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Division I boys basketball in Southwest Ohio is as good as any area of the state. Bellefontaine is going to get a taste of that this postseason.
The Chiefs moved up to Division I from Division II this season. After many years of competing against mainly other Central Buckeye Conference schools in the Springfield sectional, the Chiefs are now up against heavyweights from the big-school ranks.
Bellefontaine opens Division I tourney action at 5 p.m. Saturday against Northmont at Vandalia-Butler High School.
“We understand the challenge of playing in the Southwest District Division I tournament and playing against teams like Northmont,” said Bellefontaine head coach Henry Stolly. “We believe the strength of our schedule, preparation and mental approach will serve us well moving into the tournament.”
The Chiefs again played a tough non-league schedule this winter. Their opponents included Lima Central Catholic, Lima Shawnee, Marysville and Elida.
They are hoping those challenges will help prepare them for the caliber of basketball awaiting Saturday.
Bellefontaine (10-12) was seeded 18th for the Division I Dayton super sectional. Northmont (12-10) is the seventh seed. The winner plays third-seeded Springboro on Wednesday.
Northmont is a member of the extremely competitive Greater Western Ohio Conference Central division.
The Thunderbolts finished 6-4 in the division and tied for second with Springfield and Centerville. Wayne, which is the top-ranked Division I team in Ohio, won the division with a 10-0 mark.
Northmont scored 60 points per game and gave up an average of 62 points per contest during the regular season.
“Northmont is an athletic, quick and explosive team,” said Stolly. “They are mainly an up-tempo style team that wants to press on defense and get out in transition. They are well-coached and they play a style of basketball that takes advantage of their strengths.”
The Thunderbolts are sparked by 6-4 senior guard Jason Biggs, who is averaging 18 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 steals per game.
Northmont’s other big weapon is 6-5 senior forward Jarell Taylor. He is scoring 12.8 points and pulling down 8.7 rebounds per game.
While the Chiefs understand they have a tough challenge Saturday, Stolly wants them to embrace the opportunity to play a tough opponent from a strong conference.
“We must play with confidence and execute our game plan,” said Stolly. “We also have to take care of the basketball, get back on defense and limit their second-chance opportunities.”