March 11th News

By Shaun Spence

March 11, 2008, 9:07AM

Shaun Spence - ohioHSsports.com

Check back each and every weekday for the top prep headlines from across the state. Here are a list of summaries from some of the major stories around Ohio for Tuesday, March 11th:

Hockey: Lakewood St. Edward Wins State Title Again

St. Edward won their 11th state hockey championship last night with a 3-1 victroy over Gates Mills Gilmour. The Eagles (29-11-3) and Lancers (23-18-1) both had to endure a lot this weekend as the massive amounts of snow in Columbus delayed the state tournament (among many other tournament games in basketball) a day as they played the championship game on a weekday, rather than on Sunday. The Eagles had to overcome two of the players being suspended for the final after altercations with Toledo St. Francis players followoing the state semifinal game on Sunday. After a scoreless first period, St. Edward answered with two second period goals to take a 2-0 lead. Forwards T.J. Colvin and John Plagens gave the Eagles the lead they never surrendered. The Plain Dealer

Girls Basketball: Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame Wins Division I Title

It was a battle of Cincinnati-area teams as Mount Notre Dame deafeated Lakota West 69-67 in the Division I girls basketball final. Mount Notre Dame freshman guard Kathryn Reynolds hit a game-winning lay-in as time was expiring, leading MND to their third straight D-I title and fourth in five years. There was some dispute about whether or not the final shot was off before the red light went off on the backboard, but OHSAA assistant commisioner Hank Zaborniak said the ruling on the court will stand. Tia McBride (24), Gabby Smith (14), and Ashley Fowler (11) led Mount Notre Dame in scoring. Ms. Ohio Basketball Amber Gray (23 points, 11 rebounds) and Alexis Rogers (24 points) had huge games for the runner-up, Lakota West. The Enquirer

Girls Basketball: Kettering Alter Wins First Girls Basketball Title

After being delayed for two days thanks to the record snow fall in Columbus, Alter captured the first girls basketball state title in school history. The Knights defeated Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown 60-46. Sophomore Ashley Christie led the way for Alter (25-3) with 20 points. The Knights broke open a close one with a 21-6 game-ending run. Senior Nicole Christie (the older sister of Ashley) and Mary Brunner each added 12 points for the Knights. The younger Christie and Brunner combined for 20 more points than they averaged during the regular season. Hathaway Brown (22-5), the Division II runner-up for the second straight season, were led in scoring by Mylan Woods (14 points) and Alexis Dobbs (11 points). Dayton Daily News

Girls Basketball: Versailles Captures First Title

The Versailles girls basketball team nets their first state title with a dominating 51-33 win over Sugrarcreek Garaway as they capped a perfect 28-0 season. Head coach Jacki Stonebraker's sister, Justine Raterman, led Versailles with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Stonebraker's squad overcame Garaway's stingy defense, which held teams to 23.8 points per game, and scored nearly that many as they had a 19-13 halftime lead. Versailles' defense proved to be equally tough as they forced 16 turnovers and held Garaway to 32% shooting. Laura Bardall (18 points) score more than half of the Panthers (25-3) points. The 51 points scored by Versailles was by far the most allowed by Garaway this season. Dayton Daily News

Girls Basketball: Hawks Capture Division IV Title Again

Berlin Hiland played some excellent defense on their way to a 44-37 victory over Columbus Africentric. The Hawks (27-1) won their third title in four years and fourth this decade. Berlin Hiland's defense held the Nubians scoreless for a stretch of over 13 minutes in the second and third quarters. Africentric had a 15-5 lead in the early part of the second quarter before their scoring drought. The Hawks would score 24 straight points and they never gave up the lead. The Columbus Dispatch

Boys Basketball: Toledo Whitmer Upsets Canton Timken

Whitmer is making an unlikely return to the Division boys basketball state tournament following their shocking defeat of previously unbeaten Canton Timken. The 62-47 victory at the University of Akron's Rhodes Arena was a pleasant surprise to the Panthers' fans that made the trip last night in a game that was delayed for two days thanks to the snow. Whitmer returns to Columbus for the state tournament for the first time since 1987, a few years before any player on the team was born. Forward Kevin Koger and Antwan Willis dominated the paint as they combined for 26 points and 23 rebounds. Whitmer outrebounded Timken 41-29. Purdue recruit Ryne Smith chipped in 14 points (which included four three-pointers) and guard Jeremy Jones had a game high 15 for the Panthers. Christian Alston paced Timken with 15 points. Toledo Blade

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