by Stow, Ohio – Thanks to a fast start in the first quarter, Akron Buchtel rolled to a 70-44 victory over VASJ in the Division II Stow District championship game Saturday evening.
The Griffs got off to a fast start, thanks to the efforts of Marcel Boyce Jr. and Khoi Thurmon. Thurmon had nine points in the first quarter, and Boyce chipped in five as Buchtel got off to a 19-0 lead. A Quandell Wright basket late in the first quarter prevented the Vikings from being shut out. Buchtel led 21-2 after one.
Both teams struggled from the floor in the second quarter, going scoreless until a Marcel Boyce Jr. layup at the 5:11 mark.
The Griffs led 34-14 at the half, as Boyce Jr. and Thurmon each scored four points in the second quarter.
Despite the rough start, VASJ fought to get back into the game. The Vikings whittled their deficit to 15, thanks in part to the efforts of Quandell Wright, who scored eight in third. Ari Jones added six of his own.
That was as close as they got the rest of the way.
At the end of the third quarter, Akron Buchtel led 56-30, and cruised from there to lock up the victory.
Akron Buchtel, now 19-6, advances to the Canton Regional where they will take on Boardman District champion Youngstown Chaney. The game will take place at the Canton Civic Center on Thursday, March 9th at 6:00pm. Senior guard Marcel Boyce Jr. had 22 points. He was followed by fellow classmates Khoi Thurmon (18) and Amire Robinson (10).
VASJ finishes their season at 11-15. Junior guard Quandell Wright scored 25 to lead the Vikings.
