Mother Nature was the clear winner for the second straight week…Some area teams schedules are starting to get very busy as athletic directors scramble to re-schedule games…Sidney faces a bounce back week after a disappointing loss…and no league races have been decided heading into the week.
Welcome to yet another snow-bound edition of This Week in Basketball. Volume Eight is sponsored by the Buschur Home Improvement Company. I am putting off digging out the car, and I suggest you do the same!
The Coldwater Cavaliers made a big statement last week, beating Celina and Delphos St John’s by a combined 50 points. The rout of the Blue Jays was especially noteworthy…Delphos entered the game 9-4 and unbeaten in the MAC, and shot out to an 11-0 lead. After that, total domination by the Cavaliers as they out scored the Jays 71-38 for the eye-opening win. Coldwater is one game back in the MAC race, and travels to Fort Recovery Friday before hosting Van Wert Saturday.
Buschurs Home Improvements is proud to the weekly sponsor of ‘This Week In Basketball’ on Press Pros.
St John’s, Marion Local,St Henry and Minster are all 3-1 in league play, and a total of 7 teams are within a game of the lead. Minster and Marion had Flyin’ to the Hoop games scheduled for Sunday and Monday, and key games Friday have Marion Local @ St John’s, New Bremen @ Minster and St Henry at New Knoxville. Still plenty to be decided with five weeks to go.
Sidney had the most disappointing loss of the week, blowing a 17 point second half lead and falling at Fairborn. The Jackets should bounce back against 4-11 Stebbins Tuesday night, then will need all hands on deck when Trotwood and its 100-point-plus offense comes to town Friday. The 10-1 Rams have topped the 130 point mark twice, and are averaging 103 points per game.
Senior Griffin Doseck and the Rockets have a two-game lead with five to play in Shelby County League action.
Speaking of the Rams, they have an NBA-type four games ahead of them this week, facing unbeaten and second ranked Pickerington Central at Flyin’ on Monday, hosting Tippecanoe Tuesday, and entertaining Northmont on Saturday.
Anna has a two game lead with five games to go in the Shelby County League race. Jackson Center is second, with Russia and red-hot Fort Loramie another game back. The Raiders get their first shot at the unbeaten, fourth ranked Rockets Tuesday night at Anna, while Jackson entertains Loramie in what could be an elimination game on Friday. The Tigers won the first meeting by 6, but the Redskins have won 5 straight and are a much different team than they were on December 14th
Twin Valley South and National Trail have established themselves as the top teams in the Cross County Conference. South has won 6 straight heading to Newton on Friday and Preble Shawnee on Saturday, Trail is 12-2 and winners of 7 straight, but the Blazers get a major test Tuesday night at 12-1 Brookville. Trail travels to 1-win Ansonia in league play Friday.
On the Girls side—Fort Loramie continued it’s roll, hitting a school-record 12 3-pointers in a blowout win over Russia. That’s 10 straight wins for the Redskins, who maintain a one game lead over Anna in the SCL. Fort Loramie hosts Houston Monday night in a makeup from Saturday, then travels to Jackson Center Thursday and 12-4 Miami East on Saturday.
Thursday’s win was significant for another reason…it was win number 399 for coach Carla Siegel.
Anna, meanwhile, is 12-2 heading into a Monday makeup game at home against Russia. The Rockets are at Houston Thursday, then travel to once beaten abd state ranked Minster on Saturday.
Saturday’s storm deprived fans of a marquee matchup between 14-1 Minster and Unbeaten Carroll, the top ranked team in Division II, at Flyin’ to the Hoop. The Wildcats continue to share the MAC lead with Versailles, and have a tough week ahead. Minster goes to 11-4 New Bremen Thursday before hosting Anna Saturday.
Loramie’s defense continues to be their calling card, but they had twelve 3-pointers in last week’s lopsided win over Russia.
The 11-3 Lady Tigers of Versailles, meanwhile, will host 12-3 Franklin Monroe Tuesday before facing Parkway in league play Thursday.
Four teams are still in the hunt in the Cross County Conference. Tri-Village is the leader at 15-1 and 8-0. The Patriots have won 14 straight and are at winless Tri-County North on Thursday. Covington and Miami East are next at 8-1…the 14-2 Buccs are out of league play this week, traveling to Greenville Monday and Jackson Center Saturday. The 12-4 Vikings are on the road at Bethel Thursday before hosting Fort Loramie on Saturday… and 12-3 Franklin Monroe, 7-2 in CCC play, has huge week ahead. The Jets follow their trip to Versailles with a league date at 12-4 Bradford Thursday and at 12-2 Troy Christian Saturday.
Congratulations to Miami East’s Morgan Haney, who broke her own school scoring record with 41 in a 74-44 romp over Ansonia last week. The senior had quite a night as she grabbed 5 rebounds, recorded 9 steals and handed out 9 assists as well.
Finally, the Tippecanoe Lady Red Devils have a healthy lead in th GWOC North, but their 40 game American Conference winning streak with ghet a serious test when Trotwood comes to town Thursday night. The 10-2 Rams will bring a 7 game winning streak into that showdown. Tipp also travels to 5-10 West Carrollton Wednesday and winless Sidney Saturday.
That’s it for this week…let’s hope for no more snow, and we’ll see yopu at the gym!
Buschurs Home Improvements is proud to the weekly sponsor of ‘This Week In Basketball’ on Press Pros.
Sidney had the toughest loss of the week, blowing a 17-point second lead on the road at Fairborn. The 'Jackets will likely rebound against Stebbins before facing Trotwood on Friday. (Press Pros File Photos)