Sports Ala Carte

Plenty on the plate today for breakfast.
We’ll try to cover the topic ala carte today.

STATE BOYS BASKETBALL: Buster got back from the state boys basketball tournament yesterday. He was a one-man wreaking crew filing three or four stories a day from Columbus.
It’s too bad the Eagles and Rams both fell one game short of their state tournament dreams Saturday at the Schottenstein Center. I’m pretty well convinced that winning a state title in basketball is tougher than in any other sport. You have only four divisions and everyone in the state has a team. You have to be skilled, talented and a little lucky to win a state title in basketball.
Anyway it was a banner postseason for area basketball teams. I think there were five teams in our 30-school coverage area that advanced to the regional level and another 7 girls teams that also made the Sweet 16. That is by far the most teams we’ve ever had advance that far in the same season since I start at the newspaper back in 1994. Truly amazing.

SPRING STARTS: There were supposed to be a couple of track meets to get the spring sports season underway Saturday but both were cancelled. So I guess, weather permitting, things should get underway today for area baseball, softball and tennis teams.
I have been calling coaches and working on softball capsules. Most teams have gotten outside just a few times this spring so far and mostly for parking lot practices. Miller City coach Chris Rump went even so far as to paint a softball diamond on the school parking lot. In softball you have the usual suspects for success -- Elmwood and some of the teams from the MAL.
The teams from the BVC are slowly improving in fastpitch but honestly they are still a step and a half behind some of the other Division IV schools from around the area. Van Buren won the conference at 13-9 overall and 9-0 in the BVC I believe that record speaks volumes to how far the conference has to go to become more competitive in softball.

MORE JOBS OPEN: There have been plenty of head football jobs shake open in NW Ohio over the last week. Lima Senior’s coach Rick Vaughn decided to leave Lima for Central Crossing in suburban Columbus and head coaches at Elida and Paulding were also shown the door in recent days. Wapakoneta, Celina, Genoa and I think New London are also looking for head football coaches in the NW District.
North Baltimore’s Ryan Hite also decided to resign his position as head football coach. He gave up the post Feb. 27 and his resignation will be approved at Tuesday’s North Baltimore board of education meeting. I talked a little to Ryan last night for a story for Tuesday’s paper. Much more on the whole North Baltimore situation later this week.
Two other volleyball coaching jobs are also available in the MAL. Hopewell-Loudon and Carey. With all the volleyball tradition the Chieftains have and former coach Dave Reinhart’s Black Swamp Volleyball Club just up the road people will probably be lined up for the H-L gig.

SOMETHING’S FISHY: Finally, got out and did a little fishing Saturday. Went up to Mud Creek looking for some bullhead and caught three carp. Hey, a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work anyday. Anyone, else fish out there? Email me your favorite fishin’ holes from the area and we’ll compare notes.

BREAKFAST: Give me eggs and toast. What is your favorite breakfast? I still get the willies watching my English stepdad get enjoyment from eating Quakers Instant Grits for breakfast.

NEWSWORTHY:
BASKETBALL
L-B Eagles miss out on gold
L-B Enjoyed a great run
Rams come home as runners up
A trying week for Diebler family
Dunbar proves their Ram tough
No one quite like young Diebler
More than game on Upper’s mind
L-B falls one game short of perfection
1-point quarter costs L-B
Holgate heart-broken at state
Holgate wins style points but still loses in state semis
Holgate converts doubters
SOFTBALL
Findlay softball preview
NCC Softball Preview
Ashland area softball preview
Lima area softball capsules
Sandusky softball has high hopes
SBC Softball Preview
BASEBALL
Findlay baseball preview
Ashland area baseball preview
Seniors are key for Port Clinton
TRACK
Defiance’s season looks promising
Defiance area girls track capsules
Sandusky track team is a road warrior
Sandusky area track preview
SBC Girls Track Preview