Having spent eight seasons as an assistant coach at perennial Division I power Hilliard Bradley, Derek Dicke saw the same signs of a winner at Jonathan Alder when the Pioneers' boys basketball coaching job came open two years ago.
Jonathan Alder won six consecutive games down the stretch before finishing 14-10 with a loss to Central Buckeye Conference and Madison County rival London in the Division II district tournament.
The dividends those lessons paid were on full display Saturday, when the Pioneers avenged a late regular-season loss to Watterson by controlling the Eagles most of the way in a Division II district final, winning 54-44 at Central Crossing for their first district championship since 1979 in Class AA.
"This was brought up when I interviewed, that the community wanted a district championship … not that there was pressure, but they wanted one," Dicke said. "I was playing six sophomores last year and I was pretty much telling them, 'I'm throwing you to the fire.' Not that I didn't want to win in the first year, but it was a stepping stone. With all of them coming back and (senior guard) Peyton (Heiss) plus some freshmen, I knew we had pieces. I knew we were capable."
Heiss scored a game-high 31 points, including a 16 of 16 performance from the foul line, and the Pioneers repeatedly repelled Watterson rallies.
Seeded sixth in the district, Jonathan Alder (15-9) will play Kettering Alter in a regional semifinal at 6 p.m. Thursday at Vandalia Butler.
Ryan Mark added 14 points, and the Pioneers finished 25 of 29 from the line.
Heiss, a first-team all-district selection, said Saturday was a complete reversal from a 58-51 loss to Watterson on Feb. 13.
"They owned us three weeks ago," Heiss said. "Preparation was key. We were just gritty. The defensive end is just about effort and preparation, knowing their tendencies.
"From where we were halfway through the year (8-7 through 15 games), not playing our (best) basketball, to where we are today, it shows you the group of guys (we have). They always brought the energy and stayed the course."
Heiss outscored Watterson by one in the first half, when Jonathan Alder built a 26-16 lead.
No. 5 Watterson (14-11) got within 31-30 early in the fourth when Dominic Theado converted a layup off an outlet pass and made two free throws on the next possession.
Theado had 15 points for the Eagles, who missed eight of 17 free throws and fell short of a second consecutive district title.
"We picked up our intensity level and clawed back, (even though) we still didn't shoot well," Watterson coach Vince Lombardo said. "We had our opportunities, field goals and foul shooting, and we didn't convert. They hit a couple big shots down the stretch and we didn't."
In a matchup of the district's top two seeds, No. 1 Hartley used a 14-3 fourth-quarter run highlighted by two key 3-pointers from Ethan Godfrey to forge ahead before finally fending off River Valley.
"We're built for these moments. … I knew we had a run in us," said Godfrey, a senior guard. "It's about preparation. I was scoreless through three quarters. I was just playing my role, getting my hustle plays and rebounds. When the opportunity showed itself, we knocked our shots down."
Godfrey's first 3 kick-started the decisive run and got the Hawks (22-3) within 44-43 with 4 minutes left. Jakhi Calloway gave Hartley the lead for good with a layup on the next possession, his 3-point play made it 48-44 moments later and another Godfrey 3-pointer extended the lead to 51-47 with 1:36 left.
Hartley led 54-47 with 37.9 seconds to go but River Valley (19-6) cut the deficit with two Carson Smith free throws and a Chase Smith 3.
With 5.9 seconds left and the score 55-52, Hartley's Pharez Nicholas threw away an inbounds pass. But the Hawks' defense on the ensuing possession forced Chase Ebert to shoot an air ball on the potential game-tying 3-pointer as time expired.
"We work on situations a ton and I've been really on our guys and telling them games are going to come down to moments like that," Hartley coach Andreas James said. "Fortunately, we were up three so we could really overplay the 3-point line. If we (have a chance to) win the game on the defensive side of the ball, I feel like it's in our favor."
Calloway finished with 14 points and Carson Svetek added 10 for Hartley, which won its 10th district title and first since 2019. The Hawks will face Gnadenhutten Indian Valley or Zanesville Maysville in a regional semifinal at 6 p.m. Thursday at Ohio University.
Carson Smith had 18 points and Chase Ebert added 11 to pace River Valley.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Hartley, Jonathan Alder win D-II boys basketball district titles
