Huber Heights Wayne Too Much For Springboro; Warriors Win 79-58

[SFIND]

By Bryant Billing

DAYTON- Ah, there is nothing like a good Elvis song, like the song Too Much. That should have been the Wayne Warriors theme song for today at UD Arena. Wayne (18-2) had too much for the Springboro Panthers (14-9). They had too much depth, too good of shooters, and too good of a time for the Springboro Panthers to handle. Wayne took the lead at the end of the first quarter, and the Warriors never relinquished that lead. Wayne won 79-68, earning a berth in the districts.

The game went back-and-forth at the start, with the Panthers leading 9-7 with 2:30 left in the first quarter. Wayne responded with a 6-0 run in the next 40 seconds to take a 13-9 lead. That was the final lead change of the game.

Wayne led 18-14 after the first quarter, and extended that to 36-24 at the end of the second quarter.

Wayne started off cold at the start of the third, allowing Springboro to come within 40-32. Wayne didn't let that continue, and they closed out the quarter 16-6.

Wayne continued their attack in the fourth quarter, which all but buried the Panthers season. Wayne won the fourth 23-20, which made the final of 79-58.

Some teams are just better than others, and that was the case tonight. Wayne kept a quick tempo the entire game, and that got to the Panthers, who normally play a slower-tempo. Springboro did not have any real threat to score outside of Matt Rhule (28 points) and Austin McMahan (15 points), so the Warrior knew who to key on. The rest of Springboro's team combined for 15 points, which doomed the Panthers.

Fouling was a problem for Springboro in this game. Springboro had two players foul out. Wayne capitalized on Springboro's fouls, as they made 17 free-throws. Wayne's guards did a fantastic job creating turnovers and turning them into points. On the defensive side, the Warriors man-to-man pressure defense caused problems for Springboro and their ability to penetrate. Wayne, on the other hand, was able to penetrate throughout the game.

It was a typical night of balanced scoring for Wayne. DJ Lenior led Wayne with 15 points, while Troy Gilmer added 14 and Lamar Mallory followed up with 12. Charles Winkfield also added 11 for Wayne.

Wayne now advances to the Dayton Division One District Final to face the winner of the Cincinnati Elder/Cincinnati Woodward game. Wayne and Elder played each other in last year's district final, too. Elder won 67-51. The game is next Saturday, March 1, at 4:00. The game is at the University of Dayton Arena.

Individual Scoring: Springboro- Bryce Drew 2; Matt Rhule 28; Adam Patton 2; Cody Bohine 6; Austin McMahan 15; Justin Garrett 4. Wayne- Jesse Solomon 7; Charles Winkfield 11; Troy Gilmer 14; Treon Lesile 6; Markus Crider 2; Travis Trice Jr. 8; Braxton Miller 2; Tyler Milligan 2; DJ Lenior 15; Lamar Mallory 12.