There were four Division I showdowns at the University of Dayton Arena:
• Two last-second free throws were the difference in Princeton’s 53-51 dodging of Greater Miami Conference rival Lakota East.
• Moeller shut down Fairmont 65-50 and flexed multiple reasons why it could be headed back to the final four.
• Wayne was at its best in throttling Oak Hills, another GMC rep, 68-54.
• Finally, Michael Wallace was a difference-maker in the final seconds to clinch Springfield's 51-45 dodging of Elder.
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Those four district winners advance to Wednesday’s D-I regional semifinals at Xavier University’s Cintas Center in Cincinnati. Springfield (21-4) renews its rivalry with Moeller (23-3) at 6:15 p.m. Wayne (24-1) gets Princeton (23-3) – minus Mr. Basketball candidate Darius Bazley – at 8 p.m. This will be the second of a two-game suspension for Bazley and another starter for leaving the bench in a sectional final.
The winners return at 7:30 p.m. Saturday to decide the D-I regional title and a spot in the season-ending state final four.
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Dunbar couldn’t rekindle its mo-jo and dropped a 68-60 decision to Cincinnati Woodward in a D-II district final on Saturday at Hamilton. Woodward’s Terry Durham wrecked the Wolverines with 26 points and 18 rebounds. Dunbar trailed 32-24 at halftime.
It was particularly painful because Dunbar (18-5) defeated host Woodward 84-73 in the regular season.
Dunbar needed a court order earlier last week to re-enter the tournament after the Ohio High School Athletic Association had ruled the Wolverines were disqualified for using an ineligible player. Dunbar held the ball most of the second half but edged Fenwick 27-26 in a D-II sectional final at UD late Wednesday night.
»RELATED: Dunbar’s tourney journey ends
The OHSAA’s ruling was based on administrative mishandling following a JV fight between Dunbar and visiting Thurgood Marshall in early January. That has resulted in a paid leave of absence for both Dayton Public Schools director of athletics Mark Baker and Dunbar principal Crystal Phillips.
The loss concluded an eventful debut season for Dunbar coach Chuck Taylor. He landed the position when veteran coach Pete Pullen was not retained in a decision that divided previous DPS school board members and Dunbar fans alike.
Wallace, a talented senior guard, hit two layups and added two steals, all in the final 10 seconds, to push Springfield past Elder (14-12).
“Every time we get in those close moments, that’s what I do,” Wallace said after joining in a net-cutting ceremony. “I like the clutch moments.” He led the Wildcats with 12 points.
This marks the fourth straight season Springfield has played for a district title and has won three. The only loss was to Moeller in 2016. The Wildcats defeated the Crusaders in a 2015 regional semifinal. Moeller defeated host Springfield 56-39 on Feb. 3 in this regular season.
L’Christian “Blue” Smith led Wayne with 23 points and eight rebounds Darius Quisenberry added 19 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Wayne led by 24 points late in the third period.
Ottawa-Glandorf 87, Coldwater 67: The Western Buckeye League champs (24-1) scored 33 points in the first quarter and won a D-III district final at Lima Senior. Derek Albers led the Cavaliers (14-12) with 21 points and 12 rebounds.
Marion Local 39, St. Henry 38, OT: Nate Bruns led the Flyers with 12 points and hit the game winner for Flyers in a D-IV district final matchup of Midwest Athletic Conference powers at Wapakoneta on Friday. Marion Local (21-4) will play Catholic Central (22-3) in a D-IV regional semi at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Trent.
Tyler Schlarman hit four 3-pointers and led St. Henry (21-4) with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
»RELATED: Girls basketball state final four pairings
• Area teams will play in three of the four girls state final four divisions this week: Bellbrook (D-II), Versailles (D-III) and Minster (D-IV). Representing the MAC, this is a regular occurrence for Versailles (seventh since 2008). Minster is making its third appearance since 2004 and Bellbrook its third, including 2012.
The season-ending final four runs Thursday through Saturday’s finals at Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center in Columbus.
»FACEBOOK: For more high school sports you should like Marc Pendleton
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