Sunday, March 12, 2000
St. X muscles into regional
Bombers earn third game with Elder
BY CAREY HOFFMAN
Enquirer contributor
DAYTON, Ohio — A big obstacle on the court proved no problem for St. Xavier on Saturday as the Bombers got past a big obstacle off the court — reaching the regional for the first time since 1986.
St. Xavier overpowered Springfield South 54-33 in a Division I district title game at University of Dayton Arena. The point total was the lowest of the season for South and was built on an overwhelming 40-21 edge in rebounding held by St.X.
St. Xavier advances to the regional semifinals to meet the Greater Catholic League-rival Elder at 6:15 p.m. Thursday at UC Arena. Elder beat Lakota West 67-49 Saturday.
South led 13-11 after one quarter, but then the Wildcats' 6-foot-8 shot blocker, Elgrace Wilborn, was forced to the bench with his second foul five minutes before halftime. That opened the middle for St. X senior forward John Cronin, who scored 12 points in the remainder of the half to help the Bombers to a 30-21 halftime lead.
“His leaving definitely opened the middle up some,” Cronin said.
Cronin had a season-high 16 points by halftime and didn't score in the second half. But he and 6-7 center Andy Larkin collected nine rebounds each in the game. Six of Cronin's came on the offensive glass, where St. X had a 19-4 edge.
“We knew Wilborn was a shot-blocker, but when you do that, you lose box out responsibilities,” St. X coach Scott Martin said. “So then our height gave us chances to get to the ball.”
Wilborn returned for almost the entire second half, but by then, St. X's defense had South under full control. The Bombers opened the half with a 6-0 run. South matched it with a 6-0 run to pull back within 36-27 with 4:06 left in the third quarter, causing Martin to call time out.
Out of the timeout, point guard Steve Callahan hit a three-pointer and then a layup, killing South's momentum. “The key to the game was our defense,” Martin said. “ It was so difficult for them to score, it allowed our offense to play without pressure.”
Larkin added 12 points and a pair of blocks for St. X's balanced offense, and Jordan Cornette had all eight of his points in the second half.
St. X's last district title team in 1986 featured Scott Martin at guard.
“It's good to be back on this floor,” Martin said.
Next up is a third meeting with Elder. The two teams split close games this year, with each winning at home.
“That's going to be a pretty evenly matched game,” Cronin said. “It will come down to who plays a smarter game.”
“We know we're playing the hottest team in Cincinnati, the team with the longest winning streak,” Martin said.
SPRINGFIELD SOUTH (33) - Copeland 6-10 2-3 14, Bray 5-19 1-2 11, C. Moss 0-0 0-0 0, Crossley 0-1 0-0 0, Wilborn 1-1 0-0 2, E. Moss 0-0 0-0 0, Perdue 0-0 0-0 0, Jackson 0-0 2-2 2, Anderson 2-4 0-0 4, Ham 0-1 0-0 0, Walker 0-2 0-0 0. Totals: 14-38 5-7 33.
ST. XAVIER (54) - Callahan 3-8 0-0 8, Cornette 4-8 0-0 8, Kennedy 0-2 1-2 1, Cronin 6-14 4-10 16, Larkin 3-8 6-6 12, Grogan 1-1 0-0 3, Keating 0-1 0-0 0, Larsen 1-1 0-0 2, Bast 0-3 0-0 0, Sollmann 1-3 2-2 4, Graham 0-0 0-0 0, Compton 0-2 0-0 0. Totals: 19-51 13-20 54. Springfield South 13-8-6-6-33 St. Xavier 11-19-13-11-54
3-pointers: SS 0-6 (Copeland 0-1, Bray 0-4, Ham 0-1), SX 3-13 (Callahan 2-6, Cornette 0-3, Kennedy 0-1, Grogan 1-1, Keating 0-1, Sollmann 0-1). Rebounds: SS 21 (Crossley 5), SX 40 (Cronin, Larkin 9). Assists: SS 9 (Bray 4), SX 13 (Kennedy, Larkin 4). Records: SS 16-8, SX 21-2.
Sports Stories
Bearcats: We deserve No. 1 seed
UC players sense improvement in practice
UC can still make a tourney run
This March will be madder than most
Martin's injury clouds NBA draft
Griffey shows off glove, arm
'Other' hometowner longshot to make roster
Reds Game Report
Loria brings Expos hope
Selig: Realignment options still being considered
Ten reasons why XU crashed
