Saturday’s game
What: Division II regional boys basketball final, Franklin (26-1) vs. Dunbar (21-5), 3 p.m.
Where: University of Dayton Arena, 1801 South Edwin C. Moses Blvd., Dayton
Next: The Franklin-Dunbar winner will meet either Defiance or Parma Heights Holy Name in a 2 p.m. state semifinal Friday at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus.
The best thing about Franklin High School’s much-anticipated showdown with Dunbar is the fact that, indeed, it’s finally here.
A Division II regional boys basketball title will be on the line Saturday afternoon when the Wildcats (26-1) and Wolverines (21-5) square off at the University of Dayton Arena.
“They’ve seen us, we’ve seen them. Both teams are on a journey and know where they want to go,” Franklin coach Brian Bales said. “I think it’s going to be a great basketball game for the whole Dayton area.”
This is the Wildcats’ first trip to this level. For Dunbar, regionals have almost become a given. The Wolverines are five-time state champions (1987, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012).
“That helps, but there’s really only one person that has won a championship, and that’s A.J.,” said Dunbar coach Peter Pullen, referring to Ohio State-bound senior point guard A.J. Harris. “The rest of them weren’t even in the building.
“Because of our schedule and what we’ve done, we won’t be awed by the crowd or anything like that because that’s one thing we are used to.
“I feel good. We said we’ll just get here and face whatever we face, but in the back of everybody’s minds and in this city, they wanted us and Franklin to battle it out. So everybody’s going to get what they want. I’m sure it’s going to be electrifying in the UD Arena.”
Harris and 6-foot-6 Wildcats guard Luke Kennard, headed for Duke University, are the headliners. They’re AAU friends.
The 5-9 Harris, a four-year starter who led Dunbar to the state title as a freshman, is averaging 18.1 points, 5 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 3.1 steals per game
“He’s going to get his,” said Kennard, averaging 38 points, 9.7 boards, 6 assists and 2.3 steals per contest. “He’s really quick. He can shoot the ball. He can finish. He’s just an all-around great player.
“We’ve got to limit his points and how he can create for his team, and we’ve got to control the boards. They’re going to pressure us. If we handle the pressure, I think we can be OK and come out with the win.”
That pressure is the Wolverines’ foundation. They’ve got speed everywhere and want to use it, defensively to disrupt their opponent and offensively in transition.
“Dunbar is going to defend you full court. They’ll trap and try to create havoc,” Bales said. “We’ve got to cherish the basketball, and defensively, we’ve really got to emphasize getting stops and making sure they just get one shot. They’re very dangerous when they get multiple opportunities.”
Franklin likes to play fast too, but not at Dunbar’s pace. The Wildcats hope to use their quickness selectively and continue the hot shooting they displayed Thursday against Bellefontaine, when they buried 13 treys.
“I hope they shot themselves out,” Pullen said. “They just go on binges, and that’s what scares you because you have enough worries in containing Luke and keeping him from getting in the lane.
“We hope we can get out to their shooters and run ’em off the 3-point line. The old saying is you live by the three and die by the three. Hopefully we can put enough pressure on the 3-point shot where they won’t be as hot as they were (Thursday).”
Franklin, on an 18-game winning streak, is scoring 84.9 and giving up 54.3 points per game. The Wolverines’ offensive and defensive averages are 73.4 and 57.6, respectively.
Dunbar’s starting lineup includes 5-11 senior guard Doriane Dawson (11.0 ppg), 6-1 freshman guard Devon Baker (4.3 ppg), 6-6 junior center Evan Clayborne (6.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.9 bpg) and 6-3 junior forward Terrance Landers (11.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg).
Bales said Dawson is an underrated player. “He doesn’t get the notice that A.J. does, but he’s a guy that will really hurt you,” the FHS coach added.
The Wildcats’ all-senior starters are Kennard, 6-5 forward Austin Doliboa (13.1 ppg), 5-8 guard Jake Riddell (3.7 ppg), 6-4 guard Evan Crowe (15.8 ppg) and 6-0 guard Matt Thompson (8.5).
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