Tuesday, March 07, 2000
St. X beats Milford for sectional title
Bombers first crown since 1986
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Since Scott Martin took over as coach five years ago, St. Xavier has won three Greater Catholic League South titles but faltered in the postseason tournament.
The Bombers ended the drought, claiming the Division I sectional championship for the first time since 1986 with a 57-46 victory over Milford at UC's Shoemaker Center on Monday.
St. Xavier advances to the Division I district championship noon Saturday against Springfield South at the University of Dayton Arena.
“It's been a long time since we won a sectional and a lot of the players knew it,” senior center Andy Larkin said. “We lost to Moeller last year and revenge was in the back of our minds.”
Jordan Cornette and Larkin each scored six points in the first quarter as St. X shot nine-of-11 from the field to jump out to a 21-15 lead.
“The first-quarter shooting was key,” Martin said. “The defense then turned it up in the second quarter which was also big.”
Employing a half-court trap, St. Xavier forced six Milford turnovers in the second quarter while limiting the Eagles to eight points. Five Bombers scored during the quarter as St. X stretched its lead to 34-23 at halftime.
St. Xavier opened up a 42-24 lead early in the third quarter behind the scoring of Dan Kennedy, John Cronin and Larkin.
Another key for the Bombers was Nick Larsen, a 6-foot-3 senior forward who played the high post against Milford's zone, effectively dishing off to teammates.
“Nick has been a key for us all season,” Martin said. “He does thing others don't and always seems to spark the team.”
As in past games, balanced scoring was St. Xavier's strength with three players in double figures. Larkin led with 14 points and nine rebounds. Cornette finished with 13 and Steve Callahan 11.
Junior center Zach Strief led Milford with 14 points. Senior guard Jason Kaufman had 13 points and six assists.
MILFORD (46) — Meranda 2 2 6, Connor 0 1 1, Robertson 2 04, Kaufman 6 1 13, Huesman 2 2 6, Strief 7 0 14, Kinder 0 2 2. Totals: 19 8-13 46.
ST. XAVIER (57) — Callahan 3 4 11, Cornette 3 5 13, Kennedy 1 0 2, Cronin 2 0 4, Larsen 2 0 4, Larkin 7 0 14, Sollmann 3 0 8. Totals: 21 9-16 57.
Milford ....... 15 8 7 16—46
St. Xavier ....... 21 13 12 11—57
3-pointers: SX-Callahan, Cornette 2, Kennedy, Sollmann 2. Records: Milford 13-9, St. Xavier 21-2.
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