Botkins, Lehman pull upsets in Sectional Tourney
By Tim Langevin
The calendar has turned March, provoking plenty of Madness.
Number 10 seed Botkins didn’t waste any time, playing the role of “Mayhem”, taking down #3 seed Jackson Center. In the nightcap, #6 seed Lehman knocked out #4 seed Covington.
All this at the Boys D-IV Piqua Sectionals’ second round of double-thriller action Tuesday.
Threes Company Crew – Heath Geyer, Ethan Zimpfer, and Justin Schwartz – combined for 35 points, enough to offset SCL Player of the Year Andy Hoying’s 22 points, to pull off the huge upset 47-46 before a packed house.
During the regular season, Jackson Center beat Botkins twice, 46-29 and 51-35. That was then. This was the first day of March.
The Tigers jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead on a three by Trey Elchert and a bucket in the paint by Hoying. The lead was short-lived as the Trojans battled back with a three from Zimpfer.
Botkins enjoyed the lead most of the night and grabbed a 13-10 first quarter lead, never to surrender.
This one was enough to cudgel one’s brains as Jackson Center coach said, “Give Botkins credit. They had a good game plan and they found a way to win.”
The Tigers bow out with an impressive 16-6 record.
Botkins coach Brett Meyer said, “Defensively, we wanted to keep the game in the 40′s. We accomplished that. A lot of guys stepped up big for us tonight.”
Botkins stretched the halftime margin 23-18, courtesy of four points from Schwartz and a three-ball from Geyer.
It looked like Botkins was going to run away with it, leading 41-33 after Zimpfer made 1-of-2 free throws with just 1:32 remaining in the game.
Gut-check.
The Tigers mounted a serious comeback. Elchert stroked the pill from long-range. Hoying scored inside on a stickback and then converted 3-of-4 foul shots. Just like that, the lead shrinked 44-41 with 26.6 seconds left.
Crunch time.
Schwartz canned 1-of-2 free throws for a four-point lead, but JC sophomore Alex Meyer nailed a clutch three from the perimeter to close the gap 45-44 with 14.6 ticks left.
Geyer drained two foul shots to build a 47-44 advantage with still 14.6 left after a quick foul. Then Hoying took the inbounds pass coast-to-coast for the score to make it 47-46 with 8.1 left.
Schwartz was fouled immediately with seven seconds left and the unthinkable happened. He missed both. Hoying grabbed the rebound and bolted down the floor with the game hanging in his balance, only to lose control as time expired.
Upset special.
The Botkins trio all landed in double figures. Geyer led with 13 points and Zimpfer and Schwartz each tallied 11 points.
The Trojans improve to 5-16 and look to slay Lehman in the Sectional Finals Friday at Piqua at 7:00 PM.
Not a shocker like the first game, but a sweet taste of redemption for Lehman as the Cavaliers avenged a 72-67 loss to Covington earlier in the season on this same floor (Holiday Tournament) with a 62-58 defensive stand.
First-year Lehman coach Isaiah Williams has been preaching defense to his young disciples all season. His message finally hit home as the Cavaliers have reeled off three straight wins.
“It really started for us at the St. mary’s game,” Williams said. “They were a big physical team and we came back on them. We have been on the rise ever since. The kids are getting the hang of it. they realize you can’t expect to score every game. But if you play hard on the other end, you have a chance to win.”
The team responded, forcing the Buccs into 17 turnovers and scoring in transition. Against Russia last Friday, the Cavs forced 20 turnovers. Conversely, Lehman committed just eight turnovers in each of the past two games.
Senior guard Jon Slagle said, “Coach has been harping on defense all season. I think he finally got through to us that defense wins games.”
Sharpshooter Alex Baker was feeling it early as he stroked two picture-perfect threes to give the Cavs a 6-2 lead. Tyler steinke, coming off an 18-point performance, added two free throws and Lehman was off and running.
Nick Cordonnier expanded the biggest lead of the game 30-17 with a three from the top of the key with 2:10 left until the break. Cordonnier led all scorers with 20 points. The 6′ 5″ senior dazzled the crowd with inside spin moves, two long-range threes, and 6-of-8 from the charity stripe. He was 5-of-6 at the line in the pivotal fourth quarter.
Covington responded with a 9-0 run to trim the margin 30-26 early in the third quarter. Eric Beckstedt nailed a three. Kody Spade duplicated and then Beckstedt added a throw and Dylan Owens made two foul shots.
Beckstedt finished with 20 points, including four trifectas.
Cordonnier halted the run with his second three of the game.
Martin Leistner tied the game 35-35 at the 4:10 mark of the third quarter with two throws. Leistner was held to four points, 10 below his season average by defensive stopper Joe Staley.
Williams said, “Staley is the stopper. He defends the opponents best ball-handler every game. He could score more points, but he accepts his role.”
Covington took the lead for the first time 39-38 on two freebies by Josh Boehringer to end the third. Dylan Owens added two more throws to take a slim 41-38 edge. The momentum shifted in the Buccs favor.
Then Baker drained a three from the top and was fouled. He made the foul shot for a four-point-play and just like that Lehman up 42-41 with 7:15 left in the game.
Baker finished the game with 10 points, including three triples.
“That was huge,” said Williams. “He had the right play and the right screen called at the right time.”
The Buccs quickly retaliated with a three-point-play from Dylan Owens to reverse the score 44-42.
Two possessions later, Slagle stole the ball, bolted down the court, elevated to the second floor, and finished with a two-handed throw down. Game tied 44-44.
That aroused the crowd.
Williams said, “That was another big play. That gave us some energy down the stretch.”
Dr. Dunk finished with 11 points, including 6-of-8 from the charity stripe. Slagle had a dunk against Russia.
Slagle said, “I’m not sure how I learned to dunk. Just worked at it. The main thing, we got the win. Its been terrific. A great group of guys around me in football and basketball. I hope to play college basketball.”
Slagle’s dunk spurred an 18-14 run to end the game and preserve the mild upset.
Steinke was the fourth starter in double figures for Lehman with 14 points, 12 coming from the foul line.
Lehman was 25-of-35 from the stripe for the game. That’a a 74 percent clip.
Covington ends the season 12-9.
Lehman improves to 11-11 and faces Botkins Friday at 7:00PM.
Said Williams, “We will get after it and so will they. I understand there is some history between the two schools. It should be a great game.”
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