Memo to those who vote in the national polls: Dayton Dunbar deserves a spot.
Playing before a packed house of 3,200-plus at Kettering’s Trent Arena, Dunbar walloped nationally-ranked Whitney Young from Chicago 98-76 on Sunday in the Flyin to the Hoop basketball invitational.
The Dolphins (12-3), who entered the game ranked No. 9 in the country, should have never come to Ohio. In a game that featured no lead changes, Dunbar (10-0) put its foot on the gas pedal during warm-ups and never let off en route to the convincing win over what some believed to be a superior foe.
The worst part for Whitney Young? The game wasn’t even as close as the final score.
Ahead 28-15 after the first quarter, Dunbar led 50-31 at half. In the third quarter the Wolverines held their largest advantage 74-35. It was 80-47 heading into the fourth.
Dunbar coach Peter Pullen pulled his starters with two minutes left in the third.
Dunbar standout senior Geron Johnson proved he’s one of Ohio’s top players – and arguably its best guard – by pouring in 13 points, six rebounds and five assists in 22 minutes. He was one of six Wolverines in double-figures.
Delve Givens led the charge with 19 points, while Deon Stewart chipped in 17. Ryan Bass had 13 and Derrick Benson and Devon Carter each had 10.
As a team, Dunbar shot 58-percent from the floor for the game, forced 23 turnovers and had 16 steals, which led to a 33-8 advantage in points off turnovers.
The question now is where and if Dunbar will be ranked in the national polls.
Heading into the game, Whitney Young was No. 9 in the Rivals.com national poll and No. 16 in the USA Today Super 25.
Dunbar wasn’t ranked in Rivals Top 100. Cincinnati Princeton is the only other Ohio school to even sniff the rankings (No. 42 in Rivals and ranked regionally by USA Today).
Looks like it’s time for another Ohio school to enter the fray.
Another question now is, how good is Dayton Chaminade-Julienne?
The Eagles, ranked No. 2 in the Division II JJHuddle Power Poll behind Dunbar, lost to the Wolverines by five earlier this season on Dunbar’s home court.
Both CJ and Dunbar are in the same sectional tournament.
