Friday, March 02, 2001
Mariemont routs Batavia for sectional title
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Adversity sometimes necessitates change, which can lead to success. The Mariemont basketball team, seeded No.1 in the Division III boys sectional tournament, is a prime example.
Since losing a starter to academic problems, the Warriors have won eight consecutive games, including Thursday's 52-33 victory over Batavia in the Division III sectional championship game at Sycamore.
Mariemont advanced to the district championship Wednesday at University of Dayton Arena, against the winner of tonight's Clinton-Massie/Middletown Fenwick game.
“We're not as deep now (nine players), and we've gone to a 3-2 zone,” Mariemont coach David Wainscott said. “We used it about half the time before, but we've gone to it exclusively now.”
Using Branden Fisher (6-foot-4), Phil Landes (6-6) and Geoff Gray (5-10) on the outside, Mariemont prevented Batavia from getting good shots outside or working the ball inside.
“If you can't shoot against the 3-2, you're not going to beat it,” Batavia coach Mike Hatfield said.
After falling behind 14-7 after the first quarter and 27-21 at halftime, Batavia tied the score 27-27 with 5:28 remaining in the third quarter.
“We got to the sectional championship last year but lost to Wyoming,” said Fisher, who scored 26 points Thursday. “We wanted to go to Dayton, and we don't want to lose again. We've got a lot of momentum.”
During the final 5:11 of the third quarter, Mariemont held the Bulldogs scoreless while Fisher and Landes combined for 10 points.
Batavia made another run early in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 37-31 with 5:47 remaining. But Fisher scored six points and Landes four to break it open.
Assistant coach Gordy Hammersmith had no doubt Mariemont would emerge as sectional champion. In a bold move, Hammersmith and Wainscott had Division III sectional champion T-shirts made. The shirts were distributed to each player in the locker room.
“It's been a few years since we've won a sectional,” Wainscott said. “We took a gamble and had them made.”
Matt Faris led Batavia with 17 points, eight rebounds, three blocked shots and four assists.
BATAVIA (33) — Wilson 2 0 6, Faris 8 1 17, Ellis 1 0 2, Mallon 1 1 4, Bailey 2 0 4. Totals: 14 2 33.
MARIEMONT (52) — Gray 0 1 1, Keys 1 0 2, Clasen 1 0 2, Fisher 11 3 26, Weissman 1 3 5, Landes 4 7 16. Totals: 18 14 52.
Batavia ....... 7 14 6 6—33
Mariemont ....... 14 13 10 15—52
3-pointers: B—Wilson 2, Mallon; M—Fisher, Landes. Records: M 17-4, B 12-10.
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Mariemont routs Batavia for sectional title
