Greenon can’t stop Ervin, Tippecanoe

Greenon can’t stop Ervin, Tippecanoe

Greenon’s Anthony Colletti (left) looks to pass around
Tippecanoe’s Jacob Hall (right) in the first half of a CBC crossover
game at Tippecanoe last Saturday. Tippecanoe won 71-62.
Staff Photo by Bryant Billing

Greenon pulls within one point in the fourth quarter but can’t stop Red Devils’ center Brandon Ervin.

By BRYANT BILLING
Sports Writer

TIPP CITY — Every time the Greenon came close to eclipsing Tippecanoe’s lead in a CBC crossover game last Saturday, Brandon Ervin put a stop to it.

Tippecanoe’s 6-5 center added 30 points and 14 rebounds, scored in critical times — including a basket in the fourth quarter after Greenon had come within one point — and led the Red Devils (6-7, 3-3 CBC Kenton Trail) to a 71-62 win over the Knights (7-6, 3-3 CBC Mad River).

“We couldn’t stop him,” Greenon head coach Tim Lacy said after the game. “He’s a nice player and we couldn’t stop him. But we lost this game through our own mistakes. We had plenty of chances and open looks that we didn’t finish on.”

Greenon came within one point with seven minutes left in the fourth quarter on a three-pointer from Josh Pilcher. Ervin scored on a short jump shot ten seconds later, and Greenon never came closer than three points the rest of the game.

High School Basketball Feature: Urbana playing well early

High School Basketball Feature: Urbana playing well early

Urbana senior center Zach Stillings (right) works the ball against
an opponent in a game last season. Stillings averages 15.5 points
per game this season for Urbana. Contributed Photo by Bart deNijs

Hillclimbers off to 2-0 start after losing four-year starting point guard.

By BRYANT BILLING

Sports Editor

SPRINGFIELD — Urbana head coach Jeremy Dixon told the Hillclimbers after their 68-40 win over Northwestern last Friday that he was proud of their effort and the way they played.

“Then I proceeded to name about five negatives that I could think of,” Dixon said with a laugh after the game.

Urbana (2-0, 1-0 CBC Mad River Division) was able to laugh after the game, as its win over the Warriors was their first conference win of the season and brought it one step closer to its goal of the league title. The Hillclimbers have played well through their first couple of games this season, as they previously beat Northeastern 54-40 on Dec. 2.

“I’m happy with the way they’ve played,” Dixon said. “We’ve had some really, really good quarters so far and some really, really bad quarters so far, so we need to work on our consistency. But we’ve done what we’ve needed to do to win.”

Slow start dooms Tecumseh against Butler

Slow start dooms Tecumseh against Butler

Tecumseh's Chase Culbertson dribbles the ball up
the floor against in a 46-27 loss to Butler last night.
Staff Photo by Bryant Billing

Arrows see limited shot opportunities and can’t slow hot-shooting Aviators.

By BRYANT BILLING

Sports Editor

VANDALIA — Scott Snarr’s writhing yell could be heard across the Student Activity Center. The senior guard fell to the floor and rolled in pain near the end of the first quarter, grabbing his injured ankle after landing awkwardly as a result of a shot attempt.

Snarr’s injury made an already slow start for the Arrows come to a grinding halt in a 46-27 loss to Vandalia Butler in a nonconference game Saturday. Tecumseh (1-2, 1-0 CBC Kenton Trail) was helpless against Butler’s strong defense and often found itself on the floor against the Aviators (2-2).

“At the start of the game, we just weren’t here, mentally or physically,” Tecumseh head coach Roger Culbertson said after the game. “We didn’t step on the court ready to go tonight. (Butler) obviously wanted it more than us. They played more physical than us and just made more things happen.”

Tecumseh wasn’t helped by Butler’s hot shooting on the night. The Aviators shot 50 percent from two-point range (16-for-32) and shot 46 percent from the field overall (19-for-41).

Listen Live to Urbana at Northwestern

Listen Live to Urbana at Northwestern

LISTEN LIVE HERE!

The Penda Sports Network's 2011-2012 basketball broadcast season begins tonight with Urbana at Northwestern boys basketball. The game is an early season CBC Mad River Division game.

Coverage with Bryant Billing and Casey Matteson begins at approximately 7 p.m. with The Springfield Paper's pregame show. You can listen live on any computer or mobile device with an internet connection by following the link above, or by clicking on any of the Penda Sports Network logos and links on the right column of PendaSports.com.

Prep Basketball Feature: Springfield utilizing offseason success to improve

Prep Basketball Feature: Springfield utilizing offseason success to improve

Springfield head coach Isiah Carson (right) instructs Springfield’s
Ryan Minney (left) during Springfield’s 48-36 season-opening win
over Hamilton last Saturday at Springfield High School Gymnasium.
The win was the first for Carson, who never beat Hamilton in his
playing career at South. Staff Photo by Bryant Billing

Second-year head coach Isiah Carson credits successful offseason for building enthusiasm in program.

By BRYANT BILLING
Sports Editor

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield head coach Isiah Carson was not surprised last Saturday with his squad’s season-opening 48-36 win over Hamilton at Springfield High School Gymnasium. If anything, Carson was a bit disappointed that the Wildcats came out flat and fell behind by seven points at one point in the first quarter.

“We’ve just got to start inside-out,” Carson said. “Our guys are getting better, and we’ll adjust to that.”

Springfield indeed looked better in their season opener than it had at any time in its disappointing 5-16 campaign from last season. Springfield defended fiercely throughout the game and forced 24 turnovers against Hamilton. The ‘Cats also took their time with shot-selection, as they shot 43 percent from the field in the second half.

“The work that these guys put in during the spring, summer, and fall paid off,” Carson said. “These kids went back to the drawing board and worked extremely hard, and the results are showing.”

CBC Kenton Trail Preview: Kenton Ridge looking for consistent play

CBC Kenton Trail Preview: Kenton Ridge looking for consistent play

Kenton Ridge senior guard Adam Roberson drives to
the basket during a tri-scrimmage at Mechanicsburg High
School last Friday.Roberson is one of only three returning
players for the Cougars. Staff Photo by Bryant Billing

Cougars return only one starter, but they look to benefit from depleted conference.

By BRYANT BILLING

Sports Editor

SPRINGFIELD — If you did not know better, you might have assumed that Kenton Ridge head coach Kris Spriggs was on a rollercoaster last Saturday at a tri-scrimmage at Mechanicsburg High School based on the expressions on his face. There were times he stretched out his arms, smiled, and cheered — and there were times that he appeared to have a bit of dread in his eyes.

Indeed, Spriggs is leading a new class at Kenton Ridge this season, and the preseason has been a roller-coaster ride as the Cougars work on playing consistently.

“We’ve had our good quarters and our bad quarters,” Spriggs said. “We’re a work in progress. We’re trying to get to a consistent level where we can play good basketball for a whole game.”

And the Cougars won’t be alone in the Central Buckeye Conference’s Kenton Trail Division, as every team but Stebbins loses its top scorer from a year ago.

OHC Preview: Catholic Central looks to fight for league title

OHC Preview: Catholic Central looks to fight for league title

Catholic Central senior guard Brian Kelly (right) makes a pass
against a Troy Christian defender during a scrimmage game on
Nov. 19. Kelly is one of three returning guards for the Irish.
Staff Photo by Bryant Billing

By BRYANT BILLING

Sports Editor

SPRINGFIELD — The Catholic Central Fighting Irish make the transition each year, sometimes begrudgingly, from the fall sports season and successful football and soccer programs to the winter sports season and basketball. But the Irish has proven in recent years that the boys basketball program can be just as successful.

Catholic Central had one of its most successful seasons in several years last year, as they finished 17-6 overall and 11-3 in the Ohio Heritage Conference, finishing second behind Greenview. The Irish also advanced to the sectional finals, where they fell to Franklin Monroe in overtime.

“I think the kids got the taste of the success that we had last year,” head coach Dan Shay said. “Our numbers our up this year, and our kids are starting to buy into what we’re trying to do. We’ve got some talent — it’s just a matter of mixing in and finding the chemistry that we need for this year.”

The Irish lose a few starters from last season, including Hayden Hagerman and Alex Chase. But Catholic Central’s squad will look very similar this season with three returning starters.

Taylor out as head coach at Springfield High

Taylor out as head coach at Springfield High

Springfield head coach Adam Taylor (left) claps hands with
offensive lineman Devin Nye (right) during a 34-19 loss to
Upper Arlington on Sept. 4 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.
Taylor announced in a news conference today that he
will not seek re-employment this season.
Staff Photo by Bryant Billing

Searching process for replacement will begin immediately.

By BRYANT BILLING
Sports Editor 

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield head football coach Adam Taylor announced in a news conference at Springfield High School today that he will not seek re-employment for the coaching position next season.

Taylor was hired at Springfield High in late June and replaced former head coach Rick Robertson, who resigned in April. Taylor served in the position for less than five months and led the Wildcats to a 2-8 season.

“It was with a heavy heart that I will not seek re-employment as the head football coach at Springfield High School,” Taylor said. “… I feel it is best for the program that I share my intentions at this point in November so that ample time is provided to hire a new coach very quickly so that he does not face some of the same difficult challenges that I faced being hired so late in the summer.”

Second Quarter Sets Tone for Shawnee Blowout

Second Quarter Sets Tone for Shawnee Blowout

Shawnee’s Nick Hines (left) celebrates a touchdown catch with
teammate Nick Williams (right) during the Braves' 64-8 win over
Cincinnati Taft last night at Dave Long Memorial Stadium.
Staff Photo by Bryant Billing

Braves will face Thurgood Marshall in regional semifinal next Friday.

By BRYANT BILLING
Sports Writer

SPRINGFIELD — After compiling a 10-0 regular season record, it takes a lot for Shawnee to surprise head coach Rick Meeks when it comes to the Braves’ playing ability. But even the ninth-year head coach was surprised with just how well his squad performed in a regional quarterfinal playoff game at Dave Long Memorial Stadium last Friday night.

Shawnee (11-0) ran by, over, and through Cincinnati Taft defenders to post a 64-8 lopsided win over the Senators (7-4) and advance to the regional semifinals of the playoffs.

“You don’t go into playoffs expecting to win like this,” Meeks said. “We forced a couple of mistakes on (Taft’s) part and got a couple of turnovers to put ourselves in a good position offensively to score and take advantage of the opportunities that we had.”

Dick's Weekend Football Weather Outlook 11-4

Dick's Weekend Football Weather Outlook 11-4

A cold front, accompanied by scattered rain showers, moved through the area Thursday night and Friday. Skies cleared Friday afternoon leaving partly cloudy skies, cool temperatures, and wet fields for the local and area high school playoff football contests for Friday night and Saturday.

KICKOFF TEMP: 45

FRIDAY: For Friday night, the local and area high school playoff games are played in Clark, Champaign, Franklin, and Muskingum Counties. They include Cincinnati Taft at Shawnee, Versailles at West Liberty-Salem, and Tecumseh at Dresden Tri-Valley. The skies should be partly cloudy, cool temperatures in the upper 40s, and wet fields.

KICKOFF TEMP: 55
COLUMBUS, OH

SATURDAY AFTERNOON: On Saturday, The Ohio State Buckeyes host the Indiana Hoosiers with a noon kickoff temperature in the upper 50s under partly cloudy skies, and a dry field.

Also on Saturday, the Wittenberg Tigers travel to Crawfordsville, Indiana to play the Wabash Little Giants. The 1:00 p.m. game time conditions should be partly cloudy, a temperature around 60 degrees, and a dry field.

KICKOFF TEMP: 45

SATURDAY NIGHT: On Saturday, Catholic Central hosts Minster with a 7:00:p.m. kickoff temperature in the middle to the upper 40s.


        
 I hope your favorite high school team makes it through the playoffs along with the Buckeyes and Tigers continuing  to win.

Five area football teams qualify for postseason play

Five area football teams qualify for postseason play

Shawnee, Catholic Central, and West Liberty-Salem will host first-round games this weekend.

Tecumseh quarterback Tony Evans looks for a receiver
during a 55-30 loss to Kings last November. The Arrows
qualified for the playoffs for a fourth-straight season and will
travel to Dresden Tri-Valley this Friday.
Staff Photo by Bryant Billing

Penda Sports Network

Five area football teams have extended their 2011 seasons for at least one week. Tecumseh, Shawnee, Urbana, West Liberty-Salem, and Catholic Central all qualified for the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s football playoffs, the OHSAA announced last Sunday.

Shawnee (10-0), West Liberty-Salem (10-0), and Catholic Central (8-2) will host first-round playoff games this weekend. Tecumseh (6-4) and Urbana (8-2) will both travel to their first-round opponents’ fields.

The Braves finished first in the Division III, Region 12 district after putting together their second undefeated regular season in school history. The playoff berth marks the third-consecutive season Shawnee has qualified for the postseason.

The Braves will host Cincinnati Taft (7-3) Friday night at Dave Long Memorial Stadium.

Catholic Central earned its second-consecutive playoff berth, finishing third in Division VI, Region 24. The Irish’s lone two losses in the regular season came to undefeated Shawnee and undefeated West Liberty-Salem.

Miller to Devin Smith Touchdown Pass Almost Didn’t Happen

Miller to Devin Smith Touchdown Pass Almost Didn’t Happen

Touchdown pass from Springfield native Miller to freshman receiver Devin Smith helps save Ohio State’s season.

Wisconsin’s Marcus Cromartie (top) tackles Ohio State receiver

 Devin Smith (bottom) as Smith catches a game-winning touchdown pass

 with 20 seconds left last night at Ohio Stadium.The touchdown gave the

Buckeyes a 33-29 lead they held onto to upset Wisconsin.

Staff Photo by Bryant Billing

By BRYANT BILLING
Sports Writer

COLUMBUS — It is a play that will forever live in Ohio State history. And it almost didn’t happen.

Ohio State’s season of ups-and-downs almost took another down turn last Saturday against Wisconsin at Ohio Stadium before 105,511 raucous fans. The Buckeyes had a 26-14 lead over the then-No. 15 Badgers with four minutes left in a primetime showdown, only to see it evaporate due to two touchdown passes from Badger quarterback Russell Wilson and turn into a 29-26 deficit with 1:18 left.

But Ohio State (5-3, 2-2 Big Ten Leaders) was determined to prevent another collapse.

On a first-and-ten from Wisconsin’s 40-yard line, freshman quarterback Braxton Miller fell back to pass and rolled right out of the pocket. Miller saw no defender within ten yards in front of him and had a chance to gain a first down by running. But Miller also saw Wisconsin’s defense leave freshman receiver Devin Smith open near the end zone.

West Liberty-Salem clinches title, top seed against Triad

West Liberty-Salem clinches title, top seed against Triad

Triad finished ninth in the eight team playoffs.

By CASEY MATTESON
Sports Writer


NORTH LEWISBURG — In a highly anticipated and attended week ten match-up between OHC and Champaign County rivals, Triad hosted West Liberty-Salem and much was at stake for both teams.

West Liberty-Salem, who never trailed in the ball game, was able to make a few more big plays to earn the 34-18 victory. The win clinched a 10-0 season, an outright OHC title, and the number one seed in the OHSAA Division V, Region 20 state playoffs. For Triad, a win would have given them a share of the conference title and a spot in the Region 20 playoffs, themselves. Each region takes eight qualifiers. Triad finished ninth.

Dick's Weekend Football Weather Outlook 10-28

Dick's Weekend Football Weather Outlook 10-28

A cold front moved through the area Wednesday night with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms ending a period of pleasant daytime high temperatures in the upper 60s to around 70 degrees. The precipitation moved out of the area for Friday night and Saturday leaving colder temperatures under fair to partly cloudy skies.

KICKOFF TEMP: 55

FRIDAY NIGHT: For Friday night the area high school football contests starting at 7:00 and 7:30 p.m. should see clear skies, wet fields, and kickoff temperatures in the middle to the upper 50s.

KICKOFF TEMP: 50

SATURDAY NIGHT: For Saturday, the Ohio State Buckeyes play the Wisconsin Badgers at Columbus, Ohio for a nighttime 8:00 p.m. kickoff. The game time conditions should be clear skies, a dry field, and a game time temperature of around 50 degrees.



The Wittenberg Tigers take a "bye" this weekend.

I hope your favorite team wins.

PSN Video Extra: Springfield at Centerville report

PSN Video Extra: Springfield at Centerville report