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Versailles
sophomore Kyle Ahrens gets two of his game high 19 Wednesday
as
Versailles rolled past Worthington Christian, 63-48 to advance to
the regional finals against
Roger Bacon Saturday at Trent Arena in
Kettering. CNO photo by Dylan Knoop
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Versailles
rolls into regional final
Roger Bacon next
By George Starks
KETTERING- If Versailles coach Scott McEldowney was looking for a sign
from his team; he might have received it Wednesday.
When the Tigers took the floor against Worthington Christian Wednesday
in the D-III boys regional semi-final at Trent Arena in Kettering, it
was like watching a whole different team.
Right from the opening tip, it was the Tigers that took control,
downing the Warriors, 63-48, to advance to the regional finals Saturday
night.
Versailles set the tone right out of the gate, hitting its first five
buckets, four from three point range, to take a commanding 14-0 lead
before the Warriors could get on the board.
“Just an awesome way to start the game,” said McEldowney. “It was
important for us to get out to a good start because they (Worthington)
are pretty patient on offense and it allowed us to sit in and play our
good interior defense. We were able to shut them down at the start of
the game and we were able to get a nice lead. If the game becomes too
slow for us, then we have to pressure them a little bit more but as it
turned out, we shot the ball really well and I hope it continues.”
In the opening quarter, the Tigers hit 7/11 from the field (63.6
percent) to take a 19-4 lead after one quarter of play.
The 15 point lead would prove to be the margin of victory but the
Warriors would make a second quarter push that would trim the Tigers
lead to nine points at 23-14 with 4:06 remaining in the half.
Worthington would keep it respectable, trailing 27-17 at the half.
The third quarter would prove to be the difference as the Tigers would
come out hitting on all cylinders and would hold a 46-28 lead with one
quarter left to go.
“I thought we settled for the 10 to 15 foot jumpers and we allowed them
to get back in the game,” said McEldowney. “We were able to spread them
out on defense but when we went into the locker room at half-time, we
talked about getting out and getting the three on two’s and the two on
one’s (fast breaks) and getting those five footers.”
With solid games from Evan Philpot, Nick Campbell and Jacob Heitcamp,
the threesome enhanced the Tigers efforts as a team.
“Those guys have been giving us great energy,” McEldowney said. “They
battle and scrap for everything and they take advantage when their guys
are helping on our big three, they are able to get themselves in the
right spots and can do the things that help us be successful.”
Led in scoring by sophomore Kyle Ahrens with 19, Chad Winner added 15,
all from three point land while Damien Richard added 11, all adding up
to a regional victory.
If there was one thing McEldowney stressed, it was the turnover problem
that’s has plagued the Tigers this season.
Versailles committed 15 turnovers on the night.
A number that has to be trimmed down.
“We have to be able to handle the ball better,” McEldowney quipped. “We
can’t afford to turn the ball over against good teams like this and
expect to win. We have to be able to handle the ball.”
When asked who he would rather play in the regional final (Summit
Country Day or St. Bernard Roger Bacon) McEldowney said, “I’m just glad
we’re playing. We want to go and play in the big house but we have to
keep things in perspective. It’s not going to be easy.”
The Tigers will face Roger Bacon Saturday at 7 pm.
Bacon, 23-3, beat Country Day 61-53 to advance.
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