Centerville's Comeback Falls Short to Princeton, As Does Regional Berth

[SFIND]

Elks Can't Finish The Deal; Lose To Princeton 49-47 In District Title Game

The Elk's last shot was blocked, as was their hopes at a Regional berth

By Bryant Billing

DAYTON- There is no "I" in team. How many times have we heard it? It's true, too. But sometimes there is a clear leader to a team. Still other times, there is only person who can do anything on that team. That was the case for the Centerville Elks. Matt Kavanaugh, a 6'8 UD verbal, scored 29 of Centerville's 47 points, as he was virtually the only offense Centerville had. And one person can't win a game. The Centerville Elks' (21-3) fourth quarter rally fell short to the Princeton Vikings (20-4), as Adam Replogle missed the potential game-winning shot. The Princeton Vikings held on, and went on to claim a Division I district title.

Princeton went out early.

The Vikings built a 11-8 lead at the end of the first quarter, with all 8 of Centerville's points coming from Matt Kavanaugh.

Princeton then shut down Kavanaugh in the second quarter, holding to to four points. In return, the Vikings scored 11 points in the quarter and appeared to be coasting. Craig Ashworth made a basket for the Elks with fifty seconds left, which were the first points for Centerville outside of Kavanaugh.

Princeton coasted through the first half of the high-scoring third quarter, but Centerville kept up with the Vikings at the end. Princeton won the third quarter 16-15.

Then the Elks comeback started.

Centerville pulled within four with a Kavanaugh basket with 6:10 left in the quarter. Princeton was able to put more space between them and the Elks, but a Adam Griffin three-pointer with 1:48 left pulled the Elks with three at 46-43. The game kept a close pace. A shot from Centerville's Adam Replogle cut Princeton's lead to 49-47.

But Centerville couldn't finish the comeback.

After Centerville got the ball back, head coach Jim Staley called a timeout for the Elks. The play he set up didn't work, though.

Centerville inbounded the ball and got it inside to Reploge again, but he was heavily guarded and lost his footing when he shot. The shot was partially blocked, and it bounced off the the upper right corner of the backboard with five seconds left. Centerville never got another shot off, and the Princeton Vikings went home with the district title.

This was a very good game.

Centerville's offensive scheme was not a good plan. The Elks tried to get it inside to Kavanaugh the entire first half. As a result, Centerville guards were not used to shooting and had trouble when they shot in the second half. Their defense was unable to stop the Vikings for the most part, as Princeton had too many shooters for the Elks.

Give credit to Princeton for playing stout defense. The pressure they applied helped to slow the Elks down.

Centerville missed a golden opportunity in the turnover column. Princeton turned over the ball 17 times, but the Elks got only 12 points off of those turnovers.

Princeton now advances to play the St. Xavier Bombers. The game is this Wednesday, March 5, at 6:15. The game is at Xavier University's Cintas Center.

Individual Stats: Centerville- Player, FG made/attempted, Total Points. Patrick Crawford 2-3 4; Craig Ashworth 1-3 2; Matt Kavanaugh 11-24 19; Mike Griffin 2-2 6; Adam Replogle 2-5 5. Princeton- Orlando Williams 2-4 5; Stefon Johnson 2-7 6; Jaymon Ballew 3-4 8; Marquis Horne 2-3 8; Jordan Sibert 7-10 17; Marcus Davis 0-1 5.