Not off the Press: My View on learning about championships of Highland County past
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
My parents raised me to follow the rule if I have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all … I think it is best I take that advice this week, for the simple fact it has nothing to do with sports, and that's why we are here.
OK, then.
Tuesday of this past week was one of those stories I didn't know what to expect going into but came out really enjoying what happened.
It all started last Sunday night. I was browsing Facebook when I came upon this photo from the Highland County Historical Society with some restored trophies from Marshall High School.
Well, I made some emails, and by Monday morning I had an interview scheduled for Tuesday, followed by posting the story before Friday … I was pleased with my original idea I thought of with while watching the NCAA tournament on a Sunday night.
After realizing which trophies were being restored and talking to a family member, it was fun to realize one of the members of the 1928 "Class B" State Championship team of the Marshall squad was a great-grandfather of mine.
So, not only did the the restoration project become a feature I wanted to write to tell a story from the past of Highland County, it was also a way for me to learn more about a family member that I never had the opportunity to meet, as he'd already passed on before I was born.
It was nice to see and hold the state championship trophy, interview Helen Ford and Catie Schafer about the Highland House Museum and the history of the trophies, going over the process of how the trophies were restored, and thanks to information provided by Bob Patton, even learning my great-grandfather was an all-state player for the team.
The overall experience of having the privilege of writing the feature and seeing the past brought back to life, while learning some family history along the way, made it more than just another story.
Maybe I should do these stories more often … I think I will. I've always been a big fan of history, so I got some research to do. I'll post the current story I'm working on this Friday.
• Spring sports nearing
I was looking at the upcoming schedule ... from Saturday, March 24 through Saturday, March 31, there are over 40 spring season events in the seven-day period. I won't be able to attend all events, so information for all games, meets and matches can be sent to sforsha@gmail.com or hcpress@cinci.rr.com.
• Football rule changes for 2012
This is a little dated, but I was reading the OHSAA website, and I saw this in the rule changes press release for 2012 … "High school football players must sit out one play next year if their helmet comes off while the ball is live. In cases where the helmet comes completely off without it being directly attributable to a foul by the opponent, the player will have to leave the game for at least one down."
This was also in the release by the National Federation of State High School Associations … "Another significant change next season will be a new interpretation of a legal catch. A receiver now will be required to establish possession of the ball and contact the ground inbounds while maintaining possession – regardless of the opponent’s action."
Click here for full release.
• Updating the high school basketball tournaments
This weekend was the OHSAA State Basketball girls Final Four and State Championship games in Columbus.
Though I've never had the opportunity to cover these games, I still like to keep track of what happened.
The girls basketball season is officially over, and here is what happened in the Final Four.
Division I - Kettering Fairmont defeated Toledo Notre Dame, 54-45 and Twinsburg defeated Reynoldsburg, 49-41. In the DI title game, Twinsburg defeated Kettering Fairmont, 57-51.
Division II - In their Final Four, Millersburg West Holmes defeated Lima Bath, 35-29 and Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown defeated Bellbrook 48-34. For the championship, Hathaway Brown defeated West Holmes 53-41, Saturday for their fourth straight state title.
Division III - The Final Four began with Columbus Africentric defeating Smithville 57-37, and Anna defeating Findlay Liberty-Benton 58-41. In the finals, Columbus Africentric defeated Anna, 70-66.
Division IV - The Final Four saw Arlington defeat Mansfield 55-44 and Berlin Hiland defeat New Madison Tri-Village 53-47. In the finals, Arlington defeated Berlin Hiland 52-37.
As for the boys tournament, the Final Four is set in all four divisions. In Division I, Toledo Whitmer will play Lakewood St. Edward, and Pickerington Central will play Fairfield (Cincinnati). All Final Four and championship games will be on March 22-24 at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus.
In Division II, the Final Four will be Mentor Lake Catholic vs. Dayton Dunbar and St. Clairsville vs. Elida.
In Division III, Bedford St. Peter Chanel will face Cincinnati Summit Country Day and Ottawa-Glandorf will face Portsmouth.
In Division IV, Jackson Center will face Columbus Africentric, and Berlin Hiland will play Arlington.
• NCAA March Madness
I think I've watched a little too much of the NCAA tournament from Thursday through Sunday, but I did get outside to enjoy the nice weather.
For all of my thoughts, visit my new Not off the Press blog, which thus far I've updated daily. Click here to visit the blog.
• Quote of the Week
"When I was cleaning off the silver trophies … it was like uncovering a beautiful sight, it really was." — Helen Ford, speaking about restoring the Marshall High School trophies.
• Stat of the Week
The No. 1 — As in the 1928 Marshall boys basketball team, which is the only basketball team in Highland County to ever be crowned a state champion. Actually, they are the only high school team in Highland County to win a state title.
• (A second) Stat of the Week
The No. 4 — Ohio is the first state ever to have four teams in the Sweet 16 thanks to Ohio University, Ohio State, Cincinnati and Xavier.
• One last item of business
It's been a few weeks since I've had the opportunity to cover a sporting event in person. Spring sports will be here this coming Saturday (weather permitting), so I'm looking forward to that. Can't wait to see everyone at the ball park, tennis court or at the track.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. Stephen can be contacted at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter at @hcpsportseditor.[[In-content Ad]]
OK, then.
Tuesday of this past week was one of those stories I didn't know what to expect going into but came out really enjoying what happened.
It all started last Sunday night. I was browsing Facebook when I came upon this photo from the Highland County Historical Society with some restored trophies from Marshall High School.
Well, I made some emails, and by Monday morning I had an interview scheduled for Tuesday, followed by posting the story before Friday … I was pleased with my original idea I thought of with while watching the NCAA tournament on a Sunday night.
After realizing which trophies were being restored and talking to a family member, it was fun to realize one of the members of the 1928 "Class B" State Championship team of the Marshall squad was a great-grandfather of mine.
So, not only did the the restoration project become a feature I wanted to write to tell a story from the past of Highland County, it was also a way for me to learn more about a family member that I never had the opportunity to meet, as he'd already passed on before I was born.
It was nice to see and hold the state championship trophy, interview Helen Ford and Catie Schafer about the Highland House Museum and the history of the trophies, going over the process of how the trophies were restored, and thanks to information provided by Bob Patton, even learning my great-grandfather was an all-state player for the team.
The overall experience of having the privilege of writing the feature and seeing the past brought back to life, while learning some family history along the way, made it more than just another story.
Maybe I should do these stories more often … I think I will. I've always been a big fan of history, so I got some research to do. I'll post the current story I'm working on this Friday.
• Spring sports nearing
I was looking at the upcoming schedule ... from Saturday, March 24 through Saturday, March 31, there are over 40 spring season events in the seven-day period. I won't be able to attend all events, so information for all games, meets and matches can be sent to sforsha@gmail.com or hcpress@cinci.rr.com.
• Football rule changes for 2012
This is a little dated, but I was reading the OHSAA website, and I saw this in the rule changes press release for 2012 … "High school football players must sit out one play next year if their helmet comes off while the ball is live. In cases where the helmet comes completely off without it being directly attributable to a foul by the opponent, the player will have to leave the game for at least one down."
This was also in the release by the National Federation of State High School Associations … "Another significant change next season will be a new interpretation of a legal catch. A receiver now will be required to establish possession of the ball and contact the ground inbounds while maintaining possession – regardless of the opponent’s action."
Click here for full release.
• Updating the high school basketball tournaments
This weekend was the OHSAA State Basketball girls Final Four and State Championship games in Columbus.
Though I've never had the opportunity to cover these games, I still like to keep track of what happened.
The girls basketball season is officially over, and here is what happened in the Final Four.
Division I - Kettering Fairmont defeated Toledo Notre Dame, 54-45 and Twinsburg defeated Reynoldsburg, 49-41. In the DI title game, Twinsburg defeated Kettering Fairmont, 57-51.
Division II - In their Final Four, Millersburg West Holmes defeated Lima Bath, 35-29 and Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown defeated Bellbrook 48-34. For the championship, Hathaway Brown defeated West Holmes 53-41, Saturday for their fourth straight state title.
Division III - The Final Four began with Columbus Africentric defeating Smithville 57-37, and Anna defeating Findlay Liberty-Benton 58-41. In the finals, Columbus Africentric defeated Anna, 70-66.
Division IV - The Final Four saw Arlington defeat Mansfield 55-44 and Berlin Hiland defeat New Madison Tri-Village 53-47. In the finals, Arlington defeated Berlin Hiland 52-37.
As for the boys tournament, the Final Four is set in all four divisions. In Division I, Toledo Whitmer will play Lakewood St. Edward, and Pickerington Central will play Fairfield (Cincinnati). All Final Four and championship games will be on March 22-24 at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in Columbus.
In Division II, the Final Four will be Mentor Lake Catholic vs. Dayton Dunbar and St. Clairsville vs. Elida.
In Division III, Bedford St. Peter Chanel will face Cincinnati Summit Country Day and Ottawa-Glandorf will face Portsmouth.
In Division IV, Jackson Center will face Columbus Africentric, and Berlin Hiland will play Arlington.
• NCAA March Madness
I think I've watched a little too much of the NCAA tournament from Thursday through Sunday, but I did get outside to enjoy the nice weather.
For all of my thoughts, visit my new Not off the Press blog, which thus far I've updated daily. Click here to visit the blog.
• Quote of the Week
"When I was cleaning off the silver trophies … it was like uncovering a beautiful sight, it really was." — Helen Ford, speaking about restoring the Marshall High School trophies.
• Stat of the Week
The No. 1 — As in the 1928 Marshall boys basketball team, which is the only basketball team in Highland County to ever be crowned a state champion. Actually, they are the only high school team in Highland County to win a state title.
• (A second) Stat of the Week
The No. 4 — Ohio is the first state ever to have four teams in the Sweet 16 thanks to Ohio University, Ohio State, Cincinnati and Xavier.
• One last item of business
It's been a few weeks since I've had the opportunity to cover a sporting event in person. Spring sports will be here this coming Saturday (weather permitting), so I'm looking forward to that. Can't wait to see everyone at the ball park, tennis court or at the track.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. Stephen can be contacted at sforsha@gmail.com. Follow Stephen on Twitter at @hcpsportseditor.[[In-content Ad]]