Second Quarter Lifts Springboro; Sends Springfield South Into History 59-53

[SFIND]

By Bryant Billing

DAYTON- "The Springfield South Wildcats? Quit talking about the past," someone joked behind me after the Panther victory. Too bad they are correct. The Springboro Panthers (13-8) had a strong second quarter by beating the South Wildcats (10-11) 16-8. That turned out to be the difference maker. South could not climb out of that hole, and went away the losers to Springboro 59-53. South became the first team in the state of Ohio to be eliminated from the tournament.

South took the lead in the first.

South jumped out in front early 7-2 as a result of excellent shooting. Two quick Panther baskets later and it was close at 7-6. The game continued to go back-and-forth, as South won the first quarter 16-15.

Then the Wildcats went cold.

Springboro started the second quarter on a 8-0 run. South didn't score until five minutes into the second. That turned out to be the blow that doomed South. South made some shots at the end of the quarter to keep it somewhat close at 31-24.

The third quarter was totally dominated by Springboro. South continued to struggle shooting. Springboro, on the other hand, was cruising through and playing conservative. Springboro was out in front 45-38 at the end of the third.

Then South's comeback started.

South slowly crept back. The had cut Springboro's lead to 53-47 with two minutes left and were breathing down the Panthers necks. Trey DePriest cut the Panthers lead to 54-51 with a basket with 1:16 left. Both teams traded baskets, which cut Springboro's lead to two at 55-53. Suddenly it was anybody's game.

But it was Springboro who held on.

South inbounded the ball and Lucas Smith took it up the floor. Smith passed to Burks on the wing, and Burks drove in and took a shot. He missed, as it bounced off the backboard. Springboro drove down the quart and scored, and that was the game. South used the old 'foul 'em and hope they miss' technique, which didn't work. The buzzer rang, not only ending the Wildcats season, but Springfield South basketball altogether.

It wasn't the ending anyone hoped for. A first round loss to a team with a slightly better than .500 record. But it was how South basketball ended.

The South Wildcats played with a purpose, but when it came down to it, Springboro was just the better shooting team. Those few baskets in the first half of the second quarter are what did it. It happened to South over and over again this year, and it's how they finished up their season.

Not only was the score close, so what every statistical category. Springboro only got two more rebounds than South, and shot only 3% better from the field. South even won the turnover battle 5-9.

A real deciding factor of this game was Austin McMahan. He led the Panthers with 21 points and came through in the clutch when Springboro needed him. He was able to score underneath against South's weak inside presence. Sixteen of his twenty-one points were jumpers off the glass. It didn't help that one of South's best defenders was out in Brandon Boyd. Trey DePriest stepped up for him and pulled down 13 rebounds.

The good thing is that it was a close game. The South players left everything on the floor. They did a good job at making this final season a memorable one for all the South fans. I can say that I am very appreciative of their valiant efforts.

South finished the year 10-11. Springboro now goes on to face 8-12 Troy this Friday, February 15, at 8:30. The game is at the University of Dayton Arena.

GO SOUTH!!!!!

Here's Some Stats: Individual Stats: Player, Field Goals shot/attempted, Total Points. South- Akeem Freeman 1-8 2; Doug Storey 2-5 9; Michael Cooper 3-8 10; Lucas Smith 2-6 7; Zack Burks 4-7 17; Trey DePriest 4-6 8. Springboro- Bryce Drew 2-8 6; Matt Rhule 3-8 17; Austin McMahan 8-12 21; Cody Bohine 1-3 6; Justin Garrett 3-5 6; Ben Sauley 0-0 3; Derek Benner 0-4 1. Team Stats: Field Goals, Three-Pointers, Free-Throws, Turnovers, Rebounds. South- 16-40 (40%), 4-14 (29%), 9-18 (50%), 5, 27. Springboro- 17-40 (43%), 5-10 (50%), 10-17 (59%), 9, 29.