Coldwater’s Baylen Blockberger shot 6 for 11 from three-point range on his way to 26 points in Friday’s win over Parkway. (Press Pros Feature Photos)
Clearly the leader of the pack in football and basketball at Coldwater, the Cavaliers’ mercurial scorer flashed his brilliance, tournament style, scoring 26 in their sectional win over Parkway.
Coldwater, OH – When ball carriers run in football it’s fun to see.
When hitters hit in baseball it’s fun to see.
And when shooters shoot in basketball, it’s particularly fun to see because the rim is only 18 inches wide and the ball is about 12 inches. It takes some skill.
So when Coldwater’s Baylen Blockberger came out last Friday night and scorched the nets for 26 points, and hit 6 of 11 attempts from three-point range in a 62-42 sectional/district tournament win over Parkway, it created a stir. It had people on the of their seats. It caused us to make a note on the legal pad….Baylen Blockberger is this week’s ‘Who’s Hot’ honoree on Press Pros!
He hit the first four three-pointers he took, all in the first quarter…in machine-gun fashion…finished with 16 for the quarter and 18 for the half. Less aggressive in the second half after the Cavaliers had amassed a 25-point lead, Blockberger settled for two more three-pointers and a shot at the rim. A tidy 26 points.
“It was a little like last week at USV (Upper Scioto Valley),” he said afterwards. “I came out and hit a couple of threes and the defense kinda’ took over the game. It’s easier to win when your defense plays like ours did tonight.”
And it’s easier to win when you play so well as to receive respect from the opposite coach.
“He’s just really good,” said Parkway coach Doug Hughes. “At his size he’s athletic and he can really score. But what people miss is his willingness to rebound at his position. That really impresses me. He’s a really tough matchup.”
His own coach, Nick Fisher, has consistently praised his work ethic for basketball, even while playing three sports (football, basketball, and baseball).
“Even after football practice he was in the gym in the fall taking shots every day,” says Fisher. “Now you don’t see too many do that. But he’s always working, always trying to be better.”
And he was ‘better’ enough last week to get our attention, and the attention of a lot of people anticipating the district matchup this week between Coldwater and Spencerville (21-2). That game will be played in Wapakoneta on Wednesday, and if all holds true, you guessed it…it’ll be fun to see.
Like Doug Hughes, Spencerville coach Kevin Sensabaugh has no doubt noticed. And if he hadn’t he will when he reads this.
Coldwater’s Baylen Blockberger gets this week’s ‘Who’s Hot’ honors on Press Press…with our congratulations.
On behalf of sponsor, the St. Henry Bank, Press Pros is happy to recognize this week’s ‘Who’s Hot’ honoree, Baylen Blockberger, from Coldwater High School.