Lucky you! It’s yet another rich-life experience, all for free, and brought to you by the dedicated staff at the MVP podcast!

This week, we’ll feature Dru Joyce, the accomplished head coach of the boy’s basketball team at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary. He was interviewed moments before his team left to play Akron Kenmore in a sectional final.

Also in the house is the legendary defensive tackle from Piqua (as well as The Ohio State University), Matt Finkes His interview is a reasonably wild ride that covers a host of pertinent topics–such as Buckeye football and St. Paris Graham wrestling.

We’ll also have Kevin Schlosser of BuckeyeWrestling.com on board to pick his brain on specific issues concerning last weekend’s amazing 2010 OHSAA Wrestling Championships held at Ohio State’s Schottenstein Center.

We’ll also have JJHuddle.com’s western Ohio correspondent, Tim Langevin.

All of this and much, much more… only at the MVPpodcast!

By Alex Sator

And you thought we were done with wrestling coverage…not quite.
Here is the second video installment from the 73rd annual state
wrestling tournament. Didn’t see what you wanted to in Part I? It’s
probably here then…

Enjoy…

ADDITIONAL WRESTLING COVERAGE

VIDEO PART I: State wrestling finals (Includes parade Of Champions)

Wadsworth ends 33 years of public school frustration; Grizzlies are D-I Champs

State Wrestling Tournament Notebook: Stieber wins fourth title; Graham rolls

State Wrestling Tournament Notebook: Semifinal session doesn’t disappoint

Ohio’s Top 50 Athletes of the Decade: No. 15 Logan Stieber

By Tim Langevin

The Anna Lady Rockets proved invincible after four tournament wins by an average margin of 43 points. But once again, tournament savvy Versailles toppled the Rockets 41-40 in overtime Wednesday at Springfield High School.

The Lady Tigers have won five straight regional semifinal games, including three against Anna. And once again, the black and orange starlets are one victory away from a fourth straight trip to the Final Four.

Next for Versailles (18-6) is Middletown Madison (25-0), a 56-53 winner over Columbus Africentric in the first game. The regional finals will start Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

It took 36 minutes to settle the score and even though Versailles led this game for less than two minutes, Megan Campbell rolled in a six-footer with five seconds left, when it counted the most, to slam the door on Anna. The senior standout, held scoreless in the first half, finished the evening with a game high 17 points.

Talk about a tale of two quarters. The first quarter had the pace and pulse of the Kentucky Derby. Both teams raced up and down the floor scoring with ease. Anna led 20-16. Carrie Watkins paced the Anna attack with 14 points on 4-of-4 shooting from three-point-range. Bethany Ahrens guided her squad with 11 points on mid-range jumpers.

The second quarter came to a screetching halt as only six points were scored. Both coaches made big time defensive adjustments. Jacki Stonebraker switched to a match up zone and Jack Billing mixed man to man with a box and one. Anna led 24-18 at half.

Campbell scored her first points of the game on a three-point-play to open the third quarter, which cut the Anna lead 24-21. Megan Fogt responded with a 15-footer, but then Campbell nailed a baby 8-footer. Natalie Billing drained two free throws and then Campbell answered again with an inside bucket. Ahrens scored on a fast break lay up and the Tigers trailed 28-27 with 3:07 left in the quarter.

Lauren Rindler converted a steal into a lay up and Versailles trailed 30-29 after three quarters. Campbell led the surge with seven points. It was evident that the Tiger defense was tightening up.

Anna led 33-29 on a nifty Billing hook shot and Rebecca Burch made 1-of-2 foul shots, but Campbell wouldn’t go away. The 6′ 1” post player scored in the paint off a perfect lob pass from Ahrens to draw the Tigers within 33-31.

Campbell sccored on a point blank jumper to knot the score 35-35 with 2:10 left in regulation. That was the fifth tie of the game.

Burch scored on a falling down 10-footer off the glass to regain the lead for Anna 37-35 with 1:30 left. But like the entire second half, Campbell answered with an inside bucket for the tie. Billing missed on the other end and overtime was in order.

Versailles captured the lead 39-37 on a Susan Berger floater down the lane with 1:36 remaining. The last time the Tigers led was 9-7 midway through the first quarter.

Anna recaptured the lead 40-39 with 51.7 seconds to go on a Fogt 19 1/2 footer. The official ruled that her toe was on the line. So much for big feet.

After a Versailles time out with 14.5 seconds left, Campbell scored the winner. Burch missed a desperation shot at the buzzer.

The Rockets finish a strong season 21-4.

Side Note:  Recruiters were out in full force. Michigan State, Penn State, Northwestern, and UConn reps were looking at Raven Ferguson from Africentric and Ally Malott from Madison. Malott is the No. 1 ranked junior in Ohio, while Fergusan is No. 2.

By Mickey Shuey

Competition is usually a good thing. In the case of the Alter/CJ girls’ basketball rivalry, it’s a great thing. The two schools may both be in the GGCL, and sit a few miles apart, but that only adds to the heated competition.

Splitting the regular season series with a win each, the Knights and Eagles will have one final bout ­– this time with a trip to Columbus at stake. This is the fourth year in a row that Alter has reached the Regional Championship, and the first for Chaminade since their 2004-05 State Championship run.

The Lady Eagles earned their spot in the first of the two games played at Springfield High School on Tuesday evening. After a close first half, CJ managed to pull away late, defeating the Stallions of St. Francis DeSales by the score of 46-37. Samarie Walker, arguably CJ’s most prolific D-I basketball recruit ever, led all scorers with 15 points.

St. Francis’ Doone followed the UConn signee with 14 points. The Stallions finish with a record of 15-9

As for Alter, well, one might say they were facing some pretty “Brave” souls.  Indeed, the girls from Indian Hill managed to keep the Lady Knights in check through the first quarter.  However, the Regional Final bound Alter squad was able to squirm free, putting the ax on the Hill, 58-32.

Kelly Dunham accounted for 17 of the Lady Braves’ points, and the Knights had 3 players in double figures (A. Christie, 15; W. Dabbelt, 14; K. Howe, 12).

“We are so very fortunate to have this great opportunity,” said Alter coach Chris Hart, referring to the chance to play in the Regional Final game for  a fourth straight year.

“I think it adds to the excitement [that we’re playing CJ], certainly from the fan’s perspective anyways.  It’s also helpful for when we review the scouting report with the girls.  They’ll know what we are talking about.”

Alter beat CJ earlier this season on the Eagles’ home court, only to have the favor returned with a few weeks left in the regular season, which also ended the perfect season hopes for the Knights. Friday’s game will assuredly be a defining moment for the two teams, as they face off for the first time in the postseason –  at least in the past decade.

Though they have played the likes of Purcell Marian, Badin, Carroll, and even McNick, nowhere in the vaults of the OHSAA tournament archives is there a word of Alter playing the Eagles in girls basketball. Only once has fate nearly lent a hand in making the match up a reality, that being in the 2002 season.  Purcell edged CJ in the District Championship, keeping the Eagles at bay until now.

The Knights and Eagles will tip off this sure to be classic at 7:30 at Springfield High School.

Thursday, an all-inclusive preview of CJ will be posted, and on game day, Friday, Alter will go under the microscope.

Remember…every moment could be spectacular, but it’s up to you to make it so.

MVP SPRING ISSUE

Scheduled for release week of March 15

WHAT’S INSIDE?

The first annual All-MVP Football Team

This is the area’s best – regardless of division. Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year named along with the area’s top coach.

We’ll also unveil the Miami Valley’s top junior football prospects heading into the combine and summer season…

A recap of the state football tournament and area finalists….

An article on Coldwater grad and Ohio State star LB Ross Homan…

A pictorial look back at current University of Dayton basketball players from the Miami Valley when they were in high school…and a look ahead at a few newcomers for next year…

A feature on Greenon senior Allie Turner who became just the sixth girl in Miami Valley history to topple 2,000 career points…

And More…

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

JUST $24 GETS YOU SIX ISSUES…

No offense to the University of Dayton men’s basketball seniors, but I hope tonight was the last time I see them on the UD Arena floor. I hope the Flyers get that NCAA bid. But it’s going to take at least two more wins.

Tuesday was a start though.

After the meltdown that was St. Louis on Saturday, Dayton’s 70-60 win over George Washington in the opening round of the A-10 Tournament on Tuesday was a cure. Lets just forget the Flyers fell behind 13-4 out of the gate and let a 44-33 lead evaporate with under five minutes left. Forget it. It’s over. And Dayton won. By 10.

The prize? Another meeting with Xavier.

The last time these two played, Dayton wiped Blackburn Court with the Musketeers to the tune of 90-65.

Since then the Flyers have gone 4-5.

Can Dayton beat Xavier? Yes. Will they? Depends which team shows up. Do they HAVE to? Yes.

Tip is 6:30 p.m. Friday and will be televised live by WHIO TV Channel 7.

In reality Flyer faithful, Dayton’s opening NCAA Tournament game is a little more than 48 hours away.

NIT Tickets

So the consolation in this equation is the NIT. I remember in the not so distant past when a bid to the NIT was a benchmark for this program. This year it would be a silver medal, BUT it would still mean a postseason bid and in actuality a real chance at a title. It would also mean potential revenue through championship apparel and speaking of $, it would also mean another HOME game. With a win in the first round – depending on seeding – Dayton could host a second round game too…and third.

As far as potential NIT opponents…should that be the route, how about first round possibilities such as: Cleveland State, Akron, Central Michigan, Miami…and yes, Wright State!

NIT potential second and quarterfinal round opponents could be: Cincinnati, Michigan, Northwestern, Minnesota and Notre Dame. Imagine…in UD Arena? Wow…

Lets remember, this is all “worst case scenario.”

Did you get enough of the state wrestling tournament? Didn’t think so…for those wrestling fans wanting more, here’s a video recap of the action, including the famous “Parade of Champions.”

Enjoy…

ADDITIONAL WRESTLING COVERAGE (Click on link to read)

Wadsworth ends 33 years of public school frustration; Grizzlies are D-I Champs

State Wrestling Tournament Notebook: Stieber wins fourth title; Graham rolls

State Wrestling Tournament Notebook: Semifinal session doesn’t disappoint

Ohio’s Top 50 Athletes of the Decade: No. 15 Logan Stieber

It’s funky, fresh and different…and it’s all about high school sports! Click below to archive past broadcasts of the one and only MVP Podcasts!

March 11, 2010: Former Piqua and Ohio State standout Matt Finkes, Akron SVSM’s Dru Joyce, buckeyewrestling.com’s Kevin Schlosser and MVP’s Tim Langevin

March 3, 2010: Brian Brakeman, JJ and Eric Frantz

Feb. 18, 2010: Warren Harding’s Steve Arnold, Continental’s Kevin Homier, Jim Dabbelt, JJ and MVP’s Eric Frantz

Feb. 12, 2010: OGBR’s Tom Jenkins, NBC 4’s Jerod Smalley, JJ and MVP’s Eric Frantz, DDN’s Kyle Nagel

Feb. 5, 2010: Graham’s Jeff Jordan, buckeyewrestling.com’s Kevin Schlosser, JJ’s Shayne Combs

Jan. 28, 2010: OHSHoops.com’s Kurt Stubbs, JJ and MVP’s Eric Frantz, Alter’s Christine Hart

Jan. 21, 2010: Northland’s Satch Sullinger, Jim Dabbelt and Tim langevin

Jan. 14, 2010: Benedictine boys basketball head coach Rob Stricula, Findlay Prep’s Todd Simon, Flyin to the Hoop president Eric Horstman and…Bobby Hutchins?

Jan. 7, 2010: Thurgood Marshall’s John Ralph, Edison State’s David Zeller, JJ’s Tim Langevin

Dec. 3, 2009: Alter’s Ed Domsitz, DSJ’s Todd Shulte, Coldwater’s Chip Otten, OHSAA commissioner Dan Ross and JJ and MVP’s Eric Frantz

Nov. 27, 2009: Delphos St. John’s Todd Shulte, Marion Local’s Tim Goodwin, Dayton Lady HoopStars coach Jon Coffee

Nov. 20, 2009: Alter’s Ed Domsitz, Clinton-Massie’s Dan McSurely, Fantastic 50 guru Drew Pasteur, JJ and MVP’s Eric Frantz

Nov. 13, 2009: Clinton-Massie’s Dan McSurley, Kenton’s Mike Mauk, JJ and MVP’s Eric Frantz, Brown News Service’s Tim Langevin

Nov. 6, 2009: Marion Local’s Tim Goodwin, Lehman Catholic’s Richard Roll, WPTW’s Joe Neves

Oct. 29, 2009: Miami East’s Max Current, Ansonia’s Eugene Hoening, WPTW’s Sonny Fulks, JJ and MVP’s Eric Frantz

Oct. 22, 2009: Versailles’ Bob Olwin, Anna’s Brian Rioch, kicking guru Mike Pignatiello, JJ and MVP’s Eric Frantz

Oct. 15, 2009: Centerville’s Ron Ullery, Delphos St. John’s Todd Schulte, Northmont’s Lance Schneider, WHIO’s Mike Hartsock

Oct. 9, 2009: Belllefontaine’s Jason Brown, Tippecanoe’s Charlie Burgbacher, DDN’s Kyle Nagel

Oct. 2, 2009: Lebanon’s Shawn Lamb, Springboro’s Ryan Willhite, JJ and MVP’s Eric Frantz

Sept. 24, 2009: Northmont’s Lance Schneider, Fairborn’s Roy Thobe, ScoutingOhio.com’s Mark Porter

Sept. 17, 2009: Coldwater’s John Reed, Marion Local’s Tim Goodwin, JJ and MVP’s Eric Frantz

By Tim Langevin

A tale of two halves. Label it Fire and Ice.

A brilliant first half performance transposed into a second half nightmare, leaving the Sidney boys with a sour taste on Sunday at the Nutter Center.

Mounting a 17-7 first quarter lead and expanding it to a comfortable 35-19 halftime advantage, Sidney fell – yes fell – 62-44 to Fairmont in a Division I sectional final.

“What’s there to say,” Sidney coach Tom Clark said. “We were outscored 43-9 in the second half. We made 1-of-26 shots.”

In the fist half, the Yellow Jackets were on fire, shooting 58.3 percent from the field, including 4-of-8 from 3-point-land. In addition, the Jackets accounted for 10 assists and held a 19-12 rebound edge. It was the Perfect Storm.

Zach Michael was 3-of-3 from the floor and 2-of-2 from the foul line for a perfect half of shooting en route to 10 points.

However, it was Daniel Ocke who dazzled the crowd with 16 points. The 6-6 junior dominated, scoring inside and outside, draining 7-of-10 field goals, plus two long-range trifecta’s. He also grabbed six rebounds and dished out two assists.

Sidney looked in control, clicking on all cylinders, as the halftime buzzer sounded.

Then, a not so funny thing happened along the way. Fairmont flipped the momentum.

In the second half, the Firebirds dropped 18-of-28 field goals for a sizzling 64.3 percent, while committing just three turnovers and grabbing 24 rebounds.

There’s more. Fairmont scored 28 points in the paint, eight second chance points, and eight more on fast breaks.

The one-two punch of Mark Shadowens and Adam Westbeld scored nine points each compared to just six first half points combined.

Despite the flurry, Sidney maintained a slim 39-37 lead after three quarters. Forty seconds later, Kevin Sharick knotted the score 39-39 on a one-handed jump hook. The Jackets forged ahead 41-39 on two Ocke foul shots, but then Shadowens tied it again on a wide open drive down the lane.

Then the Sidney meltdown started at the 5:48 mark. Westbeld converted a 3-point-play for Fairmont’s first lead of the game 46-43. Zach Yinger split a pair of free throws to close the gap 46-44 with 5:31 left. But that would prove to be the final point for Sidney as the Firebirds exploded with a 16-0 run to close out the contest.

Sidney shot 3.8 percent from the floor (1-of-26 shooting) in the final 16 minutes.

Ocke led all scorers with 18 points and a game high 11 rebounds. Michael finished with 11 points and Yinger added seven points for Sidney.

Four Fairmont players landed in double figures guided by Sharick with 17 points.
Shadowens scored 13 and Matt Lee and Westbeld each tallied 11.

On a more positive note, Clark concluded, “In my 34 years of coaching, this group ranks up there as the most interesting. They are great guys. No clicks. No pecking order. All get along. They really like each other and have fun together on and off the court.”

The Jackets finish the season with a 14-8 mark, the school’s best since the 1999-2000 campaign.

By Tim Langevin

Two of Ohio’s top small school athletic affiliations are again are putting together strong tournament runs. Here’s where these stand now…

MAC BOYS TOURNAMENT UPDATE

Just when the MAC teams thought the conference wars were over, four of the schools battled again in the second round of the Division IV Coldwater Sectionals Friday.

One guarantee, though, two MAC teams will advance. But in other tourney action, for Coldwater, St. Henry, and Delphos St. John’s, baseball season starts.

Fort Recovery 60  New Knoxville 56  (OT)

The Indians trailed by 14 points with 6:24 left in the game. The Rangers bottled Greg Kahlig all game, but like all great players, Kahlig realized he must trust his buddies, and he did. And they delivered big time.

Michael Gaerke, Cody Fiely, and Craig Tobe spirited a 17-3 run to close out regulation at 52-52 and send the game into overtime. In the fourth and overtime periods, Gaerke scored eight points, Fiely seven, and Tobe seven.

Recovery advances and will face Ottoville Tuesday at 6:15 PM. at Wapakoneta High School.

NK was led by Ryan Vanderhorst with 22 points. Marcus Reineke added 15.

All five Recovery starters landed in double figures. Wade Gelhaus scored 10 points, Gaerke 12, Fiely 12, Tobe 11, and Kahlig 15. The Indians improve to 18-3.

New Bremen 47  Marion Local 37

This game proved that size does matter. The Flyers couldn’t answer New Bremen’s big three–6′ 8″ Caleb Williams, 6′ 7″ Clay Heitkamp, and 6′ 7″ Justin Eilerman.

Eilerman scored 19 points, Heitkamp 12, and Williams seven to pace the Cards to their ninth win in a row. The last time NB lost was to this same Marion Local squad 49-46 in overtime January 29th.

The Cards play Fort Jennings, a 39-34 upset winner over Delphos St. John’s, Tuesday at 8:00 PM. at Wapakoneta.

Both Recovery and Bremen stand at 18-3 and could face one another in a district final showdown Friday at Wapakoneta if both teams win Tuesday.

SHELBY COUNTY LEAGUE BOYS TOURNAMENT UPDATE

The Shelby County League is looking dapper. Both the  Anna and Fort Loramie boys and girls basketball teams have clearly dominated the D III and D IV Tournament. Through Saturday, the four teams have disposed of 14 opponents by an average margin of 37.9 points. Friday night, the boys teams took care of business.

Anna 59   Preble Shawnee 51  (OT)

Masterful coaching by Anna boss Matt Meyer in the pivotal fourth quarter, coupled with big time players Derek Billing and Wes Hunsucker delivering big time plays, the Rockets passed this thorough examination in overtime.

A hoarse coach Meyer said, “We are excited to beat them. You prepare kids throughout the year for games like this. We drew the plays up and the kids executed perfectly.”

Anna trailed 17-13 after one period and 25-23 at the break before taking a 36-35 third quarter lead. Both teams were dead-locked at 47-47 after regulation. Anna outscored the Arrows 12-4 in the extra session.

Anna (21-2), winners of 18 straight, advances to the district finals to play Greeneview Thursday evening at UD Arena.

Billing scored 22 points, 16 in the second half. Hunsucker added 19 points, including two clutch long-range threes in the fourth period. Both players grabbed eight rebounds.

Dayton Dunbar transfer, Will Pope, scored 12 points and collected 11 rebounds for Shawnee.

The unsung hero was Anna’s Jacob Seger with four points and six rebounds in relief of Alex Fogt, who was in foul trouble most of the game.

Coach Meyer said, “Our plan was to run Pope up and down the floor. It kind of back fired, though. We were the ones with our tongue’s hanging out. So we went with our half-court defense and that was key.”

Both teams shot 39 percent from the field. The difference of the game was at the foul line where Anna netted 13-of-17 foul shots, including 8-of-9 in the overtime period.

And so, the Anna boys are keeping pace with their counterparts, the Lady Rockets.

Fort Loramie 59   Mechanicsburg 25

The glass slipper that the Indians were wearing for two games shattered. Loramie started slowly trailing 5-3, but then the Redskins assembled a spirited 10-0 run to take a 13-5 lead. Loramie upped it 28-16 at halftime. It ballooned to 34-16 on a Mark Frilling slam dunk and the romp was on.

Frilling led all scorers with 17 points and Joe Poeppelman added 12 tallies. Fort Loramie improves to 16-6 and face Cincinnati Seven Hills Friday in district play at UD Arena.

Loramie coach Karl Ratermann told the SDN, “One of our goals was to get a district championship so we put ourselves in that position. We have to get back to work Monday. I know the kids are hungary and excited at the same time.”

He added, “We preach defense and that’s the key to what we do. We like to get down and guard and I thought we did that tonight.”

ANNA GIRLS EARN ANOTHER D-III DISTRICT TITLE

The Lady Rockets just keep whistling along, “Anything you can do, I can do better.”

That seems to be the parlance on the Anna High School campus these days as the boys and girls basketball teams continue feeding off of one another, as well as their opponents.

Anna (21-3) posted its fourth tournament win with a convincing 62-48 margin over Georgetown in the Division III district finals Saturday afternoon at Springfield High School. And in the process, whistle into the regional semi-finals (Sweet 16) in a key match-up against tournament-tested Versailles (17-6) at the same venue Wednesday at 8 PM.

All eyes were on Shelby County League Player of the Year Rebecca Burch and she delivered with 18 points and five assists. The junior standout converted 6-of-10 from the field with an array of mid-range jumpers.

“I didn’t feel any added pressure because my teammates are always behind me,” said Burch. “We are a team. One big family. I love playing with them.”

Georgetown was able to stay within striking distance in the first quarter thanks to post players Kelsey Mell and Kristen Grant with five and four points, respectively.

Anna led 2-0 on a Megan Fogt 15-footer from the corner, but Grant responded with a basket in the paint. Burch nailed a 15-footer from the right elbow to give Anna an early 6-2 lead, but then Mell answered with a three-point-play to narrow the gap.

Fogt scored again, this time on a 14-footer and then Mell finished with a powerful stickback after an Anna turnover. Grant scored inside and the Lady G-Men were up 9-8.

Burch swished a 13-footer at the horn and the game was dead-locked at 11-11. Both teams established game plans. Anna scored in transition off of turnovers and Georgetown pounded inside with their half court offense.

The second quarter favored Anna, outscoring Georgetown 17-11. The Lady G-Men led for the final time 15-13 on a 12-foot bank off the glass by Brianna Householder. But then, Anna rattled off six straight points and dictated the tempo with its pressing defense. Burch knotted the score with a 17-footer and Erica Huber scored on a fast break lay up off a steal, and the Rockets never looked back.

Maria Wells stroked a three at the buzzer to expand the lead 28-22 at the break. The 5′ 11″ senior finished the game with five points and six rebounds.

Anna modified its defense in the second quarter. Rocket coach Jack Billing explained, “We decided to go with a bigger line-up and front both post players, forcing them to throw over the top. Our guards did a nice job rotating over on the back side.”

Evidently, the strategy worked because Mell and Grant were held scoreless in that quarter. Grant finished the afternoon with 15 points and Mell added 11. Anna continued to force the issue in the second half, generating easy baskets off transition. Carrie Watkins scored from the perimeter and Burch, Fogt, and Natalie Billing each scored four points to guide the Rockets to a 44-35 lead with one period remaining.

Watkins stretched the margin with a three-ball from way downtown and then scored again on a nifty pull up 12-footer. She ended with eight points, four rebounds, and four assists.

Anna slowed the game down the final 3:39 and converted 9-of-17 free throws to seal it.

Coach Billing said, “Another great team effort. We were able to go nine players deep and everybody contributed in their own way. It seems a different person each game steps up. Today, it was Rebecca Burch.”

The Rockets shot 70.6 percent from the field in the second half and finished at 52.4 percent for the game.

Other keys to the game, Anna scored 16 points off of turnovers, 11 second chance points, and the bench contributed 15 points.

Megan Fogt, like big brother Alex in the boys game Friday, got into early foul trouble, but still managed 10 points and six rebounds in 18 minutes of action.

Huber scored six points and caused havoc on the defensive end.

Sophomore Ashley Frohne, the quickest first step in the West, paced the Anna bench with seven points. And freshman starter Natalie Billing scored eight points on 4-of-6 shooting.

“Our vision is clear,” spoken like a true coach. “Our mindset is one game at a time. Keep working hard in practice.”

And spoken like a true player, Burch added, “Our goal is to make it to the Final Four and win it all.”