Alter and guard Gavin Leen (21 pts., above) proved to be a step better than Jonathan Alder with their 63-42 win at Vandalia. (Press Pros Feature Photos)
Jonathan Alder won its first district title since 1979 to earn a regional matchup against Kettering Alter, and the Pioneers learned from one of Ohio’s most successful programs what it takes to win at this level.
Vandalia, OH – Thursday night was Jonathan Alder’s turn for the ritual that comes for all but four boys high school basketball teams in Ohio. The time-honored tradition that comes when the season is over and head coaches go around the locker room, give each player a hug and thank them.
When Alder head coach Derek Dicke came to his only senior and best player, he had a message for Peyton Heiss that few players hear.
“I told him you’re a legend,” Dicke said. “You’re a legend in the Jonathan Alder community.”
Veteran columnist Jeff Gilbert writes Ohio State basketball and OHSAA sports for Press Pros Magazine.com.
Heiss scored 15 points and did everything he could for his team in a 63-42 loss to Kettering Alter in the Division II region semifinals at Butler High School. And he did everything he could all season by averaging 21 points and being voted the Central District Division II player of the year.
“He’s a legend to me,” Dicke said. “I’ve been around a lot of great players. That kid works. For 16 straight weeks, he never missed a 6 a.m. workout.”
Heiss and his teammates made basketball more relevant in Plain City than it’s been since 1979. That’s the last time the Pioneers won a district title until this season.
“It’s been amazing just the relationships I’ve built from the start of the year to now bonding with every single one of those dudes in that locker room,” Heiss said. “No one thought we’d be here, and that’s how I like it the most, being the underdog. Coming out on top was amazing for the district title. Losing the last one here tonight sucks. But I’m proud of what we fought through and accomplished.”
Derek Dicke guided the Pioneers to a 15-10 record and their first district title since 1979.
Dicke, in his second season, guided the Pioneers to a 15-10 record and a surprising tournament run as a No. 6 seed. They defeated Bishop Ready 64-44 and Bishop Watterson 54-44 to play in the regionals against the state’s ninth-ranked team.
“There’s got to be a winner, there’s got to be a loser, but that can’t take away from what we did and what we did for the community of Jonathan Alder that hadn’t been done in 45 years,” Dicke said. “They left a legacy.”
Alter (20-7) will play Cincinnati Wyoming at 7 p.m. Saturday at Butler in its third straight regional final. The Knights, who went to state two years ago, taught Alder what it takes to be a regular this deep in the postseason.
The Knights missed all eight of their three-point attempts in the first quarter, and the Pioneers led 8-7. But the Knights kept shooting as they always do, confidence never waning, and used a 17-3 run to close the first half for a 32-18 lead.
R.J. Greer, the Knights’ best player, scored all 13 of his points in the second quarter to spark the big run. Gavin Leen scored 17 of his game-high 21 points in the second half on drives, three 3-pointers and free throws. Alter finished with nine 3-pointers.
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“They’re a super talented team who can shoot it,” Heiss said.
The Knights also played their typical stingy defense with an active 3-2 zone and just enough full-court pressure to make the Pioneers uncomfortable. They struggled to get wide-open perimeter shots and driving lanes to the basket.
Dicke brought some tall players into practice this week to help prepare for Alter’s length.
“Those guys (Alter) know what they’re doing, and they’re very good at it.” – Jonathan Alder coach Derek Dicke
“But it’s nothing like the real thing,” Dicke said. “Those guys know what they’re doing, and they’re very good at it.”
Heiss, whose summer basketball doesn’t cross paths with the Alter players, was impressed by Alter’s defense.
“They’re super long and their length hurt us, especially on their defensive end and in the passing lanes,” he said. “They’re a well-coached team, they play hard. I think they’ll make a run.”
Along with finding their range from deep, the Knights’ pressure created some turnovers and easy baskets that further buried the Pioneers on the scoreboard.
“I didn’t think they pressured hard,” Dicke said. “We kind of walked it up and let them get set and come at us more. We needed to attack it more, but those kids have probably repped that a million times. They know what they’re doing.”
Alter owns 30 district titles, 10 regional titles and three state titles. Alder, Dicke hopes, is just getting started.
“We only graduate one guy, so I just told those younger guys, this is the norm now,” Dicke said. “Yeah, it was hard to get here. It’s going to be harder next year, but this is the norm.”
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