Local Sports

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Boys District Basketball: Trojans, Spartans to battle in semis

By DAVE HANNEMAN

STAFF WRITER

Findlay High boys basketball coach Jim Rucki has watched a lot of game tapes this season.

For the Trojans' next game, however, he might just leave the DVD player off and rely on instinct.

"I'd say we know a lot about each other. There are no secrets," Rucki said of today's Division I district semifinal matchup with Lima Senior at Liberty-Benton High School.

Long-time I-75 rivals, Findlay (15-7) and Lima Senior (13-9) will square off for the third time this season in the 7 p.m. semifinal. The Trojans and Spartans met twice in Greater Buckeye Conference play, with Findlay winning the first matchup 67-59 at Lima and the second 43-37 at the University of Findlay.

While those two games determined positioning in the GBC standings, today's game carries one-and-done significance. The winner advances to the district final at Bowling Green State University to face either Mansfield Senior (20-1) or Marion Harding (20-1). The loser goes home.

Rucki may not need game tapes to work up a game plan for Lima Senior. But it's a good bet he's been working the remote just the same.

"You can always try to correct mistakes you noticed from the first couple of games," Rucki said. "There are always things you think you can do better, and things you can prepare for that they did well against us."

Findlay and Lima Senior planted seeded teams to reach the district semifinals.

Findlay opened with a 54-39 win over Anthony Wayne, then survived a horrendous 1-for-10 shooting effort from the foul line to knock off No.1-seeded Perrysburg 41-39. The Trojans won the game because of their defense, something they have excelled at lately. Findlay has held three straight opponents under 40 points, and eight straight under 50.

"(Perrysburg) was a really good, one-loss team averaging 66 points a game and we held them down," Rucki said.

"Our guys played hard. They competed. They dug in defensively and didn't give up many easy looks or easy passes. (Perrysburg) had to work for what they got."

Defensively, Lima Senior will be another major test. The Spartans have been explosive in tournament play, opening the sectional with a 66-48 win over Springfield, then burying No.2-seeded Bowling Green 74-60.

All-state standout Anton Hutchins has literally put the Spartans on his broad shoulders in the tournament. The 6-foot-4 senior wing had 19 points and eight rebounds in Lima's win over Springfield, then poured in 36 points in the sectional final. Sophomore guard Tyler White has also found his stroke in tournament play, hitting four 3-pointers in each game and averaging 17 points.

"Hutchins can take over a game," Rucki said.

"Right now Lima is playing well and with confidence. Hopefully, we're familiar enough with them that we can find an answer to try and keep them contained."

That's one reason Rucki keeps the remote handy, and the DVD player on.

Hanneman: 419-427-8408,

davehanneman@thecourier.com

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