Sunday, March 12, 2000
Elder bombs Lakota West
Mahon's threes set up rematch with St. Xavier
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
DAYTON, Ohio — Mike Mahon has been used sparingly during the regular season but the junior forward for Elder performed like a veteran Saturday against Lakota West.
Mahon sank four three- pointers in the second quarter in Elder's 67-49 victory over the Firebirds in the Division I District championship game at the University of Dayton Arena.
Elder advances to the Regional semifinals against St. Xavier on Thursday (6:15 p.m.) at UD.
St. Xavier and Elder split during the regular season. The Bombers won at home 46-42. Elder won 48-45 on its court.
Elder spotted a weakness when it studied Lakota West.
“The games we watched, the outside shot was open off the screen,” Elder coach Joe Schoenfeld said. “Mike's a good outside shooter, and we thought he would be open.”
Mahon didn't play in the first quarter but was put in midway through the second quarter. He buried a 3-pointer from the corner at the 3:10 mark and followed with three more during the final 1:34 of the quarter.
Mahon's 12 points catapulted Elder into a 33-23 halftime lead. The Panther defense tightened in the second half and didn't allow the Firebirds to come closer than eight points.
“We knew Mahon was a good 3-point shooter,” Lakota West coach Mike Mueller said. “He has 47 field goals this year and 42 were three-pointers.”
Mahon was all smiles after the game.
“Coach told me I would be open off the screen,” he said. “After I hit the first one, I felt it. I had a lot of confidence in that second quarter.”
Mueller credited Elder's defense as another factor in the outcome.
“Their physical, aggressive style concerned me,” Mueller said. “Their intensity level for 32 minutes is impressive. They played smarter, harder and more together than us tonight.”
Senior guard Mike Kelsey took over in the second half for Elder.
Held to two points at half time, Kelsey scored 13 in the second half. Joel Wainscott added nine after the intermission.
Elder's substitutes also were a factor, scoring 22 points. The Firebirds got only 10 points off the bench.
Mahon looked forward to a third game with St. X.
“This is a very competitive game and one that's fun to play in,” Mahon said.
“We had a 15 point lead on X the first time and lost. There should be a big crowd and another great game.”
Elder placed four players in double figures.
LAKOTA WEST (49) — Parker 0-5 0-0 0, Romero 8-12 2-5 19, Dunn 4-9 4-4 15, Chaney 2-7 1-2 5, Krauser 1-1 2-2 4, York 0-1 2-2 2, Hutzelman 1-6 0-0 2, Buhrl age 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 6-42 12-17 49.
ELDER (67) — Kelsey 5-12 4-4 15, Schenke 0-0 2-2 2, Bazeley 1-2 0-0 3, Rowland 2-5 6-6 10, Wainscott 5-10 5-9 15, Mullen 0-1 0-0 0, Benken 3-4 0-0 6, Renzenbrink 1-2 0-0 2, Mahon 4-6 0-0 12, Rapier 1-1 0-0 2. Totals: 22-43 17-21 67.
Lakota West ....... 8 15 8 18—49
Elder ....... 10 23 11 23—67
3-pointers: E 6-13 (Mahon 4, Kelsey, Bazeley. LW 5-13 (Dunn 3, Romero, Krauser). Rebounds: E 31 (Benken 7, Wainscott 6). LW 22 (Romero 9). Turnovers: E 13, LW 13. Assists: E 12 (Bazeley 5). W 3. Officials: Lou Galiardi, Bill Klamo, Mike Mays. Records: Lakota West 18-5, Elder 19-4. Attendance: 3,500.
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