SW Division I District Finals Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Xavier University was the host for the final four district finals to be played on Sunday, March 10th. In this article we'll break down the standout performers from an action-packed day inside the Cintas Center.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1688316"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Moeller was given a surprise scare with a tied scoreline after three quarters. Despite not making a single 3-pointer, the Crusaders used a 17-0 fourth quarter to leave no doubt in the district final. One of the top athletes and defenders in the state of Ohio, Mahaffey's growth this season has been a hot topic across the state. An early commit to Akron, Mahaffey is showing upside of potentially being an all-conference level player in the MAC. His long strides and strength make him tough to stop in transition when he's attacking downhill. If he's not scoring at the rim, it usually takes a foul to stop Mahaffey, he shot 11 free throws in this game. Active hands defensively forced three turnovers and helped his team get out on the fast break. Moeller is the favorite to emerge out of this region but their path could be conference rival Elder and the lone team to beat them in Centerville just to make it to Dayton, can they emerge victorious?","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1222363"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The reason this game was so much closer than expected is largely due to the heroics of Yates. His final stat-line of 7/20 from the field doesn't do justice the type of production he had offensively. When he went on a run in the second and third quarters, knocking down five 3-pointers, Yates was creating shots off the bounce and using the step-back to fire away. An elite athlete with change of speed and burst, Yates moves like a power conference football recruit. I've never seen Yates play on the gridiron and don't claim to scout football prospects, but Yates moves on the hardwood better than most MAC commits I watch, maybe he gets play time sooner rather than later at Ball State.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1718498"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Elder was in control from start to finish with a disciplined offensive performance that included 12 assists on 24 made field goals. The Panthers got quality looks in the paint and Johnson was the recipient of numerous drive and dishes for easy looks. With a height advantage on the Wayne frontcourt, Johnson was finishing through contact with either hand. Johnson also hit the only 3-pointer the Panthers made all game. He also had a couple dunks in the fourth quarter to put the icing on the cake for a dominant victory. Elder will look to get revenge on conference rival Moeller in the regional finals.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1426736"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"In a game that was filled with runs on both sides and lots of momentum swings, it was the steady presence of Njie that I felt made the difference as Centerville is once again a district champion. Njie scored with both hands at the rim, was efficient on second chance opportunities and finished through contact. One of the top available seniors in Ohio, Njie showed his versatility as a skilled forward who can pass it, rebound it and play with a high motor. Centerville awaits Hamilton in a regional semifinal before a potential rematch with Moeller in the regional finals, the Elks were the only team to beat the Crusaders this season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Marlon Reed","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Hamilton","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"In a gritty game where neither team scored 40 points, Hamilton made just enough plays to get the win when it counted. Reed knocked down Hamilton's only two 3-pointers and got after it defensively with three steals. These conference rivals saw Sycamore take the regular season meeting, but Hamilton played with a lot of confidence and made the plays needed at the end to win the district title.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65ef6d5ec87eb"} /-->