Brock Netter, Staff Writer
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
ATHENS — Last year, Notre Dame’s district title hopes fell short in a one-point double overtime loss to Trimble.
That feeling has been in the back of the Titans’ minds since that final buzzer sounded, and that’s when the real work began.
366 days later, they are bringing back a district championship trophy to Sunrise Avenue.
CREDIT: Brock Netter/SOSA
The Titans (19-5) never trailed on Sunday evening, and used a huge second quarter run to score a 52-30 victory over Manchester, winning their first district title since 2013.
“This all starts with the four seniors and the leadership they’ve provided for this team. They set the example. They win in the classroom and bring that onto the court,” Notre Dame coach Matt Mader said. “There’s no words to describe what those guys have meant to this locker room. We hadn’t won a district since my middle son was a senior on that team. I remember how special that was and this one is just as special and I’m so happy for our guys.”
After opening buckets from Landon Barbarits and Zion Boerger, Notre Dame’s Myles Phillips buried a trey to put the Titans ahead 7-3 early. Phillips connected again and Garrett Barbarits scored from deep to make it 12-5 after the first quarter.
However, the Titans were just getting started.
Brady Davis scored on a layup, followed by back-to-back 3’s from Barbarits and Kenady McGraw that extended the lead to 20-7. Aaryn Bradford made a pair of free throws, Barbarits drained a floater and Phillips added a teardrop floater to end the quarter.
The Titans ultimately outscored the Greyhounds by a 14-2 margin in the second, taking a commanding 26-7 lead into halftime before shifting things into cruise control until the final buzzer sounded.
“Our zone defense was really good, which was the complete opposite of how we played on Wednesday against Green when we stayed in man defense,” Mader said. “I thought we played a very physical game as well. We showed some really good flexibility and Manchester didn’t have a great shooting night. That allowed us to get out in transition for some easy baskets.”
Phillips finished the game with 11 points and eight rebounds for the Titans, while Boerger added eight points alongside seven points from Landon Barbarits.
As Manchester’s season reaches its end, Notre Dame returns to action at 6 p.m. on Thursday at Ohio Dominican University in a Division VII regional semifinal against Steubenville Central Catholic, who won an East District title to advance.
“We had a ton of guys who stepped up, not just today, but all season in their own ways,” Mader said. “Guys like Garrett Barabarits and Kenady McGraw have come off the bench and hit shots. I thought we rebounded the ball really well, fought for loose balls and those are the little things you want to see as you’re heading to the next round. We’re excited to move on and we’re Columbus-bound.”
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