By Dean Eversole
MaxPreps.com
Mother Nature Steps In
A slew of events were cancelled Tuesday when a blizzard dumped a foot of snow and winds howled across the Buckeye State, leaving many places buried under snow.
Normally, postponements are apart of the business, but when it is tournament games being affected that can become a concern. Tuesday night a number of Sectional Girls games were wiped out, as were a number of Sectional wrestling matches.
With more snow being predicted over the weekend, OHSAA officials in Columbus are surely watching the weather anxiously.
AP Crowns Girls Champions
Championships are won on the court, but the Associated Press handed out their titles this week in girls basketball.
In Division I, Dublin Scioto won the title. Indian Lake captured D-II with traditional power Euclid St. Regina being crowned the D-III champions. Finally, Columbus Africentric won the small school title in D-IV.
Old Power Rising
The Delphos St. John's Lady Blue Jays are back where they have spent so many years - on top.
The Jays became a power in the 1970's under Fran Voll, who went on to coach at Bowling Green University, winning three state titles under under his leadership.
In total, DSJ has captured five state titles and look poised to make a run at a sixth in 2007.
Inching Closer
Upper Sandusky's Jon Diebler will soon be tagged the state's all-time leading scorer. Diebler sits just 112 points behind Jay Burson, but with him averaging nearly 40 points per game, it appears just a matter of time before Burson is unseated.
Is There any Doubt?
The South Division of the Greater Catholic League is the best conference in the state. The alignment features of Archbishop Moeller, St. Xavier, LaSalle, and Cincinnati Elder. All four of the schools are considered contenders for the Division I title and for good reason.
Combined they are 62-12, which speaks loudly of the quality of the four teams. There is little doubt that any of the four are capable of winning the big trophy.
Tradition Reborn
Speaking of the GCL, Elder's student body has revived a tradition in honor of a lost icon.
For years, the Purple Nation would summon their team from the lockerroom with:
"Hans, Hans open the doors, let the Panthers on the floor."
Hans was former legendary coach Paul "Hans" Frey, who recently passed away. After learning of the cheer, the students implemented it once again in honor of the old coach.
Small in Size, Large in Heart
Centerville's Jon Moon stands only 5-5, but don't tell him he's too small for basketball.
Moon, who has a 33-inch vertical leap, is the spark plug for the 15-3 Elks. With twice as many assists as turnovers, Moon's decision making is crucial to Centerville as the centerpiece of the team.
