Division I regional track finals
Fenwick graduation 2012
Ponitz graduation 2012
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Thursday, March 4, 2010
Trotwood’s Graham (of those Grahams) providing energy
Trotwood-Madison boys basketball coach Mark Baker was already nodding before I finished the question.
I was saying we had talked plenty this season about guards DaWuan Thomas and Darnell Tubbs, and rightfully so. Both have been two of the most electric players in the area this season, with Thomas’ great basketball IQ and Tubbs’ great athleticism.
But, is there a player for the Rams who most affects the game without scoring?
Baker was ready.
“Marcus Graham, definitely,” Baker said of the starting guard who doubles as the school’s starting quarterback. “He works hard, and he does anything you ask of him. He’s ready to practice every day, and he can score. He just chooses not to so he can help the team.”
Graham was part of Trotwood’s 74-45 Division I sectional tournament victory against Fairborn on Thursday, March 4, at UD Arena. The Rams (18-4 and No. 2 in the DDN area D-I ratings) burst out early to a 22-7 first-quarter lead, allowed Fairborn to come back and then separated with better defense.
Tubbs finished with 24 points, and Thomas added 14. And, even though he didn’t get to double digits in points, Graham — nephew of former Alter High and Ohio State great Jeff — continued to provide the spark.
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TweetFairmont continues rolling in sectional tourney
Meet the No. 1 area sleeper in the boys basketball tournament: Fairmont.
After completing the regular season 12-8, the Firebirds have posted back-to-back impressive tournament performances, including a 74-61 defeat of Troy on Thursday, March 4, at UD Arena in a Division I sectional tournament game.
It was the Firebirds’ seventh straight win, and they improved to 14-8. They might also be the most improved team in the area, forced by a difficult injury situation.
Fairmont started the season with three key players missing time with injury - Sherman Wilkinson (a key energy player), Kevin Sharick (who had 14 points in a strong all-around game, mostly inside) and Austin Meddford (another 6-6 inside presence). Despite that, the Firebirds dropped their second game, against Wayne, by just 10 points. Later, in January, they lost to Trotwood-Madison, the area’s No. 2-rated big-school team after Wayne. That margin was two points.
Then, as the missing players returned, Fairmont improved. After a 68-60 loss against Wayne on Jan. 29 to drop their record to 7-8, the Firebirds started ripping off wins.
“I’m always most pleased when we guard,” said Fairmont coach Hank Bias.
Senior guard Mark Shadowens set a season high with 27 points against Troy, and it was the first time he scored more than 20 all season. He matches the team’s improvement heading into a sectional final against Sidney at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Nutter Center.
“Mark’s less concerned with Mark than he’s ever been,” Bias said. “He doesn’t care how many points he gets, but he wants to do the things to help us win.”
Like his coach, Shadowens said the defensive performance was key. On Thursday, like they have all season, the Firebirds did most of their damage inside, and that’s how they’ll continue to play. In transition and with passing, Fairmont looked strong throughout.
“We’re at our best when we’re playing well on defense,” Shadowens said.
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TweetMiamisburg defending champ Fayette loses first state match
The following is a report from DDN contributing writer John Cummings at the state wrestling tournament.
Defending state 135-pound champ Shawn Fayette of Miamisburg lost his opening round Divison I match.
Tied 5-5 with Mark Orth of Oregon Clay, Fayette was taken down to his back with :25 left in the match for the 10-5 setback.
Fayette defeated Brandon Flannery of Mason 1-0 in wrestlebacks.
Tyler Riegle of Springboro and Jake Sage of Fairmont both won first-round matches at 135 to move one match from a semifinal meeting.
Centerville’s Brian Mathews, Nick Miller and Kyle Rose all won first-round matches. Xenia’s Blake Lucas (285) rebounded from his first loss of the season last week in district finals to claim a 3-2 win.
Miami Valley wrestlers went 12-12 in opening-day D-I action.
Graham went 10-1 in the first round to take a 22.5 point lead in the Division II team race.
Troy Christian sits in fourth place after the first round of D-III action. The Eagles went 4-1 and have 12 points. TC is a three-time defending state team champion.
Miami East’s Allen Seagraves pulled the upset in match 1 of the tournament. Seagraves, who was fourth in his district, pinned the fourth ranked wrestler at 103 in D-III in 2:47 to advance. Teammate Zane Goldburg also advanced.
The wait for Nick LeForce was worth it. LeForce recorded 8 takedowns in a 21-6 technical fall in his first state match.
Dixie’s Ethan Hayes opened his run for a title with a 12-5 in in the first round.
Miami Valley D-III wrestlers went 16-8 in the first round.
Arcanum got its first win in program history when 125 Jared Beatty overcame a 6-2 first-period deficit to claim a 13-8 win.
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