Good Luck Riders! - Final Four Edition

Not much to say that will change much, but I'll try...I can only offer my sincere "thank you" on behalf of Rider Nation for the ride the girls team has taken us on so far and an even more sincere "good luck" to the Orrville girls basketball team as they prepare to take on the Anna Rockets tomorrow at Value City Arena in Columbus in the state Division 3 Final Four.

They're 2 wins away from finishing the "Unfinished Business" of bringing a state title back to Orrville..and if there's any group that has put in the work, that has played as one, and done it the right way, it's this team. There's 4 teams saying the very same thing right now, so nothing will be given to us, it will have to be earned, any state title should be that way.

I'm not good with inspirational speeches...but here's a few that I think do the trick. (email subscribers wont be able to see the video and will need to click on each link)

First...from the hockey movie "Miracle."


I love the quote at the beginning..."great moments are born of great opportunity." The Riders have earned the opportunity to play on Ohio's biggest stage, and will get an opportunity to make great moments on that stage.

Next up...one of my favorites...the "Perfect" speech from 'Friday Night Lights.'


I love this clip, because it's not about winning & losing, it's about being there for your teammate, and giving your all, and knowing that you did all you could.  The line at the end always gets me..."put each other in your hearts forever, because forever is about to happen."

Some, and maybe every girl on this team, may never experience a moment like this ever again in their time as an athlete.  It will be something that binds this group together forever.  The next time we send a team to state, we'll remember this team.  I don't pretend to know a lot about this team, but I do know chemistry when I see it, and this team gets along, they play for each other and this town...and that's something we can all get behind.

Last but not least...some 'Hoosiers' love.


Short and to the point....again..not about winning & losing, but putting your best effort forth. And the slow clap at the end...who doesn't love a slow clap?

That's all I got....so proud of this team & how well they have represented their school and town....just hope they can get a shot to play for the gold trophy on Saturday.  I know this because I've heard it said...this team is not just happy to be there.  They want the whole thing...and I think they can do it.

This has been such a special season, so many moments, so many records broken, it would be fitting to be back in Bob Knight Gymnasium one more time on Sunday for one last state title celebration.

Let's Go Riders!! Leave it all on the floor one more time (and then again on Saturday).

Beat the Rockets!!

Orrville Girls Win Regionals. FINAL FOUR BOUND!!

For the first time since 1993, the Orrville girls basketball team has captured a regional championship and will head to Columbus looking to win the program's first state championship.

In convincing fashion, the Riders steamrolled Beachwood 75-48 to punch their ticket to the Division  3 Final Four where they will face the Anna Rockets, who defeated Middletown Madison 61-42 today.

The Riders started hot today against the Bison, scoring the first 9 points of the game and never looked back in leaving little doubt as to who was the better team on this day.

History Lesson: All 26 of Orrville's Final Four Appearances

I had the following list sent to me by Orrville AD Kent Smith.  It's a detailed list of every one of our 26 final four appearances by our sports teams.  I took some time to fill in details of each team's result at the final four (scores, who they beat or lost to, etc.) and added each team's coach as well.

The end result of this list is two-fold.  One is to compile this information for the sake of history...and two...I'm hearing the plan is to recognize every one of the 26 appearances with a banner on the wall of the new gym when it opens for business.  Each final four appearance would get it's own separate banner, resulting in a gym wall's worth of athletic achievement in our program since the baseball team notched the school's first final four in 1976.

Orrville Volleyball: Final Four Edition

Wanted to send out best wishes to the Orrville volleyball team and staff as they prepare to play in the Divison 3 Final Four tomorrow in Dayton at the Nutter Center on the campus of Wright State University.

It's the Riders 3rd trip to the final four since 2003 when they won the Division 3 state title by beating Versailles in two games.

Orrville will take on Columbus Bishop Ready at 6pm.  If the Ready name sounds familiar, it should.  The Silver Knights defeated Orrville for the 1983 Division 4 football title.  It was also the school that the Orrville boys basketball team defeated in the state semifinals in 2009.

Back to volleyball, the other Division 3 semifinal pits Casstown Miami East (27-1), the defending D-3 state champs and #1 ranked team in D-3, against Bloom Carrol (24-3).

The winners will meet for the D-3 state title Saturday at 5pm.  That game will be broadcast on SportsTimeOhio on SUNDAY (not live) at 9pm.  So if the Riders win Friday, we'll all have a chance to watch the finals on TV on Sunday evening.

The Riders are playing their best ball when it counts the most...taking 36 of their last 37 sets, dating back to the 3rd set of their game with Canton Hoover back on 9/29.  They were down 2 sets to 0 in that game....won the next 3 to win the game, and have only dropped 1 set since.  That's pretty impressive dominant.

Safe travels to all heading down this weekend.  I'll send updates via twitter/facebook as much as I'm able.  Hoping to report on 2 more wins and a 2nd state title for the volleyball program.

As best I can tell, there is no radio broadcast of the game.  Some games are being broadcast by radio stations that have teams from their area playing, but not Orrville.  If Miami East and Orrville meet in the finals, it's likely that the game will be broadcast here.  Again.....it would be so neat if we had our own capabilities to broadcast over the web.  Wouldn't have to count on WQKT or anyone else to broadcast our games.

We look through the prism of football (maybe a little too much) in this town...but the volleyball team's run has been such a good distraction after a tough football season. It's also been great to see the support of a lively student section.  They're showing that you can be a supportive and loud cheering section without having to be disrespectful...a lost art in student sections anymore.  Keep it up students!

Good luck & GO RIDERS!!!  Also a "good luck" to the Central Christian Comets as they seek a state title in Division 4.  They play Friday at noon against Beaver Eastern.

Was 1992 the Greatest Season of Wayne/Holmes County Basketball History?

Just thinking out loud here.

Great article in today's Daily Record about Northwestern guard Brennan McKean closing in on his school's scoring record. Orrville fans got to see him up-close and personal last weekend, so no more really needs to be said about his talent...only that I hope he "takes his talents to Beall Avenue" and plays for the College of Wooster next season.

As an accompaniment to the article was a list of the top 25 scorers in area history. It's stat-geekery gold for someone like me. The list is littered with names from the past and present that any area hoops fan would immediately recognize.

What also jumped out at me was the number of great players that all happened to graduate in 1992. Look at these names and their ranking on the all-time area top 25.

My Top 10 of 2010 - # 1

This is my Top 10 Red Rider Sports Blog Moments of 2010. See the full list of posts here. 

Here we are...the #1 Red Rider Sports Blog moment of 2010 as decided by a panel of one.

I debated over the positioning of every other of the nine selections, and some that ended up not making the cut...but not this one. It was far and away the best moment of the year, and when looking back, it was many memorable moments wrapped up in one.

Ok..no more suspense, here's #1.

My Top 10 of 2010 - #5 and #4

This is my Top 10 Red Rider Sports Blog Moments of 2010. See the full list of posts here. 

We're getting closer, and that means the choices are much harder to make. Every one of these top 10 are moments to be proud of as Orrville citizens, students & alumni.

I think this one might cause some people to question my thought process.  I'll try to explain the best I can.

After Week 13...Final Four edition

What a night that was. What a great all-around game by the entire team. This team is peaking at the right time, our defense is playing awesome. Last night was the 9th regional title in school history, and first since 1999. Now it's on to the state FINAL FOUR and a date with the Chagrin Falls Tigers this Friday at Medina.

This team has a look....a legitimate look at the state title. No one's getting ahead of themselves, but this team has a real chance to be the last team standing. Who'd have thought that at the beginning of the year? We have the talent on offense, a strong defense, and capable special teams.  We're also battle tested.  The scary part is we can still get better.

Let's talk about the Genoa game and all the lovely, lovely details of another playoff victory against an undefeated Comet team.

Pride...Nothing but Pride.

Wasn't sure what to write about. Sure, we're all disappointed, but I know I'm more proud than disappointed.  What a great run.  Twenty one wins, a district title, regional title, and a runner-up finish in the state.  We were one of 8 teams in the entire state to be playing basketball yesterday.

One only needs to look at the Blog group on Facebook for the general mood of Rider fans....

My Heart is Full.

I hope yours is too.  I know it sounds dorky, but I just can't help but beam with pride at what our Red Riders have accomplished.  It borders on the improbable.  Some have said it's destiny.  Maybe so.  This team has given us so much to be proud of.  Hopefully there is one more chapter in this book.

This is right up there with the Hoosiers pregame speech that I posted last week, and maybe even a bit better.  From the movie "Friday Night Lights".....

"Forever" is about to happen.  Go be "perfect."

Clear eyes, full heart.  Can't Lose!!

Go get 'em Riders.

Meet the Thunderbirds...and other useful info.

Winners of 19 straight, the Lima Central Catholic T-Birds will look for their 1st state title in school history.  They've finished as runner-up in 1989 & 1994.

Their coach, Bob Seggerson, notched his 500th win earlier this season and will seek his 1st state title in his career.  He's 515-209 in his career.  Those numbers are Smitty-esque.

More.....

Season of Dreams....One to Go!!

All the Links: Box Score -- Columbus Dispatch -- JJHuddle Article -- Ohio High School Hoops Blog -- Ohio.com article on Coach -- Wooster Daily Record (and another) -- Ohio.com -- Another Columbus Dispatch article (and photos) -- Video Highlights from NBC4 out of Columbus

Simply can't describe what I saw today in Columbus. I'm out of words...and that's saying something. Of all the moments & memories that have been experienced in Columbus by our all of our great teams in the 1990's and in 1980, today may have topped them all.

Sam Miller, a senior & Kent State football commit, corralled a Jacob Bolyard miss and was fouled with 1.8 seconds left. He proceeded to calmly (at least it looked calm) drain 2 free throws and give the Riders a heart-stopping 50-48 win over Columbus Bishop Ready.

The win gave the Riders a shot at the Division 3 State title on Saturday morning (10:45am) against the Thunderbirds of Lima Central Catholic, who have won 19 straight games.

***Took that pic before I took my perch on press row (down low).  Sat next to former Orrville girls coach Marcie Alberts who did play-by-play for WTIG 990 out of Massillon.

Let's talk about the rest.

To the ends of Ohio....

Good Luck Riders!!!!

Rider fans have really been all over the state of Ohio since the fall, following and supporting our teams in all sports....Ashland, Tiffin, Mansfield, Youngstown, Canton, Wooster, Cleveland, Lexington, Bellville.....and now the capital city of Columbus.

The tourney trail has been a great ride, wins over Black River, Hillsdale & Triway in Wooster...wins over Cleveland Central Catholic and Newton Falls in Canton...but now, in the city where we've claimed 3 state titles, we return after a 14 year absence, hoping to bring home a 4th state title.

To Coach Slaughter.  Thank you.  You've restored much needed respect to the program.

To Coaches Smith, Landis, Spurlock..and all the others at the lower levels & team managers, trainers and statisticians & cheerleaders...thank you for all your unrecognized time you've spent away from your families to dedicate to Orrville Basketball....and for your undying support.

To the players....Jake, Sam, Joey, Andre, Chase, Dillon, Zach, Max, Drew, Cody, Devon, Kyle, Jordan, Derek & AJ.....THIS is what Orrville basketball is all about.  You're all part of where this team is.  Represent your school and town with pride & class.  Play hard.  Play "hustle" ball for 32 minutes and beyond if necessary.  Respect your opponent, but don't be in awe of them.  Leave it all on the court.

Let's Go Riders!!!!

Final Four Week - Tuesday..and Div. 3 All-Ohio

Second day of Final Four week....and today we find out that Orrville is the home of two Division III All-Ohioans. Jake Bolyard was named to the first team and Zach Wasson was named Honorable Mention. Full list is here. Congrats to Jake and Zach.

Ready's Joe Graessle joined Jake on the first team.

Final Four Week - Monday

I'll try to do one of these per day. Orrville is one of 16 teams left standing in the entire state.  Exciting times, no?

Pictured: Value City Arena (duh).  Going to be weird going there instead of St. John Arena.

Division 3: Kind of wide open...

The Riders are in the final four, but who are the other three teams?  I know one thing, you could make a case all four teams left to bring home the gold trophy.

We know about Orrville, but let's look at the other 3.  Conider this your Cliff's notes version.  In the end, everyone that's still playing is good.