'That's why you compete': Springboro beats Mason, advances to Division I regional final

Springboro head coach Mike Holweger taught his English students Shakespeare's "King Lear" on Wednesday. The epic battle between the Panthers and Mason Comets later that night almost topped any of Shakespeare's works.

The Panthers opened up a 39-30 halftime lead before Mason cut it to one heading into the final quarter. Behind Bryn Martin's team-high 33 points, Springboro used a 9-2 run to pull away for a 71-64 victory and advance to their first regional championship game since 2011.

Imagine Holweger as Lear. His team's effort didn't come down to a single player (or three, if we're sticking to Shakespeare's script), and this game didn't end in tragedy, but triumph.

"I'm really happy, and I said this last week. This group is not ‒ they checked all the boxes in every step that we've asked them to do. So now, they're seeing the reward and the payoff for that hard work," Holweger said.

Keys to the win

Springboro made several runs throughout the game to open up big leads. They had a 15-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. Martin drained three deep triples in the second quarter as the Panthers opened up a nine-point lead. But the run to start the fourth quarter secured the victory.

Chloe Downing ended the third quarter with a jumper from the wing to give the Panthers a one-point advantage, then made a corner three to open the final period. Martin scored four straight, and then Aniya Trent converted a layup.

"Those are the shots that I've been practicing in practice, and I think that right there was the perfect time to take that shot," Downing said.

The offense showed up, but a switch on defense led to Springboro outscoring Mason 18-12 over the final eight minutes. Holweger told his team to switch to a zone, in part to take away the Comets' outside shot. The scheme worked as Mason made just two field goals in seven minutes.

"I thought our zone was effective. We switched to our one-three-one and we did a good job overall with that," Holweger said. "We came out and didn't execute well out of the quarter. But from there, we went on that run. I thought we started rebounding better late, too."

The fourth quarter was also significant in that the Panthers made someone besides Madison Parrish and Anna Habra beat them. After combining for 24 points against Centerville, they poured in 54 total points against the Panthers. Only eight of those were in the fourth quarter.

Martin finished with 33 points, needing 18 shots to get there. It was a head-to-head battle of two of the best players in the state and every fan felt like they had a front-row seat.

"I had no idea. I'm just playing the game. Whatever happens, happens. Whatever comes to me, comes to me and points don't really matter to me," Martin said.

Vanquishing demons

Mason had beaten Springboro in the straight district championship games and won twice last year by scores of 44-25 and 55-28.

"Mason is a huge part of these girls' narrative, their story. We have the utmost respect. Coach Matula, simply one of the best to ever do it, hall of fame coach. Their program, when you look at competition, teams who bring out the best in you, Mason does that with us," Holweger said.

Matula should rightfully be given his flowers. In 19 years, his teams combined for a 378-98 record, eight Greater Miami Conference championships, 15 sectional titles, 11 division crowns and three regional championships. He passed down some of the lessons he's learned over his career to the team after the loss.

"These moments are fleeting. You're gonna be disappointed for a couple hours, maybe a couple days. But in the end, that's why you compete and that's why you battle at the highest level," Matula said.

'Dedicated to Mason': Rob Matula leaves lasting impression on players, community

Who were the game's impact players?

Chloe Downing, Springboro: The birthday girl had 15 points and three 3-pointers, including a buzzer-beater in the third quarter to give the Panthers a 1-point lead.

Bryn Martin, Springboro: She tied a career-high with 33 points, including making all nine of her free throws. She also contributed six assists, five rebounds and two blocked shots.

Madison Parrish: Her 36 points led all scorers. She had the Comets' final 15 points of the third quarter to bring Mason back from a nine-point halftime deficit.

Who will advance to Dayton?

Springboro will play Mount Notre Dame for the regional championship at 7 p.m. on March 9 at Lakota West. The Panthers and Cougars haven't faced off since the 2020 regional semifinals, a 69-34 MND win.

Springboro 71, Mason 64

Springboro (22-5): Martin 10 9 33, Downing 6 0 15, Trent 3 2 8, Wade 3 0 7, Clear 1 0 3, Meek 1 0 3, Turman 1 0 2. Totals: 25 11 71.

Mason (24-3): Parrish 12 6 36, Habra 7 2 18, Gillman 1 3 6, Kesler 1 0 2, Knight 1 0 2. Totals: 22 11 64.

Half: S 39-30. 3 -pointers: S 10 (Martin 4, Downing 3, Clear, Meek, Wade); M 9 (Parrish 6, Habra 2, Gillman).

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Springboro flips script on Mason in Division I regional semifinal