Sebring soars back to the top

The Trojans defeated United to clinch a share of the TCL crown.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
HANOVERTON -- Because they had to replace four starters from last year's Tri-County League championship team with inexperienced juniors, some considered the Sebring High boys basketball team to be an underdog when the season began.
Make that Top Dog after Friday's 53-42 victory over United clinched a share of the TCL crown for the state-ranked Trojans (16-1, 11-1).
"These kids grew up a lot this summer," Sebring coach Brian Clark said. "They've learned to play some defense -- after 17 games, nobody has scored 50 [on us]."
Long-range efficiency
Triggering the Trojans' offense was junior guard Joe James, whose game-high 20 points included four 3-pointers.
"We were underdogs the whole season because we're juniors, so beating teams with seniors just makes it all worthwhile," James said.
Point guard Dan Scarpitti also hit four treys in scoring 14 points. Older brother Dave, the only senior starter, scored 10, including seven in the fourth quarter.
"For the first three quarters, I wasn't able to get shots, but I was able to get into the middle to create shots," Scarpitti said. "As long as we're scoring and that's working, we're fine with that."
Scarpitti said this year's title "means a lot, being a senior and doing it with this particular group. With a bunch of young guys, no one knew how we would be this year. [The league crown] was probably our second-biggest goal -- besides getting to Columbus."
Strong start
With their team ahead 24-21 at halftime, Dan Scarpitti and James hit for 3s as Sebring opened the third quarter with an 8-2 run.
Trailing 40-31 in the fourth quarter, the Eagles (13-3, 9-3) threw a scare when Corey Manfull hit a 3-pointer, Dale Woolf made a foul shot and Manfull scored on a lay-in to cut the gap to three points.
After Dave Scarpitti and Manfull exchanged baskets, James hit two jump shots for a 46-39 lead with 2:18 to go.
"For various reasons, last season on JV was his first full season of organized basketball," Clark said of James. "He's decided he wants to be part of something special.
"In all of our big games, he's been the leading scorer," Clark said. "A lot of the credit goes to Dave and Dan for finding him."
Scarpitti said, "Joe is a huge part of our offense. Once one goes down, we know the next one is going in -- he's a pure shooter."
United coach Herman Miller said the Eagles "gave ourselves a chance to win. Defensively, I'm very satisfied with the job we did. We just were not able on the offensive end to make enough things happen."
Miller said the Eagles' goal was to limit Sebring to 50 points.
"And we would have if we didn't have to foul them down the stretch," Miller said.
Manfull and Mitch Phillis led United with 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Key element
Clark said Sebring's outside scoring success played an important role.
"We hit eight 3s on them tonight -- that's enough to keep them spread out and open up some offensive rebounds for us," Clark said. "Joe Amabeli did a fine job limiting Dale Woolf to six points -- he averages 17."
Miller agreed.
"[Our] zone forced them to not go inside early, and they did hit some key shots," Miller said.
Sebring, which was voted the No. 3 team in this week's Associated Press poll of Ohio's Division IV schools, can win the TCL title outright with a win over East Palestine Tuesday or Columbiana on Friday.
williams@vindy.com