Sunday, March 05, 2000
McNick wills to win
BY CAREY HOFFMAN
Enquirer contributor
A sectional title matchup between Woodward and McNicholas boiled down to a second-half test of willpower.
Woodward had stood up to increasing defensive intensity from McNick all game. But in the middle of the third quarter, McNick pulled away for a 67-58 victory in the Cincinnati Division II lower bracket sectional final Saturday at Anderson High School.
The Rockets (15-8) will meet the state's No.1-ranked team in Division II, Dayton Christian (22-0) in the district finals. That game is tentatively scheduled for 7:15 p.m. on Thursday at the University of Dayton Arena.
Woodward opened a 30-20 with 2:48 left in the first half, but then Willie Boyce picked up his third foul and went to the bench. McNick closed the half with an 8-2 run to close the gap to 32-28.
Boyce began the second half on the bench but McNick continued to surge, taking the lead at 38-36 on a 21-foot three-pointer by junior forward Paul Sheehy. But Woodward went on a 6-0 to take a 42-38 lead and McNick coach Jerry Doerger called timeout with 3:39 left in the quarter.
“I kind of said this was going to be the last rally. Let's step it up now,” Doerger said.
“He let us know we hadn't won the game yet,” said Sheehy, who led McNick with 23 points. “We had gone up earlier in the third quarter and there was a sense we were going to go on and win, and we kind of died.”
McNick went to switching up the four full-court presses its uses, causing nine of Woodward's 28 turnovers in the third quarter.
After a timeout, McNick went on a 11-0 run, with sophomore Brian Chrin scoring eight of his nine points. McNick led 49-42 after three quarters.
“Our assistant coaches did a great job the last two days preparing our kids (for McNicholas),” Woodward coach Jimmy Leon said. “Boyce getting that third foul really hurt us and we didn't have the bench strength they have.”
Boyce returned at the start of the fourth quarter, but McNick had control and was able to force Woodward to foul. McNick was 19-of-26 from the foul line in the second half.
Boyce and freshman center Raymond Edwards led Woodward with 10 points each.
After losing seven seniors from last year's regional finalist, McNick has reloaded and is headed back to district with an entirely different cast. The Rockets say they are looking forward to the challenge that awaits them in Dayton Christian.
“I think we've got a good chance in Dayton,” Sheehy said. “They're the No.1 team in the state, but I think we've got a good shot at them.”
WOODWARD (58) — Boyce 4 2 10, Bryant 1 0 3, Armstrong 3 3 9, Hendrix 4 1 9, Richarson 1 0 2, Makonnen 3 2 9, Turnbow 3 0 6, Edwards 4 2 10. Totals: 23 10 58.
MCNICHOLAS (67) — Hensley 2 2 6, Dyment 0 1 1, Cupito 1 0 2, Schneider 4 1 11, Sheehy 7 6 23, Popelar 4 1 9, Coates 1 0 2, Brothers 0 4 4, Chrin 1 7 9. Totals: 20 22 67.
Woodward ....... 17 15 10 15—58
McNicholas ....... 13 15 21 18—67
3-pointers: W - Bryant, Makonnen; M - Schneider 2, Sheehy 3. Records: W 11-12, M 15-8.
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