The Post
Princeton dad,son
Thursday, March 25, 1999
38'
Benedictine chasing history Associated Press
COLUMBUS — Cleveland Benedictine coach Frank Novak will find out tonight if speed beats size in the boys' state basketball tournament. If it does, his Bengals will be just the third team to win three consecutive Ohio state championships. Benedictine (20-6) opens the tournament with a Division II semifinal against Philo (22-3) at 6 p.m. at Value City Arena. Benedictine starts three guards and two forwards. Philo features a starting lineup of two guards, two centers center and a forward — and that forward is about tall enough to play in the middle. Philo centers Chris Ballenger and Jason Trout are both 6-6 and start along with forward Pat Rush,a 6-5 senior who leads the team with a 14point scoring average. Novak said he hopes five returning starters, including three who average in double figures, can carry the Bengals into the championship game. Point guard Chris Leanza, who was selected Division II co-Player of the Year after averaging 17 points per game, Michael Woods (6-1, 18 points per game) and Curtis Matthews (6-2, 10 points) 1plag tap backcourt for Benedictine. "The good thing is those guys have been there for the last two (championships)," Benedictine coach Frank Novak said."We feel pretty good, but
you've still got to play." Benedictine is the only defending champion in this year's tournament. Three of the 16 teams in the 77th boys tournament are making their Final Four debuts and four are back for just the second time. Columbus Beechcroft (20-4) and Kettering Alter (19-6) are scheduled to meet at 9 p.m. in the other Division II semifinal. Beechcroft is making its tournament debut, while Alter is back in the Final Four for the sixth time. The Knights won their only state title in 1978. Today's other semifinals are in Division III, where the co-Players of the Year have a chance at meeting headto-head in the championship game.
in the other semifinal scheduled for 2 p.m. Chanel lost in the semifinals in1991 and 1996. Fort Frye is back in the tournament for the first time since its 1962 debut. The Division IV semifinals open Friday's schedule. Edgerton (21-4) faces Worthington Christian (22-3) in the early game, which features two teams back in the tournament for just the second time. Worthington Christian was runner-up .in 1994, but Edgerton hasn't been playing this late since 1959. Fort Recovery and Berlin Hiland play in the other Division IV semifinal at 2 p.m. Berlin Hiland (25-1), rankad NW. 3,has returned to Co1umbus for the second straight year and fifth overall. Coldwater (17-8) and Madeira (24-1) were to have kicked off the ValNo.5 Fort Recovery (24-1) is makue City Arena era of the boys' tourna- ing its third semifinal appearance. ment with a game at 11 a.m. The tour- The Indians won the state title in nament had been played at St. John 1971, their last trip to the tournaArena from 1957 to '98. ment. Madeira, ranked No.2 in the final Division I takes over Value City Associated Press poll of the season, is Arena Friday afternoon with the only a first-time qualifier for the semifitwo remaining ranked teams in the nals. The Mustangs are led by senior division facing each other. SecondTodd Schlensker, a 6-0 guard with a ranked Shaker Heights (24-1), which. 20.7-point scoring average, who was has never played in the semifinals, named co-Player of the Year in the di- takes on No.5 East Liverpool (23-1). vision. Friday night's semifinal features Bedford Chanel sophomore Brian Mansfield Senior (22-3), making its Swift, who averages 20.5 points, sixth tournament appearance, against shared the honor with Schlensker. He perennial football power Moeller will lead the No. 1-ranked Firebirds (19-6). Moeller is making its first ap(24-0) against Beverly Fort Frye (24-2) pearance.in the basketball semifinals.
Girls'Scholar/athlete®vs' Scholar/athlete JESSICA SCHLOMER, Northwest High School
KENNY HORNSBY, Goshen High School
■ SPORT: Volleyball. ;:i e ON THE COURT:Jessica has been ca captain of the P ^` ' ' `'A ~ volleyball team since her sophomore season. ! ">: s IN THE CLASSROOM:Jessica maintains a 4.1644 grade-point average on a 4.0 honors-weightedsystem' of advanced P placement courses. She is a member of the French Honor Society and has been on the honor ;r, roll each of her four years at Northwest. "> ' ■ COLLEGE PREFERENCE: Miami University, major •.... „^ in business. ® COACH'S COMMENT:"Jessica is a bright, dedicated young lady who works hard in the classroom and tfR ;j on the volleyball court. She is a go-to person who is not flashY but is extreme)Y efficient." — Rich Craig, " 9 F. Northwest athletic director. Coaches and student counselors may nominate Jessica Schlomer scholar-athletes Monday evenings. Call 352-2767. Hard worker
v SPORTS: Golf and baseball. s ON THE FIELD: Kenny,a junior, started for the Warriors' baseball team as a sophomore. He won All-Fort Ancient Valley Conference honors in golf as a sophomore and as a junior. ■ IN THE CLASSROOM: Kenny maintains a 3.12 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale of advanced placement courses. He ranks 66th in a class of 225. ■ COLLEGE PREFERENCE: Undecided. ■ COACH'S QUOTE:"Kenny is the best golfer at our school in the last 25 years. He was our first district qualifier in man ears, and since we have one from Division I to II, heeasily should qualify for state next year." — Geof Hart, Goshen varsity golf coach. Coaches and student counselors may nominate Kenny Hornsby scholar-athletes Monday evenings between 6:30 and Future state competitor 10 by calling 352-2767.
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LaRosa's Locker BUDDY LAROSA -Good better, best— never let it res: until your good is better and your better is
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Golden Gloves Features Future Stars
NUKE LAROSA 'The pride of effort and stretching beyond one's given the foundation of a rewarding life."
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Taft High School's Ricardo Williams Jr. headlines one ofSouthwestern Ohio's premier boxing events next weekend when the Norwood Golden Gloves Boxing Club hosts the Regional Golden Gloves tournaments. Thy -/Jnwr`,ofih': r!lionol!ournament advance to the Naf;gnal 6.9liffn Akre, Tournament - to be held in May in Syracuse, N-Y,- and this is the first year that the national tournament will be used as a qualifier for the 2000 Olympics team. The Cincinnati Regional will be held on April 2& 3 with the championship rounds on April 10 at the Norwood club at Mills & Walter. Bouts begin at 8 p.m.each day with admission $5 at the door. Williams, rated the No. I light welterweight(139)in the nation by USA Boxing, captured the 1998 National Golden Gloves title, the gold medal at the 1998 Goodwill Games, and the title at both the 1998 and 1999 U.S. Championships. He was recently named Athlete ofthe Year by USA Boxing. Other notable fighters at this year's event includes: Gerald Tucker(Millvale Golden Gloves)- the No.4 ranked flyweight by USA Boxing; Ron Siler(Northside Amateur Boxing School),ranked No.5 light flyweight member by USA Boxing; Lonzine Nelms(Mt. Auburn Golden Gloves),currently ranked No.9 lightweight by U.S. Boxing. Other local boxers include:132 - Julio Saavedra(Norwood Golden Gloves),139 Tetro Amara(Mt. Auburn)and James Helms(Millvale), 147 - Rico Sanders(BBC Boxing Club,Covington),156 - Branden Bush(Winton Terrace Golden Gloves)and Tim Powell (BBC),165 - Zachary Thomas(Millvale)and Kevin Rainey(Millvale), Heavyweight Arnold Bush(Winton Terrace), Ralph Lawrence(Nor(hside Amateur)and Sean McClure (Millvale),and Super Heavyweight - Zakeem Graham (Millvale)and David Long(BBC).
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Birthdate: 9-29-80 Residence: Loveland Graduating/GPA: 1999/4.0 Height/Weight: 6'5"/190 lbs. Greatest Achievement: Scholarship to Notre Dame Marty & Milena Parents: Brother: Nick(16) Favorite Movie: Hoosiers Favorite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird Biggest Influence: "My Dad." Sports Hero: Michael Jordan Most Like to Meet: Jesus Christ Future Goal: Be successful and happy
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72 All-Americans; numerous professional athletesinC baseball, basketball and football. "We are extremely proud ofthe diversity ofour athletic successes and the coaches and athletes who have made them all -- Dick possible. Beerman/Barry Borman,Athletic Directors
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