2013 State Champions
Division I: Mentor (25-5)
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Some state championships are lost.
Others are won. The Mentor Cardinals won theirs, almost lost it, then grabbed it with vice grips Saturday night.
The result was a memory worth holding on to at a school often defined by heartbreaking, state-final losses.
Mentor defeated Toledo Rogers, 76-67, to win the boys basketball Division I state championship in front of 9,566 in Value City Arena.
With a 17-point lead that had deeper meaning heading into the fourth quarter, the Cardinals nearly faltered in the final eight minutes, but gathered themselves.
Because that's what champions do.
"It's unbelievable," said Mentor senior Jeff Foreman, who scored 19 points. "It's always been our goal. It's been our dream. We've been working for this in football, basketball and baseball, and to get down here and finally win it, I can't explain it. I'm at a loss for words."
The state championship is the fourth in Mentor's long, often frustrating sports history, joining the 1933 boys track, 1985 cross country and 1994 boys soccer teams. It lost two football and two baseball state finals in recent years.
And it came 20 years almost to the day since Mentor coach Bob Krizancic won a state title at Girard, then moved to Mentor. His 336th win at Mentor killed a lot of ghosts, and he did it with his son, junior Conner Krizancic scoring 16 points after hitting three big 3-pointers in the first half.
"It's huge for the community," Bob Krizancic said after emerging from a pack of former players behind the Mentor bench. "I was so fortunate to do it in Girard and I knew what it meant there. To do it in Mentor with my ex-players right behind us, this is for the program, a lot of years of busting and believing
Others are won. The Mentor Cardinals won theirs, almost lost it, then grabbed it with vice grips Saturday night.
The result was a memory worth holding on to at a school often defined by heartbreaking, state-final losses.
Mentor defeated Toledo Rogers, 76-67, to win the boys basketball Division I state championship in front of 9,566 in Value City Arena.
With a 17-point lead that had deeper meaning heading into the fourth quarter, the Cardinals nearly faltered in the final eight minutes, but gathered themselves.
Because that's what champions do.
"It's unbelievable," said Mentor senior Jeff Foreman, who scored 19 points. "It's always been our goal. It's been our dream. We've been working for this in football, basketball and baseball, and to get down here and finally win it, I can't explain it. I'm at a loss for words."
The state championship is the fourth in Mentor's long, often frustrating sports history, joining the 1933 boys track, 1985 cross country and 1994 boys soccer teams. It lost two football and two baseball state finals in recent years.
And it came 20 years almost to the day since Mentor coach Bob Krizancic won a state title at Girard, then moved to Mentor. His 336th win at Mentor killed a lot of ghosts, and he did it with his son, junior Conner Krizancic scoring 16 points after hitting three big 3-pointers in the first half.
"It's huge for the community," Bob Krizancic said after emerging from a pack of former players behind the Mentor bench. "I was so fortunate to do it in Girard and I knew what it meant there. To do it in Mentor with my ex-players right behind us, this is for the program, a lot of years of busting and believing
Division II: Columbus Bishop Watterson (28-1)
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Watterson had never been to a boy’s basketball state tournament in its school history, but after Saturday afternoon’s Division II state championship contest, the Eagles are now called state champs.
Following a win over storied Kettering Alter in the semis, Watterson was able to get by one of the state’s most well known programs in Akron St. Vincent- St.Mary’s with a 55-52 triumph.
Matt Hughes and Cody Calhoun each totaled 14 points to lead the Eagles, and senior Bryan Jackson added 12 points and six rebounds. Matt Lehmann chipped in eight points, including a huge three-pointer in the closing minutes, and ripped down seven boards. Andy Grieser netted six points.
Watterson seized control on a Calhoun hoop-and-harm, and never relinquished the lead after taking a 44-42 advantage. Though, the Irish had a great look in the closing seconds to tie the game, but Bickley’s triple try was off the mark and celebration began for the Eagles.
“It was a better look than we would have liked them to have,” Lombardo mentioned. “But it worked out for us.”
Watterson was out rebounded (30-25), but held the Akron-based school to just 34 percent shooting for the game.
“Your decisions are the reason for these guys anguish,” SVSM head coach Dru Joyce said in regards to his decision not to increase the pace earlier in the game. “We didn’t lose, the time just ran out.”
Joyce was also very complimentary of Watterson and how well they are coached and play. Though, he would love to get a rematch somewhere down the line.
“I’m a competitor, “ Joyce noted. “I would by lying if I said I didn’t want another chance at this team.”
Following a win over storied Kettering Alter in the semis, Watterson was able to get by one of the state’s most well known programs in Akron St. Vincent- St.Mary’s with a 55-52 triumph.
Matt Hughes and Cody Calhoun each totaled 14 points to lead the Eagles, and senior Bryan Jackson added 12 points and six rebounds. Matt Lehmann chipped in eight points, including a huge three-pointer in the closing minutes, and ripped down seven boards. Andy Grieser netted six points.
Watterson seized control on a Calhoun hoop-and-harm, and never relinquished the lead after taking a 44-42 advantage. Though, the Irish had a great look in the closing seconds to tie the game, but Bickley’s triple try was off the mark and celebration began for the Eagles.
“It was a better look than we would have liked them to have,” Lombardo mentioned. “But it worked out for us.”
Watterson was out rebounded (30-25), but held the Akron-based school to just 34 percent shooting for the game.
“Your decisions are the reason for these guys anguish,” SVSM head coach Dru Joyce said in regards to his decision not to increase the pace earlier in the game. “We didn’t lose, the time just ran out.”
Joyce was also very complimentary of Watterson and how well they are coached and play. Though, he would love to get a rematch somewhere down the line.
“I’m a competitor, “ Joyce noted. “I would by lying if I said I didn’t want another chance at this team.”
Division III: Ottawa-Glandorf (26-3)
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Ottawa-Glandorf senior T.J. Metzger exited Saturday morning’s Division III state championship game at the 2:06 mark owning two records and having tied two others. More importantly, however, he left with a state championship well in hand.
Metzger scored 36 points on 11-of-17 shooting, which included a remarkable 9-of-14performance behind the 3-point arc. For good measure, he was 5-of-5 from the charity stripe. All those numbers helped O-G to a 67-46 victory over Versailles and a third state championship before 13,851 at Ohio State’s Schottenstein Center.
“I didn’t expect to come out that hot,” Metzger said. “I give all the credit to my teammates for finding me, a big thanks to them. In a game like this you have to play with confidence and you can’t be nervous.”
The staggering numbers allowed Metzger to secure the Division III state finals record for most 3s in a game (nine) and tie the record for most 3s in any finals game. Metzger’s 36 points tied Sparta Highland’s JT Hoying’s 1998 state finals mark for most points in a D-III final. Hoying previously had the mark for D-III 3-point makes (8) as well. Metzger’s 13 combined 3s in the semifinal and final broke the previous two-game all divisions record of 12.
Ottawa-Glandorf head coach Tyson McGlaughlin, who was a former O-G standout as a player, said it was pretty simple when asked about what needed done.
“We believe you feed the hot hand,” McGlaughlin said. “At this point, you don’t reinvent the wheel.”
Metzger tied Hoying’s 1998 D-III finals scoring record at the 5:06 mark of the fourth quarter on a pair of freebies with his 35th and 36th point of the morning, which gave the Titans an insurmountable lead (57-40).
Rosebrock finished with eight points and eight rebounds, and heady, senior guard Matt “Chewy” Kaufman tallied seven points, six rebounds, and five assists.
Ahrens led Versailles with 12 points and Winner added 11 in closing out his fine career. Both players were just 4-of-11 from the field.
“I give credit to them,” Ahrens noted. “Their defense was outstanding.”
Metzger scored 36 points on 11-of-17 shooting, which included a remarkable 9-of-14performance behind the 3-point arc. For good measure, he was 5-of-5 from the charity stripe. All those numbers helped O-G to a 67-46 victory over Versailles and a third state championship before 13,851 at Ohio State’s Schottenstein Center.
“I didn’t expect to come out that hot,” Metzger said. “I give all the credit to my teammates for finding me, a big thanks to them. In a game like this you have to play with confidence and you can’t be nervous.”
The staggering numbers allowed Metzger to secure the Division III state finals record for most 3s in a game (nine) and tie the record for most 3s in any finals game. Metzger’s 36 points tied Sparta Highland’s JT Hoying’s 1998 state finals mark for most points in a D-III final. Hoying previously had the mark for D-III 3-point makes (8) as well. Metzger’s 13 combined 3s in the semifinal and final broke the previous two-game all divisions record of 12.
Ottawa-Glandorf head coach Tyson McGlaughlin, who was a former O-G standout as a player, said it was pretty simple when asked about what needed done.
“We believe you feed the hot hand,” McGlaughlin said. “At this point, you don’t reinvent the wheel.”
Metzger tied Hoying’s 1998 D-III finals scoring record at the 5:06 mark of the fourth quarter on a pair of freebies with his 35th and 36th point of the morning, which gave the Titans an insurmountable lead (57-40).
Rosebrock finished with eight points and eight rebounds, and heady, senior guard Matt “Chewy” Kaufman tallied seven points, six rebounds, and five assists.
Ahrens led Versailles with 12 points and Winner added 11 in closing out his fine career. Both players were just 4-of-11 from the field.
“I give credit to them,” Ahrens noted. “Their defense was outstanding.”
Division IV: Cleveland Villa-Angela St. Joseph (25-4)
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For two and half quarter the Leipsic Vikings proved it was game in Saturday’s Division IV state title contest. Trailing by just two points, Cleveland VASJ’s superior talent began to take over helping the Vikings to a 23-8 run, which led to an 87-63 triumph giving VASJ its fifth state championship.
Cleveland VASJ raced out to an 8-0 start and eventually held a 13-6 advantage at the first TV timeout (3:33).
The Vikings continued to get easy buckets on the interior, but Leipsic cashed in two three-point goals (Zach Kuhlman and Derek Steffan) to close out the quarter making the count, 20-12.
Duane Gibson Jr. scored six points in the opener for VASJ, and sophomores Brian Parker (5 points) and Derek Pardon (4 points) combined for nine points.
A Devin Mangas three-point goal closed the gap to (22-17) with 6:15 to play in the half. Moments later Kuhlman hit a pull-up jumper to cut the deficit to (24-21).
Simon Texidor’s rebound stick back as the halftime buzzer sounded gave the Vikings a 40-32 lead.
Leipsic cut the lead to (41-37) following a Kuhlman triple and Mangas inside hoop. Austin Brown canned two free throws to slice the margin to two, but Texidor answered with consecutive triples starting a mini-spurt for VASJ.
The Cleveland-based school upped the lead to 59-45 following a ridiculous reverse dunk by Demonte Flannigan off a lob pass. In all, the Vikings closed the quarter on a 23-8 run giving the state’s top team a 64-47 cushion.
The final quarter turned into show time for Gibson Jr. and Flannigan. Gibson Jr. continuedto drive to the basket and finish with the greatest of ease. Finally, a Texidor bonus goal sent the crowd to the exits with VASJ holding a more than comfortable 82-57 advantagewith 3:37 to play.
Gibson Jr. was sensational finishing with 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting, and added eight rebounds and eight assists. Flannigan struggled from the field, but did manage to net 15 points and collect 11 rebounds. Parker chipped in 15 points and six rebounds, Texidor added 11 counters, and sophomore Carlton Bragg meshed 10 points and pulled down six boards. Sophomore Derek Pardon also enjoyed a solid afternoon scoring nine points and grabbing six boards.
Mangas paced Leipsic with 18 points. Brown was solid in defeat with 16 points and nine rebounds. Caleb Barrera finished in doubles with 10 points and Kuhlman chipped in eight.
VASJ shot just over 52 percent for the game, while Leipsic was just under 35 percent.
Cleveland VASJ raced out to an 8-0 start and eventually held a 13-6 advantage at the first TV timeout (3:33).
The Vikings continued to get easy buckets on the interior, but Leipsic cashed in two three-point goals (Zach Kuhlman and Derek Steffan) to close out the quarter making the count, 20-12.
Duane Gibson Jr. scored six points in the opener for VASJ, and sophomores Brian Parker (5 points) and Derek Pardon (4 points) combined for nine points.
A Devin Mangas three-point goal closed the gap to (22-17) with 6:15 to play in the half. Moments later Kuhlman hit a pull-up jumper to cut the deficit to (24-21).
Simon Texidor’s rebound stick back as the halftime buzzer sounded gave the Vikings a 40-32 lead.
Leipsic cut the lead to (41-37) following a Kuhlman triple and Mangas inside hoop. Austin Brown canned two free throws to slice the margin to two, but Texidor answered with consecutive triples starting a mini-spurt for VASJ.
The Cleveland-based school upped the lead to 59-45 following a ridiculous reverse dunk by Demonte Flannigan off a lob pass. In all, the Vikings closed the quarter on a 23-8 run giving the state’s top team a 64-47 cushion.
The final quarter turned into show time for Gibson Jr. and Flannigan. Gibson Jr. continuedto drive to the basket and finish with the greatest of ease. Finally, a Texidor bonus goal sent the crowd to the exits with VASJ holding a more than comfortable 82-57 advantagewith 3:37 to play.
Gibson Jr. was sensational finishing with 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting, and added eight rebounds and eight assists. Flannigan struggled from the field, but did manage to net 15 points and collect 11 rebounds. Parker chipped in 15 points and six rebounds, Texidor added 11 counters, and sophomore Carlton Bragg meshed 10 points and pulled down six boards. Sophomore Derek Pardon also enjoyed a solid afternoon scoring nine points and grabbing six boards.
Mangas paced Leipsic with 18 points. Brown was solid in defeat with 16 points and nine rebounds. Caleb Barrera finished in doubles with 10 points and Kuhlman chipped in eight.
VASJ shot just over 52 percent for the game, while Leipsic was just under 35 percent.