So does Ponitz head coach Steve Pittman. A longtime assistant under Darnell Hoskins at Thurgood Marshall and Springfield, this is Pittman's debut as a head coach and the Golden Panthers (5-3) have delivered while also embracing a learning curve. Ponitz still has a ways to go to rival Dunbar and even Stivers for City League supremacy, but there's Division II tournament promise and a season-opening blowout of Thurgood to build on.
“We want to get this rolling and put Ponitz on the map,” assured Ponitz senior Floyd Scott, who matched Sealey’s 17 points for game-high honors. “It’s not going to stop at the beginning of the tournament. We want to go all the way through it. We’re not just playing for the City (League); we’re fighting to go to state.”
That’s what this nonleague matchup was all about, stepping out of the comfort zones for each team in hopes of making a difference later. It was the second straight setback for Oakwood (5-2) following five straight wins to open the season and a loss at unbeaten Brookville last Thursday.
Oakwood closed within six points in the fourth quarter, but Ponitz revved up its full-court defensive pressure and responded with a game-ending 13-1 run, its largest final point spread. Senior Jalen Garrett added 10 points and eight assists. Junior Andy Neff led the Lumberjacks with 13 points and Connor Dinkler added 10 points, including a trio of 3’s.
“It’s a huge game for us because we find out our weaknesses,” Oakwood coach Paul Stone said. “If you’re going to beat someone good in the tournament, you’ve got to find out what that feels like in the regular season. I’m going to find out what our kids can and can’t do under pressure and that’s what we had.”
Oakwood entered the contest as one of five Southwestern Buckeye League teams with one or no losses. Loaded with a talented junior class, Oakwood is coming off a 19-6 season that produced a SWBL Southwestern Division co-championship with Franklin. Ponitz also blitzed Oakwood 61-46 last season.
Ponitz is Oakwood’s only City League opponent, but the Lumberjacks’ schedule also is loaded with three Greater Western Ohio Conference teams and Carroll of the Greater Catholic League Co-Ed North besides the SWBL gauntlet.
“We’re in a grinder,” Stone said. “We’re still learning where all the pieces fit.”
That goes for Pittman, too. He succeeded Dwayne Hansbro, who lasted just one losing season. Ponitz was a top D-II seed and a City League co-champ just two seasons ago under Shaun O’Connell.
“The difference is, when I was in the second seat with Darnell, I was always right,” Pittman said. “Now, being in the first seat, it is a difficult transition. The kids are doing their best to learn a new system, all the wording, the different verbiage. I thought it would be a little bit easier, but actually, it isn’t. But it’s been really fun. I’m blessed to be here.”
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