MIAMI TRACE 57, WAVERLY 50
The Panthers are going to the districts for the first time since the 2003-04 season with a win over the Waverly Tigers.
Miami Trace held a double digit lead through most of the contest jumping out to an 18-7 first quarter lead hitting an impressive 7 of 10 from the field including back to back 3s by Jaron Brust & 4 points each by Austin Schoellkopf, Blake Baldwin & Trevor Smith.
The Panthers extended the lead to 15 at the half (33-18) & maintain the lead through most of the 3rd quarter before Waverly started to force several turnovers to cut the lead to 41-32 at the end of the 3rd.
Panthers shot 6 of 9 from the field in the final stanza to hold off a Waverly charge that saw them cut Miami Trace lead to 4 points (43-39) at one point before Trace held on to clinch the sectional title.
Miami Trace was unofficially 23 of 36 (63%) from the field including 3 of 6 on three point shots. They were 8 of 17 from the charity stripe. They had 14 turnovers giving up 13 points to Waverly.
The Panthers had 19 rebounds including 5 offensive that resulted in 2 stick back buckets.
Scoring for the Panthers was Cedric Pettiford with 18 points, Trevor Smith with 9 & Marcel Pettiford & Blake Baldwin with 8 points each.
Waverly shot 17 of 43 from the field (39%) including 8 of 21 on three point shots & shot 7 of 10 from the free throw line.
Waverly gave up 29 points to Miami Trace after turning the ball over 16 times. They had 17 total rebounds.
Jean Paul White led the team with 20 points including 18 in the 2nd half.
With the win Miami Trace will play Logan Elm at the Convo at Ohio University in Athens next Thursday night at 6:15pm.
Logan Elm defeated Sheridan 56-44 at Logan.
Braves were led by Dillon Young with 21 points. Logan Elm trailed 10-3 after first quarter but tied the contest at 16-16 at the half then outscored the Generals 40-28 in the 2nd half.
FAIRLAND 51, HILLSBORO 36
The Hillsboro Indians trailed only 19-18 at the half but a combined 3 of 21 shooting from the field in the 2nd half took them completely out of their sectional finals game Saturday night & the Dragons defeated the Indians for 2nd year in a row at Ross Southeastern.
Hillsboro finished shooting 24% from the field & was 15-22 from the charity stripe.
They had 17 turnovers that resulted in 13 Fairland points.
Jarrod Hart finished his playing career with 13 points & Jordan Captain had 9.
Fairland shot 37% from the field & was 16 of 30 from the field. They had 12 turnovers giving up 8 points to Hillsboro.
The Dragons were led by Cody Midriff with 12 points & Evan Maddox with 10.
Fairland will play Vinton County in the districts Friday night at the Convo at Ohio University in Athens.
Division 2 at Utica
LONDON 65, UTICA 61
The London Red Raiders got a 35 point performance from Zac Carey & defeated Utica Saturday afternoon in sectional play at Utica.
The Central District this year is having schools host games in the sectionals before moving on to district competition.
London wrapped up the contest coming from behind with a 31-23 fourth period & advances them to the next round at #1 seed Brookhaven Thursday at 7pm.
Brok Bennett added 12 points & Kyle Fisher had 11 as London goes to 10-13 for the season.
