Anna’s boys and girls steamrolling foes
PHOTOS: ANNA 90, TRI-COUNTY NORTH 15
Here come the Rockets.
Anna is rolling. Both boys and girls.
Thursday night Anna’s boys opened Division III tournament play with a 90-15 rout of one-win Tri-County North. The game was 45-5 at halftime.
Ouch.
But consider…Anna’s girls have been just as dominant if not more.
The Rockets beat Dixie 105-22 in the sectional opener and downed Preble Shawnee 89-39 in the sectional semifinals. Anna meets Miami East in the sectional final Saturday.
So far that’s three games combined between the boys and girls and three wins by the combined score of 284-76. That averages out to 95-25 per game.
Why the animosity?
Are the Rockets sending a message? They won’t say so, but I like to think so.
For weeks I’ve been saying that Middletown Madison and their undefeated teams – both boys and girls – have possibly just two real serious challengers en route to state tournament berths.
Madison’s girls could face Columbus Africentric in the regional semifinals, while the boys would get a serious test from Cincinnati Taft at that same stage should both squads make it that far.
Anna, though, would be the regional final opponent for both teams if all four advanced one step shy of state.
Anna plays a tougher schedule than the Mohawks – no question the Shelby County League and Midwest Athletic Conference are better than the Southwestern Buckeye League in basketball. Do the Rockets have a better team? That remains to be seen.
Dixie and Shawnee are both members of the SWBL Buckeye Division as is Madison.
The Mohawks girls beat the Greyhounds twice (91-30 and 83-31) and also routed the Arrows twice (72-14 and 95-43) during the regular season.
The Tri-County North boys lone win this season? 50-46 over SWBL member Eaton.
Take that for what it’s worth…But if these two teams hook up in either the boys or girls tournament – that game will be worth admission.
BILLING NAMED SCL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Derek Billing earned Shelby County Player of the Year honors for the second straight season. The senior standout has guided the Rockets to three SCL titles, an 18-2 record this season, and a 66-7 mark the past three seasons.
The 6′ 2″ guard, headed for Division II Lake Superior next season, led the league in scoring with a 20.4 average, shooting 59 percent from the field and 73 percent from the foul line.
In addition, Billing led his team in assists with 79, steals with 55, and averaged 5.4 rebounds a game.
Fort Loramie big man, Mark Frilling, was runner-up in the voting for a second straight year. The Findlay-bound post player averaged 12.6 points a game and 9.2 rebounds. Hampered by foot injuries throughout the season, Frilling collected 31 blocks.
Just a side not, Billing gained over 2,000 yards receiving during his football career and scored over 1,000 points during his basketball career. How many athletes have accomplished this feat? Maybe Chris Carter back in the day?
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