Houston earns SCL share for first time since 1990
By Tim Langevin
The Sidney-Trotwood boys basketball game Friday night had it all. An upset bid. Senior Night. And recognition of the 1981 District Title team which produced an 18-6 record. The only ingredient missing was a Homecoming Queen.
Trotwood jumped out to a 17-10 lead, but Sidney clawed back to take a 37-36 lead with 3:39 left in the third quarter on a pair of Patwaun Hudson free throws. But like all night long, the Rams answered with a burst of points and held on for the 67-62 win.
The Rams played without starting point guard Andre Yates, who averages 15.4 points and 5.5 assists per game. Dalin Byrd paced Trotwood with 12 points and Marcus Graham added 11 points.
As hot as it was inside, the Jackets shot 36 percent from the outside. Daniel Ocke and Zach Yinger both struggled from the field. Ocke was 6-of-17 and Yinger was 3-of-11. However, both finished with a double-double. Ocke scored a game high 15 points with 10 rebounds and Yinger added 12 points with 12 rebounds.
The fourteen-year-old freshman Hudson tallied 14 points on 4-of-9 shooting, including 4-of-4 from the foul line. Andy Beigel scored seven points off the bench on 3-of-5 shooting, including a long-range three.
Trotwood, winners of seven straight, improve to 15-4 overall and a perfect 10-0 in the GWOC North Division. The Rams play Edgewood this Saturday in tournament action at Centerville High School. Game time is 6:30 PM.
Sidney drops to 8-11 overall and 5-5 in the division. The Jackets’ season finale against Wayne was postponed last night and a makeup date has yet to be determined. Sidney plays Meadowdale (12-8) March 2 in the tournament at Trent Arena. Tip-off is 8:00 PM.
The high-stakes showdown between Fort Loramie and Houston proved costly for the Wildcats as the Redskins posted a convincing 65-32 victory Saturday night for a share of the SCL championship. Both teams finished with identical 10-2 marks.
It marks the first time since 1990 that Houston has won a SCL crown. Despite the loss, quite a turnaround for coach John Willoughby’s squad. Last year the Wildcats finished 10-11 overall.
Loramie jumped out to an 8-0 lead and never looked back, shooting a sizzling 57 percent from the field and outrebounding the Wildcats 38-17. It was pure dominance and pure energy from post player Chris Meyer. The 6′ 5″ senior scored 23 points on 11-of-14 shooting.
Loramie built a 32-15 halftime margin and extended the lead to 25 points in the final frame.
This game was a far cry from the previous meeting in December when Houston defeated Fort Loramie 50-47 in overtime. Since then, the Redskins have improved significantly.
Loramie coach Karl Ratermann told the SDN, “We are always looking to get better as the season progresses. One of our goals was to win the league and this win does that and gives us momentum heading into the tournament. We have been playing our best basketball the past two weeks.”
The only player in double figures for Houston was Josh Redd with 12 points.
Cody Albers and Nick Meyer added 15 and 10 points, respectively, for Loramie.
Loramie concludes the regular season 15-5 and Houston falls to 14-5 overall.
Both teams swing into tournament action this Saturday at Piqua High School. Houston plays Ansonia at 4:30 PM. and Fort Loramie takes on Riverside at 7:30 PM.
It was a serene afternoon in the Girls D-IV Sectionals at Sidney High School Saturday as all the top seeds advanced.
In a nip and tuck thriller, Lehman defeated Russia 49-48 to avenge last week’s loss. Lehman led 41-40 after three periods. The Lady Cavs held a four point lead late in the game before Russia’s Katie Borchers knocked down a three to cut the lead to one point. But that would do it.
Lindsey Spearman led all scorers with 18 points for Lehman. Kandis Sargeant and Christie Freytag each added 10 points.
Shana Meyer scored 12 and Borchers added 11 for Russia.
The Lady Cavs improve to 12-9 and play Jackson Center Wednesday at 7:30 PM. Russia ends its season at 9-12.
The next three games were blowouts. Label it “Blow Out Saturday.”
Jackson Center blew out Bradford 66-42 behind the trio of Brooke Richard with 20 points, Taylor Cummons with 18 points, and MacKenzie May’s 16 points.
The Lady Tigers jumped out to a 16-6 lead and coasted the rest of the way. They converted 17-of-23 foul shots.
JC improves to 14-7 and face battle-tested Lehman next.
Triad blasted Botkins 72-39 to improve to 17-4 overall. Four players landed in double figures for the Cardinals. Funderburgh paced the attack with 24 points. Smith was next with 15 total, followed by Drocchie with 13. Ober rounded the scoring with 12.
Logan Pitts had 11 points for the Lady Trojans.
Triad plays Springfield Catholic Central Wednesday at 6:00 PM.
Fort Loramie, poised for another deep tournament run, pounded Fairlawn 76-11 to give coach Carla Siegel her 218th win as the Lady Redskins improve to 16-5 overall.
Clair Ruhenkamp paced Loramie with 14 points. Darian Rose added 11 and Janel Olberding and Brooke Turner each chipped in with 10 a piece.
Loramie plays Troy Christian Tuesday at 7:30 PM.
Houston beat Mechanicsburg 47-39. The Lady Wildcats led 33-29 after three quarters, but outscored the Indians 14-10 in the final stanza to secure the win.
Houston trailed 14-11 after the first quarter before forging ahead 27-22 at the break.
Allison Roeth scored 15 points and Kristi Elliott added 11 for the victors.
Houston improves to 11-10 overall and play Riverside Tuesday at 6:00 PM.
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