By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Macco/Blue Ash's Steve Stewart fights for a ball with Slats's Robert Whaley. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

There is little doubt the majority of the estimated 1,800 people at Oak Hills High Tuesday night were there to see three players: Robert Whaley, James White and Mike Pilgrim.

The University of Cincinnati's three marquee recruits, playing for Slats, have garnered most of the attention the last few weeks at the Deveroes Summer League, and for good reason. They are among the most talented players in the league.

But it takes a little more than just talent to beat an undefeated team with veteran players who are playing for pride more than attention.

Top-seeded Maaco-Blue Ash (9-0) defeated No. 8-seeded Slats 83-73, coming back from an 11-point second-half deficit to advance to the league semifinals against Cintas at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Former UC player Damon Flint ignited the comeback when he hit a pair of 3-pointers over White. He gave the younger star a lighthearted stare following the second 3, an off-balance shot in transition that tied the score at 64-64.

"I knew the team was down and we had to score," Flint said. "I said, 'I want that ball.' (White) said, 'Those were some tough shots.' "

Flint hit four 3-pointers in all and finished with 16 points.

Tuesday's win was the second straight game that Maaco-Blue Ash has defeated Slats, despite the fact Slats played most of the game with five UC players on the court: White, Whaley, Pilgrim, Kareem Johnson and Chadd Moore. Slats finished the season with a 2-7 record.

"We had a big lead, and then we just stopped playing," said White, who finished with 11 points on three 3-pointers. "We stopped running after we got the lead."

Slats couldn't stop Jack "Truck" Jennings, either. Jennings, all 275 pounds of him, bulled his way to the basket, at times overpowering Whaley and Johnson. He scored 27 points, most of them coming within 3 feet of the basket. It's something that Jennings, 31, has been doing for years to the best post players in town.

"It doesn't make a difference," Jennings said. "UC, XU, NKU players. It doesn't matter."

Jennings and point guard Kevin Britten bring out the "tough" attitude in the Maaco-Blue Ash team that wasn't about to back down from a large deficit, especially not after running through the regular season unbeaten, and not to the most popular team in the league.

"I don't care who you are," Jennings said, "your name can only carry you so far. When it's time to play, you better lace up your shoes and play."

Macco/Blue Ash's Demon Flint shoots over Slats's Kareem Johnson. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

For most of the game, Slats did play with Maaco-Blue Ash. But in the final minutes, when possessions counted for more, Maaco-Blue Ash executed its offense while Slats committed costly turnovers.

"White was trying to go 1-on-4," Jennings said. "You saw us play together and we won."

The victory against Slats also meant a little more for Eric Hicks, the one current UC player on the Maaco-Blue Ash roster.

"Especially against Kareem (Johnson)," Hicks said. "We call him 'Jabber,' and if I had lost to him, I would have heard about it all year. Now their season is over."

In the second quarterfinal game Tuesday night, No. 2-seeded Stan Litz Law office defeated John H. Flessa Law Office 82-73.

The University of Dayton's big men dominated the interior play. Keith Waleskowksi scored 26 points, and Sean Finn added 20.

Stan Litz will play Stratus Group at 12:30 p.m. Saturday for a place in the championship game, which is 7 p.m. Sunday.

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E-mail ddow@enquirer.com