Senior finds shot as Elks rout Lebanon
Centerville’s Shelton sinks two of team’s seven 3s in 51-29 win.
CENTERVILLE — Centerville guard Donnie Shelton acknowledged he hasn’t always had the strongest outside shot.
So, for four years, the senior has been a card-carrying member of the Elks’ “Breakfast Club,” a program designed to let Centerville hoopsters hit the hardwood every day at 6 a.m.
Centerville coach Brook Cupps said fans may not have noticed immediate results from the morning hours his players invested, but over time, a difference may be seen.
Shelton gave credence to his coach’s words, cashing in two 3-pointers while leading Centerville (9-5, 4-2) with 11 points during a 51-29 rout of visiting Lebanon (10-4, 3-4) in a Greater Western Ohio Conference crossover matchup Friday night.
The first possessions of the contest set the tone when Lebanon failed to convert right around the rim and Centerville responded by knocking down a 3-pointer in transition. The shot was the first of seven 3-pointers the Elks made. Junior Ryan Marchal made three while Shelton and junior Matt Pearce had two each.
Lebanon’s first point didn’t come until Zach Huffman’s free throw with 16.1 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Centerville ended the opening quarter with a 14-1 lead. The Warriors’ first field goal didn’t come until 37 seconds had ticked off the clock in the second period.
Lebanon coach Kevin Higgins believes his team missed shots that typically fall, but he also knew Centerville’s defense was on point. “They played really good defense,” he said. “They were just a more physical, competitive team.”
Centerville set up its perimeter game by way of hulking post players Jevon Henderson and Sam Vance. Both are listed at 225 pounds, while Henderson is 6-foot3, and Vance is 6-4. Henderson added eight points and seven rebounds for the Elks.
“Jevon passes the ball so well in the post. He’s a really tough matchup because he’s so physical when you’re hitting him and there’s contact,” Cupps said.
Centerville could be even tougher around the basket with the emergence of 6-foot-8 sophomore Mo Njie, who tied his season high with seven points. “I was really pleased with our bigs,” Cupps said. “In and out, our bigs are aggressive at catching and scoring and creating shots for other guys.”
Lebanon, which still holds a half-game lead over Miamisburg in the National West, shot 31 percent from the field, with Brendan Lamb’s 11 points leading the way. The Warriors’ top scorer on the season — Harrison Hookfin, who averages 14.3 points — scored three. The defeat marks the second time in 10 days Lebanon failed to score at least 30 points in a game.