Trotwood Liberty makes Flyin' debut

dayton daily news
By Greg Billing
January 16, 2006

VANDALIA | Trotwood Liberty Christian made its inaugural appearance at the Flyin' to the Hoop basketball invitational on Sunday. The Warriors hope membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association isn't far behind. "We have our application in and have some things to get together," said Warriors coach Don McLemore of the sixth-year program joining the OHSAA. "If we don't join this year we'll join next year." A Division IV team in the OHSAA when approved, the currently independent Warriors proved they are battle-tested. Trotwood played with California's Stoneridge Prep until the Simi Valley school's height took over in the 69-53 win. Trotwood trailed just 46-45 early in the fourth quarter. Stoneridge, which has six players 6-7 or taller, outrebounded Trotwood 39-19. Thirty of Stoneridge's boards were defensive. Trotwood Christian also misfired on 11 of 15 three-point attempts, a handful late trying to stay in the game.

Alex Davis, a 6-foot-8 senior, led Trotwood with 20 points. Davis and senior Eddie Williams (eight points) — both who moved in from Milwaukee, Wis., during the fall — are expected to be Trotwood Christian's first Division I college players. Davis signed with Tennessee Tech and Williams is leaning toward Butler. Senior Kevin Coley (4 points) of Dayton is looking at Rio Grande and Central State. "I'm really looking for Alex to take his game a lot farther," said Trotwood Christian assistant coach and former player Jay Jones. "He's got a little maturity to go, but he's going to be something to see."

The Warriors (8-2), whose only other loss was to Harmony Community, had a chance to scout its next opponent on Sunday. Trotwood plays Millersburg Military Institute of Kentucky on Friday.

• Prince Avenue S.C. 78, Trotwood-Madison 68: Prince Avenue took advantage of Trotwood's cold third-quarter start and held off the Rams in a foul-plagued game. Prince Avenue went 29-of-41 from the free-throw line and Trotwood 27-of-38 as both teams combined for 43 fouls. Trotwood's Chris Wright, with future coach Brian Gregory of the University of Dayton watching, led the Rams with 22 points, one monster block and a couple dunks. Ibrahim Marone added 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Rams (7-3). Brandon Alford led the Warriors with 20 points.

• Cin. St. Xavier 70, Millersburg Military Institute 62: David Gedeon scored 22 points as the Bombers (10-2), no small team themselves, overcame Millersburg's height. D-I prospect David Wood led Millersburg (6-6) with 17 points.

• Community Christian (Ga.) 85, New Creations (Ind.) 69: If there was a comeback player award, New Creations Troy Smith nailed it. A day after going 0-for-10 from the field, Smith hit 14-of-21 for 36 points. But Community Christian had a comeback of its own. The Knights erased a 19-point deficit over the final 14 minutes. Virginia recruit Soloman Tat's 18 points led five Knights in double figures. Olu Ashaolu added 17 points and 14 rebounds, one less than NC had as a team.

• Princeton 72, Bowling Green 45: The Vikings, who opened the season 0-2 with one of those losses to Centerville, won their ninth straight behind 19 points from Robert Jackson. Quicker Princeton (9-2) blistered the nets by hitting 30-of-42 shots and held Bowling Green (8-4) to just 10 rebounds. Jordan Fortney led BG with 15.

Contact Greg Billing at 225-2400, ext. 6991.