Not off the Press: Experiencing the state tennis tournament and the end of the high school season nears
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
Friday was the first time I've had the opportunity to cover the OHSAA Division II State Tennis Tournament in Columbus. First, I want to congratulate Hillsboro junior Reese Leibreich on earning a spot and taking part in the state event, as he had one great tennis season this spring, and the good thing is he'll be back on the courts for Hillsboro next season.
Congrats, Reese, on a great year.
With all the talk about the state tournament, we now know there are eight athletes from Highland County that have qualified to the Division II State Track and Field Championships this Friday and possibly Saturday (June 1-2) in Columbus.
[[In-content Ad]]Qualifying for the state championships were Luis Rivas (MHS), and from HHS: Jarrod Hart, Leah Pence, Megan Overberg, Hannah Kibler, Hannah Opst, Autumn Hacker and Brittany Ferrell.
This is an exciting time for the high school sports scene here, and I hope folks follow what is happening because having this many athletes in the state tournament doesn't happen too often in these parts, and it's a great achievement.
• A high level of tennis
I'll be the first to say I have never seen the level of tennis I saw on Friday at the State Tennis Championships before, and it was easy to see why all 16 athletes in Division II made it that far … they were really good.
Though tennis isn't the most popular sport, I'll say this … it's one of the toughest sports to learn to play.
In college, I had a class, during my senior year, I believe, on learning to play tennis, and though I learned the basis of the sport and the rules, I still think it's one of the toughest sports to play.
Seeing these student-athletes play at that highest level in the state, and just how they played, was a whole new experience for me to cover.
• Non-high school sports thoughts
- My prediction of the Cincinnati Reds being in first place at the end of May is almost true! Only a few days left.
- The Miami Heat won't be stopped in the Eastern Conference Finals … look for them to advance.
- As for the Western Conference Finals … not having a team in the fight, I just want to enjoy a high quality series of basketball, though I love watching Tim Duncan play basketball, as well as Kevin Durant.
- I'm really missing football, but I'm going to learn to relax a bit this summer. I really am.
- Read the book "Illegal Procedure: A Sports Agent Comes Clean on the Dirty Business of College Football." It was a good story, but the last 50 or so pages went on and on for me. Overall, I liked the book … I'm glad I read it. Easy to read … quick.
- Anyone keeping track of the AL Central standings? It may not have the best teams, but it could be the closest division in all of baseball this summer.
- I liked "Men in Black 3" … If you watched it, what are your thoughts? Everyone should go to Star Cinemas and watch it. I did.
- "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" really makes me want to take a road trip.
- Congratulations to all the Class of 2012 graduates from Highland County. Best of luck in your future endeavors. My advice … do what makes you happy, and you'll never have to "work" a day in your life.
• Quote of the Week
"Reese is disappointed, but being his first time up here in the state tournament, he now knows what he must do to not only get back here next year, but to compete at this level consistently. He'll work even harder next year and practice more. I'm proud he won one game because the kid he was playing was very good. Reese's season was outstanding, he just ran into a buzz saw (Friday)." — LaRue Turner, Hillsboro boys tennis coach following the state tennis tournament.
• (A second) Quote of the Week
"The big things when recruiting Trey were his intelligence and the quality of person he is. I think Trey can be a nice floor leader, and his best basketball is ahead of him." — Rick Uhrig, OUC men's basketball head coach on why he recruited McClain senior Trey Lytle.
• (A third) Quote of the Week
"I really like the sport of tennis. Seeing how much better I've gotten in three years, and knowing I have a future in it, really makes me want to play more and more … to be the best I can be. I usually only play three months out of the year, so this year I'm going to play all year long and see how much better I can get." — HHS junior Reese Leibreich on wanting to improve in the sport of tennis next season.
• Stat of the Week
For the second straight year, McClain's Luis Rivas qualified for the 400-meter dash in the Division II State Track and Field Championships. His time at the state championships last year was 49.83 (seventh place). His qualifying time at the regional this past Saturday at Athens High School was 49.83.
• (A second) Stat of the Week
In all of the 2012 boys tennis regular season, Hillsboro junior Reese Leibreich lost just one time.
• (A third) Stat of the Week
12 — That's the number of baseball players from Highland County to be named all-district. McClain had one, Hillsboro had two, Lynchburg-Clay had two, Whiteoak had four and Fairfield had three.
• One last item of business
As the final event of the '12 high school sports season nears this Friday, I just want to thank everyone who read anything that I wrote the past nine months. Whether you agreed or disagreed with me in a column or a game didn't go in favor of your favorite school … I hope you were entertained.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter @hcpsportseditor.
Congrats, Reese, on a great year.
With all the talk about the state tournament, we now know there are eight athletes from Highland County that have qualified to the Division II State Track and Field Championships this Friday and possibly Saturday (June 1-2) in Columbus.
[[In-content Ad]]Qualifying for the state championships were Luis Rivas (MHS), and from HHS: Jarrod Hart, Leah Pence, Megan Overberg, Hannah Kibler, Hannah Opst, Autumn Hacker and Brittany Ferrell.
This is an exciting time for the high school sports scene here, and I hope folks follow what is happening because having this many athletes in the state tournament doesn't happen too often in these parts, and it's a great achievement.
• A high level of tennis
I'll be the first to say I have never seen the level of tennis I saw on Friday at the State Tennis Championships before, and it was easy to see why all 16 athletes in Division II made it that far … they were really good.
Though tennis isn't the most popular sport, I'll say this … it's one of the toughest sports to learn to play.
In college, I had a class, during my senior year, I believe, on learning to play tennis, and though I learned the basis of the sport and the rules, I still think it's one of the toughest sports to play.
Seeing these student-athletes play at that highest level in the state, and just how they played, was a whole new experience for me to cover.
• Non-high school sports thoughts
- My prediction of the Cincinnati Reds being in first place at the end of May is almost true! Only a few days left.
- The Miami Heat won't be stopped in the Eastern Conference Finals … look for them to advance.
- As for the Western Conference Finals … not having a team in the fight, I just want to enjoy a high quality series of basketball, though I love watching Tim Duncan play basketball, as well as Kevin Durant.
- I'm really missing football, but I'm going to learn to relax a bit this summer. I really am.
- Read the book "Illegal Procedure: A Sports Agent Comes Clean on the Dirty Business of College Football." It was a good story, but the last 50 or so pages went on and on for me. Overall, I liked the book … I'm glad I read it. Easy to read … quick.
- Anyone keeping track of the AL Central standings? It may not have the best teams, but it could be the closest division in all of baseball this summer.
- I liked "Men in Black 3" … If you watched it, what are your thoughts? Everyone should go to Star Cinemas and watch it. I did.
- "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" really makes me want to take a road trip.
- Congratulations to all the Class of 2012 graduates from Highland County. Best of luck in your future endeavors. My advice … do what makes you happy, and you'll never have to "work" a day in your life.
• Quote of the Week
"Reese is disappointed, but being his first time up here in the state tournament, he now knows what he must do to not only get back here next year, but to compete at this level consistently. He'll work even harder next year and practice more. I'm proud he won one game because the kid he was playing was very good. Reese's season was outstanding, he just ran into a buzz saw (Friday)." — LaRue Turner, Hillsboro boys tennis coach following the state tennis tournament.
• (A second) Quote of the Week
"The big things when recruiting Trey were his intelligence and the quality of person he is. I think Trey can be a nice floor leader, and his best basketball is ahead of him." — Rick Uhrig, OUC men's basketball head coach on why he recruited McClain senior Trey Lytle.
• (A third) Quote of the Week
"I really like the sport of tennis. Seeing how much better I've gotten in three years, and knowing I have a future in it, really makes me want to play more and more … to be the best I can be. I usually only play three months out of the year, so this year I'm going to play all year long and see how much better I can get." — HHS junior Reese Leibreich on wanting to improve in the sport of tennis next season.
• Stat of the Week
For the second straight year, McClain's Luis Rivas qualified for the 400-meter dash in the Division II State Track and Field Championships. His time at the state championships last year was 49.83 (seventh place). His qualifying time at the regional this past Saturday at Athens High School was 49.83.
• (A second) Stat of the Week
In all of the 2012 boys tennis regular season, Hillsboro junior Reese Leibreich lost just one time.
• (A third) Stat of the Week
12 — That's the number of baseball players from Highland County to be named all-district. McClain had one, Hillsboro had two, Lynchburg-Clay had two, Whiteoak had four and Fairfield had three.
• One last item of business
As the final event of the '12 high school sports season nears this Friday, I just want to thank everyone who read anything that I wrote the past nine months. Whether you agreed or disagreed with me in a column or a game didn't go in favor of your favorite school … I hope you were entertained.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. He can be reached at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter @hcpsportseditor.