I’m finally getting the chance to compose another column after four hectic days plying the roadways of Ohio and Indiana. 200 miles back and forth to Columbus on Wednesday, another 200 mile round trip to Findlay on Thursday, 270 up and back to Syracuse, Indiana on Friday for a grandson’s Pre-K graduation, and finally a high school graduation reception in Brookville over the weekend with a side trip to Richmond thrown in just for fun! Talk about miles on the car and a dent in the bank account as I supported the petroleum industry here in the States!
Here’s an example of good sportsmanship as practiced by Coach Jerrod Newland and the Lady Wave softball team in the opening round of the OHSAA D-III tournament. Hosting a decidedly outclassed Stivers team, the Lady Wave benched most of their regulars and used the “leaving base early” rule to full advantage in keeping a 10-0 run rule game respectable. The Lady Wave, after a huge 2-0 regular season win over powerhouse Mason and then later a heartbreaking loss to a state-ranked Miami East Lady Viking squad, now moves on in the tournament to host West Carrollton Tuesday evening.
At the other end of the spectrum was the 35-0 rout imposed on Dayton Meadowdale by a strong team from Springfield Kenton Ridge. Although I know nothing about the particulars of the contest, you have to think that the Lady Cougars could have followed the same path as Greenville in not humiliating an inferior opponent!
The boys baseball tournament begins this week across all seven divisions, the first year of expansion beyond the traditional four classes. For all of your information as to matchups, times, and locations, be sure to check out the superb OHSAA website. There are many strong teams here in West Central Ohio that should advance quite a ways down the tourney trail.
Congratulations to area boys and girls track teams that won league titles over the weekend! Ansonia’s boys and girls both claimed WOAC crowns, the boys for the second consecutive year; Butler’s boys and Troy’s girls placed first in MVL competition; Wayne’s boys and the Centerville girls led the pack in the GWOC; Miami East’s boys and the Lady Bulldogs of MIlton Union topped the Three Rivers Conference; and the boys of Marion Local and Coldwater’s Lady Cavaliers took home MAC honors.
All three divisions of track and field (why only three divisions is a question for the OHSAA but I’m sure there’s a logical reason) enter the district level this week at various locations around the state. Again, check the OHSAA website for information. Also, boys tennis moves on from sectional action to the district meets as the top four singles and doubles teams from each sectional advance to vie for the opportunity to go to the state meet the following week.
Well, the best-of-seven conference finals are set in the NBA for you fans out there. The New York Knicks will square off with the high-scoring Indiana Pacers in the East, while two talented young teams face each other in the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves. I’ll pay a little more attention to the contests at this stage of the playoffs as the cream starts to rise to the top of the brackets. I’m just glad that the Lakers and the Celtics aren’t involved after being eliminated earlier. I get a little tired of listening to the national media wax poetic about those two franchises!
Scottie Scheffler swept to victory in the PGA Championship Sunday after being tied with Jon Rahm heading into the back nine at Quail Hollow. Rahm fell apart in the final six holes, and other challengers also faltered while Scheffler played steady golf to hoist the Wannemacher trophy. The length of some of the holes was enough to boggle the minds of duffers such as myself, as were the club selections by the pros—Bryson DeChambeau hitting a pitching wedge from 196 yards out and several others hitting 350-360 yard drives were almost beyond comprehension!
I haven’t quite figured out the Reds so far this spring, even though I know it’s still fairly early in the 162-game season. Terry Francona is probably the best Reds’ manager since Lou Pinella led the ‘90 team to a World Series title, and the starting pitching staff, when healthy, has the potential to be one of the best in the game, but the offense is suspect and inconsistent. How do you lose two of three to the lowly White Sox and then sweep three games from a good Cleveland team? I’m still on the bandwagon, but concerned that the strength of the schedule lies ahead. Following three games with the hapless Pirates, the Reds face mostly teams with winning records from May 23rd through July 6th. How about taking on the Cubs, Royals, the Cubs again, the Brewers, Diamondbacks, Guardians, Tigers, Twins, Cardinals, Yankees, Padres, Red Sox, and Phillies in order!!
Finally, there was an interesting article in the Dayton Daily News this weekend about aging. One of the main points was an emphasis on getting together with old friends and acquaintances. The reason I made the aforementioned trip to Findlay last Thursday was to meet with nine fraternity brothers from Miami, some of whom I hadn’t seen in many years. The chance to gather and reminisce (the tales get taller and the lies better with the passage of time!) was an opportunity that couldn’t be missed! Don’t let similar events slip by your circle of old friends!!
