Withrow 79 Talawanda 71 OT 

Withrow defeated Talawanda, but it took an overtime session to do so. Withrow outscored Talawanda 13-5 in OT for the win and the right to face 17-5 Oak Hills HS on March 1st.

Talawanda had an undefeated league season and an impressive 13-4 record coming into Tuesdays game against the Tigers of Withrow at the University of Cincinnati's Fifth Third Arena.  Many in attendance thought that Withrow's strong schedule and impressive 16-3 record would prove too much for Talawanda, but the Braves proved to be a tough opponent.

Talawanda had the 34-28 lead at the half, but Withrow went on a 6-0 run early to catch up powered by Gates. At the end of three it was Talawanda 52 -51.  After a tie at 58, Talawanda pushed out to 60-56, before Withrow came back to take a 64-63 lead. Overtime began with both teams at 66. 

Withrow outrebounded Talawanda 48-30.  Withrow survived a 1-7 night from Long from the three point line and a 0-7 night from guard Ron Bracey. 

Withrow 

Yancy Gates 2008 PF -  The big fella for Withrow came up big with 33 pts, 15 rebounds and four blocks. He also had a four min stretch early in the second half in which he had 11 pts, two rebs and two blocks after a personal foul call against him that he disagreed with. As soon as the pass would go to him, he was double teamed for most of the evening. This is the kind of energy that Cincinnati Bearcat fans are looking forward to seeing next year from him.

Notes: pullup 15' miss, reb, putback, blk, reb, TO, putback dunk, 10' miss, reb, putback, 5' miss, trey at the TOK miss, 10' miss, reb, TO, stl, 7' miss. Begin second half:  LU, push shot good, blk, reb, nasty dunk, push shot good, blk, LU, reb, 5' miss, reb, putback, 1-1 on FT's, 5' J, reb, miss FT, asst, reb.  OT: psuh shot good, LU and one.    7-14 on FT's total.

Anthony McBride 2008 PG - Did an effective job moving the ball and played smart. had some steals that led to fast break layups. Finished with 11 pts and five assts.

Chris Grimes 2008 PF - Grimes had a tough first half missing his first seven attempts before finishing with 12 points and 12 rebs. Had some big shots and rebounds late. Not sure how he moves so well for being so big. 

Notes: missed all his jump shots. Made four layups and a putback.

Troy Long 2008 SG - At 5'10, Long will have to improve his handles and passing for the next level. Still has a good shot normally, though it can be streaky. Missed all but one of his trey attempts tonight. Finished with 11 pts and five rebs. 

Talawanda 

Jeremy LaGarde 2009 SG - The talented guard had a good game scoring 17 pts and pulling down 6 rebs. He's a smart player who has a quick first step. He can hit the trey, but his specialty is the mid range pull up jumper. Needs to cut down on TO's - he had five tonight.  He's a D2 prospect at this point but with a good summer he could go low D1.

Notes: asst, TO, missed MR, dr LU fl'd, hit 2-2 fts, dr hit LH LU, missed W3, dr fl'd hit 2-2 Fts, TO,TO, hit W3, missed MR J OD, missed LU, missed PB, stl, missed LU, dr LU bldd, dr hit LU, ast, missed LU, hit MR J OD, ast, hit 2-2 fts, TO, hit 19' PU J, missed 3, missed 3.

Josh Clayton 2009 PF - This 6'7 big man hit some nice jumpers and was good on D against Grimes. He rarely guarded Gates, however.  Didnt really try to score in the paint and stayed on the perimeter on offense. Ended up fouling out. He's likely a D3 player at this time but with a good summer he could get some low NAIA or D2 looks. Not very athletic. Finished with six pts and four rebs.

Notes: hit C3, missed C3, bl, ast, hit 17' j, missed LU, missed C3, missed MD j. hit 1-2 tech fts, TO.

Joseph McDaniel 2008 SG - This was our first look at "JD", a talented scoring guard.  He scored 18 pts in a tough loss for the Braves. He's a little undersized for a SG but he has nice shooting touch from distance, hitting 2-4 tonight. Scored alot of his pts on LU's off the Withrow press. Deff a player D3 schools should should take a look at.

Notes: hit W3, PB good, long C 2 good, asst, missed MR J, hit LU, hit TOK 3, missed C3, missed BL 10 J, hit 10 J, hit LU, hit LU, TO, missed 3.

Andrew Flint 2008 G - Had an impressive seven assists against the pesky Withrow defense along with his team leading 20 pts and five rebs.