1 THE PLAIN DEALER WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1995 7-D -GA GEAUGA LAKE High Schools Todd rallies Elyria past Willoughby South, 89-83 By MIKE PETICCA PLAIN DEALER REPORTER Elyria's Brian Todd knows he'll 'have to work extra hard to live up to the expectations of coach Mike Walsh. "My coach always refers to BOYS me as the next BASKETBALL Dennis Rodman, SO I try to keep that in mind," Todd, a 6-3 senior forward, said after sparking Elyria to an 89-83 nonleague victory over host Will.oughby South last night. "Coach wants me to rebound." Actually, only part of Todd's game is similar to Rodman's. Todd's 18 rebounds against South would have done the Chicago Bulls' forward, and the NBA's best rebounder, proud. Todd's 25 points, though, were about 25 more than Rodman sometimes scores.
"Sometimes, the situation calls for me to be that active, when we're down in the game," Todd said after the Pioneers overcame South's 11-point lead in the third quarter. And, Elyria needed somebody to counter South's Mark Wagner, who scored 37 points, making 16 of 24 shots from the field. Wickliffe starts season with win Last year's 0-11 start forgotten By TIM WARSINSKEY league next year." PLAIN DEALER REPORTER Kirtland's doors fell off in the Wickliffe needed 32 minutes second quarter when Wickliffe night to accomplish what took outscored the Hornets, 14-1, to "the better part of a month in 1994. take a 25-10 halftime lead. The The Blue Devils opened their missed Hornets all 10 shots and possessions, comhad 13 season with a 62-44 victory over mitted four turnovers.
visiting Kirtland Wickliffe made 6 of 11 shots in a nonleague game. and dominated the boards, limitBOYS Wickliffe be- ing Kirtland to one followup shot. BASKETBALL gan last season Willis had eight points in the 0-11, SO things period, including three consecuare looking up for a team with an tive shots that pushed Wickliffe's all starting lineup. lead to 19-9. "For an opener, it was a nice "Our big men were rebounding way to get our feet wet," Wick- well and we were able to get out liffe coach Tom Rosneck said.
on the fast break and run on "This is a real nice group." them," Willis said. "We've been The opener could be viewed as trying to be a running team, keep and up it an extension of 1994-95, when seemed like they couldn't many of the current starters with us." joined the starting lineup late in Kirtland, despite matching up the season. well with Wickliffe inside, forced Point guard Mark Willis, who up shot after shot and made 34 started the final six games last percent (17-of-49). season, led the Blue Devils with "We needed to score some 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting from more points," Russ said. "If we the field.
score 20 or 25 points the first "Willis was definitely the dif- we're in the ball game. But ference in the game," Rosneck we didn't shoot well. said. "Wickliffe did the things they For Kirtland (1-1), this was not needed to do. They had guys a good sign.
The Hornets, who crashing the boards and diving opened with a victory over Cuya- after balls." hoga Heights, were considered a Kirtland's woes continued in preseason contender in the East the third quarter. Wickliffe made Suburban Conference. Next sea- its first four shots and grabbed a son, they'll join the revamped 33-14 lead. Chagrin Valley Conference, in The Hornets. played better dewhich Wickliffe figures to be a fense and stayed even with Wickstrong member.
liffe over the remaining 14 going to have to play utes, but by that point, it didn't better than this to beat the better matter. teams in our league," coach Al Wickliffe played with a nineRuss said. "Then we're going to man rotation most of the game to play Wickliffe in the and had 10 who scored. Willis was 1 FOOTBALL INSIDER Flossie: Griffs will recover The good thing about it, Buchtel football coach Tim Flossie said, is that they are kids and they will bounce back. Kids have a way of doing that, even if the bounce has to be high enough to lift them from the dregs of a gut-wrenching loss in the state championship game.
"At first, the kids were devastated," said Flossie, whose team lost, 21-14, in overtime to Dublin Scioto in Friday's Division II state championship game in Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. "It was easy to understand. We had the game won. We beat the hell out of them for 43 minutes. But, we made some terrible mistakes during the final five minutes, and they cost us dearly.
"There were some long faces in the locker room and in school on Monday, but they're getting over it. They're kids, and they'll bounce back." The Griffins' mistakes were more mental than physical. Two 15-yard penalties one for excessive celebration after an interception and another for roughing the kicker after Scioto had scored in overtime did more to dismantle the Griffs than anything Scioto did. "We committed the penalties, and we had to live with them," said Flossie. "That's the way it goes." But, the Griffins gave their fans a wonderous ride.
They shared the City Series championship and defeated three good teams Springfield, Walsh Jesuit and Chardon en route to reaching the title game. "It was a great time," Flossie said. "Maybe we can do it again some time." ANOTHER TOUGH LOSS After Brunswick lost to St. Ignatius, 41-21, in the Division I title game Saturday, coach Tom Fasko gathered his troops around him in the sanctity of the locker room. "It was an emotional moment," Fasko said yesterday as he was gathering and storing equipment.
"It was pleasant, but it was sad at the same time. It was pleasant because we had a tremendous Cinderella season that no one will forget. It was sad because we knew that would be the last time we would be together as a team." The Blue Devils, who won a school- "He shot it, drove hard to the basket, made a couple of big defensive plays at the front of their press," Walsh said of Wagner, who averaged 26 points as a junior last season. Elyria is 1-1, having lost to Shaker Heights, 83-78, Friday. The Pioneers are the defending Erie Shore League champions.
The game was South's opener. The Rebels looked much ch better than last year's 6-15 team. "I'm pleased with the way the kids played in their first outing," South coach Bob Bell said. "Elyria is a very good team that had a good game under its belt." South shot 49 percent to 45 percent for Elyria. The Pioneers, though, made 24 of 35 foul shots, while the Rebels were 5-of-9.
Elyria outrebounded South, 48-29. "We were in foul trouble early, and I don't think there's any question that hurt us," Bell said. "When we were at full strength, we were pressing, fastbreaking, in charge." Lyle Brown, Jeff Cornute and Danny Martin scored 15, 14 and 12 points, respectively, for Elyria. South's David Cast had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Matt Lorber had 11 points.
Todd scored 15 points in a sev- 0 PLAIN DEALER PHOTO Kirtland's Tim Jernejcic, left, drives the baseline on Wickliffe's Brian Austin. the only player in double Center Ryan Mester, a set the tone early by three rebounds in the minutes. He finished points and nine rebounds. Junior guard Brady record13 games, dealt with more adversity than perhaps any school that reached the finals. People tend to forget that it's pay-to-play at Brunswick, and with the controversy surrounding the forfeit by Cincinnati Colerain, the days leading up to the title game were hectic and distracting.
First, the Blue Devils' season was over and they were out of the playoffs with the loss to Colerain. When Colerain forfeited, they were invited to return to the playoffs, only to face a team that was ranked second in the nation by USA Today. "We gave it our best shot," Fasko said. "We played one of the best teams in the country even for a half." Fasko met with his team for the final time yesterday. With the seniors, he talked about college plans.
With the underclassmen, he talked about plans for next season. Later this week, they will gather for the annual banquet. Again, they will be able to rehash the greatest season in Brunswick history. BIG TEN BOUND Cloverleaf running back Jason Foster, who rushed for 1,365 yards and scored 18 touchdowns, has made an oral commitment to attend Purdue University. The 6-1, 235-pound Foster, who transfered to Cloverleaf from Buckeye last summer, said he chose Purdue over Michigan State and Eastern Michigan.
Cloverleaf coach Bob Lake said Purdue coaches told Foster that he could see playing time as a freshman. IT'S OFFICIAL The new athletic conference involving schools from four counties will be known as the Western Reserve Conference, said Barberton athletic director Larry Bidlingmyer. The 12-team conference will begin limited play in 1996-97. Bidlingmyer said the conference, divided into two six-team divisions, hopes to be in full swing by the 1997-98 school year. The Southern Division will consist of Barberton, Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, Kent Roosevelt, Ravenna and Stow.
The Northern Division will include Kenston, Nordonia, Orange, Solon, Twinsburg and West Geauga. Once the conference is in full swing, the football schedule will break down as fol- en-minute span of the second half, sparking a 26-15 Elyria surge that allowed the Pioneers to tie the game at 67. Point guard Isaac Johnson set up much of Elyria's second-half offense, while Brown and Will O1- iver were defensive keys for the Pioneers. "He's our floor leader, runs the show for us," Walsh said of Johnson. A Wagner tip gave South its last lead, 76-75, with 2:35 left.
Todd then retrieved a loose ball to score inside, and Johnson fed Cornute for a layup and a 79-76 Elyria advantage with 1:35 to go. Johnson (eight points) made six free throws and Jeff Sittenger (eight points) hit two in the last 1:12 to clinch the victory. Wagner scored 23 of his points to help South to a 46-39 halftime lead. He made 10 of 13 field goal attempts, including both of his 3-point shots. South led, 26-20, after Wagner hit a 3-point shot at the first-quarter buzzer.
The Rebels built their biggest lead of the half, 46-35, when Wagner dunked on the fastbreak after a steal and assist by Kevin Abrams, then dunked again after making a steal in the fullcourt press. SWIMMING INSIDER Brush hopes to capture GCC boys title outright For the past two seasons, the meet, are loaded with seniors boys swim team at Brush High such as Tim Kantorak, Wade had to share the Greater Gottschalk, Riley Dicken, Kyle Cleveland Conference title Goodwin and Tim Nackowicz. with Euclid. But with the Pan- "The boys will be like thers getting hit hard by grad- a chess match, because nobody uation, it might be the Arcs' will dominate," Westlake time to prevail. coach Don Cisar said.
only graduated three one will nickel and dime each guys, SO this is a veteran other, and the team with the team," Brush coach Mike Mad- most change in its pocket in den said. "Our number one the end will win." goal is to win the GCC, but we Westlake's girls will be led really feel we can do well at by swimmers Lindy Nagele the district and possibly get and Holly Toth, and divers Kasomebody to the state tie Caratelli and Lisa Most of Brush's hopes will Caratelli finished fifth in the' rest on the shoulders of Mike state last season. Brachat, Pat Carrier, Todd Kim Reitenbach and Karen Lushin, Aaron, Gray, Todd Richendollar might make FairMayher, Nick Weber and Paul view a contender for the girls Kambies. championship. Euclid and Mayfield are ex- GOOD START Dave Kapected to battle for the girls minski of North Olmsted made The championship.
Lady Panthers are seek- a big splash in the opening tle, ing their and third with the straight return GCC of 100-yard freestyle and being week, winning the 50- and tiMary Wolf, Georgiann Paric, part of the free winning relays in 200- a dual and Lori Mitskavich, Nicole 400-yard Schumer and Trisha O'Hara, meet against Valley Forge. He their chances look good. Wolf, also was on the second-place Paric, Mitskavich and Schu- in 200- the and Fairview 400-yard Relays free on relays Frimer broke the school's 20- year-old record in the 400 free day. relay last season, and O'Hara RELAY TIME Defending is an accomplished diver. boys champion St.
Ignatius and: Mayfield will counter with defending girls champion' sophom*ore Mara Shamakian, Shaker Heights will be in the' freshman Erin Abbey, solid re- eight -team field in Saturday's lay teams and the return of di- 12th annual Solon High Comet ver Shannon Dunlap, who fin- Relays. ished third in last year's state Diving competition begins at meet. noon, with the swimmers hitIT'S A TOSSUP Fairview ting the water at 2 p.m. Admisis the defending boys cham- sion is $4 for adults, $2 for stupion in the Southwestern Con- dents. For more information, ference, and Westlake is the call 349-6244.
reigning girls title holder, but REMINDER Swimming observers think the SWC races and gymnastic coaches are enwill be too close to call. couraged to call in have a real nice core of nations for Player of the Week boys back, but the numbers each Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., are down," said Fairview at 999-4370 or 1-800-388-4370. coach Char Roesch, whose Also, swimming and gymnastic Warriors will be led by Jay schedules are needed and can Ray, Geoff Reeves, Dodd Bry- be faxed to 999-6276, Bob ant and Bill Kerrigan. Fortuna.
Westlake's boys, surprise winners in last year's SWC BOB FORTUNA figures. 6-5 senior, grabbing first two with eight Preyss led Kirtland with 10 points. Guard Tim Tomaric had nine, and Steve O'Bryan scored eight. The Hornets' returning inside combo of center Andy Keenan and forward Jason Jernejcic were held to 13 combined points. lows: Each school will begin the season with three independent games, followed by two inter-divisional games and five intra-divisional games.
For example, Barberton might play independent games against Euclid, Alliance and Kenmore. It's two interdivisional games might be against Kenston and Twinsburg, followed by its five intra-divisional games against Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, Roosevelt, Ravenna and Stow. There will be no football playoffs. A LITTLE DIP- Paid attendance for last weekend's six state championship games in Massillon's Paul Brown Tiger Stadium was 53,345, the Ohio High School Athletic Association announced. That figure was down from last year's total of 57,195.
Here is the breakdown: Division I (St. Ignatius VS. Brunswick) Division II (Buchtel vs. Dublin Scioto) Division III (Kenston VS. Clyde) Division IV: (Versailles vs.
Bellaire) Division (Lisbon David Anderson VS. Cincinnati Mariemont) Division VI (St. Henry vs. Buckeye Central) 4,617. coach Chuck Kyle received a five-minute standing ovation from the student body Monday at a rally for the state championship football team.
Kyle thanked the students for their support, also thanking the players, the sophom*ore athletes who helped the team prepare for games, the administration, athletic director Dale Gabor and the band. "Does this get old, people often ask me," Kyle said. "No, not at all. "What state title the seven in the last eight is most special? It's like you have seven children at home. Each is unique, and you love them all." Kyle then presented the state championship trophy to principal Richard Clark.
"You listen to coach Kyle speak for five minutes and you see how we do this," said Clark, who then announced there would be no school Monday, Dec. 11, in honor of the football team. GROUP TO MEET The Retired Athletic Directors, Coaches and Officials of Greater Cleveland will feature sports trivia at the group's next monthly luncheon meeting, Dec. 13 at noon, in the Hofbrau Haus, 1400 E. 55th St.
TIM ROGERS, (DICK ZUNT GOOD TIMES St. Ignatius football THE PLAIN DEALER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK Jeff VanGompel School: Solon Sport: Swimming Class: Senior Age: 18 Ht: 5-10 Wt: 155 Last week: Opened season by placing first in individual medley and 100-yard butterfly and was part of winning medley relay and 400-yard free relays in dual-meet victories over Westlake and Mentor. Personal: Four-year varsity starter and two-year co-captain who specializes in butterfly; has 4.3 grade-point average, National Honor Society vice president and board member of Council For Exceptional Children and AFS; an Eagle Scout who competes in USS (Solon Stars) swimming; enjoys foreign languages, going out with friends, watching sports, bowling and listening to music. Trisha Prather School: North Olmsted Sport: Swimming Class: Junior Age: 17 Ht: 5-8 Last week: Opened season with first-place finishes in 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke and was son winning medley relay and 200 free relay in dual meet against Valley Forge; was member of third-place medley and 200 free relays in Fairview Relays. Personal: Three-year varsity starter and two-time state qualifier who specializes in backstroke, an event in which she placed ninth in last year's state meet; participates in USS swimming, a junior national qualifier, school record-holder in backstroke and or record-setting medley and 200 free relays; plays recreational slow-pitch softball in summer..
