FAIRFIELD — A gritty performance by the Ross Rams proved to themselves that they can compete with anyone.
Ross knocked off previously unbeaten Fairfield 58-57 on Friday night in the 2024 Butler County Backyard Bash at Fairfield Arena.
Peyton Hendricks scored 22 points to pace Ross (4-4), which fell to Turpin 59-40 on Saturday in the Holiday Hardwood Classic at Xavier University’s Cintas Center.
“I’m proud of my guys for stepping up and answering the call,” Ross coach David Lane said after the Fairfield victory. “I give those guys all the credit. They were prepared, they were locked in, they do what they’re supposed to. They battled everything single possession. So, I’m really, really proud of those guys.
“We do a lot of scouting and putting guys in positions to succeed, but they’re the ones out there grinding, battling, communicating — doing all that stuff. I think it says a lot about our program because of the type of kids we have in our program that are resilient, that battle and that continue to come to work every single day and have a short-term memory.”
Ethan Fuersich had 16 points and Ben Voegele added 13 for Ross, which moved out to a 24-22 halftime lead.
Fairfield’s Daviawne Crim led all scorers with 23 points, while Gabe Clemmons had 11 points and 10 rebounds. Michael Lewis added 10 points.
The Indians (7-2) lost to Elder 61-54 on Saturday in the Holiday Hardwood Classic.
“We just need to be more mentally prepared, a little more mature,” Fairfield coach DJ Wyrick said following the loss to Ross. “I don’t feel like we approached this game the way we approached every game. (Ross) came here to compete. They come here, they played hard. They made plays when they needed to make plays. They stayed disciplined.
“We got a little bit out of character, I’d say. Didn’t just trust the offense, didn’t trust what we were trying to do. It was kind of playing a little too free, I’ll say.”
Other boys basketball results from the 2024 Butler County Backyard Bash:
BADIN 46, HAMILTON 43
Cooper Ollis scored 17 points and had seven rebounds, and the Rams beat the Big Blue for the first time ever.
Hamilton defeated Badin in the previous two meetings (51-41 in 2022-2023 and 46-35 in 2023-2024).
“One at a time,” Rams coach CJ Fleming said. “I’m so proud of these guys. Obviously, we did not play our best. Had opportunities. Had opportunities to put them away — shoot for God’s sake 50% from the foul line. Just a gutsy performance. Not the prettiest game, but a great game from our aspect of bring tough. Their record does not show who they are.”
Badin (6-2) pulled ahead 21-16 at the half and held off a Hamilton surge down the stretch to secure the cross-town rivalry victory.
Carson Lowe had 12 points for the Rams, who are winners of five of their last six.
Hamilton was led offensively by Jordon Johnson-Perdomo (11 points), Marlon Reed (10 points) and Peyton Davis (eight points). The Big Blue (1-7) have lost six straight.
MONROE 58, CINCINNATI CHRISTIAN 26
MJ Mapp scored 19 points and had six rebounds to lead the Hornets past the Cougars.
Monroe led 16-0 after the first quarter and never faltered. Carson Poe had 10 points and eight rebounds for the Hornets (5-3), who snapped a two-game losing streak.
“That always helps when they don’t score in a quarter,” Monroe coach Casey Popplewell said before complimenting Bryant Lee’s defense on CCS guard Brandon Cox. “Bryant Lee was just really awesome on the Cox kid. He’s getting 19 a game for them. I think he got four tonight, and that’s a huge reason that we won. He was the focal point of our scout, and Bryant was great on him all night.
“We’ve got five seniors, and all of our goals are still in front of us, and they know that.”
Jaden Bowman and Steven Burton paced Cincinnati Christian with six points apiece. The Cougars (3-4) have lost three of their last four.
