Kavanaugh and Replogle Lead Centerville Over Troy 63-39

[SFIND]

By Bryant Billing

TROY- Whoever said that size doesn't matter should have went to the Centerville/Troy game tonight. He would have found out quite the contrary. 6'8 Matt Kavanaugh and 6'3 245 pound Adam Replogle combined for 28 points and 14 rebounds as they lead the Centerville Elks to a 63-39 thumping of the Troy Trojans (8-6).

Troy kept it close in the first half.

The Elks went out in front 7-2 in the first four minutes of the game, holding the Trojans to one shot on every one of Troy's possessions. But Troy's defense was tough, and 5'11 forward Isaiah Jones was able to pull down some rebounds to keep the Trojans in it. That, and the fact that Troy got two key three-pointers from Chance Smith and Tyler Wright in the first quarter that kept the game close. Centerville had a slim 13-11 lead at the end of one quarter.

The Elks started the second on a 8-0 run. An Adam Griffin three-pointer with 5:42 left put the Elks on top 21-11. The rest of the quarter went back-and-forth as Centerville went into the locker room with a 30-18 lead.

The second half was all Elk.

Centerville's defense toughened up even more and held the Trojans to six third quarter points while the Elks pulled away.

Then the Elks finished the deal.

An Adam Replogle basket with 6:21 left in the fourth put Centerville up by 20 at 47-27. That was the ball game.

Centerville didn't look good in the first half. That credit goes to a strong Troy defense. Troy was able to pressure Centerville inside and out. And it didn't help that Centerville head coach Bill Staley got a technical foul called on him, either. Isaiah Jones is just a bull for the Trojans. He caused problems for Kavanaugh all night long, especially when Kavanaugh was going for offensive rebounds. He himself couldn't make a shot over Kavanaugh, though, as he finished with 6 points to his average of 17. Actually the entire Troy teams caused problems for Kavanaugh. He was double-teamed most of the night. Centerville's Andrew Kubaszewski was guarded closely by Troy's Bryant Dixon all night. He was barely ever open all night. He had two three-point attempts and one shot attempt from the field. Centerville owes a lot to Mike Griffin. He had four critical three-pointers in the first half that lead Centerville away from Troy. He was the one that stepped it up when he was needed to.

A real difference in the game was fouling. Troy's physical man-to-man defense cause them to foul. Centerville took 28 free-throw attempts. While Centerville played a man-to-man, but they didn't have to play that physical. No, they used their height. They were to tall for Troy underneath, who attempted only 24 shots inside the arc all night. And since they could make a two-pointer, they chucked it from the outside, shooting 17 three-point shots.

Troy should have tried to charge the lane more. They are not good shooters from the outside, so shooting 17 times wasn't the best idea. Centerville's guards were sloppy on the defensive side of the ball all night, so I would have tried to go underneath and take some fouls.

Troy now travels Trotwood to take on the number one team in the GWOC North in the Rams. The game is this Friday with an 8:00 tip-off.

Here's Some Stats: Individual: Player, FG shots made/attempted, Total points. Centerville- Matt Kavanaugh 5-13 16; Adam Replogle 4-8 12; Greg White 2-5 6; Craig Ashworth 2-2 4; Mike Griffin 0-2 (4-5 3 pt.) 16; Andrew Kubaszewski 1-1 3; Sean Roberts 0-0 6; Alex Knicley 0-1 1; Billy Relich 0-1 1. Troy- Mark Armstrong 2-5 10; Isaiah Jones 3-7 6; Chance Smith 2-3 12; Bryan Earley 1-1 2; Tyler Wright 1-4 7; DJ Martinez 1-1 2. Team Stats: 2 PT, 3 PT, Free-Throw, Turnovers, Rebounds. Centerville- 14-34 (41%), 5-13 (38%), 20-28 (71%), 10, 21. Troy- 10-24 (42%), 3-17 (18%), 10-14 (71%), 13, 13.