All that experience has paid off for Northmont. It also doesn’t hurt that it coincides with Collin Abels’ fourth season as coach, the first class he’s had all four years in high school.
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“Our seniors, we’ve been together since elementary (school),” said speedy guard Rodney Richardson, who shook off a slow start by putting a career high 26 points on Miamisburg.
“There’s a lot of love. We talk about basketball every day; basketball, basketball, basketball. In the tournament, we want to make a strong run but first we want to win league, that’s the first thing.”
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That seems a reasonable request for Northmont, which joins Miamisburg, Springboro and Lebanon in the realigned Greater Western Ohio Conference National West Division. Northmont also pushed its divisional record to a leading 2-0, also having defeated Lebanon.
Richardson hit a couple of 3-pointers and converted all six free throws to warm up Northmont’s relatively new Thunderdome. Vinson Walker, a 6-foot-5 inside presence who finishes strong, added 19 points.
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Northmont led by 10 with less than two minutes remaining. Miamisburg’s Lathan Hartman scored the last of his 19 points with about four seconds left to pull the Vikings within 73-71. Northmont’s Jabari Perkins hit a free throw with less than one second on the clock to seal the win.
Allowing Miamisburg back into the game at the end was the only glitch for Abels.
“You win a game in the GWOC, you’ve got to bring your lunch pail,” he said. “It’s good teams and good coaches and it’s not easy. I’m tickled for (Richardson) and really the entire senior class. I know it’s early but I love coaching this basketball team. They’re a fun group of guys to be around. Our senior group, their work ethic and leadership has been phenomenal.”
Duncan Hall added 17 points for Miamisburg (2-2, 0-1) and Jason Hubbard 15, including a pair of 3s. Veteran Miamisburg coach Tim Fries likes what he sees in Northmont. That’s what he’s counting on the young and inexperienced Vikings to grow into.
“Every day is a learning experience and (Northmont) was no different,” Fries said. “It’s tough. They’re experienced and they’re unselfish. They spread the floor, move the ball well and they’re tough to guard. They make good decisions and it’s a really good team.”
Northmont joins Trotwood-Madison (3-0), Wayne (3-0) and Centerville (2-0) as the only remaining unbeaten GWOC teams.
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View photos and video from the game at MyDaytonDailyNews.com
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