COLUMBUS, Ohio - Sparta Highland did something no other team in the state playoffs could do against Indian Hill.
Highland stopped Indian Hill's transition game and handed the Braves an 80-61 loss in the Division III state championship game at St. John Arena before a crowd of 12,626.
''We knew we couldn't run with them,'' Sparta Highland coach Mike Hoyng said. ''Our goal was to take away their transition game and not give them any easy baskets.''
While Sparta's defense stopped Indian Hill, the Braves had no answer for senior guard J.T. Hoyng, who set Division III title-game records with eight three-pointers and 36 points. Hoyng, state co-player of the year in Division III, was 8-of-13 behind the arc.
''We had the kid five feet behind the line and he still hit them,'' Indian Hill coach Dale Haarman said. ''What can you do? It was an outstanding effort.''
Haarman also tipped his hat to Highland's defense.
''They kept pressure on Bryan (Walker) and often doubled up to slow him down,'' Haarman said. ''They fronted Tad (DeBord), which made it difficult to get him the ball.''
Hoyng said the defensive efforts of Noble Young and J.P. Linkous were key to the victory.
''Noble has been our best defensive player all season and we put him on No. 42 (Bryan Walker),'' Hoyng said. ''He kept him from penetrating and getting easy baskets. J.P. fronted DeBord and made it difficult to get shots.''
DeBord said the first quarter was the difference.
''Our shots just weren't falling and we were frustrated,'' he said. ''Yes, we started getting on each other, but that happens to a lot of teams when things aren't going right.''
Despite a lackluster shooting effort early in the game, the Braves managed to tied the score at 18-18 with Brenden Flood showing the way with six points.
''The second and third quarters were our downfall,'' Haarman said. ''We couldn't get anything going offensively. We hurried our shots and never got into a flow.''
The turning point in the game was in the second quarter, when Indian Hill went more than four minutes without scoring. That enabled the Fighting Scots to erase a 24-21 deficit and take a 31-26 halftime lead.
Substitute Bill Rausch contributed big for Sparta Highland. He converted four free throws and a three-pointer during a 10-0 run, and Sparta never trailed after surging ahead.
Hoyng took charge again in the third quarter for Sparta Highland. He sank three three-pointers, two two-pointers and two free throws that enabled the Scots to grab a 51-45 advantage.
It appeared Indian Hill ran out of gas in the fourth quarter. Hoyng hit two quick three-pointers at the 5:53 mark, catapulting Sparta to a 62-49 lead.
Haarman defended his decision to take the team back to Cincinnati following Thursday's semifinal victory. The team returned to Columbus Saturday morning, then played in the afternoon.
''We drove to see the hotel after Sunday's tournament meeting, and there were two factories and three office complexes nearby,'' Haarman said. ''What could the kids have done all day Friday and Saturday?''
Haarman said many coaches feel the same way, and prefer taking the kids back home, if possible.
''It's good to have the kids sleep in their own beds,'' he said. ''It was neat at school on Friday. We practiced and there was a lot of school spirit. The parents served breakfast this morning (Saturday) and we had a send-off.''
This was Sparta Highland's third trip to the final four but first state title.
''This championship was won during the summer when the kids put in a lot of time and hard work,'' coach Hoyng said. ''I knew this would be a special group, and they deserve this.''
Indian Hill, which made its run to Columbus after finishing third in the Cincinnati Hills League, closed with a 20-7 record.
INDIAN HILL (61) - Walker 7-16 4-4 20, Flood 6-10 2-5 14, DeBord 4-7 3-5 11 , Davis 1-7 0-0 3, Cooper 4-7 0-0 9, Collinsworth 0-5 2-2 2, Welch 1-3 0-0 2, H all 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 23-56 11-16 61.
SPARTA HIGHLAND (80) - Linkous 1-4 1-2 3, Young 4-4 0-0 8, Rupe 5-7 1-2 11, J.T. Hoyng 11-18 6-7 36, S. Hoyng 1-7 3-4 5, Clark 1-1 2-2 4, Rausch 1-3 8-8 11, Grady 0-1 0-0 0, Rhea 0-1 0-0 0, Celli 1-1 0-0 2. Totals: 25-47 21-25 80.
Indian Hill 18 8 19 16 -61
Sparta Highland 18 13 20 29 - 80
Three-point goals: IH 4-19 (Walker 2, Davis, Cooper), SH 9-22 (J. Hoyng 8, Rausch. Rebounds: IH 29 (Walker 8, Flood 7, DeBord 5, Cooper 3), SH 28 (Linkous 7, Rupe 5, Young 4, Rausch 4). Assists: IH 6 (Walker 2), SH 17 (S. Hoyng 6, Rupe 5, Linkous 3). Turnovers: IH 12, SH 11. Referees: Butch Burbridge, Bobby Sagers Jr., Jack Crain. Attendance: 12,626. Records: SH 27-1, IH 20-7.
