News Release - Winter No. 5 (of 6) Ohio High School Athletic Association

4080 Roselea Place Columbus, Ohio 43214 Main: 614-267-2505 Fax: 614-267-1677 www.ohsaa.org Commissioner Daniel B. Ross, Ph.D.

For Release: March 22, 2009 Contact: Tim Stried, Director of Information Services ... [email protected]

OHSAA 2009 Winter Sports Weekly Tournament Calendar Week of SPORT March 22 Boys STATE

OHSAA 2009 Winter Sports State Championships Information

Thursday, March 26 Saturday, March 28 Boys Basketball - Value City Arena, Jerome Schottenstein Center, OSU Boys Basketball - Value City Arena, Jerome Schottenstein Center, OSU 10:45 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. - Division IV Semis; 5:15 & 8:30 - Division III Finals: 10:45 a.m. - Division IV; 2:00 p.m. - Division III; 5:15 - Division Semis II; 8:30 - Division I Friday, March 27 Boys Basketball - Value City Arena, Jerome Schottenstein Center, OSU 10:45 a.m. & 2:00 p.m. - Division II Semis; 5:15 & 8:30 - Division I Semis

Check out the OHSAA’s official online partner, OhioHSsports.com, for daily coverage of winter champi- onships. And tune in to the OHSAA’s official television partner, SportsTime Ohio, for TV coverage.

OHSAA Sports Information Staff Bob Goldring, Associate Commissioner Tim Stried, Director of Information Services Brenda Murray, Coordinator of Publications/Web Site Brian Day and Scott Miles, Interns Main Office Phone: 614-267-2502 Fax: 614-267-1677

1 OHSAA Winter Release No. 5 - March 22, 2009 BOYS BASKETBALL STATE TOURNAMENTS WHAT: The 87th Annual OHSAA Boys State Basketball Tour- credentials. The approved list will be posted by noon Wednes- naments takes place Thursday-Saturday, March 26-28 at Value day, March 25. Some credentials will be mailed ahead of time to City Arena in the Jerome Schottenstein Center at The Ohio those media outlets who normally cover the entire state tourna- State University. ment. Those who do not have their credentials mailed will pick 2009 TOP-RANKED TEAMS (AP Final Statewide Media Poll): them up at the media entrance to the arena. The deadline for Division I - Columbus Northland (19-1) ... Qualified submitting a request is noon Tuesday, March 24. Division II - St. Paris Graham Local (20-0) ... Lost in Regional Semis 2008 REVIEW Division III - Smithville (20-0) ... Lost in Regional Final Division I - For the first time in 65 years, unranked Newark Division IV - New Knoxville (19-0) ... Lost in District Final (24-4) won the state title after defeating unranked Lakewood St. Edward (22-5) 65-52. Senior forward Greg Avery led the Wild- TELECONFERENCE SCHEDULED: The OHSAA will host cats, hitting 14-of-18 shots and scoring 33 points, which tied his a media teleconference featuring the head coaches of the career high. Avery also hauled down 11 rebounds. schools that have reached the boys basketball state tourna- Junior guard Rahlin Watson scored 10 points and senior ment. The teleconference will allow media members the op- center Dane Kopp had 11 rebounds, helping the Wildcats out- portunity to ask questions of the coaches whose teams will St. Edward 36-29. The Eagles, who lost star forward play in the state tournament. The teleconference begins at Delvon Roe and starting guard Alex Sterba due to injuries earlier 10:00 a.m. and will conclude by 2:15 p.m. Mon., March 23. in the season, were led by senior guards Frankie Dobbs with 15 Coaches will be available for 15 minutes each, and the points and Mike Hartnett with 12. rotation will be Division IV first, followed by III, II, and -I. Me In a game that extended to overtime, No. 2 dia members interested in taking part in the teleconference Division II - Chillicothe (25-2) beat No. 4 Toledo Libbey (24-3) 70-69 to win should e-mail Tim Stried at the OHSAA office (tstried@ its first state title. Libbey led 69-68 in the final seconds of over- ohsaa.org) to obtain the telephone number and passcode. time when Chillicothe’s Anthony Hitchens raced down court and The schedule for the teleconference is as follows: dished a pass off to senior forward Ray Chambers for an uncon- Division IV: 10:00-10:15 Kalida’s Dick Kortokrax, 10:15-10:30 tested lay-up right before the buzzer. Heights Luthern East’s Roger McClinton, 10:30-10:45 Hitchens led the Cavaliers with 24 points and Chambers was Ada’s Chris Sautter, and 10:45-11:00 Oak Hill’s Norm Persin. close behind with 23 points. Libbey senior guard and Mr. Bas- Division III: 11:05-11:20 Cleveland Central Catholic’s Kevin Noch, ketball recipient William Buford scored 29 points and forward 11:20-11:35 Piketon’s Jeff Lisath, 11:35-11:50 Dayton Christian’s Julius Wells scored 13 points with 12 rebounds. Chip James, and 11:50-12:05 Defiance Tinora’s Rob Mahnke. Division III - No. 12 Ottawa-Glandorf (23-5) earned the state Division II: 12:10-12:25 Circleville Logan Elm’s Doug Stiverson, title after beating No. 3 Sugarcreek Garaway (24-4) 62-44. Se- 12:25-12:40 Dayton Thurgood Marshall’s John Ralph, 12:40- nior forwards Jake Meyer and Justin Schomaeker led the Titans 12:55 Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary’s Dru Joyce II, and 12:55-1:10 with 21 and 15 points, respectively. Columbus St. Francis DeSales’ Blair Albright. Leading scorers for the Pirates were senior guard Tyler Ger- Division I: 1:15-1:30 Warren Harding’s Steve Arnold, 1:30-1:45 ber with 15 and freshman center Paul Honigford with 12. Honig- Columbus Northland’s Satch Sullinger, 1:45-2:00 Cincinnati ford and junior center David Gerber led the team in rebounds Princeton’s Josh Andrews, and 2:00-2:15 Toledo St. John’s Je- with 12 each. O-G limited Garaway to just 16-of-51 (31.7 per- suit’s Ed Heintschel. cent) shooting for the game. PREVIEW POSTED: A complete preview of the 16-team field Division IV - No. 1 New Knoxville (27-0) finished its perfect is included on page 3 of this release and is posted on the boys season after beating No. 3 Worthington Christian (26-2) 74-52 basketball page at www.ohsaa.org. in the championship. All five starters for the Rangers finished in COMPLETE STATEWIDE BRACKETS AVAILABLE: Complete double figures, led by junior center Brad Piehl with 16 points and statewide brackets for all divisions — beginning at the section- sophomore Ryan VanderHorst with 13 points and a game-high al tournament level — are available on the OHSAA Web site seven assists. (www.ohsaa.org) by going to the “Sports” dropdown box in the The Rangers were also consistent from the foul line, shooting left-hand corner of the home page followed by the “Basketball- 88 percent. For the Warriors, sophomore guard Zach Joseph Boys.” The Web site will also include score updates the day fol- had 18 points and senior guard Tyler Joseph had 16 points. lowing each game. OhioHSsports.com COVERAGE AT STATE: The OHSAA’s of- ficial online partner will provide live audio streaming of the semi- finals and live video streaming of the championship games. In addition, the Web site will have in-game stats, chat rooms, pho- tos and recaps of every contest, along with pregame, halftime and postgame analysis. S.T.O GOOD TO GO: SportsTime Ohio will televsise the four championship games live Saturday. MEDIA CREDENTIALS FOR STATE TOURNAMENT: Fax re- quests to Tim Stried at the OHSAA at (614) 267-1677. Informa- tion will be posted on the OHSAA Web site (www.ohsaa.org) regarding the status of your application. Once on the home page of the Web site, go to “News & Media,” and the information will be available in that section. The OHSAA will post a list on its Web site of those media members who have been approved for

2 OHSAA Winter Release No. 5 - March 22, 2009 PREVIEWING THE BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS Division I Division III Warren Harding (23-2) vs. Columbus Northland (25-1), Friday at 5:15 Cleveland Central Catholic (22-3) vs. Piketon (24-2), Thursday at 5:15 p.m. p.m. Cincinnati Princeton (24-1) vs. Toledo St. John’s Jesuit (20-5), Friday Dayton Christian (22-4) vs. Defiance Tinora (22-3), Thursday at 8:30 at 8:30 p.m. p.m. Championship Game: Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Championship Game: Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Division II Division IV Circleville Logan Elm (24-1) vs. Dayton Thurgood Marshall (21-4), Kalida (22-4) vs. Cleveland Lutheran East (23-2), Thursday at 10:45 Friday at 10:45 a.m. a.m. Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary (21-4) vs. Columbus St. Francis DeSales Ada (22-3) vs. Oak Hill (23-2), Thursday at 2:00 p.m. (22-3), Friday at 2 p.m. Championship Game: Saturday at 10:45 a.m. Championship Game: Saturday at 5:15 p.m.

BOYS BASKETBALL STATE TOURNAMENTS PREVIEW The 87th Annual State Boys Basketball Tournaments tips off Thursday at Value City Arena in the Jerome Schottenstein Center. The boys basketball state tournament tips off Thursday inside niors and a senior, with Staten and Gainey leading the team in scor- Value City Arena, which hosts 16 teams that all are different from the ing. Marshall won the state title in its only other appearance in 1990, 2008 state tournament field. when it was known as Dayton Colonel White. Senior guard Daylen Harrison led Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary (21- Division I 4) with 18 points and eight rebounds, and the third-ranked Irish re- Eighth-ranked Warren Harding (23-2) forced 20 turnovers in its turn to the state tournament for the ninth time after defeating Hunting 53-38 regional final win over North Ridgeville. Senior Desmar Jack- Valley University School 64-54 in a regional final matchup. The Irish son had 23 points, nine rebounds, six steals and three blocks in the have claimed four state titles, including the 2003 USA Today mythi- victory. The Raiders have qualified for the state tournament for the cal national championship with LeBron James, and play with three second time and first since 1966. Jackson leads the team in scoring sophomores and two seniors in their starting five. Harrison’s 16.5 at 21 points per game. points per game leads the team. Northland (25-1), the state’s top-ranked team, needed overtime Eighth-ranked Columbus St. Francis DeSales (22-3) clinched its to take a 54-53 win over Dublin Scioto in the regional finals. Junior third regional title in the past four years with an 84-64 victory over forward and Ohio State recruit Jared Sullinger scored 17 points to go Vermillion. The Stallions, who won the state championship in 1987, along with 20 rebounds and six blocked shots to lead three scorers led by as many as 25 points and were paced by 15 points apiece in double figures, while Trey Burke hit 5-of-6 free throws in the extra from Nick Goff and Nick Kellogg, the son of former Ohio State and period to seal the win. All five starters average at least 8.9 points per NBA star Clark Kellogg, who is the lead analyst for CBS’s coverage game, led by Sullinger (18.9). This is the first state tournament ap- of the NCAA basketball tournament. Four of the Stallions’ five start- pearance for the Vikings. ers score in double figures, led by Kellogg’s 17.1 points per contest. Princeton (24-1), ranked second in the state, trailed 60-55 with a minute left in its regional final matchup with LaSalle, but the Vikings Division III scored the game’s final nine points and return to the state tourna- Despite missing 15 free throws in the fourth quarter, ninth-ranked ment for the first time since 1972. Ohio State recruit Jordan Siebert’s Cleveland Central Catholic (22-3) took down unbeaten and top- three-pointer tied the game at 60 and Marquis Horne’s layup put the ranked Smithville in a 59-54 regional final win. The Smithies had cut Vikings in front for good. Siebert scored 13 of his 18 points in the a 17-point deficit to just four in the fourth quarter, but the Ironmen fourth quarter. Senior guard Orlando Williams pours in over 18 points were able to bury three free throws down the stretch to hang on. a game for the Vikings, who became the first team in 26 years to go Central Catholic is making its second trip to the state tournament undefeated in the Greater Miami Conference (14-0). (2002), and sophomore center Anton Grady (11.6 points per game) St. John’s Jesuit (20-5) started its regional final win on a 20-2 run, leads the team in scoring. then trailed early in the fourth quarter, but closed out Barberton with Piketon (24-2) trailed by 10 with just 2:30 to play, but seniors a 24-8 surge to qualify for its fourth final four appearance in the last Cody Smith (27 points, 11 rebounds) and Jordan Brabson (26 seven years and sixth overall. Michael Taylor scored 17 points and points, seven rebounds) led the charge back that resulted in a 78-72 Cheatham Norrils added 16. The Titans, unranked this year, feature overtime win over Grandview Heights in the regional championship five starters averaging between seven and 15 points per ballgame. game. The duo scored 20 of the team’s final 23 points at the end of the fourth quarter and overtime. The seniors both average over 19 Division II points a game and the No. 8 Redstreaks as a team score 70 points After avenging last year’s one-point postseason loss to defending per contest. Head coach Jeff Lisath won state titles at Portsmouth as state champion Chillicothe in the regional semifinals, No. 2 Circleville a player (1978) and an assistant coach (1988). Logan Elm (24-1) knocked off Cambridge 53-39 in its regional title Dayton Christian’s Nathan Serenius hit a pair of free throws with game. The Braves are making their first trip to the state tournament 1.3 seconds left, and a missed by Casstown Miami East and are led by senior guards Brandon Amann (21.4 points per game) with six-tenths of a second lifted Dayton Christian (22-4) to a 49-48 and Tim Congrove (16.6). Both have scored more than 1,000 point win and its first trip to Columbus since 1997. Aaron Deister had 16 in their career, with Congrove’s career three-point field goals total points for the Warriors, whose starting five consists of all seniors currently standing at 226. who played the entire second half against Miami East. Fans may Thurgood Marshall junior Juwan Staten, a University of Dayton remember seeing Deister recently on ESPN’s Top Plays after making commitment, sank two free throws with 3.1 seconds left, and the a 90-foot shot at the end of the third-quarter in the district semifinals. Cougars (21-4) held off upset-minded Columbus Bishop Watterson Dayton Christian is the only school in the Dayton area that does not 44-42 in its regional final win. Greg Gainey had 18 points in the vic- have its own gymnasium. tory while Staten tallied 11. The tenth-ranked Cougars start four ju- Playing in its first regional final game in school history, unranked

3 OHSAA Winter Release No. 5 - March 22, 2009 BOYS BASKETBALL STATE TOURNAMENTS PREVIEW, CONTINUED Defiance Tinora (22-3) took down Coldwater 60-53. After trailing 20 to lead the Falcons in the victory. All five starters average at least through three quarters, the Rams used a 9-4 fourth quarter run to eight points per game, and the Falcons score 72 points per game take the lead and hit their final six free throws to close out the game. as a team. Treg Lymanstall scored a team-high 15 points. The Rams, who like Yankee Stadium had just opened and Marion’s Warren G. Hard- Dayton Christian start five seniors, do not have a player averaging ing was President the last time Ada qualified for the state tourna- double figure scoring, but their defense holds opponents to just 38.4 ment. That was in 1923, but the 2009 Bulldogs saw junior Mitchell points per game. Faine hit the game-winning free throw with 7.3 seconds left as un- ranked Ada held Lockland scoreless in the final 2:47 of their regional Division IV final contest, winning 54-53. Four Bulldogs scored in double figures, Junior forward Jordan Basinger scored 22 points and hauled led by Faine’s 14 points. down 20 rebounds, including nine on the offensive glass, and un- Fourth-ranked Oak Hill (23-2) buried 12-of-15 shots in the second ranked Kalida (22-4) knocked off Toledo Christian 46-41 to win its half of its regional final win while limiting Newark Catholic to just regional title. This is the fifth state tournament appearance for the 28 percent shooting in the half, and the Oaks took down the Green Wildcats. Head coach Richard Kortokrax is Ohio’s all-time wins lead- Wave 56-52 in the regional final. The Oak Hill boys team joins its girls er with 784 victories in 49 seasons. 558 of those wins have come in team as the only school this year to have both basketball teams play 34 seasons at Kalida. in the state tournament. Senior center JD Hale leads the team with No. 3 Cleveland Heights Lutheran East (23-2), who went 7-1 17.5 points per game. The Oaks have won district titles in 2009, 2008 against Division I competition this season, defeated Youngstown and 2007 after winning only nine games combined from 2004-06. Christian 57-47 in the regional title game and advances to Columbus for the first time since winning the 2005 state championship. Senior forward William Felder, who averages 24 points per game, scored

BOYS BASKETBALL STATE TOURNAMENTS - TEAM CAPSULES DIVISION I Warren G. Harding (23-2) Princeton (24-1) Location: Warrren Location: Cincinnati Nickname: Raiders Nickname: Vikings Boys Enrollment: 682 Boys Enrollment: 753 Final 2009 Ranking: 8th Final 2009 Ranking: 2nd State Appearances: 2009, 1966 State Appearances: 2009, 1972 Head Coach: Steve Arnold Head Coach: Josh Andrews School Rec.: 134-29 (7 yrs.) School Rec.: 42-7 (2 yrs.) Probable Starters PPG: 67.4; OPP: 50.2 PPG: 74.0; OPP: 58.0 Probable Starters F 30 Angel Gonzalez, 6-5, Jr., 17.0 ppg F 10 Marquis Horne, 6-7, Sr., 11.1 ppg F 44 Oneal Brown, 6-7, Jr., 4.0 ppg F 5 Stefon Johnson, 6-6, Sr., 9.4 ppg G 23 Fred Williams, 6-0, Jr., 15.0 ppg G 1 Orlando Williams, 6-5, Sr., 18.3 ppg G 3 Desmar Jackson, 6-5, Sr., 21.0 ppg G 33 Jordan Sibert, 6-4, Jr., 15.1 ppg G 34 Paris Bruner, 5-10, Sr., 6.0 ppg G 15 Marcus Davis, 6-2, Jr., 2.4 ppg

Northland (25-1) St. John’s Jesuit (20-5) Location: Columbus Location: Toledo Nickname: Vikings Nickname: Titans Boys Enrollment: 511 Boys Enrollment: 647 Final 2009 Ranking: 1st Final 2009 Ranking: Not Ranked State Appearances: 2009 State Appearances: 2009, 2006, 2004, 2003, 1996, 1993 Head Coach: Satch Sullinger Head Coach: Ed Heintschel School Rec.: 122-76 (9 yrs.) School Rec.: 535-170 (30 yrs.) PPG: 69.0; OPP: 48.0 PPG: 65.0; OPP: 53.0 Probable Starters Probable Starters F 50 Javon Cornley, 6-5, Sr., 8.9 ppg F 32 Tim Simmons, 6-7, Sr., 10.0 ppg C 34 Jared Sullinger, 6-9, Jr., 18.9 ppg F 34 Tim Kynard, 6-3, Sr., 7.0 ppg G 10 Trey Burke, 5-11, So., 9.3 ppg G 4 Michael Taylor, 6-1, Sr., 15.0 ppg G 24 JD Weatherspoon, 6-6, Jr., 14.0 ppg G 22 Jay Springs, 5-10, Jr., 10.0 ppg G 30 Dimonde Hale, 6-4, Sr., 9.4 ppg G 14 Cheatham Norrils, 6-0, So., 7.0 ppg

4 OHSAA Winter Release No. 5 - March 22, 2009 BOYS BASKETBALL STATE TOURNAMENTS - TEAM CAPSULES, CONTINUED DIVISION II Logan Elm (24-1) St. Vincent-St. Mary (21-4) Location: Circleville Location: Akron Nickname: Braves Nickname: Fighting Irish Boys Enrollment: 318 Boys Enrollment: 252 Final 2009 Ranking: 2nd Final 2009 Ranking: 3rd State Appearances: 2009 State Appearances: 2009, 2006, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1987, 1984, 1983 Head Coach: Doug Stiverson Head Coach: Dru Joyce School Rec.: 157-72 (10 yrs.) School Rec.: 156-41 (7 yrs.) PPG: 66.9; OPP: 49.0 PPG: 70.0; OPP: 57.0 Probable Starters Probable Starters F 10 Tyler Pritchard, 6-4, Jr., 5.7 ppg F 14 Jakarr Sampson, 6-8, So., 8.0 ppg G 1 Brandon Amann, 6-2, Sr., 21.4 ppg G 1 Davonte Beard, 6-1, So, 6.5 ppg G 24 Tim Congrove, 6-0, Sr., 16.6 ppg G 3 Michael Hammonds, 6-0, Sr., 12.3 ppg G 13 Adam Blake, 6-0, Jr., 7.0 ppg G 35 Daylen Harrison, 6-6, Sr., 16.5 ppg G 3 Chad Holbrook, 5-10, Sr., 3.5 ppg G 25 Ricky Johnson, 5-9, So., 11.1 ppg

Thurgood Marshall (21-4) St. Francis De Sales (22-3) Location: Dayton Location: Columbus Nickname: Cougars Nickname: Stallions Boys Enrollment: 403 Boys Enrollment: 377 Final 2009 Ranking: 10th Final 2009 Ranking: 8th State Appearances: 2009, 1990 State Appearances: 2009, 2007, 2006, 1987 Head Coach: John N. Ralph Head Coach: Blair Albright School Rec.: 65-54 (7 yrs.) School Rec.: 94-28 (5 yrs.) PPG: 69.0; OPP: 56.0 PPG: 66.0; OPP: 50.0 Probable Starters Probable Starters F 25 DeAngelo Gates, 6-1, Sr., 9.5 ppg F 1 Ike Ariguzo, 6-7, Sr., 10.5 ppg F 41 Adrian Quinn, 6-3, Jr., 5.5 ppg F 12 Seun Adejobi., 6-2, Sr., 4.5 ppg C 33 Greg Gainey, 6-5, Jr., 18.0 ppg G 15 Nick Kellogg, 6-2, Jr., 17.1 ppg G 3 Juwan Staten, 6-0, Jr., 19.5 ppg G 41 Nick Goff, 6-3, Sr., 13.7 ppg G 5 Shawn Robinson, 5-9, Jr., 11.0 ppg G 14 Zak Gaborcik, 6-1, Sr., 5.8 ppg

DIVISION III Cleveland Central Catholic (22-3) Dayton Christian (22-4) Location: Cleveland Location: Miamisburg Nickname: Ironmen Nickname: Warriors Boys Enrollment: 182 Boys Enrollment: 139 Final 2009 Ranking: 9th Final 2009 Ranking: Not Ranked State Appearances: 2009, 2002 State Appearances: 2009, 1997 Head Coach: Kevin Noch Head Coach: Chip James School Rec.: 37-10 (2 yrs.) School Rec.: 22-4 (1 yr.) PPG: 64.5; OPP: 48.6 PPG: 60.2; OPP: 47.1 Probable Starters Probable Starters F 43 Demetrius Bennett, 5-11, Sr., 4.5 ppg F 21 Kenny Florkey, 6-6, Sr., 8.5 ppg C 51 Anton Grady, 6-8, So., 11.6 ppg F 24 Aaron Bryant, 6-7, Sr., 5.7 ppg G 23 Brandon Campbell, 6-0, Sr., 10.2 ppg G 5 Aaron Deister, 6-0, Sr., 13.7 ppg G 13 Chall Montgomery, 6-3, Jr., 11.3 ppg G 1 Nathan Serenius, 6-3, Sr., 12.0 ppg G 21 Derrick Bufford, 6-4, Sr., 8.9 ppg G 15 Casey Weber, 6-0, Sr., 7.1 ppg

Piketon (24-2) Tinora (22-3) Location: Piketon Location: Definance Nickname: Redstreaks Nickname: Rams Boys Enrollment: 216 Boys Enrollment: 151 Final 2009 Ranking: 8th Final 2009 Ranking: Not Ranked State Appearances: 2009 State Appearances: 2009 Head Coach: Jeff Lisath Head Coach: Rob Mahnke School Rec.: 69-45 (4 yrs.) School Rec.: 73-58 (6 yrs.) PPG: 70.0; OPP: 57.0 PPG: 50.3; OPP: 38.4 Probable Starters Probable Starters F 02 Jordan Brabson, 6-3, Sr., 19.2 ppg F 1 JR Wuo, 6-3, Sr., 9.8 ppg F 00 Keenan Brush, 6-6, So., 4.5 ppg F 22 Taylor Wiemken, 6-0, Sr., 6.2 ppg C 42 Caleb Southworth, 6-6, Jr., 5.1 ppg C 42 Jon Gerken, 6-6, Sr., 8.4 ppg G 11 Evan Legg, 6-2, So., 12.3 ppg G 14 Trey Meyer, 5-10, Sr., 4.2 ppg G 34 Cody Smith, 6-2, Sr., 19.1 ppg G 4 Zach Beilharz, 6-2, Sr., 2.8 ppg

5 OHSAA Winter Release No. 5 - March 22, 2009 BOYS BASKETBALL STATE TOURNAMENTS - TEAM CAPSULES, CONTINUED DIVISION IV Kalida (22-4) Ada (22-3) Location: Kalida Location: Ada Nickname: Wildcats Nickname: Bulldogs Boys Enrollment: 77 Boys Enrollment: 111 Final 2009 Ranking: Not Ranked Final 2009 Ranking: Not Ranked State Appearances: 2009, 1988, 1981, 1980, 1967 State Appearances: 2009, 1923 Head Coach: Richard Kortokrax Head Coach: Chris Sautter School Rec.: 558-214 (34 yrs.) School Rec.: 104-54 (7 yrs.) PPG: 55.0; OPP: 45.0 PPG: 62.0; OPP: 42.0 Probable Starters Probable Starters F 20 Matt Warnecke, 6-2, Sr., n/a ppg F 25 Mitchell Faine, 6-3, Jr., 12.4 ppg F 34 Scott Schnipke, 6-3, Sr., n/a ppg F 31 Brandon Dysert, 6-3, Sr., 5.1 ppg C 22 Ryan Kleman, 6-2, Sr., n/a ppg C 51 Aaron Cross, 6-6, Sr., 11.0 ppg C 54 Jordan Basinger, 6-3, Jr., n/a ppg G 15 Konnor Baker, 6-2, Fr., 11.7 ppg G 10 Justin Kahle, 5-11, Sr., n/a ppg G 21 Kyle Baker, 6-1, Sr., 8.0 ppg

Lutheran East (23-2) Oak Hill (23-2) Location: Cleveland Heights Location: Oak Hill Nickname: Falcons Nickname: Oaks Boys Enrollment: 57 Boys Enrollment: 133 Final 2009 Ranking: 3rd Final 2009 Ranking: 4th State Appearances: 2009, 2005 State Appearances: 2009 Head Coach: Roger Mc Clinton Head Coach: Norm Persin School Rec.: 98-43 (6 yrs.) School Rec.: 59-17 (3 yrs.) PPG: 72.0; OPP: 56.0 PPG: 66.0; OPP: 41.0 Probable Starters Probable Starters F 32 William Felder, 6-6, Sr., 24.0 ppg F 21 Ryan Borden, 6-2, Sr., 12.5 ppg F 22 Ladell Trotty, 6-5, Sr., 16.0 ppg F 10 Jesse Slone, 6-3, So., 10.0 ppg C 52 Robert Martin, 6-3, Jr., 8.0 ppg C 44 JD Hale, 6-5, Sr., 17.5 ppg G 12 Bradley Stevenson, 6-1, Sr., 12.0 ppg G 11 Kyle Ondera, 6-1, Jr., 13.5 ppg G 10 Luqman Sabir, 5-7, Sr., 8.0 ppg G 13 Westen Hale, 6-0, So., 4.0 ppg

IN REVIEW - GIRLS BASKETBALL STATE TOURNAMENTS Division I Division II Mount Notre Dame beats Toledo Start to win Hathaway Brown wins Division II state champi- fourth consecutive state championship onship game against Wapakoneta Dan Labbe, OhioHSsports.com, March 21, 2009 9:14 p.m. Dan Labbe, OhioHSsports.com, March 21, 2009 6:09 p.m.

Mt. Notre Dame has won four straight state championships. The Division II state final pitted Wapakoneta, a school that had never The Cougars beat Toledo Start Saturday night in Columbus, 52-38, won a state championship in any sport, against Hathaway Brown, a to become the second school in history to to win four consecutive titles. team trying to avoid becoming the first team to lose three straight state They were paced by Kathryn Reynolds and Gabby Smith with 13 points championship games. each. Kendall Hackney scored 12 despite sitting out much of the second As it turns out, neither team made history Saturday evening. half in foul trouble. Hathaway Brown claimed the Division II championshiop with a 52-46 Start was paced by Yolanda Richardson’s 15 points and Maleeka Ky- win over Wapakoneta in Value City Arena in Columbus. The Blazers, nard’s 12 points, including three 3-pointers. who trailed throughout the first half, were paced by Erica Almady’s 13 Following a stretch of sloppy play and ineffectiveness - much of which points. Heidi Schlegel scored 17 points for the Redskins. came after Hackney picked up her third foul midway through the second Hathaway Brown came out of the locker room strong in the second quarter - Mount Notre Dame found themselves and returned to form to half to lead for most of the third quarter. All was not well for the Blazers, run away with the ballgame in the fourth quarter. however, as Mylan Woods picked up her fourth foul with 4:36 to play. Speaking of juxtaposition, check out the first half of this game. After Wapakoneta seized the momentum and retook the lead at 34-33 at the jumping out to a 9-0 lead, Mount Notre Dame led 17-5 after the first eight break. Still, the Redskins may look back on the Blazers’ 10-14 shooting minutes. Mount Notre Dame thrived off of 10 Start turnovers resulting in in the third quarter and their own 9 turnovers that led to 14 Hathaway 14 points. Brown points as the beginning of the end. And therein lies the difference. In the second quarter, Start cut down Alanna Guy and Devon Golden traded shots early in the fourth, with their turnovers with just five in the quarter and Mount Notre Dame scored Golden accounting for Wapakoneta’s first seven points. Guy scored ten 0 points off those five turnovers. It also didn’t help the Cougars that they in the quarter. Then, with 4:13 to play, Mylan Woods, who had returned lost Kendall Hackney to her third foul. Hackney scored seven first half just 13 seconds earlier, picked up her fifth foul and was forced to watch points before being forced to the bench. the remainder of the evening. Start got seven points from Yolanda Richardson in the first half, Her teammates stepped up, especially Almady, who made four free though she could have had more following some missed layups. Ma- throws to seal the game and the championship - and to help her team leeka Kynard contributed six as Start cut their halftime deficit to 21-15. avoid the type of history the didn’t want to be associated. “We just had some kids step up and play major roles [when Mylan Woods] fouled out,” said Blazers’ head coach Paul Barlow. “Our kids got a little more focused on defense and we won the basketball game.”

6 OHSAA Winter Release No. 5 - March 22, 2009 Division III Division IV Regina finishes undefeated season with win Africentric erases double digit halftime defi- over Oak Hill for Division III state championship cit to claim Division IV crown Dan Labbe, OhioHSsports.com, March 21, 2009 2:44 p.m. Dan Labbe, OhioHSsports.com, March 21, 2009 11:35 a.m. The Regina Royals are Division III state champions for the sixth time. This The Division IV state championship rematch of last season looked like time around, they did it without a loss and not without a fight from a resilient it was going to go the same way it did in 2008. Trailing by 15 points at the Oak Hill team. half, Columbus Africentric outscored Berlin Hiland 44-20 in the second The Oaks were behind 55-38 after three quarters but proceeded to make half to prevent a repeat from happening. things interesting in the fourth, running off eight straight points to start the “Last year, I think we just came into the game thinking we were just go- quarter and playing ferocious defense to stifle a Regina team that was previ- ing to win it,” said Raven Ferguson. “We told ourselves we’ve got to come ously cruising on offense. The Royals turned the ball over eight times in the back next year and we can not fall short.” Led by Ferguson’s 17 points and Ashar Harris’ 14 points and 15 final quarter, matching their total for the first three quarters combined. rebounds, the Nubians completed an improbable comeback to stun the In the end, though, Regina had too much talent while Oak Hill had too little Hiland Hawks, 55-46, at Value City Arena in Columbus. shooting. The Royals were aided by 3-for-19 3-point shooting from the Oaks, The Nubians dialed up the defensive pressure in the third quarter in while the Royals connected on 6-for-10, including six from Amber Boyd to win scoring 24 points in the frame. A Harris and layup with 1:55 to play the ball game, 63-48. cut the Hiland lead to 38-29. By the time Chelsea Chambers (5 points) Regina was paced by Boyd’s 23 points and got 12 points from Riley Mc- made a three with five seconds to play, Africentric had made a game of it, Cormick. Oak Hill got 15 points and 8 rebounds from Rebecca Puckett and ending the quarter trailing 40-35. 16 points and seven rebounds from Lakin Caudill. Africentric struggled from the field throughout the first half, shooting Oak Hill was able to stay within striking distance in the first quarter thanks just 5-for-29 in the half. The Nubians first basket of the game didn’t come to 6-for-12 shooting from the field. The Royals thrived off of four Oaks turn- until the 2:04 mark of the 1st quarter when Brein Babbs scored to end overs leading to six points on the other end. Regina took an 18-13 lead to Hiland’s 7-0 run to start the game. Chambers hit a shot at the buzzer for the second quarter. Africentric to cut the first quarter deficit to 9-4. That second quarter was the Oaks’ unraveling. Oak Hill shot just 4-for-16 The second quarter belonged to Hiland, outscoring Africentric 17-7. in the quarter and turned the ball over five more times. The Oaks also only The Hawks shot 6-for-12 from the field in the quarter and continued to made 1-of-9 three pointers in the quarter. Regina, meanwhile, continued to capitalize on Africentric turnovers, finishing the half with 7 points off of 6 shoot well, making 5-of-10 in the second quarter including three 3-pointers Nubians turnovers. highlighted by Boyd’s 30-foot shot at the halftime buzzer. Boyd scored 15 Hiland expanded their lead to 26-11 heading into the locker room. In first half points including four 3-pointers. the end, though, Africentric took the momentum and the title.

Muscaro to Earn Induction into National High School Hall of Fame COLUMBUS, Ohio – Clair Muscaro, former Ohio High School Athletic six years before being named the association’s eighth commissioner Association commissioner, has been selected for induction into the in 1990. His tenure as commissioner was the second-longest, with National High School Hall of Fame. only the first commissioner, H.R. Townsend (1925-44), having served Muscaro is one of two administrators amongst a class of 12 indi- longer. viduals to be honored July 1 in Chicago by the National Federation of The National High School Hall of Fame was started in 1982 by the State High School Associations. NFHS to honor high school athletes, coaches, contest officials, admin- He took over as the OHSAA commissioner in 1990 and served until istrators, fine arts coaches/directors and others for their extraordinary 2004. Notably, he helped increase the amount of football divisions from achievements and accomplishments in high school sports and activity five to six, while the football playoffs also expanded from 96 teams to programs. This year's class increases the number in the Hall of Fame 192 teams during his time as commissioner. to 362, and this year's event will be the 27th induction ceremony. Furthermore, Muscaro eliminated postseason tournament entry The 12 individuals were chosen after a two-level selection process fees and helped establish the OHSAA Foundation, which promotes involving a screening committee composed of active high school state leadership and service activities and provides scholarships for student- association administrators, coaches and officials, and a final selection athletes. committee composed of coaches, former athletes, state association After serving as the principal at Peninsula Woodridge for 17 years, officials, media representatives and educational leaders. Nominations he worked as an assistant commissioner with the OHSAA for nearly were made through NFHS member associations.

Hoop FanFest Adds New Features for 2009 Columbus, Ohio — The Ohio High School Athletic Associa- 21 and 28, respectively. The schedule for the Hoop FanFest will co- tion (OHSAA) and C&S Sports Enterprises, LLC, have added incide with the four championship games that tip off both days at several new features and events for the 2009 basket- 10:45 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 5:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. There will be no ball championship celebration. Hoop FanFest 2009 is a cost to be admitted to the Hoop FanFest or for all the attractions. basketball extravaganza that has been developed to com- pliment the OHSAA’s girls and boys state basketball About the Ohio High School Athletic Association: Now in its 101st tournaments. The annual event features exciting activities and year, the Ohio High School Athletic Association is a voluntary, not-for- contests that are designed for Ohio basketball fans of all ages. profit association of public and non-public high schools and 7th-8th New to the event in 2009 is the Ohio High School Invitational grade schools. The mission of the OHSAA is to regulate and admin- 3-Point Shooting Challenge which will feature the top boys and girls ister interscholastic athletic competition in a fair, consistent and im- 3-point shooters from around the state who will compete for the honor partial manner while promoting the values of participation in inter- of being named Ohio’s top male and female shooter. The second an- scholastic athletics. Membership includes over 800 high schools and nual Basketball Clinic for Kids is scheduled for Saturday, March 21 800 7th-8th grade schools, representing over 350,000 participants. and has expanded to include younger boys and girls as well. The highly successful Championship Zone honoring each of the State Basket- C&S Sports Enterprises, LLC, is a full-service sports market- ball Champions on both Saturdays will again be the featured event. ing and management agency based in Columbus, Ohio. The com- The Hoop FanFest presented by Safe Auto Insurance will be pany is co-owned by former Ohio State assistant basketball coach held in the auxiliary gymnasium of The Schottenstein Center on Dave Cecutti and former OSU men’s basketball captain Ron Stokes. The Ohio State University campus, during the finals of the OHSAA For more information about Hoop FanFest 2009 visit girls and boys state basketball tournaments on Saturday, March www.hoopfanfest.com or please call 866-571-HOOP(4667).

7 OHSAA Winter Release No. 5 - March 22, 2009