Kristian Ferrell
Basketball is a popular sport in Darke County, Ohio, with the Darke County Slammers basketball team representing the county in the Special Olympics. In a state basketball tournament in 2012, the Slammers won a silver medal, losing only to the Lorain Elyria Vipers in the championship game. The Slammers have won the state championship twice and have been to 7 final-fours. Individual players from Darke County have also received All-Ohio Southwest Honors, including Mason Shrout, who was the Division III Preble Shawnee and the Player of the Year in the 2022-2023 season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tournament Name | Special Olympics Ohio State Tournament |
| Location | New Philadelphia, Ohio |
| Dates | March 30-31 (year not specified) |
| Participating Teams | Darke County Slammers, Franklin Northwest Superstars, Lorain Elyria Vipers, Darke County Warriors |
| Winners | Lorain Elyria Vipers |
| Runners-up | Darke County Slammers |
| Score | 50-44 |
| Participating Teams' Achievements | Darke County Slammers: West Sectional Champs; Franklin Northwest Superstars: None mentioned; Lorain Elyria Vipers: State Champions; Darke County Warriors: None mentioned |
| Player Honors | Player of the Year: Mason Shrout; Coach of the Year: Nick Worley |
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What You'll Learn
Darke County Slammers: Silver in the Special Olympics state tournament
The Darke County Slammers basketball team represented Darke County Special Olympics in the state basketball tournament in New Philadelphia, Ohio, on March 30-31st. The Slammers fought hard and returned home with a silver medal.
In the semi-finals, the Darke County Slammers beat the Franklin Northwest Superstars 39-25. They faced a challenging battle in the championship game, coming back from a 13-point deficit but ultimately falling short to the Lorain Elyria Vipers with a final score of 50-44. The Slammers concluded their season with an impressive 8-6 record, claiming the titles of West Sectional Champs and State Runner-Up.
This marked the 17th season that two teams from Darke County, the Slammers and the Warriors, competed in the Special Olympics Ohio state-sponsored basketball tournament system. The Darke County Slammers have consistently performed well, reaching 7 final-fours during these 17 seasons and securing the state championship title twice. Their dedication and success have brought pride to Darke County.
Cindy Rose, the Darke County Special Olympics Director, commended the efforts of both the Slammers and the Warriors, acknowledging their outstanding performance and competitive spirit throughout the basketball season. The Darke County Slammers' resilience and determination embody the values of the Special Olympics, and their silver medal finish is a testament to their hard work and talent.
The Darke County community can be proud of the Slammers' achievement in the state tournament, showcasing the spirit of sportsmanship and unity that the Special Olympics embodies.
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Darke County Warriors: Two final-four appearances in 17 seasons
The Darke County Warriors and the Darke County Slammers are two basketball teams representing Darke County, Ohio, in the Special Olympics basketball tournament system. In 2012, both teams competed in the Special Olympics Ohio state-sponsored basketball tournament system, marking the 17th season that Darke County had fielded teams in the competition.
The Warriors have reached two final-four appearances in those 17 seasons. While they have not won the state championship, their consistent performance in reaching the final four is an impressive feat. The Slammers, on the other hand, have had more success in terms of championship titles. They have reached the final four seven times in the same 17-year period and have won the state championship twice.
In the 2012 season, the Slammers finished as the West Sectional Champs and State Runner-Up. They beat the Franklin Northwest Superstars 39-25 in the semi-final game but lost a close championship game to the Lorain Elyria Vipers, finishing with a score of 50-44. The Vipers put up a tough fight, and the Slammers made an impressive comeback, closing a 13-point gap.
The Darke County Warriors' two final-four appearances in 17 seasons are a testament to their dedication and talent. Although they may not have brought home the state championship title, their performance has likely inspired and motivated future athletes in Darke County. The county's consistent participation in the Special Olympics basketball tournament system fosters a sense of community and pride, with athletes from the Warriors and Slammers teams representing Darke County with determination and sportsmanship.
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Player of the Year: Mason Shrout
Mason Shrout, a 6-foot-5 senior, is a basketball sensation at Preble Shawnee High School in Camden, Ohio. Shrout is an exceptional player, averaging an impressive 24.1 points per game and making history as the only player in Preble County to score over 2,000 points. His outstanding performance has earned him the title of "Player of the Year" in the Southwest District Division III for two consecutive years.
Beyond his athletic prowess, Shrout excels in various aspects of life. He is an active member of his community, volunteering for blood drives, sending Valentine's Day cards to nursing homes, and engaging with children at Camden's annual Black Walnut Festival. Shrout is also a member of the school's Hope Squad, a suicide prevention organization, for three years, demonstrating his dedication to supporting others' mental health.
Shrout's passion for basketball began at a young age when he played in the YMCA league at just four years old. His dedication to the sport has driven his team, the Arrows, to remarkable achievements, including winning consecutive Western Ohio Athletic Conference, district, and regional titles. As a junior, Shrout averaged 23.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, with a field goal percentage of 50.1% and a three-point percentage of 39.4%. He has also broken records, becoming his high school's all-time assist leader and leading scorer.
Shrout's impact extends beyond the court. After games, he generously spends time with young fans, signing autographs and connecting with them on a personal level. His character and sportsmanship have earned him recognition, including being named a finalist for Mr. Basketball in Ohio and being tagged for the MaxPreps Ohio High School Athlete of the Week Award.
Mason Shrout's talent, dedication, and community involvement have made him a standout player and an inspiration to many. His contributions to the Preble Shawnee basketball team and his positive influence on those around him solidify his selection as "Player of the Year."
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Coach of the Year: Nick Worley
Nick Worley, the Dixie coach based in New Lebanon, was named Coach of the Year in the 2022-23 season. He led Dixie to a 19-6 overall record, placing third in the WOAC at 9-2, and a sectional title. They were then beaten by Tri-Village in the district semi-finals.
Worley has had a long and successful career in basketball coaching. He has been an assistant coach with Troy men's basketball for 12 seasons and is the team's recruiting coordinator. In his time at Troy, Worley has helped the Trojans to four 20-win seasons and two postseason appearances. Before joining Troy, Worley spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Kilgore College. In his final year there, he led the Rangers to a 27-6 overall record and a Region XIV regular-season title.
Worley's career began in 2005 at Arkansas-Fort Smith, where he helped lead the Lions to a 33-3 record and the 2006 NJCAA National Championship game. The following season, he joined the Arkansas Aeros, assisting head coach Bob Hoffman in the American Basketball Association. The Aeros had a 25-2 record and won the south division title. Worley then spent the 2007-08 season with the Arkansas Impact in the Premier Basketball League, serving as an assistant to former NBA star Todd Day. Despite a 14-10 record, the Impact claimed the western division title and competed in the PBL Championship game.
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All-Southwest Ohio Boys Basketball Teams: 2022-2023
The Ohio Prep Sportswriter's Association (OPSWA) has released its All-Southwest Ohio Honours for the 2022-2023 season, recognising the top boys basketball players across the region.
In Division III, Preble Shawnee's Mason Shrout was named the Southwest District Player of the Year, averaging an impressive 23.3 points per game and leading his team to an undefeated 11-0 WOAC league championship. Joining him on the 1st Team All-Southwest Ohio is Tri-Village senior Wilson Suggs, who averaged 14.5 points per game and helped his team to a 20-5 record, including a 10-1 WOAC finish.
Dixie coach Nick Worley was selected as the DIII Boys All-Southwest District Coach of the Year, guiding his team to a 19-6 overall record, a third-place finish in the WOAC, and a sectional title.
Other standout players in the Southwest Ohio region include Versailles' Connor Stonebraker, who was named 1st Team All-Southwest Ohio and MAC Player of the Year, averaging 22.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. Tri-Village's Justin Finkbine and Dixie's Conner Hawk were also recognised, earning 2nd Team and 3rd Team honours, respectively.
Honourable mentions went to several players, including Dixie's Kole Huffman, Luke Miller, and Owen Stevenson, Tri-Village's Dalton DeLong, and Preble Shawnee's Isaac Blankenship and Logan Hawley.
In addition to the individual accolades, Cincinnati teams dominated the district championships, winning all four titles. The First Team All-Southwest Ohio included players from various schools across the region: Gabe Cupps and Jonathan Powell from Centerville, Lawrent Rice from Huber Hts. Wayne, Deshawne Crim from Fairfield, Chandler Starks from Cincinnati Anderson, Nathan Dudukovich from West Chester Lakota West, Nick Hefferon from Cincinnati LaSalle, Brady Hardewig from Cincinnati Turpin, and Dre'Sean Roberts from Piqua.
Darke County has a strong presence in Ohio basketball, with the Darke County Slammers and Warriors competing in the Special Olympics Ohio state-sponsored basketball tournament system. The Slammers have had notable success, reaching seven final-fours and winning the state championship twice.
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Frequently asked questions
The Lorain Elyria Vipers won the 2012 Darke County Ohio basketball tournament, beating the Darke County Slammers 50-44 in the championship game.
The Darke County Slammers finished as the tournament's runner-up, losing to the Lorain Elyria Vipers in the final. They finished their season 8-6 as West Sectional Champs.
The Slammers have won the state championship twice in 17 seasons.
The Warriors finished as one of the final-four teams in the 2012 tournament.
In 2022-2023, Mason Shrout was named the Division III Preble Shawnee and the DIII Boys All-Southwest Ohio Player of the Year. Wilson Suggs was named 1st Team All-Southwest Ohio.
