By Drew Terhall

DailyAdvocate.com

KETTERING — The Greenville High School boys basketball season came to a close on Feb. 22 after they lost to the number one seed in Chaminade Julienne, 65-24, at Trent Arena at Kettering Fairmont High School in the Southwest Division II sectional.

The Green Wave did all they could to compete. They were going up against the second ranked team in the division by the AP poll. Head coach Matt Hamilton said he wanted his team to focus on competing and not get caught up in the names they are playing against. They went up against future power five talent, like Chaminade Julienne’s George Washington III who committed to Michigan.

“We’ve had ten days to prepare. So we’ve been trying to prepare for the little things and more than anything, just come down and play hard and compete. Don’t get that deer in the headlights look of names and schools and come down afraid,” Hamilton said.

The Green Wave hung around in the first quarter. Hamilton said the team had some nerves early, but were still able to compete. The first quarter featured seven made three pointers, three made by Greenville.

After the first quarter, Greenville was only down 20-10. They had a hard time getting into the paint, but the early three-point shooting kept them in the game.

Like all season long, Greenville was playing with a shorter rotation and the players still gave it their all. The Green Wave held strong during the first half of the second quarter, but then the Eagles started to make a run.

Hamilton said the team did a decent job of making it a half court game and not letting Chaminade Julienne run up and down the floor at will. But, the Eagles got a few opportunities to run out in transition.

After the Eagles run, the Green Wave were down 41-13 at halftime. Chaminade Julienne showed why they are considered one of the best teams in the division.

Hamilton said he wanted to have as many of his players as possible be at the game to see what a playoff game is like and what a top team in the state looks like.

“We tried to bring as many guys as we could. I just wanted them to see what it was like, what a really good basketball team is. I just told them, ‘You see a group of good players who play discipline and together. They play really well and then you add in a great player on top of it.’,” Hamilton said.

Throughout the second half, the Green Wave continued to play their game and gave their full effort. But the turnovers became too much for Greenville to overcome.

Senior Jarrod Demange and junior Chace Drew both led the team with six points. Sophomore Drew Hamilton had five points.

Greenville finishes the 2022-23 season with a 2-21 record and a 1-17 conference record. It’s a start as Hamilton looks to revitalize the program.

“We had great numbers come out this year. Obviously, not necessarily guys that were ready for varsity, but the next several years we got good groups coming and get things turned around,” Hamilton said.

Contact Daily Advocate sports editor Drew Terhall at [email protected]