Harrison Central was the host location again this week as the OVAC boys’ basketball championships invaded Cadiz, and what a location it is. Windows grace the top of the gym, which allows all kinds of sunlight in during the afternoon and early evening contests. If you have never been to the new Harrison Central High School, put it on the to do list. From the extra seating behind the basket, to the beautiful gym floor, to the mural that depicts all the former school names, your eyes are just all over the place as you enter the complex. For A.D.’s and principals out there who are designing new schools or gyms visit Harrison to steal some ideas, your community will love you for it.
Behind the scenes action started early as the John Marshall High School media team arrived at 7am to set up for the broadcast. They had to meet at JM at 6am, showing some real dedication from these students as they were there well after the action ended around 7:30. The Huskie concession stand started their day at 7:30 in the morning. Other crew were there as early as 8 just to get the facility ready and everything in order for the day’s games. Before we get to the action, one more thing to mention is that the OVAC cut the game tickets for students from $6 last year to $1 this year, so that students could easier attend. Great job to the OVAC for putting the students first.
Now onto some basketball action in the 2A division that featured an all Monroe County final, the River Pilots and the Monroe Central Seminoles. It was a packed house this morning as action got underway. Both teams played tough man defense throughout the game, which was a low scoring contest due this defensive effort. Despite this tough defense the action was fast paced from the tip.
Both teams had some difficulties putting points on the board in the first half as the Pilots led just 18-11 at the half. River used turnovers along with Brody Lollathin (18 points for the game) and Kabel Isaly, who chipped in 12 to take that halftime lead.
As the second half began it was much like the first half, turnovers creating points for the Pilots. Their defense led them in this one, as their normal hot shooting was cold for most of the game. The young Seminoles, 3 sophomores that start, played a good game but they were unable stay away from the turnovers for much of the game. Though the future is bright for this young Monroe Central team, as seen in sophomore Tucker Howell’s 16 points for the game. The River Pilots are the 2022-23 2A OVAC Champions with a 48-33 victory.
Martins Ferry and Linsly were on tap next for the 3A OVAC Championship. Linsly started from their first basket with some man pressure that led to a couple easy transition baskets. This led to an early timeout from the Purple Riders to calm down the team. Martins Ferry used their length on the defensive side of the floor and implored a zone to try to slow Linsly down. This tactic worked early for the Purple Riders but could not continue throughout the 1st half as the Cadets were hitting shots all over the floor. Including a deep 3 to end the first half to make the game 41-25 going into the break.
Linsly continued to put down shots in the 2nd half, including Gavin Jackson, who put in 25 for the game. As Linsly went on to win 70-54 to repeat as champions, Jackson, too, repeated as the John Howell Memorial MVP winner. Jackson wasn’t the only one putting it in the basket for the Cadets, as Carter Anderson added 12 points, Will Taylor (maker of the buzzer beater 3) had 9, and Nate Coleman’s 8.
Martins Ferry would not go away and cut the lead to just over 10 on a couple of occasions in the 2nd half. This was due to the efforts of Denali Jackson, who pumped in 18 and Alex Reese, who added 16 to keep Martins Ferry in the contest. The Purple Riders just couldn’t stop the hot shooting of the Cadets throughout the contest.
East Liverpool was another repeat champion as they gained the narrow 59-57 victory in the 4A contest over the Weir Red Riders. The Potters started off hot and gained a 7-point lead early in the 1st. Storming back were the Red Riders with a run of their own to pull within 1 during an exciting first quarter.
The game remained close for the first half as the Potters were able to secure a lead of 6 at the break. Each time it seemed as though East Liverpool would pull away; the stifling Weir defense would create some turnovers and close the gap.
The Red Riders came out of the half to score 4 straight to pull within a couple. After East Liverpool made a run Weir again came within 2. This was short lived as Cohen Pease (18 for the game) hit 3’s on consecutive possession for the Potters to give East Liverpool an 8-point lead.
East Liverpool was able to gain a 10-point cushion with just half the 4th to go. Just as it seemed as though they’d put the Red Riders away, here comes Weir again. With turnovers and some key shots by Colin Cross, who dropped 21 in the game, and Damarr Turner, 18 in the game, Weir was down 2 with just under 7 seconds to go and the possession. Cross’s shot was short as the clock turned to 0 and the Potters were able to celebrate.
A sidenote for this one was a gridiron battle as 2 division 1 football players were going at it in the post for most of the game. Weirton’s Cam Jones, James Madison, and East Liverpool’s Mason Ludwig, Toledo, was a fun matchup to watch as they battled in the post. Good luck to them on the gridiron next year.
Our OVAC 4 o’clock game was the 5A contest between the Morgantown Mohigans and the Dover Crimson Tornadoes. Dover was another repeat champion on the day with a 28-20 football score over Morgantown. This was unlike the 70-54 victory last year in a much more offensive game.
This year’s contest was about defense and limited possessions on each side. The Mohigans feature a matchup zone that gave the Tornadoes fits all game and was one of the better zones I’ve seen in a while. Not to be outdone, Dover featured a man defense that gave Morgantown troubles all day. Even though the defenses were on full display a 10-9 halftime score was still a surprise. With Morgantown having the slight edge.
As the 3rd quarter began, the fans could see that the defenses were on point again. Possessions and buckets were at a premium again as the Tornadoes took a 14-13 edge going into the 4th quarter. Each possession was going to be key from here on out.
Morgantown came out hot as Garrison Kisner hit a 3 to open the 4th and finished the game with 7. Carter Grove, 9 for the game, answered with a 3 for the Tornadoes. Tyler Stevenson, who was the high point scorer with 13, hit a 3 to put Dover up 5 and for good at 23-18. For his efforts he was named John Howell Memorial MVP.
Cameron and Weirton Madonna of the 1A OVAC classification was the last championship matchup of the day. Cameron was looking to become the next in line of repeat champions. The Blue Dons had different ideas. And if the 1st quarter were any indication, the Blue Dons would have their way.
Weirton Madonna came out hot from 2 and 3 as they built an early lead that caused the Dragons to take an early timeout. There seemed to be a lid on the bucket for the entire first half for the Dragons, as they were not able to buy a bucket. As for Weirton Madonna they were hitting from everywhere especially Santo DoBraska who hit 5 bonus balls in the 1st half.
Cameron switched to some pressure defense to try to get some transition buckets and to control the pace a little. They were able to control the pace some and saw a little action in transition. The Blue Dons though just couldn’t seem to miss and held a 34-20 lead at the half.
Both teams decided to try some pressure to start the 3rd stanza. The offense was on display though as Dobraska was able to hit a couple more 3’s in the 3rd, which seemed to put the game out of reach. Cameron would not go away, though, and had a run of their own. Mason Debolt was able to add a couple of 3’s of his own and at the end of the run Cameron saw the deficit cut to 6 in the 3rd at 50-44. And closed the quarter just down 4 headed to the 4th.
As this was a game of runs, Weirton Madonna had another run in them that put them up 16 in the 4th as they wouldn’t look back. The Blue Dons led by DoBraska’s 32, and his 8 treys pulled out the 69-55 victory to claim the 1A OVAC Championship crown. Other leaders for the Blue Dons were Anthony Mascio with 21 and Luca Muzzi with 11. For the Dragons Colson Wichterman and Lance Hartley spilt 28 down the middle. These teams will be looking forward to a possible sectional matchup as the tournament will start in a couple weeks.
Another great Saturday of basketball at Harrison Central High School. Again, a first-class event put on by the OVAC to showcase the student athletes of the Valley. Ovathletics.com is looking forward to following these basketball teams and everyone in the Valley as the playoffs begin.
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