Two from the GWOC claim Division I titles
CINCINNATI
— It was a banner day for the Greater Western Ohio Conference Saturday at Xavier’s Cintas Center as Trotwood-Madison and Wayne claimed Division I district championships.
Trotwood-Madison scored four points in the last 17 seconds to scrape by Lasalle 51-50 and Wayne followed by holding Fairfield to 36 percent shooting in a 49-45 triumph.
The Rams and Warriors meet Wednesday at 6:15 back at the Cintas Center for a berth in the regional finals.
In the opener, Trotwood senior Kendrick Mallory could hear the Lasalle faithful getting louder as he stepped to the free-throw line with 17 seconds left.
Trailing 48-47, Mallory took a quick glance at a suddenly quiet Trotwood cheering section, took a deep breath and calmly made both shots, helping the Rams seal the win.
Trotwood made the big plays late, as Mallory followed with a layup after a steal as the Rams eliminated the Lancers.
Dazhontae Bennett had a game-high 23 points and pulled down nine rebounds while Mallory finished with 12 points for Trotwood, which won its 10th straight to improve to 23-2.
“No sir, I wasn’t nervous,” Mallory said of his late-game free throws. “This game came down to who wanted it more, who was the biggest dog. The best team on the court won.”
The high-scoring Rams were held in check by the defensive-minded Lancers. Lasalle dictated a half-court game but Trotwood coach Rocky Rockhold said his team proved it can play that style if necessary.
“There were people saying you can’t play LaSalle in the 50s, that Trotwood has to score in the 70s to win, but we showed as a group we can grind it out if we need to,” Rockhold said.
“LaSalle is so patient, it was hard for us to force turnovers like we are used to. We knew coming in it would be a dogfight and that is what is was. “
Bennett was fantastic in the first half, tallying the Rams’ first nine points and 13 overall. Trotwood led 22-17 after a Mallory layup with 3:44 left in the half but LaSalle finished the half on a 7-0 run to grab a 24-22 lead at the break.
The Lancers pulled ahead in the third quarter 31-24 but Trotwood kept coming back, grabbing the lead 34-33 on an Andre Foster shot.
LaSalle, which finished 18-6, was led by C.J. Flemming and Tim Bell, each with 15 points. The Lancers missed three free throws late.
In the second game, Wayne shot 18-of-32 from the field and held the Greater Miami Conference-champion Indians to 15-of-41 shooting.
“I am real pleased, kinda getting a monkey off our back,” said Wayne coach Travis Trice, who had lost in the previous five district title games.
“I know there are great teams in Cincinnati but there are some teams in the GWOC as good as anyone. I am glad one of us will represent the GWOC in the regional finals.”
Wayne placed three players in double figures in winning its 10th straight.
Ahmad Wagner had a game-high 17 points and eight rebounds, Trey Landers chipped in 12 points and six boards while D’Mitrik Trice added 11 points as Wayne improved to 21-4.