Sports
Miami Trace’s undefeated season comes to a close, Steubenville takes district title
By: Grant Kiefer
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — To have your season go into March is an accomplishment in itself. To have your season go into March and not have lost a game is in a different stratosphere. That’s been the reality for Miami Trace since it defeated Warren on Tuesday night. However, the Panthers haven’t seen a team quite as battle-tested as Steubenville. The Big Red used a strong second quarter to give Miami trace its first loss of the season and win the district title, winning 69-52.
The Panthers started the game doing what they do best–feeding the ball inside to star center Adam Guthrie. Guthrie quickly notched 10 points in the first quarter alone and set the tone with his physicality. Miami Trace held a 20-13 lead early, but the Panthers’ downfall would ensue rather quickly.
Steubenville went on a 16-0 run spanning over two quarters, a run that Miami Trace seemed shellshocked to watch unfold. The Panthers struggled in the second quarter in their last game against Warren, and let that carry over into Sunday. Miami Trace scored just six points in the quarter, with three of those coming on a Skye Salyers three in the final seconds. While Steubenville’s red-hot offense stretched the lead to 34-26 entering the half, it still felt like Miami Trace was in striking distance.
That feeling would soon subside. While Miami Trace came out of the locker room with some urgency, cutting the lead to 39-33, the Big Red put their foot on the gas. Steubenville used a 15-2 run that spanned over the rest of the third quarter and backed Miami Trace into a tight corner.
Miami Trace fought back in the fourth quarter and cut the deficit to as little as 10 points, but it was too little too late against a Big Red team destined for Columbus. Led by star senior Aiden Davis’ 26 points, three assists, and five rebounds, the Big Red punched yet another ticket to the Sweet Sixteen.
It’ll be a tight turnaround for the Big Red, as they’ll have to take another long road trip to face Bishop Hartley in the regional semifinal on Tuesday night, set for 8 p.m. at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus.