“It was [too rough] and uncomfortable to watch (Div. VI title game between Marion Local and Berlin Hiland). This is not what the OHSAA is trying to sell.” – Larry Miller. (Press Pros Feature Photos)
Nearly all the reader comments from March were related to tournament basketball, and in particular, the girls and boys championship finals round. And those we chose to share left little doubt over their feelings about quality of play and logistical inefficiency with the tournament.
“While I was impressed with Jeff Gilbert’s writing of the Division VI championship game between Hiland and Marion Local, I thought that comments made by the respective head coaches left a lot to be desired. If the OHSAA is trying to sell the product of ‘Respect The Game’ and ‘sportsmanship’ between competing schools, Kurt Goettemoeller’s quote that “Everybody in attendance got treated to just one hell of a high school state championship basketball game” looked like anything but high school basketball. The game lacked skill and it lacked discipline. I won’t say that it lacked competitive character, but Marion Local made it very plain that those titles in football govern how they play basketball, I assume because the two come back to back.
“If I’m the OHSAA I would be upset over a coach saying publicly to expect a football game, or a fist fight, but that’s what it looked like. For Hiland coach Mark Schlabach to say “That was the best Hiland basketball game, ever”…well I hope not. Just the closest they’ll ever come to playing Marion Local in football. I would share with them both that the game was actually uncomfortable to watch – hardly the best game, ever – and to say afterwards that “that’s the way we like it” is anything but what the OHSAA advocates in their public service videos. As a retired superintendent I would be upset over a coach making those statements. If I’m an official I’d hang my head. As Gilbert wrote, many watch these games to see skill permitted to shine. And it wasn’t for the lack of brawling that either team won or lost. It was Marion Local’s inability to shoot that cost them the game (10 of 25 from the foul line). OHSAA championships should not literally be a fist fight. And there should be some adjustments made before the next one.” … Larry Miller (Myrtle Beach)
(Ed. Note: With respect to your points made, I cannot disagree as I have long maintained the game is too rough and people really don’t like it. They, too, prefer skill and shooting. I don’t know Mark Schlabach, but I count Kurt Goettemoeller as being among a handful of the state’s best. As for his comments…heat of the moment. And yes, everyone knew what they were seeing, I don’t think many were comfortable with it, but the issue was overdue for some correction long before tipoff. As for adjustments before next year? Don’t hold your breath. But I wish.)
“I’m no official, but when I watch a ball-handler surrounded by defensive players trying to take the ball away with all that contact, there’s has to be a foul somewhere.” … Hobert Nicholson
“This was disappointing. There’s no way you can have a state semi-final game going on at the Nutter Center while they had a state championship game going on at UD. Too many divisions and questionable logistics.” … Jack Bond
“Why UD didn’t recruit Cam Elwer is a mystery to me.” – Jerry Templeton
“Frustrating. If they have millions in the bank then spend some of it to rent one arena for all fourteen semi-final and championship games. The Nutter Center wouldn’t be my choice, but better to have all the games there than split between Nutter and UD.” … Doug King
“Whatever it takes, get down on your knees and beg Ohio State to take both tournaments back to the empty and deserted St. John Arena.” … Keaton Jerrell
“Is Ohio high school basketball not producing great shooters anymore? Or is it all about defense? I went to watch Delphos St. John and Cameron Elwer shoot. Plain and simple. The rest were just games.” … Craig Inge
(Ed. Note: Sorry to say it, but you kinda’ got cheated, Craig. Elwer scored 28, but didn’t have one of his better shooting games. He was only 2 of 5 from three-point, but hit 14 or 16 from the foul line. Sorry you didn’t see the Kwasniak kid from Cornerstone last year.)
“Based on the way they played in their final NIT game, why UD didn’t recruit Cameron Elwer is a mystery to me.” … Jerry Templeton
(Ed. Note: That same thought crossed my mind, Jerry. Jordan Derkack…or Cam Elwer?)
“The article on St. Henry losing two of its star players and going on to win the state championship in girls basketball is the best story I’ve read in a long time. It was heart-warming to read, and to think about yet. Great job, St. Henry.” … Tom Killilea
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