COLUMBUS, Ohio – While Division III and Division IV may be the smaller classes as designated by the Ohio High School Athletic Association there’s nothing small about their play on the floor. The 2012 OHSAA State Tournament got underway Thursday with some exciting and competitive action on the campus of Ohio State University. Divisions I and II take the stage Friday with all four championship games set for Saturday.
Division III and Division IV Semifinal Results
Division IV
Arlington 55
Mansfield St. Peter’s 44
Arlington used a 16-7 third quarter to edge ahead of Mansfield St. Peter’s and move into Saturday’s Division IV championship game. Senior Amelia Recker posted 24 points on 6 of 11 shooting and a 12 for 13 performance from the line. The forward also added 10 rebounds to the cause while her sister Alivia chipped in 14 points of her own. Arlington takes a 26 and 1 record into the title game while St. Peter’s wraps up their campaign at 21 and 5.
Berlin Hiland 53
Tri-Village 47
Berlin Hiland outscored Tri-Village in the first three quarters giving them enough of a cushion to put away a persistent Tri-Village team from New Madison. The Hawks made the most of a 14 rebound advantage in the final stats including 18 that came from the offensive glass. Senior guard McKenzie Miller provided one of the most balanced performances of the day with a 17 point, 7 rebound, 2 assist and 1 steal performance. Miller got 12 of her points off a 4 of 10 effort from three point range. Both teams finished with 17 field goals including 8 each from downtown. Hiland delivered at the line despite going just 11 for 20 but still outdistancing the patriot’s 5 of 6 output.
Division III
Africentric 57
Smithville 37
The largest margin of victory on day one was posted by the Lady Nubians with their 20 point win over previously undefeated Smithville. Three players hit double digits for Africentric. Ohio University bound senior guard Kiyanna Black led the way with 16, sophomore guard Darianne Seward added 13 while fellow soph Ayrielle Stith posted 10 of her own. A 27 – 19 margin grew to the final difference as the Lady Nubians lit it up from the floor shooting 53% across the final two periods. Smithville committed 21 turnovers on the night, 13 of them coming in the deciding second half. Africentric now faces Anna in Saturday’s Division III championship game.
Anna 58
Liberty Benton 41
Anna took their winning streak, which extends back to last season, to the 50 mark with a hard fought 58 – 41 win over Liberty Benton from Findlay. A four point third quarter lead ballooned to 17 as the Rockets used a 19 to 6 final period to seal the win. Senior Ashley Frohne led the way with 22 but it may well have been junior point guard Erica Huber who set the tone with her 13 points and blue collar effort at both ends. The Rockets shot 55% from the floor including a 60% clip in the second half. Ohio State signee Caitie Craft led Liberty Benton with 15 and engaged in an ultra-physical battle with Huber from start to finish. Anna’s impressive mix of defenses will challenge Africentric for the title Saturday.
Two Trendsetters from Thursday
If an individual player can define a team’s character it’s not difficult to take a look at Berlin Hiland senior guard McKenzie Miller and Anna junior point guard Erica Huber and see why both of their teams have advanced to the championship games in their respective divisions.
At 5-10, Miller brings good size to the perimeter in Division IV which combines with sound fundamental skills to challenge most defenders. Destined for Ashland University, her first half 3 for 9 effort from three point land helped the Hawks take a five point midway lead. However, it was more than just her shooting that impacted the first two periods of play. Miller aggressively came up with two critical offensive rebounds that were subsequently converted taking the wind out of Tri-Village’s sails. Her teammates followed suit and the 18 ORB’s Hiland pulled down for the game frustrated the Patriot’s defensive efforts and sent the Hawks on their way to Saturday’s final. Miller also challenged opponents with constant and aggressive cutting within Hiland’s halfcourt efforts and while Coach Dave Schlabach pulled the reins on the break she challenged defenders to get back just by getting out and running the floor. She’ll need to set the same standard for herself and her cohorts against Arlington in the Hawk’s eighth all time title game.
Point guards are often referred to as floor generals and the way Erica Huber plays the game would almost qualify as hand to hand combat. Assertive, aggressive, physical, you name it; she applies the approach to every possession. Defensively she’s reading, anticipating and taking away options as evidenced by her five steals against Liberty Benton. If there’s a ball on the floor you can count on her being in the middle of the pile. Her attack off the drive is the equivalent of a fullback hitting a hole in the line and she’s going to initiate contact to force defenders back on their heels at every opportunity. Keeping opponents honest she was 5 of 9 from the floor, which included a 2 for 3 effort from three point range. She’s looking to push the ball from makes, misses and turnovers while any traffic in the way is navigated with a bull in the china shop mentality. Don’t mistake this to mean she isn’t skilled. She’s solid with the ball in her hands and makes good choices in both transition and sets. Huber’s play is contagious and the success she and her teammates are enjoying isn’t coincidental. Africentric needs to be ready for a challenge from the tip in the championship game.
