Willard falls at MLK Classic

FORT LORAMIE — A basket here, or a rebound there. Over the course of four quarters, the Willard boys basketball team came up short on a key rebound or possession. Facing one of the top teams in the state in Division IV, that added up to a 71-60 loss to Russia on Sunday at the second annual MLK Classic at Fort Loramie High School. The Crimson Flashes fell to 8-8 overall with the loss, while the Raiders — ranked No. 4 in the first Division IV Associated Press poll — improved to 13-1. "Our kids battled from the tip," Willard head coach Joe Bedingfield said. "We couldn't get to the rebounds we needed down the stretch to finish off defensive possessions." Willard trailed 17-16 after one quarter, then 30-25 at halftime. Russia added an 18-16 advantage in the third quarter to extend its lead to 48-41 entering the final eight minutes. Unable to get closer, the Flashes were outscored 23-19 in the fourth quarter. Russia was led by the 1-2 punch of Hayden Quinter (27 points) and Braylon Cordonnier (24 points). Quinter scored nine points in the fourth quarter. For Willard, standout Max Dawson scored a game-high 28 points, which included 16 of his team's 35 points in the second half. Alex Strayer was the only other player in double-figures for the Flashes with 13 points — including nine in the first half. "Alex played very comfortable in his role today and attacked early to get us going," Bedingfield said. "Max was exceptional on the offensive end with handling their athletic pressure. "I thought our role guys like Jackson (Beamer) and Braydon (Thompson) also stepped up," he added. "We enjoyed the level of play, and although we didn't come out on top, hopefully we grew as a team and will learn from some of our mistakes moving forward." Sunday's game was the third neutral site game for the Flashes in a 20-day span. They also took on Sandusky (11-1) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Dec. 26 in Cleveland and faced Toledo St. Francis (8-5) at the Jingle Bell Jam at Cedar Point Sports Center on Dec. 29. The Flashes stuck around to watch St. Marys Memorial (7-5) edge Lexington (12-1), 49-46, before making the long trip home. "Fort Loramie staff ran a first-class event," Bedingfield said. "We are fortunate that we had the opportunity to be a part of it this year, and I would recommend it to any coaches looking for a challenging event on a long weekend. "(Fort Loramie) Coach (Corey) Britton and his staff did a great job," he added. "The Lexington game afterwards was down to the wire and a very physical, athletic game as well. Overall our kids enjoyed themselves, and we will be better for it." Alone in first place with four SBC Bay Division games remaining, the Flashes (5-1) are at Port Clinton (6-6, 3-3) on Friday. WILLARD (8-8) Jackson Beamer 1-2—5; Max Dawson 10-5—28; Isaac Robinson 0-3—3; Kellen Cooper 1-0—2; Cam Robinson 2-1—5; Braydon Thompson 2-0—4; Alex Strayer 4-4—13. TOTALS 20-15—60. RUSSIA (13-1) Zane Shappie 2-0—4; Felix Francis 1-0—2; Hayden Quinter 12-2—27; Brayden Monnin 4-0—8; Vince Borchers 0-2—2; Braylon Cordonnier 8-5—24; Xavier Philipot 1-2—4. TOTALS 28-11—71. Willard 16 9 16 19 — 60 Russia 17 13 18 23 — 71 3-point FGs: (W) Dawson 3, Beamer, Strayer; (R ) Cordonnier 3, Quinter. ----------------------------------- Ft. Loramie MLK Classic scores Jan. 15 Findlay Liberty-Benton 49, Anna 45 Russia 71, Willard 60 St. Marys Memorial 49, Lexington 46 Fort Loramie 61, Yellow Springs 45 Springfield Shawnee 35, Marion Local 33 Miami East 55, Minster 42