It goes without saying that college basketball fans love the start of this week. But, the same could certainly be said for high school hoops fans in Ohio.
As several girls basketball teams look ahead to the state tournament in Columbus this weekend, it will be a special journey for fans of Fairmont (Kettering), which will make their first trip to the state final four.
Fairmont (22-2) defeated Vandalia Butler 39-37 on Saturday at Wright State to win the program’s first Division I regional title in school history.
"I can’t believe we’re going to state," Fairmont senior Jessica Beatty told the Dayton Daily News. "It’s like a dream."
Beatty made a layup with 9.2 seconds left to lift Fairmont, according to the publication. Fairmont plays Toledo Waite (23-2) in a state semifinal at Ohio State at 6 p.m. Friday.
In Division II, Archbishop Alter (Kettering) (23-2) plays Miami Trace (Washington Courthouse) (24-1) in a Division II semifinal at 8 p.m. Thursday. Alter defeated Chaminade-Julienne 36-34 in the final seconds Friday night to win the regional final, according to the Dayton Daily News.
In Division III, Madison (Middletown) (26-0) hopes to continue a magical undefeated season when it plays Ironton (17-7) at 1 p.m. Thursday. Senior Lindsay Hoskins had 20 points and junior Ally Malott had 19 as Madison defeated Versailles 62-53 in the regional final. In Division IV, Fort Loramie (22-4) plays Harvest Prep (Canal Winchester) (25-1) at 3 p.m. Friday in Columbus.
2. GCL teams advance: St. Xavier (Cincinnati), La Salle (Cincinnati) and Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati) advanced to the Division I boys basketball regional semifinals after the schools won district titles at the University of Dayton Arena on Saturday. Moeller plays Cincinnati Princeton at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday at Xavier University’s Cintas Center, followed by St. Xavier against La Salle at 8 p.m. The regional final is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Xavier. La Salle split the regular-season series with St. X. Princeton, the Division I state runner-up in 2009, did not play Moeller this season.
3. Jacoby named Hamilton football coach: Hamilton named veteran coach Bob Jacoby as its new head football coach last week. Jacoby takes over for Jim Place, who stepped down on Jan. 4 after coaching the Big Blue for four seasons. Jacoby, 52, has been the head coach for Hamilton Township in the Columbus area for the past three years. He previously coached at Columbus St. Francis DeSales and won two state titles in the 1990s. "We’ve got an outstanding person coming in," Hamilton athletic director Mike Dellapina told the Hamilton Journal-News. "I don’t think I’ve ever been in a situation where I’ve had a person come so highly recommended." Hamilton received about 50 applications for the coaching vacancy.
4. More football coaching news: The Dayton Daily News reported last week that Brian Blevins has resigned from Fairmont after seven seasons. The publication also said former Miamisburg coach Tim Lewis is expected to rejoin his former team as the head coach. The publication said Blevins could become the offensive coordinator position at Huber Heights Wayne next season. Lewis was an assistant at Miamisburg last season, according to the publication.
5. Coyne adds offers: Hamilton Badin junior quarterback Patrick Coyne continues to be regarded as one of the state’s top quarterbacks in the 2011 class. Coyne, who is 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, recently added scholarship offers from Boston College, West Virginia and Bowling Green. Coyne also has offers from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Buffalo, Toledo, Illinois and Ohio University. Coyne was first-team all-Greater Catholic League Central Division during the 2009 season. He threw for 1,642 yards and nine touchdowns. He also rushed for 491 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Among the outstanding efforts this week
Kacie Cassell, Vandalia Butler girls basketball: The senior guard had a team-high 18 points in a 47-42 win over Walnut Hills in a Division I regional semifinal at Wright State University. Cassell, who has signed with Akron, also had three assists and two rebounds.
Holly Carey, Kettering Fairmont girls basketball: The senior guard had a season-high 15 points as Fairmont defeated Princeton 49-41 in a Division I regional semifinal at Wright State. Carey was 3-for-3 on 3-pointers during the game.
Jorian Hudson, Roger Bacon boys’ basketball: The senior guard had a game-high 17 points in a 47-34 win over St. Paris Graham in a Division II district final at University of Dayton Arena. Hudson is signed to play football at the University of Cincinnati next season.
Looking ahead
All-star wrestling meet, Tuesday: The annual Southwest Ohio Wrestling Coaches Association Cincinnati Area All-Star meet is at 6:30 p.m. at Sycamore High School. Around 30 area seniors will compete in this event.
Roger Bacon vs. Thurgood Marshall, boys basketball: These two teams play in the Division II regional semifinal at 8 p.m. Thursday at Kettering Fairmont. Roger Bacon is led by senior guard Jorian Hudson and junior center Jared Bryant.
Taft vs. Middletown Madison, boys basketball: These two teams play in the Division III regional semifinal at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Kettering Fairmont. Taft (21-2) is led by sophomore center Adolphus Washington, who was recently named the Southwest District Division III player of the year. Taft is also led by guards Cameron Mitchell and Kevin Mitchell. Madison is led by senior Mark Maloney, who was recently named the Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye division player of the year.
Recruiting news
Finneytown junior lineman Donovan Clark has received an offer from Kent State. Clark, who is 6 feet 4 and 290 pounds, also has offers from Minnesota, Ohio University, West Virginia, Duke, Indiana and Ball State. …Trotwood-Madison junior receiver A.J. Jordan (6-2, 180) has reportedly added offers from Arkansas, Purdue and Wisconsin, according to ScoutingOhio.com. …Cincinnati Colerain junior linebacker Jarrett Grace (6-4, 230) has added an offer from Vanderbilt. He also has offers that include Cincinnati, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Kentucky, Stanford, Boston College, Northwestern, Notre Dame and several others.
Random thoughts
The Liberty Township Lakota East club ice hockey team won the 2010 Buckeye Cup on March 7 at Cincinnati Gardens. It is the first club hockey state title for Lakota East. …Track and field is the first spring sport to officially start around the state this year. Teams are allowed to begin meets on March 27. …The Indian Hill girls basketball team has won 27 consecutive Cincinnati Hills League games over the past two seasons.
