Basketball
continued from C1 coach last June, then recommitted and signed with OSU last month after being won over by new coach Chris Holtmann, who left Butler.
“It was a time I was uncertain,” Justin Ahrens said. “I needed to take a step back in my recruitment and see things through again, in case I got a coach that I didn’t like. That wouldn’t be good. I’m excited and looking forward to it and hopefully I can get my brother to go there, too.”
For now, the plan is to get Versailles back to a state final four, something the Tigers haven’t done since 2013 when Kyle Ahrens was a high-flying junior. Versailles appeared on that path last season, Travis Swank’s debut as coach, until falling 61-46 to Roger Bacon, the D-III state runner-up, and finishing 25-2.
Justin leads the Tigers in scoring (28.0 points) and AJ is second (11.3). Their on-court connection is special.
“It’s cool,” AJ said. “It’s fun to have someone on the team like that who can make plays. It opens up a lot for you on the court, too.”
Versailles is a two-time defending MAC champion with a 13-game win streak mounted over the last three seasons. And the Versailles boys aren’t the only celebrated show in Darke County. The undefeated Versailles girls were the D-III state runner-up last season. Just like the boys, the girls team (7-0) hasn’t been pushed yet.
■ Trotwood-Madison (2-1) had a rematch at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary last Saturday, falling 81-71. The Rams also lost to the Irish 62-60 on a last-second shot in the D-II state final last March. Trotwood had beaten Akron SVSM 100-61 in that regular season.
As expected, Myles Belyeu (25.0) and Amari Davis (16.5) lead Trotwood in scoring. Getting the D-III state title football kinks out will be key for many of the others: The pair combined for all but seven points in the Akron SVSM game.
■ Xenia’s Samari Curtis (29.0) leads the Greater Western Ohio Conference in scoring, but Wayne’s Darius Quisenberry (21.3) is closing. The senior guard scored a season-high 32 points in a 71-64 win at Beavercreek following a 20-point effort vs. Fairmont. He also leads the GWOC in assists (7.3).
Wayne (3-0) is at Lima Senior in a two-day holiday tourney this weekend.
■ Bethel (4-0) is off to a great Cross County Conference start behind Ryan Rose (25.5 points) and Kendal James (20.5). Missing in the lineup is all-time Bees leading scorer Caleb South. The senior injured a foot in preseason and is looking to a mid-January return.
South averaged 24.6 points as a junior and was All-Ohio D-III second team.
■ Kenton Ridge (2-0) has reason to celebrate. The Cougars snapped a 22-game regular-season losing streak (over two seasons) by beating Catholic Central in the season opener and followed up with a 60-56 defeat of Graham. Kenton Ridge was 0-21 last season, then stunned Indian Lake 64-56 in a D-II sectional opener.
■ James Anderson is a big reason Troy Christian is 4-0. The 6-9 senior is averaging 24.7 points and a Metro Buckeye Conference-best 15.7 rebounds. Contact this reporter at 937225-2381 or email Marc. Pendleton@coxinc.com.