STOLLER DRAINS 3-POINTER FOR DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP

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Wayne Trace 2023 Division III District Champions! Photo by Seth Yenser

By: Joe Shouse, Sports Writer

WT Junior Kyle Stoller takes a shot for the Raiders. Photo by Seth Yenser.

NAPOLEON – Junior Kyle Stoller was at the right place at the right time when the Raider junior let go of a long-range three-pointer with just 2.7 showing on the clock. The “shot”, probably the biggest in his career, stunned the crowed as Wayne Trace captured the Division III District Championship at Napoleon. The Raiders ousted the top seed and the state’s fourth ranked Toledo Christian 50-49.

Trailing until the fourth period the Raiders finally tasted their first lead 40-39 with 6:14 remaining in the contest.  Following an Emmanual Christian bucket the Raiders responded with a six-point run on a Tyler Davis lay-up and four Brooks Laukhuf free throws to put the red, white, and blue on top 46-41 with four minutes remaining. However, the Warriors answered with their own mini-run to regain the lead 47-46. At the 2:50 mark Brooks Laukhuf canned one of two free throws to knot the score at 47-47 before EC managed to move in front 49-47 — setting up the Stoller heroics in the closing seconds. 

With the win the Raiders improve to 20-6 and more importantly their 12th district championship. The Raiders will move on to regional play at Bowling Green State University where they will play Canton Central Catholic. The other two teams making up the Region 10 bracket will be Ottawa Glandorf pitted against Oregon Cardinal Stritch. The Warriors end their season 21-4. 

Brooks Laukhuf holds off his Warrior opponent as he dribbles down the court. Photo by Seth Yenser

Wayne Trace had just three Raiders score in the contest with Laukhuf leading all scorers with 25. Stoller finished with 16 including the game winner along with 10 rebounds and Davis added nine points along with nine rebounds while playing solid defense in the paint. Although no other Raider scored, those on the floor made tremendous contributions in other ways to help record the huge win — a team win.

Emmanuel Christian was led by the 17-points from Nate Miles and Jerry Easter who was 16 points below his 33 points per game average. Andre Young and Jalen Brown added six each and Jamie Rivers finished with three.

Regional Semi-finals is on March 8, 2023 at 6pm in The Stroh Center at BGSU. The Raiders will face Canton Central Catholic!