Newark rolls past Toledo Whitmer to advance to Division I final

By dlabbe

March 14, 2008, 8:29PM

Toledo Whitmer did their best to keep things interesting, but Cody Dennison was too much for the Panthers in the second Division I semifinal of the night. Dennison scored 22 points along with 5 rebounds and 4 assists and hounded Whitmer gunner Ryne Smith on the defensive end in Newark's 63-44 win. The Wildcats will play Lakewood St. Edward in the Division I championship game Saturday night.

Whitmer, down by as many as 21 early in the third quarter, fought back to within 9 thanks to an Antwan Willis and one with 7:47 to play in the game, but Dennison, a 5'10" junior, used a mix of jump shots and drives to keep Whitmer at bay.

Newark pulled away from the Panthers in the second quarter when they outscored Whitmer 13-3 in the final 3:06 of the first half. Dennison scored 10 of his points in the frame, while senior Greg Avery (16 points, 9 rebounds) scored eight in the quarter. Newark carried a 36-22 edge into halftime.

The Wildcats' Rahlin Watson, in foul trouble early in the 1st quarter, finished with 13 points.

Early on, Newark was able to get to the rim with relative ease in the opening quarter. The Wildcats led 13-8 after one. Whitmer had closed to 9-8 with just over a minute to play, but a Will McCoy (2 points, 4 rebounds) basket and Dennison steal and driving lay up kept Newark on top.

Whitmer was paced by Willis' 16 points and 9 rebounds. Smith added 12, but shot just 4-for-12 from the field.