Dayton, Ohio — Two very storied programs clashed on Saturday night as Chaminade Julienne hosted Trotwood-Madison for an out of conference bout. A 25 point performance for Trotwood sophomore Tim Carpenter helped lead the Rams all the way back for the eventual 79-76 victory after trailing the entire game.
CJ comes into this season fresh off of a regional title from last season. Sophomore Jonathan Powell was a big reason why the Eagles had a late surge. As just a freshman, he had 25 points against Alter in the tournament last year. CJ did graduate A.J. Solomon and Dan Nauseef who were both big pieces of their state semi-final run, but they return an experienced group into this year.
Chaminade Julienne sophomore Jonathan Powell
Trotwood returns a very young group this year. They graduated their leading scorer Anthony McComb who dominated his lone season with the Rams. They will play a lineup filled with sophomores this year as Delamarr Blanton, Tim Carpenter, and Will Yates will round out a deep 2024 class that the Rams have.
Trotwood-Madison sophomores Will Yates and Delamarr Blanton
CJ got off to a quick start as Luke Chandler drilled a corner three. Then following a Josiah Bowman block, Chandler hit his second three of the quarter to give CJ the early 6-1 lead.
After some back and forth scoring, Jonathan Powell got a chasedown for the Eagles but Will Yates was able to put it back up for and-one. Yates was then fouled on his three point attempt at the buzzer. After going 3/3 from the line, the Rams led 20-18 heading into the second quarter.
Trotwood-Madison sophomore Will Yates
Josiah Bowman scored six straight points for CJ to open up the second quarter. This helped CJ grab a 30-22 lead. Evan Dickey then scored a pair of baskets but a three at the buzzer from Will Yates cut CJ halftime lead down to six as they led 38-32.
Chaminade Julienne senior Josiah Bowman
Josiah Bowman helped CJ maintain a double digit lead in the third quarter. Trotwood began to go on a run however, as Tim Carpenter was controlling the offensive glass. Carpenter scored five straight times to tie the game. Will Yates then gave the Rams the lead off of a three to end the quarter as Trotwood led 56-53.
Trotwood-Madison sophomore Tim Carpenter
The Rams would extend the lead to seven off of a Mykell Morton layup. Powell would drain a corner three to bring CJ back within three. Then just moments later, Jonathan Powell found the bottom of the net again from the exact same spot to cut the deficit to three points. Delamarr Blanton would respond right back as he hit a step-back three to put the Rams back up big six.
Trotwood-Madison sophomore Delamarr Blanton
CJ got back within two points after a pair of scores from Evan Dickey and then a bucket from Luke Chandler. Dickey and Mike Smith would trade baskets. Down 75-72 with 50 seconds left, Dickey pocked the ball loose and forced a jump ball. This would give the Eagles a chance to tie the game with under a minute left.
Dickey decided to drive to the rim instead of attempting a three and his layup was too strong. CJ was forced to foul and Trotwood went 1/2 at the line. This gave the Eagles hope as they trailed 76-72 with 30 seconds remaining. Josiah Bowman cut the deficit to 76-74 with his layup and then CJ used their last timeout.
Chaminade Julienne junior Evan Dickey
Will Yates then was fouled and sent to shoot two free-throws in the double bonus. Yates went 1/2 at the line got extend the lead to 77-74 but he opened the door for CJ. Dickey was fouled while trying to receive the inbounds pass so he went to the line and drained both free throws. With just 15 seconds left, CJ was forced to immediately foul.
Delamarr Blanton was able to knockdown two clutch free throws in his first career varsity game. This gave Trotwood a 79-76 lead with 9 seconds to go.
The Eagles inbounded it to their star sophomore Powell. He dribbled quickly up the court but his off-balanced attempt to tie was just short. Evan Dickey’s three was after the buzzer but it was too strong as Trotwood-Madison held on and defeated Chaminade Julienne 79-76 to open up the season.
Tim Carpenter had a game high 25 points for Trotwood-Madison. The sophomore forward dominated the glass in the second half and was a big reason why the Rams were able to comeback in this game. Will Yates added on 17 points for Trotwood as they improve to 1-0. Their next game will be at home on Tuesday against Stivers.
Trotwood-Madison sophomore Tim Carpenter
Evan Dickey led the Eagles with 20 points and steals. Jonathan Powell finished with 19 points, Josiah Bowman 16 points and 10 rebounds and Luke Chandler had 10 points with a pair of threes. The Eagles will look to bounce back on Tuesday when they face Thurgood Marshall.