Brothers leading senior-year push

Justin and AJ Ahrens have Versailles at 4-0, eyeing playoff return.

At Versailles, it’s always DAYTON — good to have an Ahrens in the lineup. Or two.

These are the best of times for senior brothers Justin and AJ Ahrens. They are the final family link to an outstanding run of Versailles High School boys basketball that began with older brother Kyle Ahrens, now a hardluck junior (out with a re-broken foot) at Michigan State University.

Unbeaten Versailles ventured into dreaded Greater Catholic League Co-Ed North territory at Chaminade Julienne on Tuesday night. A stinging Division III regional semifinal loss to Cincinnati Roger Bacon of the GCL Central last season has provided the brothers with a final-season sense of urgency as seniors.

“Late in the season we see teams like this, Badin, Bishop Fenwick, Roger Bacon, yes, bad memories from last year,” Justin Ahrens said after scoring 34 points in a 68-40 blitz of CJ. “We knew coming in the pressure we get from Dayton teams. They make us run the floor the get out on fast breaks and play fast, too. We’ve got to get used to that.”

Justin Ahrens has delivered for Versailles (4-0). He surpassed 1,000 career points as a junior and put a program-record 46 points on Celina in the season opener to go with a school-record 10 3-pointers.

There are many upsides to his game. At 6-feet-5, he easily can run the point, hit the 3, rebound and defend any team’s best player. No wonder Ohio State was among the many major basketball programs at the next level who wanted him. Ahrens de-committed from the Buckeyes when Thad Matta wasn’t renewed as the Buckeyes