It all happened so fast, with Sean Powell coaching Botkins from relative anonymity to a state championship in just three seasons, and now it transitions quickly to his exit for the head coaching job at Lima Bath. Bruce Hooley writes.
Author Archive
Apr
16
Powell Takes Title Memories In Move From Botkins To Bath
It all happened so fast, with Sean Powell coaching Botkins from relative anonymity to a state championship in just three seasons, and now it transitions quickly to his exit for the head coaching job at Lima Bath. Bruce Hooley writes.
Apr
15
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions…Don’t Bet On One Yet
Fans will return to Ohio Stadium on Saturday, but the announcement they await on Ohio State’s starting quarterback for the fall likely won’t come in the aftermath of the the Scarlet and Gray game. Bruce Hooley writes for Press Pros.
Apr
2
Hooley: Legacy Programs See In Holtmann What OSU Fans Miss
Chris Holtmann has positioned Ohio State for monster success in the future, when there will likely be monster jobs that have interest in him. Bruce Hooley writes for weekend Press Pros.
Mar
24
Online Approval Is An Untrustworthy Mistress
Young people and athletes aren’t the only ones obsessed with others’ opinions, but granting that power is a dangerous decision likely to result in more harm than good. Bruce Hooley writes for Thursday Press Pros.
Mar
22
Masters Of Survival, Central Comes Up Short To Centerville
Joy unspeakable!….Given how it survived in the district and regional, the final seconds of the state championship seemed tailored to Westerville Central’s liking until the script shifted at the worst possible time for the Warhawks. Centerville survived a dramatic last second shot by Landon Tilllman to claim its first basketball title in school history. Bruce Hooley writes for Press Pros.
Mar
21
Worthington Christian Fights To Finish In Tight D3 Title Loss
Ample amounts of grit and an unwillingness to give up brought Worthington Christian back from long odds in the Division III state finals on Sunday before the Warriors’ late rally fell short in a 61-56 defeat.
Mar
21
Botkins’ Title Has Family Ties Wrapped Around The Trophy
What fathers and sons at Botkins have only dreamed about became a reality Sunday with the culmination of three years hard work and the Trojans’ first state basketball championship. Bruce Hooley writes.
Mar
20
Shawnee’s Special Team Runs Into A Super Team In Semis
The fairy tale ending that happens in Hollywood didn’t happen for Lima Shawnee, but the three-season thrill ride on which this team has taken its fans won’t soon be forgotten.
Mar
20
This Mann May Be Little, But He’s Big In DeSales’ Advance
The stat sheet doesn’t track the full measure of what makes Columbus DeSales a tough out, and the Stallions have made that mindset work for them all the way to the Division II state championship game. Bruce Hooley writes for Press Pros.
Mar
19
OSU Stumbles On Cinderella’s Slipper In Ugly NCAA Exit
Armed with a No. 2 seed and aiming for a Final Four run, Ohio State instead suffered one of the first-round upsets that make the NCAA Tournament’s opening weekend legendary and now will lament the result over a long off season.
Mar
19
Pleiman Strikes At Both Ends To Power Botkins’ Comeback
Discouragement could have claimed Botkins’ junior Jacob Pleiman’s confidence on Thursday, but he and the Trojans reached deeply to find the fortitude for a comeback win in the state semifinals. Bruce Hooley writes for Press Pros.
Mar
17
Botkins’ Advance to State Shows Powell’s Flexibility
Sean Powell came to Botkins with a plan to quickly achieve success, and while it appears that has worked to perfection, the truth is more a testament to what he’s learned since his arrival. Bruce Hooley writes for today’s Press Pros.
Mar
14
Buckeyes Extend Illini To Overtime In B1G Title Thriller
It didn’t end with a championshkp, but a thrilling weekend at the Big Ten Tournament restored Ohio State’s confidence and raised hopes the Buckeyes can duplicate their success throughout an extended post-season run. Bruce Hooley writes.
Mar
14
Washington, Liddell Lift Ohio State Into B1G Title Game
The crazy finishes keep coming for Ohio State, which at times seems its own worst enemy in the midst of an inspired stretch of three wins in three days to reach the Big Ten Tournament final. Bruce Hooley writes for Sunday Press Pros.
Mar
13
Hiland Sends Legendary Coach Out With Sixth State Title
Dave Schlabach crowned a 30-year career as one of Ohio’s winningest girls basketball coaches with a sixth state championship to take with him into retirement.
Mar
13
Excellence Begats Excellence With Loramie Basketball
Winning takes vision, hunger, effort and commitment, all of which abound in head coach Carla Siegel’s Fort Loramie girls program, which Saturday hung a third state championship banner that testifies to the school’s elite culture.
Mar
13
Loramie Caps Domination With Long-Awaited D-IV Title
Fort Loramie will never know if the 2020 state championship banner would have been its to savor, but the Redskins left no doubt that the 2021 banner belongs to them with a dominant performance that claimed the title. Bruce Hooley writes the story for Press Pros.
Mar
13
Another Day, Another Adventurous Advance For Ohio State
The close calls keep coming, so Ohio State’s belief that it’s figured out how to close games successfully seems open to question. But the Buckeyes have survived their anxious moments so far at the Big Ten Tournament and now take aim at No. 4 Michigan.
Mar
12
Final Four: Loramie Tightens Vice, Routs Crestview…
What it looked like in person. Loramie was bigger, stronger, and determined to achieve what Covid denied them a year ago. Now the Redskins and Dana Rose (below) are on the cusp, and Thursday they appeared determined not to allow anything to get in their way. Bruce Hooley writes.
