10 years ago, Wildcats achieved dream season
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
For the 2001-02 season – a decade ago – the Whiteoak Wildcats boys basketball program was the best in the region, reaching the State Final Four, using a team-minded philosophy that earned them more than 20 victories, numerous trophies and a lasting legacy that will not be forgotten in the Mowrystown and Bright Local community.
From December 2001 to March 2002, Whiteoak began and ended their path toward immortality in the ranks of Highland County basketball, compiling one of, if not the best seasons that Whiteoak has ever seen, finishing with an overall record of 23-4, including a Southern Hills League (Div. II) championship, a sectional title, a district championship and a regional title that led them to the Div. IV Final Four on March 21 at Value City Arena.
Though the Wildcats, who finished 18-4 the previous season, didn't reach the highest of all accomplishments in a state title, no team in Highland County has since equaled their accomplishment, as the group of 16 players, along with head coach Pat Hines and assistants Chris Young and Scott Campbell, set the standard for all teams at not only Whiteoak, but in all of the county until another team can achieve their accomplishment.
"That season was my second year at Whiteoak," Hines said. "They were a good group of kids, the seniors played on teams together since they were in pee-wee, and they were highly successful." Hines said he started four seniors and one junior, playing seven to eight players on a consistent basis in their run to the Final Four.
Leading the team that season was senior Justin Michael, who became a 1,000-point scorer. Michael, a three-year varsity player who averaged around 17.5 ppg that season, led the Wildcats at point guard. Senior Doug Hauke was another guard (averaging 13 ppg), who was a two-year varsity player. Senior Josh Stacy (12 ppg) was the man in the middle, being a 6-2 center for the Wildcats, and senior Allen Crabtree was a 6-1 starting forward. The junior was guard Jeremy Stacy, who averaged 11 ppg.
"Justin (Michael) was an outstanding point guard and played well defensively," Hines said. "Jeremy Stacy was an outstanding shooter, and Allen (Crabtree) was a defensive player. Josh (Stacy) could rebound and score points."
Coming off the bench were T.J. Kennedy, Jerod Michael and Travis Mootz, playing considerable minutes for WHS. Also on the roster were Bobby Hunt, Shane Barnett, Derek Wamsley, Greg Harvey, Tyler Palmer, Jared Bohl, Nick Peaco and Blake Kibler.
"This team had great pieces," Hines said. "All of them accepted a role, and all of them fit together. T.J. was my inside sub, while Travis and Jerod also played big roles off the bench … it was like we had seven or eight starters when I would make substitutes, though Justin didn't come out much in games.
"But again, all of them accepted their roles, and that was important for our success we had. We were very balanced, as we had four players who averaged double figures in scoring."
This Whiteoak team was known for how they got up and down the court, while pressuring quite a bit on defense.
"What I liked about the group was how they competed," Hines said. "They played hard, were coachable and they had a desire to be successful. I can't say enough how they all accepted their roles … they were a very unselfish group."
Getting to the tournament began with a regular season that finished at 17-3 overall, with the three losses coming to North Adams, Eastern Brown and Hillsboro. Those losses were all by a combined 20 points. In their regular-season rematches, WHS avenged the losses to North Adams and Eastern Brown by defeating NA, 73-61, and EB, 89-67. That same year, Eastern also reached the state-final four in Div. III, falling to Columbus Bishop Ready, 80-62.
As for all the winning … the 17 wins that regular season were well above enough to earn them a SHL title, a feat Hines' team accomplished at least six of his eight seasons at the helm of the Wildcats. Hines began his head coaching career in 1970 at Little Miami for eight seasons, followed by a three-year stint at Loveland. He followed that with a five-year stay at Indian Hill, then went to Marymount for two seasons. Hines also coached at UC Clermont four seasons.
"When I became the head coach at Whiteoak, I thought I was finished coaching, as I just retired from teaching," Hines said. "I loved coaching at Whiteoak because I'd never been at a school without football and where basketball was king."
The Wildcats, following their championship regular season, began the tournament with a convincing 93-40 win over Western Latham on Feb. 20, 2002. The game marked the third time the Wildcats defeated Western that season.
WHS followed that with a 77-56 win over Manchester and a 72-52 victory against Franklin Furnace-Green on Feb. 26. The Wildcats won the district on March 8 with a 55-53 victory over Reedsville Eastern, sending them to the Columbus Regional.
In the regional semifinal on March 12, WHS defeated Sandusky St. Mary (the AP No. 11 ranked team) 62-56 at the Fairgrounds Coliseum. They continued their road to the Final Four with a 50-38, regional championship win over Fisher Catholic.
The season ended on March 21 at Value City Arena with a 58-46 loss to No. 8 state-ranked Russia, who eventually lost to Delphos St. John's in the state title game, 74-64.
"Playing in the Final Four is something kids dream about," Hines said. "The year before I got to the school, Whiteoak reached the regional finals, and the year after the Final Four, we surprised a lot of people by reaching the regional finals.
"The season … it's all a blur now, but we had some close wins that season and played in some tight games. For the community, we had a lot of positive backing and good crowds. We had a lot of good people cheering for us.
"It was a great time … everyone jumped on board, and the neat thing was the more you win, the more people follow, so we had a lot of fans. I was happy for the kids then, to be able to play at the Value City Arena. It was a thrill for them to play in that type of setting."
Hines spoke about the experience as a whole.
"It's hard to believe it was 10 years ago, but it was definitely a great experience. Everyone came together … the school, the community, and the only disappointment was we didn't win it all."
The Whiteoak Wildcats will recognize team players and coaches from Whiteoak’s Final Four basketball team Friday, Feb. 17 during halftime of the varsity game.
[[In-content Ad]]"That season was my second year at Whiteoak," Hines said. "They were a good group of kids, the seniors played on teams together since they were in pee-wee, and they were highly successful." Hines said he started four seniors and one junior, playing seven to eight players on a consistent basis in their run to the Final Four.
Leading the team that season was senior Justin Michael, who became a 1,000-point scorer. Michael, a three-year varsity player who averaged around 17.5 ppg that season, led the Wildcats at point guard. Senior Doug Hauke was another guard (averaging 13 ppg), who was a two-year varsity player. Senior Josh Stacy (12 ppg) was the man in the middle, being a 6-2 center for the Wildcats, and senior Allen Crabtree was a 6-1 starting forward. The junior was guard Jeremy Stacy, who averaged 11 ppg.
"Justin (Michael) was an outstanding point guard and played well defensively," Hines said. "Jeremy Stacy was an outstanding shooter, and Allen (Crabtree) was a defensive player. Josh (Stacy) could rebound and score points."
Coming off the bench were T.J. Kennedy, Jerod Michael and Travis Mootz, playing considerable minutes for WHS. Also on the roster were Bobby Hunt, Shane Barnett, Derek Wamsley, Greg Harvey, Tyler Palmer, Jared Bohl, Nick Peaco and Blake Kibler.
"This team had great pieces," Hines said. "All of them accepted a role, and all of them fit together. T.J. was my inside sub, while Travis and Jerod also played big roles off the bench … it was like we had seven or eight starters when I would make substitutes, though Justin didn't come out much in games.
"But again, all of them accepted their roles, and that was important for our success we had. We were very balanced, as we had four players who averaged double figures in scoring."
This Whiteoak team was known for how they got up and down the court, while pressuring quite a bit on defense.
"What I liked about the group was how they competed," Hines said. "They played hard, were coachable and they had a desire to be successful. I can't say enough how they all accepted their roles … they were a very unselfish group."
Getting to the tournament began with a regular season that finished at 17-3 overall, with the three losses coming to North Adams, Eastern Brown and Hillsboro. Those losses were all by a combined 20 points. In their regular-season rematches, WHS avenged the losses to North Adams and Eastern Brown by defeating NA, 73-61, and EB, 89-67. That same year, Eastern also reached the state-final four in Div. III, falling to Columbus Bishop Ready, 80-62.
As for all the winning … the 17 wins that regular season were well above enough to earn them a SHL title, a feat Hines' team accomplished at least six of his eight seasons at the helm of the Wildcats. Hines began his head coaching career in 1970 at Little Miami for eight seasons, followed by a three-year stint at Loveland. He followed that with a five-year stay at Indian Hill, then went to Marymount for two seasons. Hines also coached at UC Clermont four seasons.
"When I became the head coach at Whiteoak, I thought I was finished coaching, as I just retired from teaching," Hines said. "I loved coaching at Whiteoak because I'd never been at a school without football and where basketball was king."
The Wildcats, following their championship regular season, began the tournament with a convincing 93-40 win over Western Latham on Feb. 20, 2002. The game marked the third time the Wildcats defeated Western that season.
WHS followed that with a 77-56 win over Manchester and a 72-52 victory against Franklin Furnace-Green on Feb. 26. The Wildcats won the district on March 8 with a 55-53 victory over Reedsville Eastern, sending them to the Columbus Regional.
In the regional semifinal on March 12, WHS defeated Sandusky St. Mary (the AP No. 11 ranked team) 62-56 at the Fairgrounds Coliseum. They continued their road to the Final Four with a 50-38, regional championship win over Fisher Catholic.
The season ended on March 21 at Value City Arena with a 58-46 loss to No. 8 state-ranked Russia, who eventually lost to Delphos St. John's in the state title game, 74-64.
"Playing in the Final Four is something kids dream about," Hines said. "The year before I got to the school, Whiteoak reached the regional finals, and the year after the Final Four, we surprised a lot of people by reaching the regional finals.
"The season … it's all a blur now, but we had some close wins that season and played in some tight games. For the community, we had a lot of positive backing and good crowds. We had a lot of good people cheering for us.
"It was a great time … everyone jumped on board, and the neat thing was the more you win, the more people follow, so we had a lot of fans. I was happy for the kids then, to be able to play at the Value City Arena. It was a thrill for them to play in that type of setting."
Hines spoke about the experience as a whole.
"It's hard to believe it was 10 years ago, but it was definitely a great experience. Everyone came together … the school, the community, and the only disappointment was we didn't win it all."
The Whiteoak Wildcats will recognize team players and coaches from Whiteoak’s Final Four basketball team Friday, Feb. 17 during halftime of the varsity game.
From December 2001 to March 2002, Whiteoak began and ended their path toward immortality in the ranks of Highland County basketball, compiling one of, if not the best seasons that Whiteoak has ever seen, finishing with an overall record of 23-4, including a Southern Hills League (Div. II) championship, a sectional title, a district championship and a regional title that led them to the Div. IV Final Four on March 21 at Value City Arena.
Though the Wildcats, who finished 18-4 the previous season, didn't reach the highest of all accomplishments in a state title, no team in Highland County has since equaled their accomplishment, as the group of 16 players, along with head coach Pat Hines and assistants Chris Young and Scott Campbell, set the standard for all teams at not only Whiteoak, but in all of the county until another team can achieve their accomplishment.
"That season was my second year at Whiteoak," Hines said. "They were a good group of kids, the seniors played on teams together since they were in pee-wee, and they were highly successful." Hines said he started four seniors and one junior, playing seven to eight players on a consistent basis in their run to the Final Four.
Leading the team that season was senior Justin Michael, who became a 1,000-point scorer. Michael, a three-year varsity player who averaged around 17.5 ppg that season, led the Wildcats at point guard. Senior Doug Hauke was another guard (averaging 13 ppg), who was a two-year varsity player. Senior Josh Stacy (12 ppg) was the man in the middle, being a 6-2 center for the Wildcats, and senior Allen Crabtree was a 6-1 starting forward. The junior was guard Jeremy Stacy, who averaged 11 ppg.
"Justin (Michael) was an outstanding point guard and played well defensively," Hines said. "Jeremy Stacy was an outstanding shooter, and Allen (Crabtree) was a defensive player. Josh (Stacy) could rebound and score points."
Coming off the bench were T.J. Kennedy, Jerod Michael and Travis Mootz, playing considerable minutes for WHS. Also on the roster were Bobby Hunt, Shane Barnett, Derek Wamsley, Greg Harvey, Tyler Palmer, Jared Bohl, Nick Peaco and Blake Kibler.
"This team had great pieces," Hines said. "All of them accepted a role, and all of them fit together. T.J. was my inside sub, while Travis and Jerod also played big roles off the bench … it was like we had seven or eight starters when I would make substitutes, though Justin didn't come out much in games.
"But again, all of them accepted their roles, and that was important for our success we had. We were very balanced, as we had four players who averaged double figures in scoring."
This Whiteoak team was known for how they got up and down the court, while pressuring quite a bit on defense.
"What I liked about the group was how they competed," Hines said. "They played hard, were coachable and they had a desire to be successful. I can't say enough how they all accepted their roles … they were a very unselfish group."
Getting to the tournament began with a regular season that finished at 17-3 overall, with the three losses coming to North Adams, Eastern Brown and Hillsboro. Those losses were all by a combined 20 points. In their regular-season rematches, WHS avenged the losses to North Adams and Eastern Brown by defeating NA, 73-61, and EB, 89-67. That same year, Eastern also reached the state-final four in Div. III, falling to Columbus Bishop Ready, 80-62.
As for all the winning … the 17 wins that regular season were well above enough to earn them a SHL title, a feat Hines' team accomplished at least six of his eight seasons at the helm of the Wildcats. Hines began his head coaching career in 1970 at Little Miami for eight seasons, followed by a three-year stint at Loveland. He followed that with a five-year stay at Indian Hill, then went to Marymount for two seasons. Hines also coached at UC Clermont four seasons.
"When I became the head coach at Whiteoak, I thought I was finished coaching, as I just retired from teaching," Hines said. "I loved coaching at Whiteoak because I'd never been at a school without football and where basketball was king."
The Wildcats, following their championship regular season, began the tournament with a convincing 93-40 win over Western Latham on Feb. 20, 2002. The game marked the third time the Wildcats defeated Western that season.
WHS followed that with a 77-56 win over Manchester and a 72-52 victory against Franklin Furnace-Green on Feb. 26. The Wildcats won the district on March 8 with a 55-53 victory over Reedsville Eastern, sending them to the Columbus Regional.
In the regional semifinal on March 12, WHS defeated Sandusky St. Mary (the AP No. 11 ranked team) 62-56 at the Fairgrounds Coliseum. They continued their road to the Final Four with a 50-38, regional championship win over Fisher Catholic.
The season ended on March 21 at Value City Arena with a 58-46 loss to No. 8 state-ranked Russia, who eventually lost to Delphos St. John's in the state title game, 74-64.
"Playing in the Final Four is something kids dream about," Hines said. "The year before I got to the school, Whiteoak reached the regional finals, and the year after the Final Four, we surprised a lot of people by reaching the regional finals.
"The season … it's all a blur now, but we had some close wins that season and played in some tight games. For the community, we had a lot of positive backing and good crowds. We had a lot of good people cheering for us.
"It was a great time … everyone jumped on board, and the neat thing was the more you win, the more people follow, so we had a lot of fans. I was happy for the kids then, to be able to play at the Value City Arena. It was a thrill for them to play in that type of setting."
Hines spoke about the experience as a whole.
"It's hard to believe it was 10 years ago, but it was definitely a great experience. Everyone came together … the school, the community, and the only disappointment was we didn't win it all."
The Whiteoak Wildcats will recognize team players and coaches from Whiteoak’s Final Four basketball team Friday, Feb. 17 during halftime of the varsity game.
[[In-content Ad]]"That season was my second year at Whiteoak," Hines said. "They were a good group of kids, the seniors played on teams together since they were in pee-wee, and they were highly successful." Hines said he started four seniors and one junior, playing seven to eight players on a consistent basis in their run to the Final Four.
Leading the team that season was senior Justin Michael, who became a 1,000-point scorer. Michael, a three-year varsity player who averaged around 17.5 ppg that season, led the Wildcats at point guard. Senior Doug Hauke was another guard (averaging 13 ppg), who was a two-year varsity player. Senior Josh Stacy (12 ppg) was the man in the middle, being a 6-2 center for the Wildcats, and senior Allen Crabtree was a 6-1 starting forward. The junior was guard Jeremy Stacy, who averaged 11 ppg.
"Justin (Michael) was an outstanding point guard and played well defensively," Hines said. "Jeremy Stacy was an outstanding shooter, and Allen (Crabtree) was a defensive player. Josh (Stacy) could rebound and score points."
Coming off the bench were T.J. Kennedy, Jerod Michael and Travis Mootz, playing considerable minutes for WHS. Also on the roster were Bobby Hunt, Shane Barnett, Derek Wamsley, Greg Harvey, Tyler Palmer, Jared Bohl, Nick Peaco and Blake Kibler.
"This team had great pieces," Hines said. "All of them accepted a role, and all of them fit together. T.J. was my inside sub, while Travis and Jerod also played big roles off the bench … it was like we had seven or eight starters when I would make substitutes, though Justin didn't come out much in games.
"But again, all of them accepted their roles, and that was important for our success we had. We were very balanced, as we had four players who averaged double figures in scoring."
This Whiteoak team was known for how they got up and down the court, while pressuring quite a bit on defense.
"What I liked about the group was how they competed," Hines said. "They played hard, were coachable and they had a desire to be successful. I can't say enough how they all accepted their roles … they were a very unselfish group."
Getting to the tournament began with a regular season that finished at 17-3 overall, with the three losses coming to North Adams, Eastern Brown and Hillsboro. Those losses were all by a combined 20 points. In their regular-season rematches, WHS avenged the losses to North Adams and Eastern Brown by defeating NA, 73-61, and EB, 89-67. That same year, Eastern also reached the state-final four in Div. III, falling to Columbus Bishop Ready, 80-62.
As for all the winning … the 17 wins that regular season were well above enough to earn them a SHL title, a feat Hines' team accomplished at least six of his eight seasons at the helm of the Wildcats. Hines began his head coaching career in 1970 at Little Miami for eight seasons, followed by a three-year stint at Loveland. He followed that with a five-year stay at Indian Hill, then went to Marymount for two seasons. Hines also coached at UC Clermont four seasons.
"When I became the head coach at Whiteoak, I thought I was finished coaching, as I just retired from teaching," Hines said. "I loved coaching at Whiteoak because I'd never been at a school without football and where basketball was king."
The Wildcats, following their championship regular season, began the tournament with a convincing 93-40 win over Western Latham on Feb. 20, 2002. The game marked the third time the Wildcats defeated Western that season.
WHS followed that with a 77-56 win over Manchester and a 72-52 victory against Franklin Furnace-Green on Feb. 26. The Wildcats won the district on March 8 with a 55-53 victory over Reedsville Eastern, sending them to the Columbus Regional.
In the regional semifinal on March 12, WHS defeated Sandusky St. Mary (the AP No. 11 ranked team) 62-56 at the Fairgrounds Coliseum. They continued their road to the Final Four with a 50-38, regional championship win over Fisher Catholic.
The season ended on March 21 at Value City Arena with a 58-46 loss to No. 8 state-ranked Russia, who eventually lost to Delphos St. John's in the state title game, 74-64.
"Playing in the Final Four is something kids dream about," Hines said. "The year before I got to the school, Whiteoak reached the regional finals, and the year after the Final Four, we surprised a lot of people by reaching the regional finals.
"The season … it's all a blur now, but we had some close wins that season and played in some tight games. For the community, we had a lot of positive backing and good crowds. We had a lot of good people cheering for us.
"It was a great time … everyone jumped on board, and the neat thing was the more you win, the more people follow, so we had a lot of fans. I was happy for the kids then, to be able to play at the Value City Arena. It was a thrill for them to play in that type of setting."
Hines spoke about the experience as a whole.
"It's hard to believe it was 10 years ago, but it was definitely a great experience. Everyone came together … the school, the community, and the only disappointment was we didn't win it all."
The Whiteoak Wildcats will recognize team players and coaches from Whiteoak’s Final Four basketball team Friday, Feb. 17 during halftime of the varsity game.