.

— Woodward (15-6) vs. LaSalle (20-2), 2 p.m.

— Trotwood-Madison (19-4) vs. Moeller (18-4), 3:45 p.m.

— Wayne (20-2) vs. St. Xavier (12-10), 7 p.m.

— Northmont (13-9) vs. Colerain (18-4), 8:45 p.m.

We’ll have games results, sights, sounds and updates throughout the day.

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Week 2 opening hard to fill for Alter

By Marc Pendleton | Saturday, March 13, 2010, 12:24 AM

Here’s the side effect of winning back to back state football titles: No takers.

“That’s nice,” said Alter coach Ed Domsitz, reflecting on the Knights consecutive Division IV championships. “But it’s killing me now.”

Alter will once again open with rival Fairmont in Week 1 next fall. Two weeks later the Knights will play at Centerville in a historic first-time matchup of the area heavyweights.

But a Week 2 opponent has yet to be found for Alter. It’s not for a lack of trying: Domsitz said he’s combed six neighboring states for a possible game.

With Centerville looming in Week 3, Alter isn’t seeking another hammer for Week 2. If a worthy opponent isn’t found, two weeks to prepare for the Elks probably isn’t a bad thing.

The Centerville game is for one year only, but … “we’re going to wait and see how it unfolds,” said Domsitz.

Coldwater might eventually be in the works for Alter. The Cavaliers and Knights have had two recent mighty playoff clashes.

“We would love to get something going with Coldwater,” Domsitz said.

“We would love to for years, home and away. that would be a great game.”

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Alter tops CJ on late steal and score

By Kyle Nagel | Friday, March 12, 2010, 08:34 PM

Final: Alter’s Kaila Howe stole an inbounds pass with 8 seconds left at halfcourt, then collected the ball to score a layup with about 1.6 seconds left as Alter beat Chaminade Julienne 36-34 in a D-II regional final on Friday, March 12, at Springfield High School.

It was the seventh time the score changed in the fourth quarter, and Alter moves on to a D-II state semifinal at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus.

Ashley Christie led Alter with 13 points, and Raytea Long was best for CJ with 10.

Third Quarter: Alter’s Courtney Christie hit a long 3-pointer with about 1 second left in the third quarter to tie the D-II regional final against CJ 22-22 heading into the fourth quarter. Christie scored five points in the quarter as Alter outscored CJ 10-6 in the frame to tie the game.

Halftime: Samarie Walker and Raytea Long each have five points as CJ has taken a 16-12 lead at halftime of this D-II regional final against Alter.

CJ took its biggest lead at 14-6, but Alter got more aggressive after Walker picked up her second foul with 3:50 left, outscoring the Eagles 6-2 for the rest of the quarter.

But the first half was mostly filled with strong defense and missed shots, as the teams combined to go 11-for-40 in the half (27.5 percent).

Ashley Christie and Kelly Westerkamp each have four points for Alter.

First Quarter: Both teams have been strong defensively as CJ holds a 7-6 lead following the first quarter. CJ’s Samarie Walker used a three-point play to stand as the game’s leading scorer along with Raytea Long so far with three points each, but there haven’t been many points to go around.

Pregame: The Alter and Chaminade Julienne girls basketball teams are warming up for their Division II regional final at Springfield High School, and it’s tough to decide which would be considered the favorite.

Alter is ranked No. 3 in the state at 21-2, but CJ is No. 8 at 19-5. The Eagles’ started was bumpier with a first-year coach in Duane Williams, but they have the best all-around player on the floor in University of Connecticut recruit Samarie Walker. Alter has a tournament-tested roster led by senior Ashley Christie, who is trying to help the team make its third straight trip to the state semifinals.

They split their two regular-season meetings in the Girls Greater Cincinnati League Grey North Division, as Alter won in December and CJ won in January.

They certainly haven’t played with this much at stake.

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Wayne cleared to play by OHSAA, but 2 players ruled ineligible

By Marc Pendleton | Thursday, March 11, 2010, 04:47 PM

The Ohio High School Athletic Association has ruled that Wayne’s boys basketball team can continue play in the Division I district tournament. However, two players — senior Xavier Jones and junior Isiah Boddie, both transfers — have been ruled ineligible for the remainder of the season.

The Warriors (20-2) will not forfeit any games. Wayne will play Cincinnati St. Xavier (12-10) in one of five D-I district finals at UD Arena on Saturday, March 13.

The OHSAA released a statement that claimed both players “violated Bylaw 4-7-2, Transfer, because they did not meet any of the exceptions to the bylaw.”

Their eligibility was apparently “established by false information that was provided to the school,” the report said.

“We are pleased with the process that the OHSAA used in investigating the matter and have accepted the association’s decision,” said Dr. Reva Cosby, Wayne’s principal.

“While we are disappointed that this situation has taken place, we believe the investigators and the commissioner and his staff have conducted a fair investigation. As a member school of the OHSAA, it is important for us to ensure that we adhere to the bylaws.”

Jones, a 6-foot-3 guard, transferred to Wayne at the start of the school year from Gary, Ind. He averaged 11.2 points and was a second-team All-GWOC Central Division selection.

Boddie, a 6-2 junior who transferred from Trotwood-Madison, averaged 5.7 points and was honorable mention All-GWOC Central.

Coach Travis Trice and AD Jay Minton were among the Wayne officials who met with the OHSAA on Wednesday at Columbus.

“The OHSAA investigators did a tremendous job, and Wayne’s administrators could not have been more cooperative in providing answers to additional questions that we had,” OHSAA Commissioner Dan Ross said in the statement.

“We have followed the bylaws that have been put in place by all of our member schools and it is unfortunate that this situation has occurred.”

Wayne was voted by coaches as the No. 1 seed in the sectional tournament. The Warriors advanced to the district championship by beating Piqua, Belmont and Xenia in the sectional final.

However, the OHSAA contacted Xenia on Monday and informed coach Kent Anderson that his club could continue practicing in anticipation of replacing Wayne in the tournament should its ruling also include Wayne’s forfeiture from the postseason.

Asked if it was disappointing, Anderson said, “It is to a certain point. If they were going by precedent or by the bylaws, then the team playing by the rules should go on. They beat us on the court, and they’re still representing the GWOC and the Miami Valley.”

St. Xavier had been preparing three game plans: Wayne’s A team, B team and Xenia. St. X coach Scott Martin said he and his staff were at UD Arena for the Xenia-Wayne game last Sunday, so they’re familiar with the Warriors without Jones and Boddie.

“As far as with them, I only know what we heard from other coaches, that those two guys are really good,” said Martin, who learned of the ruling during practice. “It makes them a little different, but they’re still an excellent team.

“We’ve been alternating each day on defense, and for offense we’ve just been doing our own stuff. It did make it tough a little bit.”

Wayne’s Greater Western Ohio Conference Central title is safe. GWOC Commissioner Eric Spahr said the OHSAA has completed its investigation and that Wayne will not forfeit any games.

Wayne blitzed the GWOC Central, winning an outright title (10-0).

“The administration at Wayne is putting things in place to make sure these things don’t happen in the future,” Spahr said.

“Unfortunately, there’s some things we can’t discuss that would prove to people that Wayne’s administration is doing the right thing. They’re good people. This incident should not tarnish their image. ”

The OHSAA removed Wayne from the 1999 boys sectional tournament because one of the Warriors had played in a church league basketball game during the tournament.

DDN staff writer Kyle Nagel contributed to this report.

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Girls regional semis at Springfield

By Brian Kollars | Thursday, March 11, 2010, 02:22 PM

Tonight’s regional semifinal games between Fort Loramie and Ottoville and Tri-Village vs. Southeastern will be played at Springfield High School.

Today’s Sports section incorrectly listed those Division IV games as being played at Wright State’s Nutter Center.

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Marshall pressures to D-II district title

By Kyle Nagel | Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 11:00 PM

Still holding the Division II district championship trophy, Marshall High School coach John Ralph said Melvin Banks is best when the game comes to him.

On Wednesday, March 10, it did.

In a hurry.

In a key stretch, Banks scored 10 consecutive Marshall points and stretched the Cougars’ lead to 11 in the third quarter. From there, Marshall continued its pressure to defeat Shawnee 52-37 in the district title game at UD Arena.

Banks, a 6-foot-2 guard, finished with 21 points as the Cougars (20-4) advanced to play Roger Bacon in a regional semifinal at 8 p.m. on March 18 at Fairmont’s Trent Arena. Already in a tough tournament run with wins against Chaminade Julienne and Wilmington, Marshall advanced by using that strong pressure.

“We pick our spots,” Ralph said of the full-court press used plenty by Banks that also led to a good number of his points.

Greg Gainey finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds for Marshall as a strong inside presence, but Banks is even more of a difficult matchup, Ralph said.

“It’s tough for other teams offensively and defensively, because he’s really a guard, but he has good size,” Ralph said. “That’s a great advantage for him.”

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Dunbar advances to regional semifinal

By Kyle Nagel | Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 06:54 PM

DAYTON — The Dunbar High School boys basketball team used a late 12-0 run to turn a game the Wolverines controlled throughout into a 77-54 blowout victory against Indian Hill in a Division II district final on Wednesday, March 10, at UD Arena.

The Wolverines (21-3) advanced to the March 18 regional semifinal at Fairmont’s Trent Arena. They’ll face the winner of a district final between Canal Winchester and Columbus Mifflin, which will be played on Friday.

Guard Geron Johnson led Dunbar with 18 points as Deon Stewart added 14 and Ryan Bass scored 11. The Wolverines made 48.3 percent of their shots and outrebounded Indian Hill 45-30.

Dunbar, ranked No. 2 in the state, led 40-29 at halftime and 55-42 at the end of three quarters. Indian Hill’s Sam Hendricks scored with 4:55 left to make it 65-52, but the Wolverines then used quickness and passing to go on a 12-0 run and seal it.

Indian Hill finished 19-4.

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No ruling from OHSAA on eligibility of Wayne players

By Marc Pendleton | Wednesday, March 10, 2010, 06:26 PM

The Ohio High School Athletic Association did not rule on the status of the eligibility of Wayne High School boys basketball players Xavier Jones and Isiah Boddie in its meeting with Warriors officials on Wednesday, March 10 at Columbus.

Assistant commissioner Bob Goldring indicated that a decision could be announced Thursday.

Wayne (20-2) is scheduled to play Cincinnati St. Xavier (12-10) in a Division I district final at 7 p.m. Saturday at UD Arena. Both Jones and Boddie did not play in Wayne’s 64-54 defeat of Xenia in this past Saturday’s sectional final.

Both players transferred into the Huber Heights School District last fall, Jones from Gary, Ind., and Boddie from Trotwood-Madison. After being initially cleared to play, their eligibility status just recently became an issue with the OHSAA.

Both played throughout the regular season. Jones, a 6-foot-3 guard, averages 11.2 points and was a second-team All-Greater Western Ohio Conference Central Division pick. Boddie, a 6-2 junior, averages 5.7 points and was honorable mention All-GWOC Central.

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St. X making three plans for Wayne

By Kyle Nagel | Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 11:24 PM

Tom Groeschen, seasoned preps reporter at The Cincinnati Enquirer, noted the view of the Wayne basketball situation from St. Xavier in a post on his blog.

St. X is scheduled to play Wayne in a Division I district final at 7 p.m. Saturday at UD Arena. The St. X athletic director, John Sullivan, said the school is aware Wayne officials will meet with the Ohio High School Athletic Association on Wednesday to discuss two Wayne transfer players and their eligibility.

This from Groeschen:

Sullivan said St. X coach Scott Martin and his staff scouted the Xenia-Wayne sectional game and thus have material on both teams.

“Scott said he’s going to proceed with three game plans,” Sullivan said. “He’s got the Wayne A team, the Wayne B team if those two guys are ineligible, and Xenia.”

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Celebrating area girls basketball in one fun weekend

By Kyle Nagel | Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 10:58 PM

How good has high school girls basketball been in the area this year?

Well, on Friday and Saturday, this quadrant of the state will have its Division I and Division II representatives in the state semifinals both decided between four Miami Valley teams.

In a momentous night, Fairmont (Princeton) and Vandalia Butler (Walnut Hills) won D-I regional semifinals at the Nutter Center while Chaminade Julienne (Columbus St. Francis DeSales) and Alter (Indian Hill) won D-II semifinals at Springfield High School on Tuesday, March 9.

That gives the area two strong regional finals and guarantees the Miami Valley both D-I and D-II teams in Columbus.

So here’s what we have: Fairmont and Butler will decide the D-I region at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Nutter Center, and a third Alter-CJ showdown will occur for the D-II regional title at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Springfield High School.

In another juicy twist, both games are also rematches. Butler topped host Fairmont 39-31 on Jan. 11 in a Greater Western Ohio Conference non-division game as two bench players — Butler’s Sami Baker and Fairmont’s Alona Skipper — each scored 13 points.

Alter and CJ, as members of the Girls Greater Cincinnati League Grey North Division, met twice. Alter won the first matchup at CJ 46-45 on Dec. 16, and CJ took the Jan. 29 meeting at the Nutter Center 50-42.

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Butler advances to regional final showdown with Fairmont

By Kyle Nagel | Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 09:38 PM

FAIRBORN — Kacie Cassell scored Vandalia Butler’s first 10 points and finished with 18 to help the Aviators take an early lead and hold off Walnut Hills 47-42 in a Division I regional semifinal on Tuesday, March 9, at the Nutter Center.

Butler (21-4) set up a regional final showdown with fellow Greater Western Ohio Conference member Fairmont at 7:30 p.m. Saturday to decide a spot in the state semifinals.

Early in the second half, that spot looked guaranteed, but Butler had to grind late in the fourth quarter. Leading 41-28 entering the final quarter, Butler watched its lead drop to 43-40 with 3:31 left.

But, after an intentional foul call against Walnut Hills’ Phylesha Bullard (who elbowed Butler’s Lianna Innocent in the face), Innocent sank two free throws with 2:32 left, and Walnut Hills made 1-of-6 shots for the rest of the game.

Brianna Innocent, Lianna’s twin sister, added 15 points for Butler, and Lianna Innocent scored 10.

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Fairmont advances to regional final

By Kyle Nagel | Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 07:46 PM

FAIRBORN — Holly Carey scored 15 points and Cassie Sant added 13 points, nine rebounds and six assists to help the Fairmont High School girls basketball team top Princeton 49-41 in a Division I regional semifinal on Tuesday, March 9, at the Nutter Center.

The Firebirds (21-2) advanced to the regional final for the second straight year, in large part because of offensive production from Carey and Sant, key ball-handling from freshman point guard Chelsea Welch and Princeton’s struggles from behind the 3-point line (7-of-24).

Fairmont led 24-20 at halftime and improved its advantage to 35-25 after three quarters, in part because Sant (the University of Dayton recruit who was held scoreless in the first half) scored nine straight points to end the quarter.

Against constant pressure bringing the ball up the floor, Welch steadily got the Firebirds into their offensive sets while adding six points, three steals and two assists in the best all-around performance of the game.

Princeton finished the season 21-3.

Fairmont will play the winner of the upcoming Butler vs. Walnut Hills regional semifinal (the teams are warming up now) in the regional final at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Nutter Center. The Firebirds will attempt to advance to the state tournament for the first time in school history.

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CJ’s Walker, Jefferson’s Payne named district players of the year

By Kyle Nagel | Monday, March 8, 2010, 09:39 PM

Two players considered the top recruits in boys and girls area basketball this season have also been named their divisions’ Southwest District players of the year.

Chaminade Julienne senior Samarie Walker (Division II), a University of Connecticut recruit, and Jefferson senior Adreian Payne (D-IV), a Michigan State recruit, were given the honors on Monday, March 8, as the all-district teams were released.

Walker, a 6-1 forward, improved through the season as she adjusted to a partially torn meniscus in her knee and coach Duane Williams changed the Eagles’ style from outside first to inside first. Using Walker more in the post, Williams directed her skills closer to the basket, and CJ has responded with a run to a Tuesday regional semifinal game against Columbus St. Francis DeSales.

Payne, a 6-10 center, has been one of the area’s most notable players for several seasons, somewhat of an anomaly at his size in D-IV. Jefferson has been careful in returning Payne from a shoulder injury suffered in a major win against Dunbar late in the regular season, but he’s a key figure in the Broncos’ chances of making a run to Columbus. They play in a district final against Lehman Catholic at 7:15 p.m. Friday at UD Arena.

Tim Cogan, the Fairmont girls coach who has led the Firebirds into a D-I regional semifinal against Princeton on Tuesday at the Nutter Center, was named the D-I district coach of the year.

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Northmont scrables to top Springfield for third time this season

By Kyle Nagel | Sunday, March 7, 2010, 05:46 PM

DAYTON — Trailing 27-22 at halftime, Northmont basketball coach Jim Brown felt like the deficit was more.

“If the first half, it seemed like they were making every shot,” Brown said. “I know that’s not the case, but it sure seemed that way.”

But Northmont rallied, and the Thunderbolts survived a late scramble to advance. Taking their final lead of the fourth quarter with 3:06 left on a Steve Newell basket, Northmont overcame both trouble inbounding the ball and a last-second Springfield possession to win its Division I sectional final 40-39 on Sunday, March 7, at UD Arena.

Newell scored six of his game-high 12 points in the fourth quarter as Northmont advanced to face Colerain on Saturday at UD Arena. The time for the game has not been set.

Northmont (13-9) also beat fellow Greater Western Ohio Conference Central Division school Springfield for the third time this season.

Springfield (14-9) led 34-30 entering the fourth quarter, but Newell hit a runner to tie the game 34-34, another runner to make it 36-35 Northmont and the layup with 3:06 left to give the Thunderbolts a 38-37 advantage. Jamal Trammell added a basket with 2:30 left to make it 40-37.

Springfield got its final points on a layup from Rob Moss with 22 seconds left, and the Wildcats had another opportunity when Northmont’s Devin Carter missed the front end of a one-and-one free throw opportunity with 19 seconds left.

But the Thunderbolts stiffened down low and forced Springfield to pass the ball along the perimeter to the corner, where the Wildcats were unable to get a decent shot.

Denzel Lassiter, Tony Ferrell and Moss each finished with nine points for Springfield.

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Sophomore steps up to help Wayne advance

By Kyle Nagel | Sunday, March 7, 2010, 04:00 PM

DAYTON — Sophomore Keith Clements scored a season-high 17 points as Wayne pulled away from a close game in the fourth quarter and topped Xenia 64-54 in a Division I sectional final on Sunday, March 7, at UD Arena.

The Warriors (20-2), who finished the regular season No. 1 in the DDN area Division I ratings, also got 13 points from guard Travis Trice and 12 from forward Markus Crider to advance to play St. Xavier in a district final on Saturday at UD Arena. A time for that game has not been set.

Wayne took the lead for good when Adrian White hit a jumper with 1:40 left in the third quarter to put the Warriors ahead 36-35. From there, Wayne outscored Xenia (12-9) 28-19 to continue into the district final.

Alex Briggs and Shane Eagle each scored 14 for Xenia.

Clements scored 11 of his 17 points in the first half on a mix of drives, 3-pointers and free throws as Wayne took a 26-24 halftime lead in a physical game. Jason Bitsko, a 6-4 junior, added 10 points including two key three-point plays in the fourth quarter.

Wayne played the game without two of its top players, Isiah Boddie and Xavier Jones, who sat in warmups on the bench. Coach Travis Trice declined to specify why the two didn’t play and said the coaches were “doing what we’re told to do.”

The pair played in Wayne’s tournament game against Belmont on Tuesday. Boddie scored 18 points and Jones added 16 in that game.

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Two of Wayne’s best not playing in sectional final

By Kyle Nagel | Sunday, March 7, 2010, 02:08 PM

DAYTON — Wayne basketball players Isiah Boddie and Xavier Jones are in warmups on the bench and not playing in the Warriors’ Division I sectional final against Xenia today, March 7, at UD Arena.

Boddie and Jones are two of the better players for Wayne (19-2), which finished No. 1 in the DDN area D-I ratings. Jones, a 6-3 senior, transferred to Wayne in the offseason from Gary, Ind., and Boddie, a 6-2 junior, came to the program this year from Trotwood-Madison.

Both played in Wayne’s sectional win against Belmont on Tuesday. Boddie scored 18 points and Jones added 16 in that game.

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Fairmont wins to join Xenia, Butler at regional level

By Kyle Nagel | Saturday, March 6, 2010, 07:13 PM

HARRISON — After watching Fairmont’s Cassie Sant put a bulging ice pack on her right shoulder last week in the Firebirds’ sectional final win, I wondered how physical she would be in the district final Saturday, March 6.

Answer: Very.

Sant led all scorers with 17 points and added nine rebounds and eight assists as Fairmont beat Miamisburg 52-32 at Harrison High School to advance to Tuesday’s Division I regional semifinal at the Nutter Center against the winner of the game happening now, Princeton vs. Sycamore.

Sant started early, scoring seven of Fairmont’s first 13 points on a layup, a three-point play and a rebound and put-back. In the second quarter, she added a 3-pointer and a left-handed layup to show off a wide skill set.

The 6-foot-2 senior and University of Dayton recruit showed no signs of the shoulder discomfort — caused when she tangled with a Springboro player under a basket last weekend — or the stress fracture in her lower right leg that bothered her early in the season.

Fairmont doesn’t have great depth — the varsity roster includes eight players — but the Firebirds do have one of the area’s best in Sant, and she showed Saturday she’s still sharp despite some physical play.

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Miami Valley guaranteed three D-I girls teams in state’s final 16

By Kyle Nagel | Saturday, March 6, 2010, 04:39 PM

HARRISON — I just got to Harrison High School to cover Fairmont against Miamisburg in a Division I girls basketball district final, and I’m catching up on two other area teams that already advanced to regional semifinals earlier today.

Vandalia Butler is finishing cutting down the nets following their 56-49 defeat of Lakota East. The Aviators (20-4) got 21 points from Akron-bound point guard Kacie Cassell and clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch to set up a matchup with Walnut Hills at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Nutter Center.

In the 11 a.m. game, Xenia used 25 points from Brittiney Latimer to top Lakota East 67-64 and advance to the Columbus regional, where the Buccaneers will play the winner of New Albany and Pickerington North at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday at Otterbein College.

We knew all year the Miami Valley was strong in D-I girls basketball, and the area is now guaranteed three teams in the final 16 in the state.

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Dunbar nips Alter in sectional nail-biter

By Kyle Nagel | Saturday, March 6, 2010, 02:55 PM

LEBANON — The Dunbar High School boys basketball team entered the fourth quarter with a 10-point lead in this history-laden matchup.

Then Alter freshman Jaaron Simmons got hot, and we the observers got what we want: A nail-biter.

With Alter trailing 46-39, Simmons scored nine straight Knights points to cut Dunbar’s lead to 52-48 with 52.8 seconds left. The Knights got two points closer when Joe Thuney made two free throws with 36.7 seconds left to make it 52-50.

But in the closing seconds, Dunbar used its characteristic pressure and quick baskets to leave Lebanon High School with a 56-50 Division II sectional final victory on Saturday, March 6.

“It was a game,” said Dunbar guard Geron Johnson, “where you had to take what you wanted.”

Dunbar advanced to face the winner of Indian Hill and McNicholas (which play at 7:30 p.m. Saturday) on Wednesday at UD Arena in a district final. But getting there was no cinch for the state’s second-ranked team.

The Wolverines (19-3) got 13 first-quarter points from 6-6 sophomore Deontae Hawkins to take a 19-10 lead after the first period. They led 30-24 at halftime and pushed the lead to 12 points (40-28) with 4:32 left in the third quarter on a breakaway dunk by guard Ryan Bass.

Alter (12-11) then steadied after Max Zukowitz canned a deep 3-pointer and frustrated Dunbar with a mix of 3-pointers and free throws. Simmons, the guard who eased into the regular rotation as the season progressed and started Saturday, helped the Knights rally, but Dunbar pulled away late.

After Thuney’s free throws made it 52-50, Bass hit two free throws, Alter turned the ball over, Dunbar’s Roger Williamson got a fast-break layup and Alter was called for over-and-back on another turnover to help the Wolverines advance.

Hawkins led Dunbar with 17 points, and Bass added eight. Simmons finished with 16 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, and Thuney and Zukowitz each added 11.

Dunbar cuts Alter’s advantage in the series to 15-11.

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Alter wins another district title

By Kyle Nagel | Friday, March 5, 2010, 09:38 PM

MASON — The Alter girls basketball team looked to be in a small rut when the Knights, who spent much of the season ranked No. 1 in the state Division II AP poll, finished the regular season on a 2-2 stretch.

But now within two wins of a third straight trip to the state semifinals, the Knights look determined.

Led by 19 points from sophomore Allison Bockrath, Alter blitzed Wyoming 57-36 to win a D-II district title on Friday, March 5, at Mason Middle School. Alter will play the winner of Tippecanoe and Indian Hill at 8 p.m. Tuesday in a regional semifinal at Springfield High School.

Alter enters on a strong run.

“We’ve found our legs again,” said Alter coach Chris Hart.

Bockrath, Alter’s second-leading scorer at 8.5 points per game, made 6-of-9 shots off the bench for her third straight double-digit scoring effort. Whitney Dabbelt added nine points for the Knights (20-2), who forced 27 turnovers by Wyoming (18-4).

Alter led by as many as 26 points (57-31) and never trailed.

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It’s all over but the hardware handoff for Graham

By Marc Pendleton | Friday, March 5, 2010, 07:49 PM

The following is a report by DDN contributor John Cummings at Friday’s state wrestling meet:

COLUMBUS — Semifinals begin at 6:30.

Graham has advanced 9 to the semis and have 91.5 points … 58.5 points in first - it’s over.

Troy Christian has struggled. One in the semis (Kyle Burns 145) and is 5th with 25 points … looks like their reign is over.

42 Miami Valley wrestlers will return home with a medal this weekend.

D-I 135 has turned into a train wreck. Tyler Riegle and Jake Sage were both upset in the quarterfinals.

Shawn Fayette eliminated Sage 9-2 and faces Riegle in the consolation quarters … none of the top 4 ranked wrestlers in the weight class are in the semis.

Centerville is 8th in D-I with 21 points and have three in the semis - Brian Mathews (152), Nick Miller (189) and Kyle Rose (215). Miller will wrestle Springboro’s Tyler Franz in the semis.

In D-III, Miami East’s Zane Goldburg, Burns, Covington’s Andrew DeHart, Versailles’ Thomas Fullenkamp and Carlisle’s Nick LeForce are in the semis.

In D-II, Graham has 9 in the semis … joining the Falcons are Carroll’s Josh Nelson, Franklin’s Eric Hildenbrand and Valley View’s David Day.

Day will wrestle Travis McIntosh of Miami Trace. Day lost to McIntosh in the district semis last week in OT.

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CJ girls win district title in double overtime

By Kyle Nagel | Friday, March 5, 2010, 07:43 PM

MASON — The Chaminade Julienne girls basketball tram trailed for most of the game and had serious trouble gaining momentum.

But, after facing ties of 44-44 at the end of regulation and 48-48 after the first overtime, the Eagles made 6-of-8 free throws in the second overtime and held off Kenton Ridge 56-51 in a Division II district final on Friday, March 5, at Mason Middle School.

CJ’s Samarie Walker finished with 16 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Eagles into Tuesday’s regional semifinal against the winner of Columbus St. Francis DeSales and Hilliard Bradley (who play at 8:45 p.m. Friday) at Springfield High School.

To get there, CJ had to scrap out a win to improve to 18-5 as the No. 8-ranked team in the AP state poll.

An Emily Michael 3-pointer with 2:54 left in the game gave the Eagles a 43-42 lead, their first since leading 17-16 in the second quarter. They then made just 1-of-8 free throws in the final 2:08 of regulation as the game went into overtime.

CJ found some daylight in the second overtime and held off Kenton Ridge (19-5) with the strong final-period free-throw performance.

“We talked a lot before and after the game about poise,” said CJ coach Duane Williams, in his first year heading the Eagles. “There were times we didn’t do great, but we did it enough.”

Michael chipped in 14 points and six rebounds, while two little-used freshmen, Ja’Cole Tabor and Krista White, provided a late energy boost to help the lagging Eagles.

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Trotwood’s Graham (of those Grahams) providing energy

By Kyle Nagel | Thursday, March 4, 2010, 08:56 PM

Trotwood-Madison boys basketball coach Mark Baker was already nodding before I finished the question.

I was saying we had talked plenty this season about guards DaWuan Thomas and Darnell Tubbs, and rightfully so. Both have been two of the most electric players in the area this season, with Thomas’ great basketball IQ and Tubbs’ great athleticism.

But, is there a player for the Rams who most affects the game without scoring?

Baker was ready.

“Marcus Graham, definitely,” Baker said of the starting guard who doubles as the school’s starting quarterback. “He works hard, and he does anything you ask of him. He’s ready to practice every day, and he can score. He just chooses not to so he can help the team.”

Graham was part of Trotwood’s 74-45 Division I sectional tournament victory against Fairborn on Thursday, March 4, at UD Arena. The Rams (18-4 and No. 2 in the DDN area D-I ratings) burst out early to a 22-7 first-quarter lead, allowed Fairborn to come back and then separated with better defense.

Tubbs finished with 24 points, and Thomas added 14. And, even though he didn’t get to double digits in points, Graham — nephew of former Alter High and Ohio State great Jeff — continued to provide the spark.

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Fairmont continues rolling in sectional tourney

By Kyle Nagel | Thursday, March 4, 2010, 07:23 PM

Meet the No. 1 area sleeper in the boys basketball tournament: Fairmont.

After completing the regular season 12-8, the Firebirds have posted back-to-back impressive tournament performances, including a 74-61 defeat of Troy on Thursday, March 4, at UD Arena in a Division I sectional tournament game.

It was the Firebirds’ seventh straight win, and they improved to 14-8. They might also be the most improved team in the area, forced by a difficult injury situation.

Fairmont started the season with three key players missing time with injury - Sherman Wilkinson (a key energy player), Kevin Sharick (who had 14 points in a strong all-around game, mostly inside) and Austin Meddford (another 6-6 inside presence). Despite that, the Firebirds dropped their second game, against Wayne, by just 10 points. Later, in January, they lost to Trotwood-Madison, the area’s No. 2-rated big-school team after Wayne. That margin was two points.

Then, as the missing players returned, Fairmont improved. After a 68-60 loss against Wayne on Jan. 29 to drop their record to 7-8, the Firebirds started ripping off wins.

“I’m always most pleased when we guard,” said Fairmont coach Hank Bias.

Senior guard Mark Shadowens set a season high with 27 points against Troy, and it was the first time he scored more than 20 all season. He matches the team’s improvement heading into a sectional final against Sidney at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Nutter Center.

“Mark’s less concerned with Mark than he’s ever been,” Bias said. “He doesn’t care how many points he gets, but he wants to do the things to help us win.”

Like his coach, Shadowens said the defensive performance was key. On Thursday, like they have all season, the Firebirds did most of their damage inside, and that’s how they’ll continue to play. In transition and with passing, Fairmont looked strong throughout.

“We’re at our best when we’re playing well on defense,” Shadowens said.

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Miamisburg defending champ Fayette loses first state match

By Marc Pendleton | Thursday, March 4, 2010, 06:29 PM

The following is a report from DDN contributing writer John Cummings at the state wrestling tournament.

Defending state 135-pound champ Shawn Fayette of Miamisburg lost his opening round Divison I match.

Tied 5-5 with Mark Orth of Oregon Clay, Fayette was taken down to his back with :25 left in the match for the 10-5 setback.

Fayette defeated Brandon Flannery of Mason 1-0 in wrestlebacks.

Tyler Riegle of Springboro and Jake Sage of Fairmont both won first-round matches at 135 to move one match from a semifinal meeting.

Centerville’s Brian Mathews, Nick Miller and Kyle Rose all won first-round matches. Xenia’s Blake Lucas (285) rebounded from his first loss of the season last week in district finals to claim a 3-2 win.

Miami Valley wrestlers went 12-12 in opening-day D-I action.

Graham went 10-1 in the first round to take a 22.5 point lead in the Division II team race.

Troy Christian sits in fourth place after the first round of D-III action. The Eagles went 4-1 and have 12 points. TC is a three-time defending state team champion.

Miami East’s Allen Seagraves pulled the upset in match 1 of the tournament. Seagraves, who was fourth in his district, pinned the fourth ranked wrestler at 103 in D-III in 2:47 to advance. Teammate Zane Goldburg also advanced.

The wait for Nick LeForce was worth it. LeForce recorded 8 takedowns in a 21-6 technical fall in his first state match.

Dixie’s Ethan Hayes opened his run for a title with a 12-5 in in the first round.

Miami Valley D-III wrestlers went 16-8 in the first round.

Arcanum got its first win in program history when 125 Jared Beatty overcame a 6-2 first-period deficit to claim a 13-8 win.

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Alter continues improvement into sectional final

By Kyle Nagel | Tuesday, March 2, 2010, 10:48 PM

In early February, a few reporters were at Alter High School to visit with football players who were making their college commitments official. The ceremony was in a lunch room near the gym, and as it was winding down boys basketball practice was beginning.

I stopped by the gym to talk with coach Joe Petrocelli about how his season was going, since it was off to a rough start. The Knights were 7-7, but they had won three straight, including a defeat of state-ranked Chaminade Julienne.

A few days later, I wrote a column about Jaaron Simmons, who earlier in the season had become the first freshman to start for Alter. Ever.

That start came against Fairmont when Alter was 4-7. Since that game, as Simmons has played well and the Knights have improved following their late start because of the football team’s state-championship run, Alter has gone 8-3.

That streak continued Tuesday, March 2, when Alter topped Bellbrook (15-4) 55-53 in a Division II sectional semifinal at Lebanon High School. Alter improved to 12-10.

The bad news? Next up is Dunbar on Saturday. That will be a more serious test.

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Oakwood basking in biggest early-tournament upset

By Kyle Nagel | Monday, March 1, 2010, 08:53 PM

When the Oakwood and Fenwick boys basketball teams met in the regular season’s second game, Fenwick walked out a 71-40 winner.

Remembering that sting and trailing Fenwick 36-27 in the fourth quarter of a Division II first-round tournament game on Saturday, Feb. 27, the Lumberjacks made their mark. In the final few minutes, Oakwood outscored Fenwick 12-2 and got 2-of-3 free throws from senior Scott Feldmiller with 3 seconds left to beat Fenwick 39-38 and complete the most significant early-round upset of the boys or girls tournaments.

“There weren’t too many people I talked to who thought we had a prayer,” said Oakwood coach Paul Stone, whose team improved to 11-10 while knocking off 16-5 Fenwick.

The Lumberjacks advanced in the D-II tournament, the deepest in the area, to play at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Lebanon High School. Their reward if they win again? State-ranked Chaminade Julienne or reigning D-II state finalist Marshall, who meet in the 6 p.m. game before Oakwood-Wilmington.

“In our tournament, there aren’t any places to hide,” Stone said.

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Girls, boys district bowling tournaments rescheduled

By Marc Pendleton | Sunday, February 28, 2010, 04:01 PM

The girls district bowling tournament scheduled for Friday, Feb. 26, was postponed and rescheduled for Monday, March 1.

The boys district bowling tournament scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 27, was postponed and rescheduled for Tuesday, March 2.

Both districts are at Eastern Lanes in Middletown.

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Fairmont scores 2 fourth-quarter points, but survives

By Kyle Nagel | Saturday, February 27, 2010, 04:55 PM

TROY — Fairmont’s girls basketball team had a seemingly comfortable 34-24 lead entering the fourth quarter in its Division I sectional final matchup against Springboro.

The Firebirds ended up escaping by the skin of their teeth.

Springboro, one of the area’s most improved teams throughout the season, outscored Fairmont 10-2 in the fourth quarter but fell 36-34 on Saturday, Feb. 27. Those two Fairmont points were scored by UD recruit Cassie Sant, who fouled out with 4:27 left in the game and the Firebirds up 36-29.

Springboro then got a 3-pointer from Katie Schubert with 3:37 left and a lay-up following a missed free throw by Jordan Trimarco with 1:17 left. That made it 36-34 Fairmont and completed Springboro’s 10-0 run, but the Panthers weren’t able to get closer.

Fairmont turned the ball over with 37 seconds left, but a Springboro charge with 7.7 seconds left negated that chance. Then, after a missed Fairmont free throw with 6.6 seconds left, Springboro was unable to get a good luck as the top-seeded Firebirds, also No. 1 in the DDN area Division I ratings, advanced to play in next Saturday’s district final at Harrison High School.

Sant led Fairmont with 13 points, and fellow all-Greater Western Ohio Conference first-teamer Olivia Schretzman scored 13 for Springboro.

After she left the game, Sant had ice taped to her right shoulder, which coach Tim Cogan said began hurting during a tangle with a Springboro player under a basket during the game.

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