District Recap: Trotwood rolls; Dunbar finishes Wyoming late; Taft spoils Carroll party; Country Day stops Brookville; State Berth on the Line tonight as Alter, Carroll girls collide

Here's the recap of District Final Games this week

Star G Amir Foster goes up for 3 in win vs Urbana 

Trotwood stymies Urbana  
The Rams used patience, a balanced effort and smothering D to throttle Urbana 86-52.
While the game was close in the 1st, Trotwood turned up the pressure and the result was a 24-5 quarter Urbana could not recover from.
 The Rams had 4 scorers in double figures, and will now move on to the Regional Semis to face the team that put them out of the tourney last season in Taft.


Dunbar McConnell leads Wolves past Wyoming
Dunbar star F Caleb McConnell dropped a couple key buckets late, the Wolverines used a 10-0 spurt to end the game and the Wolverines moved back to the Regional Semis after a 66-56 win.
Wyoming had tied the game after being down 7 going into the 4th (45-38) but rallied to tie it up and had a breakaway to take the lead. After the turnover from Wyoming, Dunbar put the game away and will march on. The Wolverines had 3 players (Cook, Baker, McConnell) in double figures.



Taft D shuts Carroll down to get win  
The Senators came out cold as ice, and Carroll was hitting on all cylinders to take a 19-3 lead in the 1st quarter.
After the 1st quarter, it was all Taft as the Patriots would not score in double digits in the last 3 quarters to fall 52-40. While Taft looked bad, Carroll had the momentum. But Taft continued to battle, and the interior defense took over while the offense started to click.
Taft will face Trotwood in the Regional Semis

Country Day too much for Brookville
Cincy Country Day moved on to the Regionals after a convincing win over Brookville. Country Day was hitting on all cylinders, and Brookville couldn't match the offense.





Star Players of the Week  - Who were the top players in District Finals?

Amari Davis - Trotwood   - Davis dropped another 20 spot on great shooting, and has his flow going.

Caleb McConnell -  Dunbar  - McConnell hit a huge 3 to snap a tie game late and another to send the Wolverines to the next round. He ended with 19 and 7 rebs

Ezyontae Brazzle -  Taft  - Brazzle dropped 19 and kept the Senators afloat until they took over the game

Malek Green   - Taft  - The big man was huge, with a  double double (10 pts, 12 rebs, 2 blks) and provided inside presence for a Taft win

Torrey Patton  - Trotwood  - The smooth PG added another great all around game to the resume (19 pts, 8 assists, 7 rebs, 3 stls) to lead the Rams

Lonnie Grayson  - Wyoming  - Grayson did everything in the game, with 16pts, 6 reb, 4 dimes, 1 blk and 2 steals in the loss

Eli Ramsey  -  Carroll  - The big forward was the most effective player for Carroll with 12 pts and 5 boards, and 2 blocks to add

Levi Boettcher   - Urbana  - Boettcher was rock solid, with a double double (15pts, 11rbs, 3 dimes, 2 blocks) in the loss.




Girls (D-2)
State Semifinal Berth Tonight  on the line Between Carroll and Alter

Two of the best teams in D-2 will go at it tonight with a State Semifinal Berth on the line as Carroll (23-4) will take on Alter (24-2) @ Springfield HS (7pm).

The 2-time Defending State Champs are led by All-American Candidate  Braxtin Miller, who is headed to Oklahoma State. The PG has put the team in another position to reach the State, which is the stuff of legends.
On the other hand, you have a hungry and focused Carroll team, who has steamrolled everyone in their way.
They are led by All-State baller Amanda Schroeder, who is a serious threat all over the court and at 6'0 can post up with the best of em.
Only problem is, she averaged 7 ppg against Alter this season, both losses.
Can the Patriots pull off the upset?

District Finals Tonight at UD Arena; Weekend Recap: Trotwood cruises; Dunbar rallies; Ponitz falls; Northmont pushes on; Stars of the Weekend

Here the recap on Saturday and Sunday games in Southwest Ohio in the Miami Valley:

Star Player Devon Baker led Wolverines with 29 in win vs.  C-J

Dunbar rallies, outlasts C-J 
 In a emotional roller coaster of a game, Dunbar used a gritty 4th quarter and some clutch play to rally past C-J and win the Sectional.

  Early in the game, Dunbar dictated the flow, and held a lead in the first half. But Eagles star G Christian Montague  got going, and once he did? The entire Eagles offense followed suit as they went on a 26-10 and took a commanding lead (56-49) into the 4th off a half court shot by P'Hariz Watkins.

Dunbar then used the 4th quarter, at full strength, to battle back, then a Chris Jackson bomb gave the Wolverines a lead late in the 4th they would never relinquish.

Star G Devon Baker led the Wolverines with 29 as he clearly was the dominant player on the court.
Up next for Dunbar?
 Cincy Wyoming

C-J P'Hariz Watkins takes on Dunbar Devon Baker in Sectional Final

Trotwood handles business, stops Valley View
 The Rams jumped out on Valley View and never looked back as they shut down the Spartans to single digits in the 1st 2 quarters of the game to roll to a 83-40 win. While the game wasn't flashy, it was all substance for the #1 State Ranked Rams as they won the Sectional Final at UD Arena.

 The Rams were led by Sophomore Star G Amari Davis, (20pts) who has vowed to do work this season at the Arena after his tough ending last season. Also big man Justin Stephens did damage on the defense, with 4 big blocks, and holding down the paint, shutting down the Spartans interior plans.
 The Rams stifling D was the main reason for the lopsided score.
Up next? Urbana for the District Final tonight.



Northmont wins Sectionals, stops Boro'
Northmont continued it's great play with a emphatic win over Sprinboro.
The inside outside duo of Vinson Walker & Christian Wilson was too much for the Boro to handle as the Bolts won 63-50. Wilson had 18 to lead the troops, while Walker dropped a double double (12 pts, 17reb) to help the cause.
 With the win it puts the Bolts in position to win a District title this week.
While they won't be the favorite,  it does show that  
they have came a long way this season, and they are not a fluke. With all the tools to make a state run, can Northmont continue to roll in the District Finals?
Up next: Mason


Carroll squeaks past Ponitz  
Ponitz had a chance late in the game to grab the victory, but a couple tough plays and a Star performance by F Stafford Stevens (25pts, 7 rbs) moved the Patriots over the Panthers 45-43.

    In a game that featured great defense, timely FT  shooting, and a lot of drama, Carroll defeated another City league opponent for a Sectional Title in back to back years.

  While the game was tight late, the Patriots experience and a couple key plays was the difference.
 Carroll didn't make a 3-ptr in the entire game, but they hit 19 FTs, which helped them tremendously; they will take on Taft tonight;
  The Panthers coaching staff was upset about the loss, but knows they had a good first season.

Ponitz big man Eric Sealey Jr. led the Panthers with his gritty play, similar to a Dennis Rodman style presence that Coach Pittman had talked about.

The 6-3 junior F had a season high 16 rebounds; but it was his defense, his intensity and leadership which kept Ponitz in the game in the 1st half when shots weren't falling. Ponitz only scored 14 points in the 1st half.



Taft defeats Hughes  
Cincy Taft delivered a huge w with a gutty performance over top seeded Hughes. Hughes has had a very good season, beating Taft twice;
But Taft showed why they could be a force to be reckoned with as they fought, grabbed a late lead, and was able to hold on for a Sectional Title.
Up next? Carroll



Wyoming stops Woodward in 2 OTs
 Top seeded Cincy Wyoming was able to overcome 2 OTs in order to put down Woodward.
While it looked like Woodward was about to stun Wyomng, they were able to force OT, and outlast Woodward.
Wyoming will now travel to UD Arena to face Dunbar tonight.



Brookville continues to roll 
 Brookville garnered another Sectional title with a easy win last week.
 Can they grab another District title this week?
With a good coaching staff and a couple stars on display, could Brookville reach the Regionals? They will have to defeat #1 seed Summit County Day.




Key Games Tonight
District Finals 

5:30    Trotwood  vs  Urbana    
Can Urbana continue its great run? Or will they be overwhelmed by the highest scoring & scariest team in the OHSAA Tournament?
Trotwood is averaging 104 points a game. Can Urbana match that offensive firepower, or shift the game in their favor?


7:30    Carroll   vs  Cincy  Taft 
Can Carroll continue to play their way, led by Star F Stafford Stevens? Or will talented and well coached Taft win the District Finals again in UD Arena just like last year?
In a game that will feature 2 different styles, who will win the huge matchup?


9:30    Dunbar   vs  Cincy Wyoming 
 Can Dunbar knock off the #1 seed in the bracket?  They will have the home game, but Wyoming is up for the challenge, as they were tested in the last game, a 2 OT thriller over Woodward. Dunbar is playing at a very high level. With both teams having great talent, should be a heck of a game.


Stars of the Sectional Weekend 

Here's the top players from the Sectional  Weekend  

Amari Davis, Trotwood  - Davis dropped 20 to lead Rams to easy W, and added a vicious dunk to match

Keegan Saben, Centerville  - Saben was unstoppable in halting Wayne Train; inside, outside, and at the line for a game high 25 points

Mike McKay,  Springfield  -McKays big basket helped lead the Wildcats over Xenia and a Sectional title

Devon Baker, Dunbar  - Baker clutch play and 29 points help propel the Wolverines

Stafford Stevens, Carroll  - Stevens grinded his way to a tough 27 & 7 and a Sectional win

Christian Wilson, Northmont  - Wilson led the Bolts with 18 in a Sectional win

Vinson Walker, Northmont  - Walker worked hard for 17 monstrous boards to go with 12 points in a huge double double performance to help lead Northmont to a win

Christian  Montague, C-J  In a loss, Montague was spectacular against State Ranked Dunbar,  dropping 27 & 6 reb

Chris Jackson, Dunbar  -The clutch sharpshooter delivered when it counted hitting the go ahead 3, and added 17 & 7 Reb to get Dunbar the Sectional title

Milton Gage, C-J  - Gage was downright nasty as well, pouring in 23 on a variety of moves in a loss

Justin Stephens, Trotwood  - The big man completely dominated the paint against Valley View, with 4 blocks

Eric Sealey Jr, Ponitz - Sealey, who could be the next great rebounder who is unknown, hauled in 16 boards, played shutdown defense, and kept the Panthers in the game






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