Irish boys stop Patriots, bring home another trophy

By BRIAN INGLIS

Published: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 9:25 PM EST

Three consecutive Ohio Capital Conference Cardinal Division championships have come in a methodical, if not downright dominating manner for the Dublin Scioto boys basketball team. The Irish kept alive their streak of 34 straight league wins to capture another trophy at the hands of host Olentangy Liberty.

Taking control after a deadlocked first quarter, the Irish (16-0, 12-0 in the OCC Cardinal) put the clamps on the Patriots (9-8, 6-6) in Powell Friday, Feb. 6. And the result was a 52-38 decision that ran the overall Scioto winning streak to 13 games on the eve of the Division I Central District tournament.

To the victors go the spoils and for upperclassmen like point guard David McKinley, it marked a career full of league titles. Not that the defending area champs are done in terms of going after season objectives.

"For most of us, that makes three, so it does feel pretty good," McKinley said. "But we also want to go undefeated through the OCC, win the district again and then see what happens."

Of late, the Irish calling card has been its stifling defense. Scioto allowed six points combined in the second and third quarters and Liberty managed just 30 percent shooting from the field.

Ahead 23-12 at the break, the Irish simply held down the Patriots in a thwarted comeback attempt. Liberty possessions were often long and involved affairs that yielded either a turnover or a missed shot.

"They are just a little quicker than us and a little stronger and we were not able to get anything done," Patriots coach Greg Nossaman said. "We ran about every offensive set we had, so we tried, but they switch out on screens and don't let you penetrate."

Although the Irish were not exactly setting the nets on fire, the lead became 20 midway through the fourth quarter and Liberty was never able to launch a sufficient rally. A Scioto highlight was a Jamare Mills dunk in the final frame, but Nossaman was more impressed with the poise displayed by the titlists.

"Once they get a double-digit lead, they are just so tough," Nossaman said. "They buy into what the coaches want them to do, even though they have the offensive firepower to score 80 points every night."

There was no question that the Irish were efficient, knocking down 58 percent from the field. But it was the intensity at the other end of the floor that yielded the most dividends.

"Right now, that is something we can count on every night out, which is a good thing," Scioto coach Tony Bisutti said. "We are not necessarily clicking offensively, but we were able to get a bucket when we needed one."

Leading the way for the Irish was shooting guard Bradley McDougald. He accounted for a game-high 19 points and added four rebounds, four assists and four steals. McKinley is in charge of getting the ball to scorers like McDougald and he relishes his role.

"I think we are good at adapting to different styles out there," McKinley said. "And we have good team chemistry and communicate well, so it is easy to find open looks and pass the ball around."

Dictating tempo is always important to Bisutti. But in staying atop the Columbus scene, the venerable coach has learned that being able to change on the fly is vitally important.

"I feel like the mark of a good team is the willingness to beat people at their own game," Bisutti said. "You have to slow down and execute in the half-court, even when you want to push the ball and we picked the right opportunities."

And so the Irish will seek another local title. Second-seeded Scioto learned it will face Briggs at Worthington Christian in a tournament opener Feb. 25. Brackets were unveiled at Liberty Sunday, Feb. 8.

Meanwhile, the Patriots -- who received seven points from Zach Michael against Scioto -- will commence the postseason versus Delaware at Olentangy Orange on Feb. 24.

"Once they get a double-digit lead, they are just so tough."

--Greg Nossaman