Versailles' Regional Semifinal Preview

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In the Versailles Tigers’ past five games, they have pummeled opponents by an average of 24 points each time they have taking the floor.  After battling their way through the regular season at 18-2, the Tigers have not experienced many difficulties through their tournament trail thus far, although that could change Wednesday evening in the regional opener at Trent Arena in Kettering when they lock horns with the Cincinnati Summit Country Day Silver Knights. 

Since failing to Delphos St. John’s on January 27, the Tigers have exploded to 11 straight wins.  They average 63 points per contest, while allowing 45.2 each time out.  Head coach Scott McEldowney’s crew is guided by first team All-MAC selections, Chad Winner and Kyle Ahrens.  Senior Zach Niekamp was a second team all-conference choice, while Ethan Bruns earned honorable mention accolades.   

The Knights are currently 22-1 and earlier in the season earned the Miami Valley League championship, led by the league’s Player of the Year, Kevin Johnson.  After suffering their only loss of the season to Cincinnati Taft by 14 points on February 7, the Silver Knights have rattled off six straight wins under Division III Coach of the Year, Michael Bradley.  In last week’s district championship game, they downed Miami East by 11 points, a team Versailles bettered by nine back on December 30.  The two squads also share Hamilton Badin as a common opponent, with the Silver Knights blasting them by 20 points in the middle of January, while the Tigers beat them on Saturday night for the district title by 28 points.     
By Robb Hemmelgarn