Vandalia, Ohio — Following their huge win over the no. 1 seed Tri-Village, Cedarville felt confident heading into their Regional Title game against Botkins. The duo of Isaiah Ramey and Trent Koning exploded for 43 points in their previous game and they looked to continue that heading into Friday night.
The father son duo of Sean Powell and Jayden Priddy-Powell has taken over the SCAL the last two seasons as they’ve turned the Botkins program around. In this historic year, the Trojans are just one game away from an appearance at the state final four. The only thing standing in their way was the Cedarville Indians who are also having one of their best seasons in program history.
Botkins led 13-9 after the first quarter. Jayden Priddy-Powell was very effective driving the ball as he scored with ease in the first quarter. Hayden Hanson banked in a three at the buzzer for Cedarville as the rest of the quarter was mostly a feeling out period between these two teams.
Jacob Pleiman stepped up on both ends in the second half as he had a big block on the defensive end and scored a pair of baskets on the offensive side. Botkins led 20-14 at the break in this low-scoring affair.
Isaiah Ramey finally found his stroke after struggling shooting in the first half, he nailed a three to start the half for Cedarville. Priddy-Powell responded as he hit a tough layup and then drilled a three of his own. He would eventually have to sit as he got into foul trouble off of mostly offensive fouls. The Trojans led 29-26 at the end of the third quarter as Ramey hit another late three to draw within one possession.
Denton Homan stepped up big in the fourth quarter as he continuously pulled down big defensive rebounds. Jacob Pleiman put Botkins up 35-27 with a huge and-one with a little over four minutes remaining. Payton Herron hit yet another three to bring the Indians back within five. Caden McKinion brought Cedarville back within one possession after making a clutch free throw.
Trailing 38-35 with 27 seconds remaining, Cedarville was forced to foul. They sent Carter Pleiman to the line and the sophomore made the biggest free-throws of his career. After another Cedarville basket, Pleiman went to the line again up three with just 7 seconds left. He drilled both again. Trent Koning made a deep three but then the final buzzer sounded and the Botkins student section went wild as the Trojans were finally heading back to state for the first time in 27 years. Their 42-40 win over Cedarville marked the first Regional title since 1994 for Botkins.
Jayden Priddy-Powell led Botkins in scoring with 16 points. Defensive performances from Jacob Pleiman and Denton Homan won the game for Botkins. Some late free-throws from Carter Pleiman sealed the victory as well. Cedarville star Trent Koning was held below his season average as he finished with 14 points while Isaiah Ramey had 8 for the Indians. Botkins will advance to the Division IV State Semi-final where they’ll face Richmond Heights on Friday at 11 am at UD Arena.
