D-VI Boys Basketball: Oberlin uses slight as impetus to down Independence for second time this season

OBERLIN — Be careful what you wish for. That may have been the message Oberlin's basketball team delivered to Independence after Thursday's 55-50 D-VI tournament opening win. The 10th-seeded Phoenix advance to host Monday's district semifinal against No. 22 Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas (9-13), a 90-49 winner over No. 25 East Palestine. Oberlin is 14-9 while Independence finished 9-14. "Our coach told us they picked us for the playoff game," said Oberlin senior Carmello Williams. "They could have had a home game, but they picked us. We took that as straight disrespect. We wanted to show we can run with anyone. We beat them the first time, we beat them now." "Kids took that kind of personal," said Phil Payne, filling in for head coach Kurt Russell, away on a school-related meeting. "We beat them (earlier) on a last-second shot by Korrie (Freeman) on a layup. That's the kids' minds. In our minds (as coaches) they are well-coached and run the same system. That's one of the best coached teams I've seen in years." Williams, who led Oberlin with 17 points and a half-dozen rebounds, knew the first game between the two came down to a buzzer beater by Freeman to beat the Blue Devils, 47-46, in January. The Pheonix came from behind in the fourth quarter, outscoring Independence, 14-9, in that game to pick up the win. Thursday, Oberlin built a 39-27 lead off a 15-0 run to start the second half and held off the Blue Devils from there. The run was fueled by a pair of 3-pointers from A'son Bell around a 3-pointer by Williams. It started with a steal and lay-up by Jozayah Smith and finished with a rebound basket from Freeman and a short shot from Williams. "All week, we've been preaching, the third quarter all season we've averaged giving up 14 points and scoring 11," said Payne. "We've been telling them all season, we've got to make that adjustment and try something different. When that third quarter starts, we've got to jump on them. The goal was to get three stops. We got three stops and went on a run." Oberlin picked up its intensity on defense, causing eight turnovers in the third quarter. The Phoenix maintained a six-to-10 point advantage the rest of the way. Independence hit a 3-pointer to pull within five at the buzzer. Williams wasn't the only weapon. Oberlin passed the ball very well on the offensive end. Freeman finished with 10 points, Bell nine, Drew Walter eight and Smith seven. Many of the 21 field goals had assists credited to them, led by Walter with a handful. "Other than the times they weren't patient on offense," said Payne. "They know if we're patient, we're going to get shots. We're learning we don't need that first shot. I'm very proud of them (Thursday) for working the ball around and getting the shot that we wanted." As for Monday's clash with Aquinas, Williams was confident. "We've got to get back in the lab," he said. "This game was in one ear and out the other. We've got another game Monday and we have to do the same thing. We're playing a better team, so we have to elevate our level of play." Contact Tim Gebhardt at 329-7135 or timothygeb@msn.com. Oberlin 55, Independence 50 INDEPENDENCE (50): Stephen Mlynarczyk 3-1-7, Liam Rienerth 4-0-10, Matty Jirmasek 3-6-12, Jacob Jurkiewicz 0-0-0, Levi Sears 3-2-8, Bobby Jackson 3-4-10, Ryan Suhy 0-0-0, Kameron Grendel 1-0-3. Totals 17-13-50. OBERLIN (55): Korrie Freeman 3-4-10, Jozayah Smith 2-2-7, Carmelo Williams 7-2-17, Drew Walter 4-0-8, Julean Page 2-0-4, A'son Bell 3-1-9, Santos Navarro 0-0-0. Totals 21-9-55. Independence 10 17 7 16 — 50 Oberlin 15 9 16 13 — 55 Three-point goals: Independence 3-13 (Rienerth 2, Grendel), Oberlin 4-17 (Bell 2, Smith, Williams). Field goals: Independence 17-43 (39.5 percent), Oberlin 21-48 (44 percent). Free throws: Independence 13-15 (87 percent), Oberlin 9-17 (53 percent). Rebounds: Independence 36 (Sears 10), Oberlin 22 (Williams 6). Turnovers: Independence 24, Oberlin 20. Fouls: Independence 18, Oberlin 15. Fouled Out: None.