Preble Shawnee senior Cooper Roell (10) holds up the regional runner-up trophy after the Arrows concluded their most successful season in 49 years with a 59-46 loss to Canal Winchester Harvest Prep in the Division III, Regional 12 final.
Eddie Mowen Jr. | The Register-Herald
KETTERING — Preble Shawnee’s boys basketball team had not experienced a season like this in nearly a half century.
And had a few more shots fallen in the regional final against Canal Winchester Harvest Prep, the Arrows may be headed to the state final four for the first time ever.
Instead, Shawnee (23-4) will be able to look back upon a season in which they won league, sectional and district titles as well as setting a school record for wins, after suffering a 59-46 loss to the Warriors in the Division III, Region 12 championship game on Saturday, March 11 at Trent Arena.
The Arrows defeated Miami East 50-40 in the regional semifinal on Wednesday, March 8 behind an 18 point, 17 rebound effort from junior Logan Hawley. The win propelled the Arrows into their first regional final appearance since the 1973-74 season.
“The guys played their tail off. They never quit” Shawnee coach Jake Turner said after the loss to Harvest Prep. “We know it was going to be a tough challenge. Their athleticism was unbelievable. They’re a really good team. But I was proud of our guys for hanging in there and never giving up and just continuing to battle.”
Shawnee trailed 14-13 after the first quarter then faced an 11-point deficit (26-15) midway through the second quarter before closing the gap to 30-27 by halftime.
“We had chances. We had some good looks and just didn’t make them tonight. We didn’t shoot the ball well. I thought we shot the ball well in the first half,” Turner said.
The Arrows committed 15 turnover which led to 21 Harvest Prep points.
“We talked about live ball turnovers. We had to limit them tonight and they had 20-plus points off that. Twenty-one points off turnovers, difference in the game,” Turner said. “We knew if we could limit it to 10 to 12 we’d have a good chance. I think their pressure sped us up all night and that’s what I was kind of worried about.”
Shawnee was led by junior Mason Shrout. Shrout scored a game-high 27 point and grabbed 12 rebounds.
“He came ready to play,” Turner said of Shrout. “We try and run a lot of things for him. You got to give them credit. They did a great job on him in the second half it felt like. He still got some looks. He played well, gave everything he had. That’s all you can ask. He’s unbelievable player. We knew he had to play good for us have a chance tonight.”
Hawley finished with nine points and senior Dylan Campbell came off the bench to add five points.
Despite the loss, Turner said this year’s team can keep its head held high.
“These guys they gave everything they had tonight. Nothing to be upset about,” he said. “I told them that we had an unbelievable season. One of the best seasons, if not the best season, you can argue that, in Preble Shawnee history. These guys have nothing to be upset about. I told them go enjoy yourself on the bus, this is the last bus ride as a team. You can be upset that you got beat, there’s nothing wrong with that, but go enjoy this. We had a heck of a season. This is something these kids will never forget. I know I will never forget this group, coaching this group. A lot of great memories with this group. It sucks that this is it. That’s what I told them I’m most upset about, yeah I’m upset we got beat, but I’m more upset that this is the last time I get to coach you guys.”
Turner said he hopes this group realizes what it accomplished this season, but it may take some time for some.
“I think it will set it a little bit later with some of the guys but I think some of these guys realize what they accomplished,” he said. “We got a lot of young guys too. I’m hoping it sets in with them eventually. Nothing to be upset about. They need to be proud of themselves and this community, the school district, and everything.”
Shawnee closed to within 34-33 with 2:44 to play but the Warriors closed the third quarter on a 6-0 run to make it 40-33 game.
The Arrows never got close than four points in the final quarter as Harvest Prep made 13-of-18 free throws, including eight straight to end the game.
Shawnee will graduate seniors Cooper Roell (starting point guard), Campbell and Josh Miller.
Turner said all three will be missed.
“Dylan and Josh both had great moments, great moments during this tournament run. Those three mean a whole lot. They’re a big part of this culture change we’re trying to do here,” Turner said. “They’re going to be big, continuing, they’re still a part of this. They helped set the tone. They helped change the culture. They’ve all had kind of a different story. Dylan was a guy who started a lot last year and kind of took a role player, but he didn’t complain, worked his tail off and had some huge moments for us. Josh Miller was a JV guy last year add was hurt for most of the year. And he worked his tail off to get an opportunity. He made some big plays in the Versailles game. And then Cooper’s, Coop. He’s been our leader on and off the court. He’s the guy that just busts his tail. I don’t think a lot of people understand how much he means to this team. He does a lot of things that don’t show up on the stat sheet that we’re going to definitely miss next year.”
The Arrows ended the season with a school record 23 wins.
Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4061 and follow on Twitter @emowenjr.
