Advertisement

Third-quarter struggles haunt Maysville in state final loss

brandon hannahs, zanesville times recorder
·4 min read

DAYTON — Maysville has been a team of second-half runs this postseason.

Unfortunately, it didn't materialize for the Panthers on Sunday at the University of Dayton.

Kettering Archbishop Alter used a 16-3 stretch, including 13 straight points, during the third quarter to take control of a 68-54 victory in the Division II state championship game.

Maysville, which finished 26-4, made 14 3s, a state record in all divisions for any state championship game, while also not attempting a free throw, while the Knights made 8 3s and went 18 of 21 at the line.

The Panthers played their game, something Coach Dave Brown took pride in despite the loss.

"I'm extremely disappointed in the result, but I couldn't be prouder of our kids. They fought for 32 minutes, and played with no regrets," Brown said. "Their length and athleticism gave us some problems, and we fell short against a quality team."

Maysville seniors Alex Bobb, left, Sammy Scott and Wesley Armstead sit on the bench following a 68-54 loss to Kettering Alter in the Division II state championship game on Sunday at UD Arena. Maysville's seniors were part of 76 wins in their careers and finished with a school-record 26 wins in 2023-24.
Maysville seniors Alex Bobb, left, Sammy Scott and Wesley Armstead sit on the bench following a 68-54 loss to Kettering Alter in the Division II state championship game on Sunday at UD Arena. Maysville's seniors were part of 76 wins in their careers and finished with a school-record 26 wins in 2023-24.

Third-quarter woes haunt Panthers

Baskets by Kane Roehrig and Jordyn Watson had Maysville within 31-28 about two minutes into the third quarter after trailing 27-24 at the half.

The Panthers then went eight straight possessions without a point, including four turnovers, allowing the Knights to take control.

R.J. Greer, who had 17 points, made four free throws and a 3 during that run, while Joe Brand, who scored 23, converted a three-point play, along with two triples, as the Knights extended the three-point advantage to 47-31 late in the third.

Watson ended the run with a 3, but Maysville still trailed 48-34 entering the fourth, as the Panthers never got closer than nine in the fourth.

"I thought we had some good looks (in that stretch), but the shots didn't fall," Brown said. "They were one of the better defensive teams we've seen, and they got on the run and made some shots."

Alter leaned on its 1-2-2 zone, a staple of the program. Knights coach Eric Coulter felt the zone allowed his team to take advantage of its length against the Panthers' shooters.

Coen Fink blocks a shot from Gavin Leen during the first quarter of Maysville's 68-54 loss to Kettering Alter in the Division II state finals on Sunday at University of Dayton Arena. Fink, a senior, was part of teams that won 76 games in four years.
Coen Fink blocks a shot from Gavin Leen during the first quarter of Maysville's 68-54 loss to Kettering Alter in the Division II state finals on Sunday at University of Dayton Arena. Fink, a senior, was part of teams that won 76 games in four years.

Maysville finished 14 of 36 behind the arc and 20 of 54 overall. The Panthers also held a 28-27 edge on the glass.

"We knew Bobb would get his, but we wanted to be aware of all their shooters," Coulter said. "They're like us where they wan to run and shoot 3s. Our focus was to put pressure on the ball and not let them get comfortable.

"We also focus on rebounding the ball and getting our hands up to contest shots," he added. "On film, they make difficult shots. I thought we made them shoot over us, but credit to them for making difficult shots to stay in it."

Brand added Alter understood the importance of their defensive effort in the second half.

"We had to lock in on defense. They're a good team, and we didn't want to go shot for shot with them," he said. "We sat down and got after the ball. We forced some turnovers, which allowed us to get out in transition."

Strong start gave Maysville a chance

The Knights started the state semifinal on a 13-2 run in the route of Youngstown Ursuline, and they used a 10-3 start against the Panthers.

Maysville's Alex Bobb goes to the floor as Kettering Alter celebrates a 68-54 win in the Division II state championship game on Sunday at University of Dayton Arena. Bobb, playing in his final game, left as the school's all-time leading scorer in program history as Maysville finished 26-4.
Maysville's Alex Bobb goes to the floor as Kettering Alter celebrates a 68-54 win in the Division II state championship game on Sunday at University of Dayton Arena. Bobb, playing in his final game, left as the school's all-time leading scorer in program history as Maysville finished 26-4.

However, Wesley Armstead and Watson hit 3s to keep Maysville within 13-9 after one quarter, and the Panthers pulled to 15-14 after five straight points from Bobb to open the second quarter.

The Panthers never took the lead in the second, but Watson found Bobb for a layup and a late 3 by Bobb pulled Maysville within 27-24 at the half.

Bobb, who finished with 24 points, including six 3s, felt the confidence from the Shelby win carried over to the state final.

He also had seven rebounds and Watson finished with 17 points and five assists.

"We knew we had to put together 32 minutes, and we liked where we were at coming in," Bobb said. "We were confident, and even down 10-3, we never lost that confidence. We kept playing our game."

It was the way the Panthers attacked every game, and Brown praised his seniors for their resolve. Bobb, Armstead, Coen Fink and Sammy Scott will graduate from this squad.

"It's been an 8-year process with this group, and they've had some great accomplishments. I'm proud of what they left behind," Brown remarked.

bhannahs@gannett.com; X: @brandonhannahs

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Mighty Maysville: Panthers battle early before falling short of state title