Clark State Battles Cuyahoga For Sole Possession of Final Playoff Spot Tonight

 Clark State Battles Cuyahoga for Sole Possession of 3rd Place Tonight 

THE WINNER WILL SIT IN PLAYOFF POSITION, WHILE THE LOSER WILL BE ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

By Deon Cash 

The Clark State Eagles find themselves right where they want to be. 

In the final week of the regular season, they are sitting a half game out of a tournament spot.

The top 3 teams make it to the tournament in the OCCAC. 

The Eagles (9-4) are in 4th place, sitting 1/2 game behind Cuyahoga.  

The Eagles defeated Cuyahoga at home (106-98), but now will have the tall task of going on the road and having to get it done. 

Cuyahoga was a tournament member last season, and this season has been another successful one.

They have been lead by Tyson Gardner and John McFadden.  Gardner is a top 5 scorer while McFadden is in the top 10. 

"We know they have a top tier ball club over there. We know how hard we had to play to get it done at home. We will have to play harder and smarter to get a win up there. We are ready and we will be prepared." Coach Alstork stated. 

While nothing will be set in stone no matter who wins the game, it is a huge win for either team as they chase Edison State (12-2) for second place. Edison State will play Lakeland (13-1) & Cuyahoga (10-4) this week.

Clark State has Cuyahoga today, Hocking Wednesday, then the huge finale at Lakeland. 

"This is crunch time. This is what we wanted. We have to go and execute." Alstork stated.

The game will start at 7pm tonight in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Check out Clark State Athletics for more info.

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Eagles Stop Wittenberg in "Battle of Springfield"; Prep For Final Week

 Eagles Stop Wittenberg Late Behind Platton, Dunn, Ajaezu in Battle of Springfield; Prep For Final Week 

By Deon Cash 

Clark State men's team faced off against Wittenberg in the Battle of Springfield last night and it was a absolute battle as Wittenberg gave the Eagles all they could handle before falling 91-87 at Wittenberg.

The Tigers had a 12-point lead early, and held on to the lead until the Eagles fought back late in the half.

Late in the 2nd half Clark State pulled it closer and with a Jadon Dunn layup, the Eagles would take a lead at  86-85.  But Wittenberg would not stop fighting, and after a basket, they went up 87-86 with under a minute to go. 

Trevor Platten &  Jadon Dunn Lead Way in Win

 On the next possession shooting guard Trevor Platten would dial in from deep, hitting his final dagger three ball that would put the Eagles up for good (89-87).

Wittenberg would have a chance to tie the game up, but a huge block and defensive rebound by All - American candidate Nnamdi Ajaezu would seal the deal. He also would hit the final free throws to end the Tigers chances and push the Eagles to 19-8 on the season. 

"It wasn't pretty but we got the win. I'm proud of the guys for fighting and finding a way to win. Wittenberg fought hard. Now we have to handle business next week, starting with Cuyahoga." Quinton Alstork, the head coach of Clark State, stated after the game.

The Eagles will play Cuyahoga on the road on Monday, and with a win, comes sole possession of third place.

"We have worked so hard for this moment. Now is our time." Alstork said.  

Clark State will face Cuyahoga on Monday, Hocking on Wednesday and Lakeland on Saturday in the finale.

Follow Clark State Athletics, @SELive365, and OCCAC for  coverage all season long. 

WEST CARROLLTON DEFEAT GREEN WAVE AS PARKER WINS 100TH GAME AS PIRATES HEAD COACH

 WEST CARROLLTON DEFEATS GREEN WAVE AS PARKER WINS 100TH GAME AS PIRATES HEAD COACH 

Anthony Parker, one of the most consistent and decorated coaches in the Miami Valley for the last decade, reached a major milestone after defeating Greenville HS last night. 

Not only did Parker and the West Carrollton Pirates stay in contention for a Miami Valley League title, but Parker also did something nobody in the program has ever done:

Reach 100 wins faster than any coach in Pirates history. 

The Pirates would win, staying on pace with Stebbins as they clash on Friday night for the MVL Division title. The Pirates are 13-4 & 15-5 overall while Stebbins is 11-5 in the conference. 

When asked about the feat, Parker responded.

"It's a great honor, and I'm privileged to be working with a great program. I never count them, until you start to get close to 100. 

There are a lot of people who never make it this long, so I'm thankful about that. I want to thank my family, my friends, my supporters, and the West Carrollton organization." 

Parker has been with the Pirates for eight years now, so he's averaging 13-14 wins per season. He already has 15 this year and counting.

If you take out season one at West Carrollton (6-16), Parker is averaging 15 wins per season.

Congratulations to Parker and the Pirates as they continue to climb the ladder of program changers and elite coaches in the Miami Valley.

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HUGE REMATCH SET FOR TONIGHT AS EAGLES TAKE 8-GAME WINNING STREAK TO EDISON STATE; WHAT ARE KEYS TO VICTORY FOR BOTH TEAMS?

 HUGE REMATCH SET FOR TONIGHT AS EAGLES TAKE 8-GAME WINNING STREAK TO EDISON STATE;

 WHAT ARE KEYS TO VICTORY FOR BOTH TEAMS?

By Deon Cash 

In a OCCAC season filled with drama, its only fitting that two local teams fight for a chance to sit near the top of the standings tonight.

Clark State (16-7, 8-3) will head to Edison State (14-7, 8-2) tonight as the two rival teams go at it. The game is slated for 7:30, following the girls game at 5:30. 

Here's what we know about both teams:

CLARK STATE (16-7, 8-3) 

The Eagles have amassed not one, but two 8-game winning streaks in Coach Alstork 3rd season as head coach, which is a school record.   

They were probably the best team in the OCCAC until the favorite for Player of the Year (Brandon Cromer) was ruled ineligible, and a couple other players were casualties to injuries for a portion of the year. 

Guard Nnamdi Ajaezu (6'3, 210) has had a All-America type season, and leads arguably the toughest defensive guard group in the country. 

Combo guards Jaden Dunn & Tabias Thompson have stepped up and filled some key roles while Trevor Platten a 6'5 wing has become one of the top 3-point snipers in all of JUCO. Dumaka Azajezu has also had some big games for the Eagles.

Sophomore G-F Brandon Miller (6'4, 220) has stepped up into a bigger role, and is the unquestioned leader vocally on & off the court. His leadership has been crucial to the 8-game winning streak the team is on.

Coach Alstork has gotten good play from his bigs, lead by former Fairborn Skyhawk F-C Julius Pullen of late. Isaiah Richardson, a combo forward with dynamic athleticism and a big time skill set, has stepped up, and is showing he is D-1 caliber. With an elite coaching staff, the Eagles are a Top 20 team in the country and are top 5 in team scoring (95ppg) and steals on the season.

EDISON STATE  (14-7, 8-2) 

The Chargers have been elite all season, lead by their trio of hoopers in Dunbar grad Darien Leslie (17.0), Wayne Grad Malcolm Curry (17.7), and G- F Frank Latham (14.5).  That trio combines for nearly 50 points per night. 

 All 3 are D-1 prospects and are one of the most explosive trios in the country.

They nearly defeated a Top 5 team earlier, as it came down to the wire. 

Add guard Cashawn Ingram and you have a excellent mix of guards, not to mention top tier freshman A'zon Steele to boot. 

In the front court the Chargers are leaning on bigs Sir Cox (6'10) and Chylan Ingram (6'7). Both of these guys gave been playing better and boast D-1 potential. 

 With G- F Kelvin Cotton-Cash (6'6) finding his rhythm, the Chargers are stacked with height in the paint. Latham also gets in the trenches and rebounds inside. 

LAST MEETING WENT THE EAGLES WAY 

The Chargers jumped out to a huge lead, only to be walked down by the upstart Eagles, as they came back to win with a gritty defensive stand in the 2nd half to pull off a incredible win.

Coach Alstork has had success against Edison State, but also knows that the Chargers are a top team and cannot be played with.

"They have a tough squad. They have some really good players. They are playing at a high level. We will be ready for the challenge." Alstork stated.

The winner of this game will have sole possession 2nd place in the OCCAC.  Both teams will face Lakeland one more time this season. Lakeland is 9-1 and is atop the conference. 

Expect a all-out intense performance  tonight as both programs know what's on the line. 

The rivalry resumes at 5:30 with the girls, while the boys follow.

EDISON STATE GIRLS LOOK TO STAY IN FIRST PLACE VS CLARK STATE 

The Edison State girls will try to continue their winning ways tonight against the Eagles, who are trying to find a rhythm this season, which has been hard.

 Despite a tough loss to Hocking, look for a intense game tonight in this rivalry game as Clark State and Edison State battle. 

Here's the standings for the ladies. 

Edison State won the last game in Springfield earlier in the season. 

The game is slated for 5:30 tonight at Edison State Gymnasium.

For more information go to 

Clark State Athletics (social media)

Edison State Ahtletics (social media)

S.E.Live365 Media (@SELive365)