Not off the Press
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
This past week was a very interesting week for Highland County sports as there were many good games in terms of not only the quality of play, but the atmosphere in which games were played.
I absolutely loved the the game atmosphere that was present at Whiteoak High School on Friday night when they hosted the Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs. That is one of the things I like about Whiteoak; their gym isn't giant, but when packed, you get an atmosphere that can't be replicated in larger gyms unless they are close to full. (More on this game in the column.)
Anyway, here are my thoughts on this past week, the upcoming week and everything else in between, plus having the opportunity to interview a recent Hall of Fame inductee.
• Reviewing the past week
The most interesting game of the week had to be the LC Mustangs at Whiteoak in a game that had to be the most intense game I've covered so far this season.
I'm not saying that was a bad thing, and though it seemed every foul sent a player to the line and there may not have been the most precise game play … I was say this was one entertaining basketball game. Even the pregame was new with the lights darkened, a few spotlights and game intros for the home team. Again, this made the entire atmosphere much more fun.
About the game itself … there were many, many free throws, but though it wasn't a crisp game, there is no way anyone can say it wasn't competitive.
I love rivalry games, and I know I say this a lot, but there is nothing like watching two rivals play and the atmosphere it brings.
Other games I attended this past week were Whiteoak vs. North Adams (girls basketball), Hillsboro vs. Eastern Brown (boys basketball), McClain at Washington (girls basketball), Fairfield vs. West Union (girls basketball) and Hillsboro vs. Miami Trace (girls basketball).
That means (excluding Sundays) since Dec. 1, I've been to 15 games (it's Dec. 19) in a row … not bad. This week, there are eight games on my list in five days before a three-day Christmas break … can't lie, kind of excited about that … the break, that is.
A game I didn't get the chance to cover was the McClain boys team vs. Clinton-Massie. This was Massie's first game of the season as they were delayed due to their football playoff run to the Final Four.
From what I was told, the Tigers fought hard, and I did catch Coach Brent Eaton's postgame interview on the drive back to Hillsboro after covering the aforementioned Whiteoak-LC game. Can't say this an an exact quote, but what I heard on WVNU's coverage was Eaton said he tells his players they aren't judged by wins or losses, but by their play on the court and how they are improving as players and as a team.
Again, I can't say that's an 100-percent accurate quote, but what he said made perfect sense.
McClain is a young team, but they have a lot of talent and potential … and a great, loud, creative, soccer-playing and prideful student section to cheer them on all season long. (That's bonus points, right?)
This is the second year in a row I missed an exciting overtime game at McClain. I think it was last season I missed the triple-OT game against London.
• Previewing the upcoming week
Monday has two girls basketball contests with Hillsboro hosting Western Brown and Lynchburg-Clay playing a SHL rival in Peebles. I don't know much about the Lady Broncos, but Hillsboro did earn their first win of the season last Saturday, and though they've lost two games since, this HHS squad is improving each game. They led after one quarter against reigning SCOL champion Miami Trace this past Saturday. As for LC, they are coming off two consecutive wins against the aforementioned WB squad and last Thursday at Eastern Brown. LC does good things if they are able to stay out of foul trouble. Should be a fun game to see.
Tuesday will be another Highland County rivalry game for Whiteoak as they host the Fairfield Lions in boys basketball. They will be coming off a loss against the Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs as four days after their homecoming game they will face a Lion team that lost against Ripley on Friday night. Usually when the Lions and Wildcats play, the games are competitive. Here is what I think after seeing both teams this season … the Lions have no quit in them, and the Wildcats are athletic with above-average speed. This will be a good test for both squads.
Wednesday, four days before Christmas, is when the Girls Basketball Highland County Shootout takes place. This previously opened up the girls' regular season, but this year it was moved to right before Christmas as McClain will play Whiteoak and Hillsboro will take on Lynchburg-Clay.
The following day (Thursday, Dec. 22), there will be more Highland County rivalry games when Fairfield (girls basketball) hosts Lynchburg-Clay. Whiteoak (girls basketball) is scheduled to host Manchester.
Friday will close out the week with the Southern Hills League vs. South Central Ohio League Boys Basketball Challenge, again, hosted by Hillsboro. The Blue Lions of Washington will take on Fairfield to open the holiday event, followed by the McClain Tigers against Lynchburg-Clay and Hillsboro closing out the event against Whiteoak. This will be a long day, but a fun event … a good way to close out the week until Tuesday as this sports editor has a few days off of covering games.
• A new Hall of Famer
First, everyone who sees him should congratulate coach Rick VanMatre for his recent inductions (the formal ceremony is in April 2012). This past week, I had the privilege to interview Coach VanMatre about being inducted in the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and about some of his career as a head basketball coach at McClain that spanned 28 years.
After getting off the phone with him, I realized how lucky I've been to cover teams that have been coached or are currently being coached by individuals who should and will end up on that prestigious list one day.
I only got to cover teams coached by Coach VanMatre for a couple seasons, but he's always been nothing but kind to me, and he's very deserving of the Hall of Fame honor.
This was one of my favorite quotes he had during the interview: "Not in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought this would happen when I first began coaching. I never thought I would coach enough years or win enough games to be compared to many great coaches."
Well, he's one of those great coaches as well.
• More congratulations
Congratulations are in order to McClain senior Luis Rivas and Lynchburg-Clay senior Karen Hilt. Rivas was recently named Second-Team All-State in Division II Boys Soccer. Hilt was named to the NSCAA High School Scholar All-American Team (one of 35 student-athletes named to the team).
• Non-high school sports thoughts
- Maybe I was a week too early in thinking the Cincinnati Bengals weren't going to make the playoffs. I still think next season is their year.
- Tim Tebow didn't lose the game against the Patriots … remember, he can't play defense.
- I like who the Reds traded for in pitcher Mat Latos from the San Diego Padres, but I still think they traded just a tad bit too much for a pitcher used to pitching in a larger ball park.
- Six days until the NBA regular season … What kind of world is it that I'm excited to watch L.A. Clippers basketball?
- So far, so good for my prediction of Charlie Weis in doing big things in Kansas.
- For the second year in a row, I'm in my fantasy football championship game. I hope I don't have a "Blue Christmas."
- The best holiday decoration I've seen this year is the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree.
- Hockey sentence of the week: I'm a fan of the NHL Winter Classic.
- This week, the Dallas Cowboys kept my blood pressure at a normal level.
- Weekend highlight: Eating the stuffed Philly-style burger at Three Spoons Diner. Never knew a hamburger like that was possible.
- The Indianapolis Colts win and the Green Bay Packers lose … didn't see either one of those coming on Sunday.
- Who is the NFL MVP … Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers? People need to take a good look at Brees.
• Stat of the Week
There were 48 free-throw attempts by the Lynchburg-Clay and Whiteoak Wildcats in 32 minutes of basketball on Friday night.
• (A second) Stat of the Week
462 wins … the number of wins by now-Hall of Fame head basketball coach Rick VanMatre.
• (A third) Stat of the Week
In her last two games, LC junior Laney Lewis has scored 28 and 24 points (52) total for an average of 26 ppg.
• Quote of the Week
"I'm really proud of my guys for keeping their cool for the whole game. It could have easily gotten out of hand, especially in the first half. That's one of the things we talked about at halftime … was keeping our cool and composure. I think we did that in the second half." — Jason McLaughlin, LC boys basketball head coach following the WHS game on Friday.
• (A second) Quote of the Week
"I was smart enough to surround myself with good people. They stuck around for 20-plus years with me, and I was very fortunate to have them with me." — Rick VanMatre, former MHS boys basketball coach during an interview about being inducted into the 2012 OHSBCA Hall of Fame class.
• (A third) Quote of the Week
“Luis is a great kid and very unselfish. I started coaching him when he was a freshman and realized he was going to be a special player when he made a goal from 40 yards away against Chillicothe in the tournament. He made his own way ... sometimes he could take a game and change the outcome himself.” — Shawn Jackson, McClain boys soccer coach speaking about senior Luis Rivas being selected All-State in Division II soccer.
• One last item of business
I wish I had something inspiring or funny to put here this week, but I don't. So I'll just wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season, no matter what you choose or choose not to celebrate.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @hcpsportseditor.[[In-content Ad]]
I absolutely loved the the game atmosphere that was present at Whiteoak High School on Friday night when they hosted the Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs. That is one of the things I like about Whiteoak; their gym isn't giant, but when packed, you get an atmosphere that can't be replicated in larger gyms unless they are close to full. (More on this game in the column.)
Anyway, here are my thoughts on this past week, the upcoming week and everything else in between, plus having the opportunity to interview a recent Hall of Fame inductee.
• Reviewing the past week
The most interesting game of the week had to be the LC Mustangs at Whiteoak in a game that had to be the most intense game I've covered so far this season.
I'm not saying that was a bad thing, and though it seemed every foul sent a player to the line and there may not have been the most precise game play … I was say this was one entertaining basketball game. Even the pregame was new with the lights darkened, a few spotlights and game intros for the home team. Again, this made the entire atmosphere much more fun.
About the game itself … there were many, many free throws, but though it wasn't a crisp game, there is no way anyone can say it wasn't competitive.
I love rivalry games, and I know I say this a lot, but there is nothing like watching two rivals play and the atmosphere it brings.
Other games I attended this past week were Whiteoak vs. North Adams (girls basketball), Hillsboro vs. Eastern Brown (boys basketball), McClain at Washington (girls basketball), Fairfield vs. West Union (girls basketball) and Hillsboro vs. Miami Trace (girls basketball).
That means (excluding Sundays) since Dec. 1, I've been to 15 games (it's Dec. 19) in a row … not bad. This week, there are eight games on my list in five days before a three-day Christmas break … can't lie, kind of excited about that … the break, that is.
A game I didn't get the chance to cover was the McClain boys team vs. Clinton-Massie. This was Massie's first game of the season as they were delayed due to their football playoff run to the Final Four.
From what I was told, the Tigers fought hard, and I did catch Coach Brent Eaton's postgame interview on the drive back to Hillsboro after covering the aforementioned Whiteoak-LC game. Can't say this an an exact quote, but what I heard on WVNU's coverage was Eaton said he tells his players they aren't judged by wins or losses, but by their play on the court and how they are improving as players and as a team.
Again, I can't say that's an 100-percent accurate quote, but what he said made perfect sense.
McClain is a young team, but they have a lot of talent and potential … and a great, loud, creative, soccer-playing and prideful student section to cheer them on all season long. (That's bonus points, right?)
This is the second year in a row I missed an exciting overtime game at McClain. I think it was last season I missed the triple-OT game against London.
• Previewing the upcoming week
Monday has two girls basketball contests with Hillsboro hosting Western Brown and Lynchburg-Clay playing a SHL rival in Peebles. I don't know much about the Lady Broncos, but Hillsboro did earn their first win of the season last Saturday, and though they've lost two games since, this HHS squad is improving each game. They led after one quarter against reigning SCOL champion Miami Trace this past Saturday. As for LC, they are coming off two consecutive wins against the aforementioned WB squad and last Thursday at Eastern Brown. LC does good things if they are able to stay out of foul trouble. Should be a fun game to see.
Tuesday will be another Highland County rivalry game for Whiteoak as they host the Fairfield Lions in boys basketball. They will be coming off a loss against the Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs as four days after their homecoming game they will face a Lion team that lost against Ripley on Friday night. Usually when the Lions and Wildcats play, the games are competitive. Here is what I think after seeing both teams this season … the Lions have no quit in them, and the Wildcats are athletic with above-average speed. This will be a good test for both squads.
Wednesday, four days before Christmas, is when the Girls Basketball Highland County Shootout takes place. This previously opened up the girls' regular season, but this year it was moved to right before Christmas as McClain will play Whiteoak and Hillsboro will take on Lynchburg-Clay.
The following day (Thursday, Dec. 22), there will be more Highland County rivalry games when Fairfield (girls basketball) hosts Lynchburg-Clay. Whiteoak (girls basketball) is scheduled to host Manchester.
Friday will close out the week with the Southern Hills League vs. South Central Ohio League Boys Basketball Challenge, again, hosted by Hillsboro. The Blue Lions of Washington will take on Fairfield to open the holiday event, followed by the McClain Tigers against Lynchburg-Clay and Hillsboro closing out the event against Whiteoak. This will be a long day, but a fun event … a good way to close out the week until Tuesday as this sports editor has a few days off of covering games.
• A new Hall of Famer
First, everyone who sees him should congratulate coach Rick VanMatre for his recent inductions (the formal ceremony is in April 2012). This past week, I had the privilege to interview Coach VanMatre about being inducted in the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and about some of his career as a head basketball coach at McClain that spanned 28 years.
After getting off the phone with him, I realized how lucky I've been to cover teams that have been coached or are currently being coached by individuals who should and will end up on that prestigious list one day.
I only got to cover teams coached by Coach VanMatre for a couple seasons, but he's always been nothing but kind to me, and he's very deserving of the Hall of Fame honor.
This was one of my favorite quotes he had during the interview: "Not in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought this would happen when I first began coaching. I never thought I would coach enough years or win enough games to be compared to many great coaches."
Well, he's one of those great coaches as well.
• More congratulations
Congratulations are in order to McClain senior Luis Rivas and Lynchburg-Clay senior Karen Hilt. Rivas was recently named Second-Team All-State in Division II Boys Soccer. Hilt was named to the NSCAA High School Scholar All-American Team (one of 35 student-athletes named to the team).
• Non-high school sports thoughts
- Maybe I was a week too early in thinking the Cincinnati Bengals weren't going to make the playoffs. I still think next season is their year.
- Tim Tebow didn't lose the game against the Patriots … remember, he can't play defense.
- I like who the Reds traded for in pitcher Mat Latos from the San Diego Padres, but I still think they traded just a tad bit too much for a pitcher used to pitching in a larger ball park.
- Six days until the NBA regular season … What kind of world is it that I'm excited to watch L.A. Clippers basketball?
- So far, so good for my prediction of Charlie Weis in doing big things in Kansas.
- For the second year in a row, I'm in my fantasy football championship game. I hope I don't have a "Blue Christmas."
- The best holiday decoration I've seen this year is the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree.
- Hockey sentence of the week: I'm a fan of the NHL Winter Classic.
- This week, the Dallas Cowboys kept my blood pressure at a normal level.
- Weekend highlight: Eating the stuffed Philly-style burger at Three Spoons Diner. Never knew a hamburger like that was possible.
- The Indianapolis Colts win and the Green Bay Packers lose … didn't see either one of those coming on Sunday.
- Who is the NFL MVP … Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers? People need to take a good look at Brees.
• Stat of the Week
There were 48 free-throw attempts by the Lynchburg-Clay and Whiteoak Wildcats in 32 minutes of basketball on Friday night.
• (A second) Stat of the Week
462 wins … the number of wins by now-Hall of Fame head basketball coach Rick VanMatre.
• (A third) Stat of the Week
In her last two games, LC junior Laney Lewis has scored 28 and 24 points (52) total for an average of 26 ppg.
• Quote of the Week
"I'm really proud of my guys for keeping their cool for the whole game. It could have easily gotten out of hand, especially in the first half. That's one of the things we talked about at halftime … was keeping our cool and composure. I think we did that in the second half." — Jason McLaughlin, LC boys basketball head coach following the WHS game on Friday.
• (A second) Quote of the Week
"I was smart enough to surround myself with good people. They stuck around for 20-plus years with me, and I was very fortunate to have them with me." — Rick VanMatre, former MHS boys basketball coach during an interview about being inducted into the 2012 OHSBCA Hall of Fame class.
• (A third) Quote of the Week
“Luis is a great kid and very unselfish. I started coaching him when he was a freshman and realized he was going to be a special player when he made a goal from 40 yards away against Chillicothe in the tournament. He made his own way ... sometimes he could take a game and change the outcome himself.” — Shawn Jackson, McClain boys soccer coach speaking about senior Luis Rivas being selected All-State in Division II soccer.
• One last item of business
I wish I had something inspiring or funny to put here this week, but I don't. So I'll just wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season, no matter what you choose or choose not to celebrate.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @hcpsportseditor.[[In-content Ad]]