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On this date in area sports history …
Eight years ago on this date, March 5, 2001, the South boys basketball team routed Lebanon in the sectional final. Complete story on the jump.
Published March 6, 2001
WILDCATS SHOW FANGS
SOUTH HIGH DEFEATS LEBANON TO ADVANCE IN TOURNAMENT
By GREG BILLING, News-Sun Sports Writer
FAIRBORN — In a microcosm, South’s 79-47 victory over Lebanon in a Division I sectional final Monday was summed up with one series of events midway through the first quarter.
In the big picture, the quicker, faster, stronger Wildcats put a world of hurt on the Warriors with a resounding victory in front of about 1,000 spectators at Wright State University.
“We knew they were a great team,” said South senior Elgrace Wilborn, who started the sequence of events that summed up the ‘Cats night. “We couldn’t lolly gag.”
South takes on Northmont in the district final at 3 p.m. Saturday at the University of Dayton.
With five minutes left in the first quarter — and South firmly in control — Wilborn blocked consecutive shots from Lebanon’s Jordan Langston. Wilborn, who finished with nine blocks, then stole the ball and hit teammate Byron Parks in stride downcourt for an easy fast-break layup.
“We tried to come out and run,” South junior Ty Walker said, “and not let them set up on offense.”
Rarely did the Warriors, 17-6, have a chance. And when they did, South, 18-5, was there with 13 blocks.
“The key was not letting them get good looks,” South Coach Larry Ham said.
Lebanon — which dispatched Tecumseh, 77-38, to reach the sectional final — hit just 20 of 70 shots from the field (29 percent) and 5 of 26 (19 percent) from three-point range.
Wilborn was a big reason — literally — as the 6-foot-8 center had five blocks in the first quarter.
“He changes the whole game,” Lebanon Coach Dave Merchant said. “Without him they are a good team. With him they are a great team.”
That showed in the first half as South was seldom threatened after the opening minute. After Lebanon’s Tommie Ault hit a three-pointer to open the scoring with 7:15 left in the first quarter, it quickly became clear it was South’s world and Lebanon was just living in it.
The Wildcats responded to Ault’s trey with consecutive three-pointers from Walker which ignited a 14-0 run. When Langston ended Lebanon’s scoring drought with 4:12 left, South led 14-5.
Walker, who also had five assists, accounted for all four of the Wildcats’ treys, but it was South’s transition game that did in the Warriors. The ‘Cats forced 18 turnovers from the Warriors — while committing 13 of their own — and often used their speed and quickness for point-blank shots. South — which led by as many as 36 points in the closing minute — finished 32 of 66 from the field (49 percent) and outscored Lebanon from the free-throw line, 11-2.
Walker and senior Mitchell Crossley led South with 18 points, while Wilborn — who just missed a triple-double — chipped in 17 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Senior Jordan Copeland added 12 points and a game-high six assists, while Crossley added 12 rebounds.
Copeland’s biggest assist nearly brought down the house — and the backboard — with 2:22 left in the game. He was all alone on a fast-break but glanced over his shoulder to see if Wilborn was trailing. Copeland laid the ball off the glass and Wilborn finished it off with a two-handed slam — his sixth dunk of the night.
Langston led Lebanon with 12 points and was the only Warrior to hit more than three baskets.
LEBANON (47) — Jo. Langston 6 0-0 12, Merchant 3-14 0-0 8, Ja. Langston 1-4 0-0 2, Ault 1 1-2 4, Amburgy 2 0-0 4, Karnes 1 0-2 2, Pritchard 3 1-2 8, Flowers 1 0-0 3, Jacobs 2 0-2 4. Totals: 20 2-8 47.
SOUTH (79) — Brown 0 2-2 2, Parks 4 0-1 8, Wilborn 8 1-2 17, Copeland 4 1-2 12, Walker 7 0-0 18, Lewis 0 0-1 0, Clark 0 2-2 2, Crossley 8 2-3 18, Miller 1 0-0 2. Totals: 32 11-15 79.
Lebanon12 21 36 47
South21 36 53 79
Three-point goals: Lebanon 5 (Merchant 2, Ault, Pritchard), South 4 (Walker 4)
Records: Lebanon 17-6, South 18-5
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South 79
Lebanon 47
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