Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

Zach Roach was put in the spotlight. Not only didn’t he shy away from it, he cast a big shadow.
Needing 25 points to reach 1,000 for his career, the St. Joseph senior guard scored 25 points to lead the Flyers to a 61-43 Southern Ohio Conference win over the Portsmouth Notre Dame Titans on Friday.
Roach hit five 3-pointers and three quick baskets to begin the fourth quarter to reach the milestone before making his exit for the night.
“I know it couldn’t have worked out. Zach was on fire. Our kids are so unselfish and happy for each other. Zach deserves it. He’s spent a lot of time in the gym,” said Flyers’ coach Chris Barnes.
St. Joseph (11-4, 7-3) knocked down 13 3-pointers as a team. Ryan Payne had a pair of 3-pointers and scored 10 points while Jimmy Mahlmeister and Jackson Rowe had a trio of 3-pointers each.
“We had 10 3’s in the first half. Jackson Rowe shot the ball really well,” said Barnes.
Jarren Edgington scored 12 points and Jermaine Powell 10 for the Titans (4-10, 1-8).
Roach hit three 3-poitner out of the starting gate with Payne, Mahlmeister and Rowe all adding a trey as the Flyers jumped out to a 20-11 first quarter lead.
Rowe hit two more 3-pointers, Mahlmeister had one and Roach scored 5 points including a 3-pointer as the lead went to 36-25 at the half.
Payne scored 7 points and Roach 5 — each had a 3-pointer — as the Flyers outscore the Titans 16-12 in the third quarter to lead 52-37.
Roach had 6 points and Mahlmeister a 3-pointer as the Flyers extended their lead in the fourth quarter before both teams emptied their benches.
On Tuesday St. Joseph plays at Rose Hill.
Notre Dame 11 14 12 6 = 43
St. Joseph 20 16 16 9 = 61
PORTSMOUTH NOTRE DAME (4-10, 1-8): Carter Campbell 0 0 0-0 0, Jermain Powell 2 2 0-0 10, Caleb Nichols 0 0 2-2 2, Dominic Sparks 4 0 0-0 8, Dylan Seison 2 0 5-6 9, Ethan Kammer 0 0 0-0 0, Jarren Edgington 5 0 2-3 12. Totals: 13 2 11-13 43. Fouls: 12. Fouled out: None.
ST. JOSEPH (11-4, 7-3): Jackson Rowe 0 3 0-1 9, Matthew Sheridan 1 0 0-0 2, Zach Roach 5 5 0-0 25, Ryan Payne 2 2 0-0 10, J.C. Damron 1 0 0-0 2, Jared Johnson 1 0 2-4 4, Michael Mahlmeister 0 0 0-0 0, Jimmy Mahlmeister 0 3 0-0 9, Max Weber 0 0 0-0 0, Jacob Salisbury 0 0 0-0 0. Totals: 10 13 2-4 61. Fouls: 14. Fouled out: Weber.