Friday, March 05, 1999
Elder's surge continues with win over Aiken
Hard-charging Panthers face Hughes Saturday
BY CAREY HOFFMAN
Enquirer contributor
Elder is back. After a losing season last year and a 6-11 record as recently as Feb. 9, Elder put together its fifth win in a row in impressive fashion Thursday night, manhandling Aiken 63-48 in a Cincinnati Division I sectional game at UC's Shoemaker Center.
Elder advances to meet Hughes in the lower-bracket sectional title game Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
“We've been working harder in practice. We got sick of losing close games,” said Elder guard Mike Kelsey, who hit four three-pointers on his way to 20 points Thursday night.
Elder's season-closing flurry included victories over St. Xavier, Princeton and La Salle.
“I'll give our kids a lot of credit — they didn't give up on each other,” Elder coach Joe Schoenfeld said. “We knew we weren't miles and miles away from where we wanted to be. It was just a matter of the little things each game.”
The little things were in perfect working order against Aiken.
Elder passed the ball with precision and found open shots. On the night, the Panthers made 25-of-40 field-goal attempts, including 5-of-8 from three-point range.
“They played a great, great ballgame,” said Aiken coach Eric Thomas. “They totally out played us.”
“I thought we executed really well,” Schoenfeld said. “We wanted to be patient and get good shots. Sean Rowland at point guard was really a key to that.”
Rowland added 11 points for Elder, while Joel Wainscott had 13 and James Kenney 10. Aiken was led by Paul McMillan and George Slaughter with 11 each.
AIKEN (48) — Dickenson 1 1 3, Evans 2 1 5, Jackson 0 2 2, Johnson 5 0 10, McMillan 5 1 11, Slaughter 5 0 11, White 3 0 6. Totals: 21 5 48.
ELDER (63) — Kelsey 7 2 20, Robbins 1 0 3, Rowland 3 5 11, Wainscott 6 1 13, Kenney 5 0 10, Renzenbrink 2 0 4, Benken 1 0 2. Totals: 25 8 63.
Aiken ....... 7 17 14 10—48
Elder ....... 10 21 17 15—63
Three-point goals: A - Slaughter; E - Kelsey 4, Robbins. Records: E 11-11, A 12-9.
• Hughes 45, Walnut Hills 42, at Shoemaker Center — Walnut Hills' Shaun Smith game-tying three-point attempt with four seconds left was long, preserving the victory for No. 3 seed Hughes in the Cincinnati Division I sectional tournament.
Hughes led all game long and opened the lead to 15 points, 39- 24, with about six minutes to play in the game.
“I told them, "Just keep playing the next couple of minutes and don't let them in,' ” said Hughes coach Fred Tudor.
“It was just a typical tournament game. We had to close them out, but they played with that little bit of desperation.”
Hughes will play Elder in Saturday's lower-bracket sectional final. It's believed by Hughes' officials to be the first sectional title game appearance by the school since the 1970s.
WALNUT HILLS (42) — Hardin 3 3 10, Smith 5 6 16, James 2 0 6, Williams 1 2 4, Holmes 1 0 2, Thompson 2 0 4. Totals: 14 11 42.
HUGHES (45) — McCants 2 2 6, Eubanks 1 0 2, Frazier 3 1 7, Smiley 1 0 2, Dykes 2 0 4, Spears 1 0 2, Short 1 0 2, Roberts 3 1 8, Grimes 3 0 6, Stallworth 2 2 6. Totals: 19 6 45.
Walnut Hills ....... 6 8 10 18—42
Hughes ....... 8 13 12 12—45
Three-point goals: WH - Hardin, James 2; H - Roberts. Records: WH 14-8, H 12-9.
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