Derrick Webb, Managing Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
ATHENS — Minford is as hot as it gets. It’s really as simple as that.
After earning an impressive win over Zane Trace this past weekend to claim the program’s first district championship since 1995, the Falcons continue to roll on Friday in a Division V regional semifinal.
Using a lethal mix of Bennett Kayser and Myles Montgomery, alongside a suffocating defensive effort, Minford (24-1) soared past Sugarcreek Garaway with ease and into the Elite 8 — producing a 66-44 final, the team’s 14th win this season by 20-plus points.
CREDIT: Raymond Gleadle/SOSA
“I thought we played a complete game,” Minford coach Josh Shoemaker said. “I thought the kids bought into the game plan. We would’ve been happy with any win, not alone a 22-point win. At one point, it was a 30 or 32-point lead. On the defensive end, we bought in and did a tremendous job of minding our assignments. Offensively, we attacked. We did a good job of spreading [Garaway] out. We thought using a ball-screen would be effective and every screen that Ashton Reeder or Curtis Glenn set, we got open shots from them. They were huge for us.”
Kayser was nothing short of phenomenal all night long.
The senior scorched the Pirates’ defense to the tune of 27 points alongside a game-high 14 rebounds. He did anything he wanted at any time he wanted. Garaway had zero answers.
“Bennett is such a good player and he’s seen a little bit of everything,” Shoemaker said. “Whether they try to deny him or try to pack the lane, we’ve told him that great players slow the game down. So we wanted him to get his head up and avoid the charge. He’s got so many good second and third moves, if someone is trying to just pack it in, he can rise up over them. He did a good job of playing without fouling, as he has all year.”
Minford’s Jackson Shoemaker scored five of the team’s first seven points, producing a 7-2 score with a 3 at the 5:04 mark in the first quarter.
That early surge of momentum never flamed out as the Falcons continued to wallop their opponent.
Myles Mongtomery scored to make it a 9-4 lead before Kayser hit back-to-back buckets for a 15-11 count. Reeder and Kayser added scores before the end of the first, making it 20-11 heading into the second.
Kayser began the second with a bucket before later scoring on four straight possessions to extend the lead to 30-15. Garaway (19-7) continued to do everything it could to stay in the game, cutting the deficit to 34-22 at the break, but just couldn’t stay above water.
Kayser — who else? — started the third with a three-point play before Montgomery stretched the advantage to 41-24 with back-to-back buckets. That pace never stopped as the fast-paced Falcon offense outscored the Pirates in the third by a 16-10 margin to take a 50-32 advantage into the final eight minutes.
From there, the Falcons soared into the Elite 8 through clear skies.
“I think, with this group, they knew what was at stake,” Shoemaker said. “We were ready for this game two days ago. We had a game plan and the kids felt good about it. It was the key details and to just keep doing what we are doing. The kids bought in. We got out-rebounded early and we started crashing the glass hard. We got back in the defensive transition and we did the little things. I just love it that we’ve hit four 3’s in two games here and we’re walking out winning this one by 22 and the last one by nine. So we’re finding ways to score.”
Following Kayser’s final stat line was Montgomery, who posted 21 points, six rebounds and four assists. Shoemaker ended the night with nine points and Reeder added four points and three boards.
Minford advances to a Division V regional final at 4 p.m., Sunday at Ohio University. The Falcons will meet with Chesapeake, a winner over Martins Ferry on Friday night.
A win would mark the program’s first-ever appearance in the Final 4.
“We want to take care of our kids’ bodies,” Shoemaker said. “We’ve got a few injuries like everyone else. So we’re trying to get them healthy. It’s a quick turnaround, so we want to start reenergizing and refueling. [Chesapeake] is here for a reason and they guard extremely well. They have lots of athletes and they do little things right. They’ll be a great opponent.”
BOX SCORE
Minford: 20-14-16-16 — 66
Garaway: 11-11-10-12 — 44
Minford: 27-55 FG, 9-11 FT, 3-12 3pt., 29 rebounds (Kayser 14), 15 turnovers, 7 assists (Montgomery 4). Scoring: Kayser 27, Montgomery 21, Shoemaker 9, Reeder 4, Glenn 3, Dyer 2.
Garaway: 17-55 FG, 6-9 FT, 4-24 3pt., 26 rebounds (Raber 8), 15 turnovers, 4 assists (Wallick 3). Scoring: Raber 11, Wallick 9, Numbers 5, Geibel 4, Speedy 4, Bear 3, Troyer 2, Rowe 2, Yoder 2, Garber 2.
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