Centerville, Ohio — Troy and Butler high schools are only separated by 12 miles but they were forced to make the 40 minute drive down to Centerville to open up sectional quarterfinal play. The MVL rivals would face off as Shaeden Olden and Jaden Owens would look to send home Tyler Montague and the Aviators.

Montague had a great regular season. Although it was halted at one point due to an injury, he bounced back quickly even dropping 40 points in one game near the end of the season.

Troy utilized the full-court pass multiple times in the first frame as Shaeden Olden showed off his passing ability to Jaden Owens and Hollis Terrell for easy transition points. Montague was held to just three first quarter points but a late three before the buzzer from Nolan LoBianco cut the Trojan lead to 17-13 at the end of the first quarter.

After a pair of first quarter buckets, Connor Buchanan continued to go to work in the second quarter. He cut the Troy lead to just two. Then Casey Bennett connected on a three to give Butler their first lead of the game. Butler led 29-23 at the half after a pair of late layups from Tyler Montague.

The third quarter was very back and forth. Every time it seemed Troy was going to go on a run to take the lead, Butler would respond with a couple of scores to keep the lead at around ten. Shaeden Olden got a three to roll in but a late three from Ryan Wilson extended Butler’s lead back to ten right before the end of the quarter.

Shaeden Olden and Jaden Owens came out firing to begin the fourth quarter but they just couldn’t get a stop defensively. Connor Buchanan seemed to grab everything rebound in site as Butler maintained a double digit lead.

Then with about three minutes remaining, Jaden Owens took a very scary fall as his head slammed on the gym floor. He had to be removed from the game, ending his high school career. Shaeden Olden hit three consecutive threes at the end of the game, but Butler was still able to hold on and win 67-56.

Butler will advance to play Beavercreek on Wednesday night after the Beavers pulled out an overtime win over Sidney. Although the game is in the Butler bracket, it’ll be played at Centerville High School at 7:30 pm.