Trotwood rallies to overcome Columbus South in D-II regional semi

Trotwood-Madison pulled out of a first-half funk to run away with a 79-60 defeat of Columbus South in a boys high school basketball Division II regional semifinal on Thursday night at Fairmont’s Trent Arena.

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The clutch comeback sends Trotwood (24-3) into a regional final at 3 p.m. Saturday against the Cincinnati Hughes (24-3). Hughes advanced by defeating Cincinnati Metro Conference rival Woodward 68-46 in the second game of Thursday’s semifinal doubleheader.

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The regional champion joins the D-II state final four at Columbus next week.

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South (22-5) mounted an impressive 14-0 run in the second quarter and led 28-19. As usual, the Rams answered mainly behind Amari Davis (30 points) and Myles Belyeu (20).

The win marked the return of Rams coach Rocky Rockhold. He missed the previous two games while serving a two-game suspension for receiving two technicals in a sectional win.

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Trotwood will take a 17-game win streak into the regional final. The Rams haven’t lost since falling to Georgia public-school power McEachem in Flyin’ to the Hoop way back on Jan. 13.

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Cin. Hughes 68, Cin. Woodward 46: Giovanni Santiago scored 15 first-quarter points, including three 3-pointers, and led Hughes with 25 points. Dwayne Rosado added 21 points. Demontez Cooper led Woodward (17-10) with 18 points. Terry Durham, who wrecked Dunbar in a district final, had 14 points and misfired on 10 of 16 free throws.

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