RELATED: Boys basketball sectional, district, regional schedule
Springfield has held opponents to 54.2 points per game this season using full-court pressure and solid rebounding. That doesn’t worry Curtis, who says Xenia has faced strong defensive pressure from other teams.
“We’ve played Trotwood twice,” Curtis said. “We’re not worried about it.”
Curtis scored 17 points off the bench against Springfield during a 75-59 loss last season and says he remembers the Wildcats’ personnel well.
“They’re fast and athletic, but beatable, very beatable,” Curtis said.
RELATED: Curtis leads Xenia past Fairborn
Springfield has won several high-stakes tournament games over the last two seasons, including a down-to-the-wire sectional final win over Lebanon two years ago at Centerville. Coach Isaiah Carson said he is counting on the experience of seniors Danny Davis and Michael McKay and junior Leonard Taylor to lead the team if things get tight.
“When you get in tight tournament games, it’s possession-by-possession,” Carson said. “Our guys have learned that, and even our younger guys have gotten a taste of that this regular season when we’ve won close games. You’ve got to take advantage of opportunities and defend well. I know my guys can make some shots. It’s all about defense for us.”
JaJuan Rodgers, who scored 12 points in Springfield's win over West Carrollton on Tuesday, said Springfield will be ready for a challenge against Xenia.
“I’ve played against Samari (in AAU), and I know he’s really nice,” Rodgers said. “They can all really shoot it. We’re going to have to be focused on defense and play like we’ve been playing.”
RELATED: Springfield routs Tecumseh in tourney opener
Xenia coach Kent Anderson said defense will be the key for his team as well. Anderson watched most of Springfield’s first two tournament games and said he was impressed with the team’s balanced scoring. The Wildcats had five players score in double figures against West Carrolton and four against Tecumseh last Friday.
“We know how good they are,” Anderson said. “Davis, McKay, and Taylor can all score, and they’ve got some role players that play well. They’re playing really well right now and played against really good competition, too. It’s going to be a tall order, but we’ve got nothing to lose.”
• Northeastern will play in its first sectional title game since 2009 on Saturday night against Brookville at Northmont’s Thunderdome.
The Jets earned a spot in the game with a 30-25 win over Miami East on Wednesday. Aaron Phillips hit a 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter to give Northeastern the lead for good. Casey Hayes scored a game-high 13 points, while Phillips finished with nine.
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