By Dean Eversole
MaxPreps.com
Primetime Means Primetime Players
The tournament pairings are set for both the girls and boys OHSAA tournament and that means primetime is coming fast.
Acting like a triggering device, the drawings sparked some outstanding performances from the state's top players this past weekend.
At Upper Sandusky, Jon Diebler continued his assault on Ohio's career points mark. The forward dropped in 67 points, including 11 three pointers in a 106-101 win over Shelby. The outburst pushed Deibler to second all-time.
Diebler was just one in a group of future Buckeyes putting their skills on full display. Kosta Koufos out of Canton GlenOak did his best Dirk Nowitzki impersonation in a 73-72 win over Hoover of North Canton Friday. The seven-footer dominated with 33 points and 28 rebounds.
If Diebler and Koufus are not enough to make Ohio State fans smile, toss in Dallas Lauderdale and it looks like the Buckeye Nation may be on the verge of being spoiled in the talent department.
Lauderdale, a 6-9 center from Solon, put up 29 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, and swatted away 7 shots in a 73-51 win over Lyndhurst Brush. It was certainly a weekend for future Buckeyes to shine.
Not to be outdone by her male counterparts, Versailles' Justine Raterman, one of the top junior girls players in the state put a little spice on a big week.
Thursday night, Raterman recorded her 1,000th career point. She followed that up with 27 points and 16 rebounds Saturday.
Another Victim in the Pit
When Cincinnati's Archbishop Moeller and Elder face off anything can happen, especially when that game is played at Elder's gym, lovingly dubbed "The Pit."
Moeller, the state's No. 1 team lost for the first time, 58-50. Elder was led by Kyle Rudolph, who paced his team's victory with a 20-point performance. The loss ended any dreams of a perfect season in the Greater Catholic League (GCL), something that is a rare feat in the south division.
Speaking of the GCL, the top three seeds in the Southwest OHSAA District draw all came from the GCL. Moeller was pinned No. 1 and earned a ticket to Columbus, allowing them a clear path from any fellow GCL teams until the final four. Elder was placed at No. 2 and Xavier took the third seed.
Division I wasn't the only place where a big time match up took place. Liberty Benton, the No. 1 team in D-III took on Van Buren, rated No. 3 in D-IV Friday night. Both squads entered the game with perfect records. When the smoke cleared the Eagles of Liberty Benton continued their quest for a 20-0 season with a 47-37 defensive win over Van Buren.
From College to High School
There is an old face on the bench at Middletown Bishop Fenwick. Former University of Dayton coach Don Donaheur is an assistant coach for Fenwick this season, concentrating on the offense.
Donaheur, who won 437 games and took his team the to national championship game in 1967, currently has a grandson on the Fenwick roster. So, the former college coach moved way down the ladder and is now a high school assistant coach.
Double Duty
If it was still the 1930's Oakwood's Paul Stone would not be a rarity, but it isn't and he is.
Stone holds the varsity football and varsity basketball coach positions, a feat that was once very common, but is certainly a rarity in today's sports world. Despite the time consumption, Stone has managed to build winning programs in both sports and will take his 15-1 Lumberjacks into the tournament with a No. 1 seed in hand.