Upcoming stretch key for Miamisburg’s GWOC hopes
In a nor- MIAMISBURG — mal year, Miamisburg High School athletic director Jason Osborne probably wouldn’t have received a Christmas card from boys basketball coach Tim Fries, based solely on the Vikings’ upcoming schedule.
But in a season of COVID- 19 regulations and quaran- tines, Miamisburg’s upcom- ing stretch is unavoidable with Wayne in back-to-back games and Centerville after that. The three-game stretch plays a key role in determin- ing the conference cham- pion with all three teams 5-1 in the Greater Western Ohio Conference.
“Any regular year you would look at this and say, ‘Jason Osborne what are you doing with the schedule?’” Fries quipped.
“Some of this is the result of bigger schools taking time off. Our goal is to get a 22-game season. … We just want to play. Just give us an opponent and we’re going to compete and play hard. It is a crazy, tough schedule but we like the challenge of that.”
Miamisburg (11-2) hosts Wayne (8-1) tonight. The teams play again Tuesday at Wayne. Wayne is ranked No. 6 in the AP state poll and Miamisburg is No. 10. Centerville also received votes and missed making the top 10 by one point.
The Vikings have enjoyed balanced scoring from senior Alex Ball (14.5 points per game), senior Evan Logan (9.8), junior Anthony Coppock (8.3), senior Evan Otteson (7.8), senior Luke Copsey (6.3) and sophomore Jackson McGohan (6.3).
McGohan averages a team- high 6.2 rebounds, while Ball (3.6) and Otteson (3.4) lead in assists.
Otteson’s biggest assist this season came in a 52-51 win against Centerville. Otteson grabbed a defensive rebound off a missed free throw with 6.1 seconds left, dribbled down the left sideline and passed to Logan in the cor- ner. Logan, with an Elks defender closing, launched the game-winning 3-pointer with 1.6 seconds left on the clock for the winner at the buzzer.
“Give up a good shot for a better shot,” Fries said of the team’s philosophy. “There’s greatchemistry on this team. They’re excited for the success anybody is having. After practices I have to shoo them away. They’re gym rats and they love being around each other . ... Having a team with- out egos and guys that like each other makes it fun to coach.”
Having five seniors — Ball, Copsey, Logan, Otteson and Osaho Ogebor — has helped with experience and lead- ership during a season of unknowns. Fries had to watch the first couple of games from his basement d uring quarantine. The Vikings have had all the players on their 15-man roster available twice this season.
“With the pandemic and not having a summer, not really knowing what you have coming in here, these guys have exceeded expectations in being really consistent,” Fries said.
“When you look at us we may not be as talented but we make up for it with guys who want to play together. Guys who stick together with our system and our game plan. When you see it pay off it’s very rewarding.”
Elks idle: Centerville postponed two games due to COVID concerns. Centerville was schedule to play at Springfield tonight and host Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary’s on Sunday.
“Our varsity boys basketball team has been placed in quarantine in response to a COVID situation. We will resume normal activities on Tuesday, January 19th,” Centerville AD Rob Dement said.
Centerville is scheduled to host Miamisburg on Jan. 22, which would be its first game back.
SWBL showdown: Waynesville (7-3 overall, 6-0 Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division) travels to Preble Shawnee (10-2, 5-2 Buckeye Division) on Friday.
Waynesville won the first meeting 70-64 on Dec. 8 behind senior Kohl Todd’s 34 points. Freshman Mason Shrout scored 32 for Shawnee. Shrout leads the SWBL in scoring with 21.9 points. Senior Bryce Singleton averages 19.8 points and an SWBL-leading 10.7 rebounds. Junior Xavier Adams adds 10.5 points and 6.8 rebounds.