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The two teams meet for a district championship 9 p.m. Saturday at the University of Dayton Arena. And defense will again be key for Springfield (20-4).
In last week’s 63-62 victory over Sidney, Springfield’s Leonard Taylor, Michael Wallace and Sam Towns collapsed on Sidney standout Andre Gordon as he drove the lane for a last-second shot. Gordon lost control of the ball briefly, gathered it in and fired up an off-balance 10-footer under pressure that came up short.
“The last couple of seconds after we (took the lead), we were just trying to defend that last stop,” Wallace said. “It was a big sigh of relief. Once that game was over we said we have to get better for the next one.”
Springfield’s defense had held opponents to 52.3 points per game. Elder averages 49.9 points on offense.
The Panthers, seeded No. 12 in the sectional bracket, reached the district final with victories over No. 24 Mount Healthy (47-34), No. 4 Mason (60-58) and a sectional title win over No. 8 Winton Woods (56-51).
Zach Harp, a 6-foot-3 senior guard, leads Elder with 14 points per game. Brett Marsh, a 6-2 senior guard, is next at eight points. The Panthers led the Greater Catholic League South in three-pointers made (147) and attempts (432). For comparison, Springfield made 91 three-pointers and attempted 299.
“(Elder is) playing very good basketball lately. The seem to be hitting their stride,” Carson said. “They shoot the ball extremely well. They’re a little different team with all guards, for the most part. They bring their big off the bench. They move the ball. Their disciplined.”
Springfield is led by 6-4 junior guard RaHeim Moss (14.9 points), 6-7 forward Leonard Taylor (12.9), 5-10 senior guard Wallace (9.9) and 6-2 junior guard JaJuan Rodgers (9.2).
Moss is known for his offense and more than 40 dunks this season. But he knows it’ll take more than that to beat Elder.
“Defense. Just playing with each other and listening to each other,” Moss said. “Having that confidence with each other. … You never know when you’re time will come. It’s about having faith in your teammates.”
This is the fourth straight district final appearance for the Wildcats. Springfield reached the regional semifinals last season, the district final in 2016 and the regional final in 2015.
“Experience is on our side. That’s always a good thing to have,” Carson said. “We still have to come out and play our game. Elder is a good program. They play some really good teams. They’re a battled tested team and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Elder finished fourth in the GCL South behind Moeller, LaSalle and St. Xavier. LaSalle and Moeller have ended Springfield’s postseason the last two years.
“At this moment, every game you have to take serious,” Wallace said. “Everybody is trying to win and they’re all good teams. You have to come out, play right and get the W.
“We gotta be more focused on the little things. It’s mostly defense. If we have our defense right it’s going to turn into offense. All the little things are going to help in the long run.”
Springfield finished third in steals (244) in the Greater Western Ohio League. They’ll need a few more against Elder. And the earlier the better.
“Hopefully we come out and have a better start with more urgency,” Carson said. “Defensively we have to come out flying around. I’m pretty sure we’ll be doing that Saturday. … I’m just hoping we can put it together for a longer period of time, for a whole game, instead of waiting sometimes.”
The winner advances to the regional semifinals 6:15 p.m. Wednesday at Xavier University’s Cintas Center and plays the winner of Fairmont-Moeller.
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