Role players who starred in Day 2 of the OHSAA boys basketball tourney
These guys might not be on the top of the recruiting lists, but they all played well when the lights were brightest.
In the Division II games, Trotwood-Madison walloped Byesville Meadowbrook, 88-42 and Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary got past Lexington 62-51.
In the Division I games, Cincinnati Moeller edged Lorain 51-44 and Solon came from down 10 at the half to stun Pickerington North, 82-78.
Here then is a list of some of the unsung heroes of Day 2 of the OHSAA boys basketball tournament.
Davis Black (2019), 6’5” P, Byesville Meadowbrook
Rebounded, defended, and moved the ball well in early going when Meadowbrook kept it close but wore down as game continued. Finished with 8 points, four rebounds and three assists.
“I thought he played solid early,” said Trotwood-Madison coach Rocky Rockhold.
Justin Stephens (2019), 6’6” P, Trotwood-Madison
Big-time space eater who finishes around the rim. Connected on 6-of-6 shots in scoring 12 points to go with eight and two blocks. During one sequence he blocked a shot and got a dunk at the other end and came back and blocked another shot.
Sammy Anderson (2020), 6’2” G, Trotwood-Madison
Sparked first-half run when he came off the bench and attacked the glass, especially on the offensive end. Finished the game with four points, four rebounds, and two assists.
“He did a fantastic job,” said Rockhold. “When we made that run early it was his offensive rebounding and him playing great defense.”
Chris Painter (2019), 5’10” G, St. Vincent-St. Mary
Sparked Irish off the bench with a big first half as he scored 7 points, passes off for two assists and came up with a steal. His five points late in the second quarter helped Irish increase lead from 29-25 to 34-25.
Marcus Johnson (2020), 6’5” F, St. Vincent-St. Mary
Another effective sub off the bench for coach Dru Joyce II. Scored six points on 3 of 3 shooting in first half and ate up space in the paint.
Kyle Johnston (2019), 6’2” G, Lexington
Scored seven points on 3-of-5 shooting, grabbed two rebounds and passed off for four assists against a swarming St. V defense. Finished with just a single turnover.
Kameron Davis (2019), 5’7” G, Lorain
Personified grit toughness of a Lorain team that was overmatched size-wise against Archbishop Moeller.
Started up matched up on 6’5” Jeremiah Davenport and made the bigger Davenport work for everything he got. Finished the game with 2 points, but had five rebounds and four steals.
“I thought he played a great game. His timing is great and he’s disruptive,” said Moeller coach Carl Kremer of Davis.
Miles McBride (2019), 6’2” G, Moeller
Came off the bench and scored two points, grabbed two rebounds and got a steal in his first game since tearing his ACL while playing football.
With Moeller leading by 3 midway through the fourth quarter, he hit a big jump to increase the lead to 5 with just under five minutes left.
“He made the big shot from the corner,” said Kremer.
Ryan Bergen (2018), 6’2” P/W, Solon
With Solon in danger of getting blown out came off the bench in first half and connected on two much-needed 3-pointers a pair of free throws.
David Marbury (2019), 6’3” P, Solon
Scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Put defensive clamps on Detroit Mercy-recruit 6’6” Adrian Nelson (2018) in the second half helping to shut down the big fella who scored 21 points in the first half but did not register a point in the final two quarters.
Juan Elmore (2018), 6’4” P, Pickerington North
Finished with nine points and five rebounds. Scored five points and grabbed three rebounds in the first half as Pickerington North built a 45-35 lead.