Silver Knights' Historic Run Ends in Regional Semifinal
The 2012-13 Summit Country Day boys’ basketball team ended its season on March 13. Short of their goal of a second straight state title, the team had tremendous accomplishments to make The Summit community proud.
“It was a challenge this year being everyone’s marquee game on the schedule, but it was a challenge that we accepted and handled very well,” said Head Coach Michael Bradley, the Miami Valley Conference Coach of the Year. “While we fell short of our ultimate goal, these young men had another tremendous season. I am very proud of this team and will remember this season for a long time.”
Summit began its Division III state title defense returning four of five starters from a squad that finished 26-1 in 2011-12. The addition of sophomore guard MaCio Teague helped bolster an already strong backcourt of junior Antonio Woods and senior Kevin Johnson. Kevin had signed with the University of Cincinnati before the season began and was named the AP Division III District Player of the Year and MVC Player of the Year in 2013. Local sports writers had deemed them “The Big Three” in the likes of recent NBA championship trios. Returning to the paint was junior forward Michael Barwick and rounding out the wing was senior Jake Rawlings, who was coming off of Summit’s state championship run in soccer. Key role players including junior Joey Kreyenhagen and sophomore Evan Davis provided sharpshooting from the perimeter and glove-like defense at crucial times. Senior Brett Tepe stood up as a leader whose hard work and determination influenced his teammates.
“These three players were a coach's dream,” said Coach Bradley of Joey, Evan and Brett. "They showed up every day, gave all they could, and never once complained about their role or minutes.” He expects Joey and Evan to be major contributors next season.
The Silver Knights finished the regular season as MVC champions and the No. 1 team in the Division III Ohio AP Poll, as well as No. 1 in The Cincinnati Enquirer Division II-IV Coaches’ Poll. They carried an impressive 23-1 record heading into the Division III district final at UD Arena on March 7. The team’s only blemish came from the hands of Dayton Dunbar, the defending Division II state champions, who back in January ended Summit’s 23-game winning streak that spanned two seasons. Kevin Johnson took control in the district final, chalking up 29 points in a 63-49 victory over West Liberty-Salem to secure Summit’s third consecutive district championship.
The Silver Knights were riding a 10-game winning streak as they faced a formidable opponent in the regional semifinal at Kettering Fairmont’s James S. Trent Arena. Roger Bacon was looking to avenge its loss of a year ago to Summit on the same court in the very same round of the playoffs. Early foul trouble and injury created an uphill battle for the outsized Knights from the game’s early minutes, but the team managed to stay in the hunt until the game’s final minute. In the end, Summit could not overcome the tough play of the Spartans as their title defense came to an end by a final score of 61-53.
“I thank the seniors for their dedication, leadership and all the hard work put in over the last few years,” said Coach Bradley.
Seniors from the 2012-13 Silver Knights were Michael Dorsey, David Herring, Kevin Johnson, Jake Rawlings, Marshal Sang, Brett Tepe, and Armand Walker.
