By Brendan Connelly
NKyTribune sports reporter
Dixie Heights used a swarming defense and balanced scoring to rout Lloyd, 53-34, in boys basketball Tuesday night. The home-court win puts the Colonels (13-4) in sole possession of the top spot in the 34th District standings that will determine seeds for the post-season tournament.
Lloyd (15-4) had scored 76 points or more in each of its previous four victories, so Dixie Heights coach Roddy Stainforth knew his team would be facing a tough test against their district rival.
Dixie Heights senior Billy Wogenstahl gets one of his three slam dunks in the win over Lloyd. (Photo by Bob Jackson)
“Every possession is going to be a grind and whoever blinks first on defense or offense is going to have the advantage,” Stainforth said.
Dixie Heights guard Keirnan Geraci opened the game with two quick baskets, but the score remained 4-0 after three minutes as both teams combined missed their first seven 3-point attempts. After trading turnovers and missed shots, a three by forward Pierce Rohlman and layup by center Billy Wogenstahl gave the Colonels a 9-0 lead.
Lloyd would eventually score five points in the first quarter, but the visitors didn’t get on the board until an EJ Walker free throw with three minutes left. All of the Juggernauts’ points came with Wogenstahl on the bench, a testament to his defensive disruption in the game.
“Billy does a great job,” Stainforth said. “When he’s in the game, we can play a little more zone because he protects the rim.”
A 13-5 lead after the first quarter put the Colonels in control. Their suffocating defense forced a bevy of unforced errors by the Juggernauts, including errant passes, traveling and double-dribble violations.
On offense, Dixie Heights slowed the pace dramatically, working the ball to find open shots at the rim. The second quarter featured an alley-oop basket by Geraci followed by Wogenstahl driving the baseline for a slam dunk.
Dixie Heights held a 22-14 halftime lead, but the team’s defensive tenacity made it feel almost insurmountable. Only three players scored in the first half for Lloyd with Walker and Jeremiah Israel getting five points each.
Lloyd forward EJ Walker looks for an outlet pass after getting trapped by two Dixie Heights players. (Photo by Bob Jackson)
The Colonels continued their defensive intensity after the halftime break and outscored Lloyd, 16-3, in the third quarter to extend their lead to 38-17.
Wogenstahl scored six of his 12 points during the run while continuing to deflect passes and shots on the defensive end. Jay Flynn got all eight of his points in the quarter, including a pair of 3-point baskets.
A 3-point attempt by Walker at the third-quarter buzzer that went well wide of the target epitomized the night for Lloyd. Walker and Israel led the Juggernauts in scoring at halftime, but they were both held scoreless in the second half.
With the game in hand, Dixie Heights was able to trade baskets with the Juggernauts in the final quarter, punctuated by a third and final Wogenstahl slam.
Teyon Neal and Amari Riley led the Juggernauts with nine points apiece, all coming in the second half.
Geraci finished with a game-high 16 points for the Colonels, who have their final two district seeding games against Villa Madonna and Ludlow next week. Lloyd’s remaining district games are against Ludlow and St. Henry.
“For years, people talked about our district being down, but if you look at us the last couple years, we’re not down,” Stainforth said.
