Not off the Press: Boys basketball tournament, honoring legends and an SCOL title game set for this week
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
The time for the annual high school girls basketball tournament has arrived. Before we look into all the games involving Highland County teams, I wanted to take time to look at how productive the teams from the area were this week.
To say it was thrilling might be an understatement.
The game of the week was the matchup on Wednesday when the McClain Lady Tigers defeated South Central Ohio League champion Clinton-Massie 35-32 on a game-winning, buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Sammy Rooks. For fans of Lady Tiger basketball, that is one of those moments some may always remember, while others 10 years from now will be saying "Remember that game Sammy Rooks sank that 3-pointer against the state-ranked Clinton-Massie team?"
It was that good of a game.
• Boys Basketball Tournament Draw
I'm not sure what to think about the annual rite of passage that is the boys basketball tournament draw. I know some like the matchups; others do not. What I've noticed is there are some nice games on the slate, and for that reason alone, it is a way to get pumped for the postseason, as the boys regular season has one week remaining.
I guess we'll start with Division II in the SE District.
The South Central Ohio League got somewhat lumped together in the opening round with Miami Trace (a No. 7 seed) facing No. 10 McClain on Feb. 21. Here is the good news for this game: common opponents, they have already played once this season (the second time is this Friday at MT), and teams are headed toward better days in their program … so this is an even matchup on paper (in my opinion). In their first meeting, MHS won against MT 57-39.
The bad … the SCOL is guaranteed to have one team eliminated after one game, they are common opponents, and well … this game has already taken place once (twice once the tournament begins) this season.
Another point with this game (let me know if I am wrong) is though this may not be the best of years for the SCOL, how does a team that's won three games, with two of those wins coming in December, get rated higher than a team that has five wins, including a win against the No. 7 seed in the same bracket? Reminds me of this student section cheer we had when I was in high school that always got us the evil eye from our principal.
Either way … I'm looking forward to the third installment of these SCOL teams with a winner-take-all atmosphere.
The second matchup for Division II in Highland County is No. 5 Hillsboro (13-5) against No. 4 Fairland (14-4). I don't know much about Fairland, but record-wise, they are just a tick better then the Indians.
Looking at Fairland's schedule, they have wins against Gallia Academy, St. Joseph Central, South Point (2), River Valley (2), Alexander, Wheelersburg, Meigs, Rock Hill (2), Dawson-Bryant, South Webster and Spring Valley.
Fairland has scored 1,133 points, while allowing 835 points this season with 6-5 senior Evan Salyers, who averages 19.1 ppg, along with 9.9 rebounds per game.
Hillsboro's wins have come against Fairfield, McClain (2), Eastern Brown, Washington (2), London (2), Whiteoak, Madison-Plains (2), Greenville and Clinton-Massie.
The Tribe's losses have come to Western Brown, Logan Elm, Miami Trace (2) and Lynchburg-Clay as HHS is 2-2 in their last four games.
Again, on paper … this game should be competitive.
For Highland County in Division III, the Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs received a No. 6 seed with a 9-8 record. They will face the West Union Dragons (0-14) on Feb. 21 at 8 p.m. in Waverly.
If LC wins that game, they will face No. 3 seed Piketon (12-6) on Feb. 25 at 8 p.m.
This seems like a nice draw for the Mustangs, but again, like in Division II, they will face a league opponent.
My only argument is this … why travel so far away, if teams are just going to play against teams in their own league?
Anyway, in Division IV … guess what … the Fairfield Lions received a No. 5 seed, but like two other Highland County teams, the Lions are pitted to face a league opponent, in No. 4 seeded Manchester on Feb. 28 at 6:15 p.m. at Valley High School.
I just saw this game on Saturday night, but it was one of the better games I had the opportunity to watch this season. This is a matchup with two of the better quality teams in the SHL, so at least it will be entertaining. The bad part … the SHL is guaranteed to lose one team, just like the SCOL in Division II in the opening round.
Again, why travel 40 or 50 miles just to play a league opponent in the opening round? These two teams are even record-wise, so I can see this matchup being set, but it must be because the Tri-Valley Conference and the Southern Ohio Conference must have "faaaaaar" superior basketball if a 10-8 and 9-7 record trumps two teams who have 11 wins in a competitive league like the SHL. (Anyone else sensing my sarcasm?) Maybe I'm wrong for not agreeing with some of the seeding, but that's what makes this time of year so great … all that matters once the tournament begins is the final on the scoreboard.
In the same bracket, a third SHL team, the Whiteoak Wildcats (6-12) will be facing No. 10 seeded Western Latham on Feb. 21 at 8 p.m. at Valley.
I see this as a good fit for the Wildcats against a 2-16 team in Latham. Maybe the Wildcats can gain some of the momentum they had last season when the tournament arrived. Remember last season's classic against Green at Valley?
I'm just going to say this right now … if you look at the schedule, there are three games on Feb. 21 involving Highland County teams, with all three games starting at the same time in three different locations. I can be only at one game that night … apologizing beforehand.
• An SCOL showdown for a championship
It may be nerve-wracking, but goodness, there is nothing like getting the chance to cover a game with a league championship on the line.
Those who want something to do in Hillsboro on Friday night have a chance to watch a game like that with the Indians hosting the Clinton-Massie Falcons in what basically is a winner-take-all format to a certain extent.
It goes like this … if HHS wins, they are the outright SCOL champions for the boys basketball season. HHS already has clinched no less than a share of the league title with a 9-2 league mark. The Falcons are visiting Hillsboro with a share of the league title in their sights. If CM wins … they will share the league championship with HHS.
So, it is basically a winner-take-all game because when it comes to championships … sharing is caring a tad bit too much.
Let's hope the Indians can sell out the 2,000-person capacity gym (I think it is that many) this Friday night … what a way to end the regular season.
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• Looking back at the past week
I can say Monday-Wednesday was the most exciting start to a week I've seen in a long time with three games coming down to the final minutes.
Take for instance on Monday, the Lynchburg-Clay Lady Mustangs traveled to face the Washington Lady Blue Lions. The game was a non-league game but had a tournament feel to it with LC defeating the Division II team 31-26. LC held Washington scoreless in the third quarter, and this was one of the better wins of the season for LC.
Tuesday was even more exciting at LCHS, with LC defeating HHS in a non-league boys basketball game that came down to the final seconds. It was the first win over HHS by the Mustangs in at least three years, and it came down to a single free throw by Wes Pierson that broke a tied score. A final attempt by HHS, in the paint, wasn't able to fall for HHS … just an exciting game between two teams I have the opportunity to cover on a regular basis.
Then Wednesday happened, and the game with the McClain Lady Tigers hosting CM is one of those games I don't see myself forgetting for a long time. The best way to describe this is … Sammy Rooks sank a 3-pointer at the buzzer, breaking a 32-32 tie for the MHS win against the SCOL first-place Lady Falcons. It possibly could be a game of the year candidate.
The rest of the week wasn't as eventful, until Saturday night at Fairfield High School. It was a game that could possibly go a long way as far as momentum for the Lions. The 59-52 win by the Lions over Manchester proved to be even more helpful, as they (as mentioned before) will be playing in the postseason in a mere 15 days.
• McClain legends honored
I just wanted to send congratulations to former MHS boys basketball head coach Rick VanMatre, scorekeeper Karen Yeager and longtime PA announcer John Wend for being honored at the McClain boys basketball home finale. Coach VanMatre was honored for being named in the coaches Hall of Fame, Wend was honored for his 30 years of announcing McClain games and Yeager was honored for being the 2011 Booster of the Year. All are well-deserved honors.
• Stat of the Week
Here is a nice list of stats for the Fairfield Lady Lions in their 46-44 win over Manchester on Saturday: Heather Cox, 17 points, 19 rebounds; Shelby Smithson, 10 points, 15 rebounds; Kaitlin Evans, nine points, eight rebounds, five steals and four assists.
• (A second) Stat of the Week
Fairfield sophomore Blake Hildebrant, who scored 14 points against Manchester on Saturday night, was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. That type of performance from the free-throw line in that type of atmosphere is incredible, especially for a sophomore.
• (A third) Stat of the Week
In her first season as a varsity girls basketball head coach, LC head coach Whitney Lewis has earned 15 wins in 20 chances. Her team has a chance to add to that once the postseason begins on Wednesday.
• (A fourth) Stat of the Week
Whiteoak's Brittany Luman saved her best performance of the regular season in Game No. 20 … scoring a career-high 17 points, finishing 7-of-10 from the free-throw line. In that game against Felicity, Luman also added 12 rebounds.
• Quote of the Week
"I don't think we've ever done this. This is my first win over Hillsboro, and having this momentum is huge for our team. We weren't playing good team basketball at times, and I told them we have to start doing that, and if we start playing team basketball, we will score. Halfway through the fourth quarter and from there on, we played as a team." — Jason McLaughlin, LC boys basketball varsity head coach following their win against Hillsboro on Tuesday.
• (A second) Quote of the Week
"I was very nervous … we got in the huddle, went into our play. It came down to the last shot, and I just threw it up there. He (Coach Dennis Overstake) told me to do a shot fake … and it worked." — McClain senior Sammy Rooks said following her game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer on Wednesday against CM.
• (A third) Quote of the Week
"I don't even know where to start with that type of game. We had nine points at the half. When we went to the locker room we said, 'OK, we are going to erase the first half, act like it never happened … come out and start new.'" — Whitney Lewis, LC girls basketball head coach following the Lady Mustangs' 31-26 win over Washington on Monday.
• (A fourth) Quote of the Week
"I told the seniors before the game, they've taught me a lot about life. They are four class individuals. I told them this is a small portion of their life they are going to remember forever … this basketball season and all of their time playing basketball." — Matt Carson, Fairfield boys basketball head coach following the Lions' win Saturday against Manchester.
• One last item of business
This time of year is always exciting, as with the tournament each and every game is a winner-take-all format. Is it me, or did this season just fly by? Maybe it was the couple hundred cups of coffee, but this winter regular season just seemed to go by quickly, even faster than the fall season. Best of luck to Highland County wrestling, swimming and basketball teams in their respective postseason games or matches.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter @hcpsportseditor.
To say it was thrilling might be an understatement.
The game of the week was the matchup on Wednesday when the McClain Lady Tigers defeated South Central Ohio League champion Clinton-Massie 35-32 on a game-winning, buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Sammy Rooks. For fans of Lady Tiger basketball, that is one of those moments some may always remember, while others 10 years from now will be saying "Remember that game Sammy Rooks sank that 3-pointer against the state-ranked Clinton-Massie team?"
It was that good of a game.
• Boys Basketball Tournament Draw
I'm not sure what to think about the annual rite of passage that is the boys basketball tournament draw. I know some like the matchups; others do not. What I've noticed is there are some nice games on the slate, and for that reason alone, it is a way to get pumped for the postseason, as the boys regular season has one week remaining.
I guess we'll start with Division II in the SE District.
The South Central Ohio League got somewhat lumped together in the opening round with Miami Trace (a No. 7 seed) facing No. 10 McClain on Feb. 21. Here is the good news for this game: common opponents, they have already played once this season (the second time is this Friday at MT), and teams are headed toward better days in their program … so this is an even matchup on paper (in my opinion). In their first meeting, MHS won against MT 57-39.
The bad … the SCOL is guaranteed to have one team eliminated after one game, they are common opponents, and well … this game has already taken place once (twice once the tournament begins) this season.
Another point with this game (let me know if I am wrong) is though this may not be the best of years for the SCOL, how does a team that's won three games, with two of those wins coming in December, get rated higher than a team that has five wins, including a win against the No. 7 seed in the same bracket? Reminds me of this student section cheer we had when I was in high school that always got us the evil eye from our principal.
Either way … I'm looking forward to the third installment of these SCOL teams with a winner-take-all atmosphere.
The second matchup for Division II in Highland County is No. 5 Hillsboro (13-5) against No. 4 Fairland (14-4). I don't know much about Fairland, but record-wise, they are just a tick better then the Indians.
Looking at Fairland's schedule, they have wins against Gallia Academy, St. Joseph Central, South Point (2), River Valley (2), Alexander, Wheelersburg, Meigs, Rock Hill (2), Dawson-Bryant, South Webster and Spring Valley.
Fairland has scored 1,133 points, while allowing 835 points this season with 6-5 senior Evan Salyers, who averages 19.1 ppg, along with 9.9 rebounds per game.
Hillsboro's wins have come against Fairfield, McClain (2), Eastern Brown, Washington (2), London (2), Whiteoak, Madison-Plains (2), Greenville and Clinton-Massie.
The Tribe's losses have come to Western Brown, Logan Elm, Miami Trace (2) and Lynchburg-Clay as HHS is 2-2 in their last four games.
Again, on paper … this game should be competitive.
For Highland County in Division III, the Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs received a No. 6 seed with a 9-8 record. They will face the West Union Dragons (0-14) on Feb. 21 at 8 p.m. in Waverly.
If LC wins that game, they will face No. 3 seed Piketon (12-6) on Feb. 25 at 8 p.m.
This seems like a nice draw for the Mustangs, but again, like in Division II, they will face a league opponent.
My only argument is this … why travel so far away, if teams are just going to play against teams in their own league?
Anyway, in Division IV … guess what … the Fairfield Lions received a No. 5 seed, but like two other Highland County teams, the Lions are pitted to face a league opponent, in No. 4 seeded Manchester on Feb. 28 at 6:15 p.m. at Valley High School.
I just saw this game on Saturday night, but it was one of the better games I had the opportunity to watch this season. This is a matchup with two of the better quality teams in the SHL, so at least it will be entertaining. The bad part … the SHL is guaranteed to lose one team, just like the SCOL in Division II in the opening round.
Again, why travel 40 or 50 miles just to play a league opponent in the opening round? These two teams are even record-wise, so I can see this matchup being set, but it must be because the Tri-Valley Conference and the Southern Ohio Conference must have "faaaaaar" superior basketball if a 10-8 and 9-7 record trumps two teams who have 11 wins in a competitive league like the SHL. (Anyone else sensing my sarcasm?) Maybe I'm wrong for not agreeing with some of the seeding, but that's what makes this time of year so great … all that matters once the tournament begins is the final on the scoreboard.
In the same bracket, a third SHL team, the Whiteoak Wildcats (6-12) will be facing No. 10 seeded Western Latham on Feb. 21 at 8 p.m. at Valley.
I see this as a good fit for the Wildcats against a 2-16 team in Latham. Maybe the Wildcats can gain some of the momentum they had last season when the tournament arrived. Remember last season's classic against Green at Valley?
I'm just going to say this right now … if you look at the schedule, there are three games on Feb. 21 involving Highland County teams, with all three games starting at the same time in three different locations. I can be only at one game that night … apologizing beforehand.
• An SCOL showdown for a championship
It may be nerve-wracking, but goodness, there is nothing like getting the chance to cover a game with a league championship on the line.
Those who want something to do in Hillsboro on Friday night have a chance to watch a game like that with the Indians hosting the Clinton-Massie Falcons in what basically is a winner-take-all format to a certain extent.
It goes like this … if HHS wins, they are the outright SCOL champions for the boys basketball season. HHS already has clinched no less than a share of the league title with a 9-2 league mark. The Falcons are visiting Hillsboro with a share of the league title in their sights. If CM wins … they will share the league championship with HHS.
So, it is basically a winner-take-all game because when it comes to championships … sharing is caring a tad bit too much.
Let's hope the Indians can sell out the 2,000-person capacity gym (I think it is that many) this Friday night … what a way to end the regular season.
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• Looking back at the past week
I can say Monday-Wednesday was the most exciting start to a week I've seen in a long time with three games coming down to the final minutes.
Take for instance on Monday, the Lynchburg-Clay Lady Mustangs traveled to face the Washington Lady Blue Lions. The game was a non-league game but had a tournament feel to it with LC defeating the Division II team 31-26. LC held Washington scoreless in the third quarter, and this was one of the better wins of the season for LC.
Tuesday was even more exciting at LCHS, with LC defeating HHS in a non-league boys basketball game that came down to the final seconds. It was the first win over HHS by the Mustangs in at least three years, and it came down to a single free throw by Wes Pierson that broke a tied score. A final attempt by HHS, in the paint, wasn't able to fall for HHS … just an exciting game between two teams I have the opportunity to cover on a regular basis.
Then Wednesday happened, and the game with the McClain Lady Tigers hosting CM is one of those games I don't see myself forgetting for a long time. The best way to describe this is … Sammy Rooks sank a 3-pointer at the buzzer, breaking a 32-32 tie for the MHS win against the SCOL first-place Lady Falcons. It possibly could be a game of the year candidate.
The rest of the week wasn't as eventful, until Saturday night at Fairfield High School. It was a game that could possibly go a long way as far as momentum for the Lions. The 59-52 win by the Lions over Manchester proved to be even more helpful, as they (as mentioned before) will be playing in the postseason in a mere 15 days.
• McClain legends honored
I just wanted to send congratulations to former MHS boys basketball head coach Rick VanMatre, scorekeeper Karen Yeager and longtime PA announcer John Wend for being honored at the McClain boys basketball home finale. Coach VanMatre was honored for being named in the coaches Hall of Fame, Wend was honored for his 30 years of announcing McClain games and Yeager was honored for being the 2011 Booster of the Year. All are well-deserved honors.
• Stat of the Week
Here is a nice list of stats for the Fairfield Lady Lions in their 46-44 win over Manchester on Saturday: Heather Cox, 17 points, 19 rebounds; Shelby Smithson, 10 points, 15 rebounds; Kaitlin Evans, nine points, eight rebounds, five steals and four assists.
• (A second) Stat of the Week
Fairfield sophomore Blake Hildebrant, who scored 14 points against Manchester on Saturday night, was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. That type of performance from the free-throw line in that type of atmosphere is incredible, especially for a sophomore.
• (A third) Stat of the Week
In her first season as a varsity girls basketball head coach, LC head coach Whitney Lewis has earned 15 wins in 20 chances. Her team has a chance to add to that once the postseason begins on Wednesday.
• (A fourth) Stat of the Week
Whiteoak's Brittany Luman saved her best performance of the regular season in Game No. 20 … scoring a career-high 17 points, finishing 7-of-10 from the free-throw line. In that game against Felicity, Luman also added 12 rebounds.
• Quote of the Week
"I don't think we've ever done this. This is my first win over Hillsboro, and having this momentum is huge for our team. We weren't playing good team basketball at times, and I told them we have to start doing that, and if we start playing team basketball, we will score. Halfway through the fourth quarter and from there on, we played as a team." — Jason McLaughlin, LC boys basketball varsity head coach following their win against Hillsboro on Tuesday.
• (A second) Quote of the Week
"I was very nervous … we got in the huddle, went into our play. It came down to the last shot, and I just threw it up there. He (Coach Dennis Overstake) told me to do a shot fake … and it worked." — McClain senior Sammy Rooks said following her game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer on Wednesday against CM.
• (A third) Quote of the Week
"I don't even know where to start with that type of game. We had nine points at the half. When we went to the locker room we said, 'OK, we are going to erase the first half, act like it never happened … come out and start new.'" — Whitney Lewis, LC girls basketball head coach following the Lady Mustangs' 31-26 win over Washington on Monday.
• (A fourth) Quote of the Week
"I told the seniors before the game, they've taught me a lot about life. They are four class individuals. I told them this is a small portion of their life they are going to remember forever … this basketball season and all of their time playing basketball." — Matt Carson, Fairfield boys basketball head coach following the Lions' win Saturday against Manchester.
• One last item of business
This time of year is always exciting, as with the tournament each and every game is a winner-take-all format. Is it me, or did this season just fly by? Maybe it was the couple hundred cups of coffee, but this winter regular season just seemed to go by quickly, even faster than the fall season. Best of luck to Highland County wrestling, swimming and basketball teams in their respective postseason games or matches.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter @hcpsportseditor.