10 years ago tonight

On this day, 10 years ago, Arizona beat Michigan State 80-61 behind the play of Loren Woods, Richard Jefferson, Jason Gardner and Michael Wright. Shortly after that, Duke and Maryland went head to head for a 4^th time. Maryland raced out to a 22 point lead. No lead was safe against the Blue Devils in 2001. The Devils stormed back to win 95-84 thanks to the play of Jason Williams, Shane Battier, Chris Duhon and Carlos Boozer. No lead against the 2001 Duke Blue Devil team was safe. This team had the heart of a champion. I remember watching the game at Holiday Lanes in Sidney with Tony Henning. I also saw my friend Justin Frantz there, he was there that night on a Blind Date that night.

On this day 20, 15 and 9 years ago

On this day in 1991, Duke beat UNLV 79-77 in the National Semifinal. It was the biggest upset in the history of the NCAA Tournament at the time. Vegas was undefeated at the time. Duke was led by the play of Bobby Hurley and Christian Lattener. I remember watching the game with Dad in the basement.

Five years later, Kentucky took on UMASS in a battle of #1 versus #2 in the Final Four. Kentucky was #2 at the time, however they were the better team that night. Kentucky won 81-74, behind the play of Tony Delk and Ron Mercer and the pressure defense. It was also one of the few times, that a #1 would play a #2 ranked team in the Final Four. Michigan State played Duke in Tampa in 1999, a game I was at, Illionis played North Carolina for the championship in 2005 and Florida played Ohio State in 2007. That Kentucky starting five in 1996, four of the starters got drafted by the NBA, point guard Anthony Epps was the only member of the starting five not to get drafted. I remember watching the game with Dad, my Uncle Dan and Matt Bowman and Matt Zimmerman.

On this day nine years ago, Indiana beat Oklahoma in the Final Four in one semifinal and Maryland beat Kansas in the other semifinal.

Why did I not…

As all of you may know, I am 100% passionate about sports. I love sports more than anything. Growing up I wanted to be a sports commentator. That was my goal 10 years ago at this time, to go to school and to become a sports commentator, in fact a couple of my friends wanted me to audition for ESPN’s dream job a few years ago, but I was way too nervous. At the time when I decided on a major, I decided to switch gears and change direction; I am not a fan of the English literature subject. So I decided to go with Business management as my first major at Edison. Turned out that I made a good choice to stay with the Business part, two and a half years later, I changed majors for the first and only time. When I decided to stop pursing my childhood and lifelong goal in the fall of 2001, I did not think I was going to pursue it all that hard again, however, this past fall, I was giving the thought of pursuing my childhood dream of becoming a sports commentator and wanted to give it a try, but because I am at an age where “HI” (Health Insurance) is so significant, I am currently not considering it. I am considering making a return trip to the classroom to take Marketing classes so that I gain some more knowledge and that way I can move up the latter or prepare me for future career endeavers.  I will always love sports, that is something that will never change for as long as I am alive. I have given the thought of giving sports marketing or sports management a try, but being 29 soon to be 30, who knows. I am proud and honored to be an Edison Graduate and I will always be as long as I am alive.

Best of Luck Coach Gregory

Well, as all of you may have known by now, BG has resigned from Dayton to take the reins at Georgia Tech. I had a feeling this was coming after the Flyers struggled to a 23-12 season this year. Hearing that the meeting with the players was emotional, brought back memories when Henry Stolly informed the Lehman Varsity Boys team that he was resigning to take a teaching job in Bellefontaine in 1998. I remember that meeting, it was a difficult one.

Kentucky Back In the Final Four Baby, Yeah

I am so happy for John Calipari and the players at Kentucky. It’s been too long with out a Final Four. Guys like Teyshaun Prince, Keith Bogans, Marquis Estill, Cliff Hawkins, Gerald Fitch, Erik Daniels, Chuck Hayes, Patrick Patterson, Kelena Azubuke, Rajon Rondo, Patrick Sparks are enjoying the moment and happy for the Cats.  The 13 year draught and frustration is over baby.

On this day six years ago

My family and I were at Indian Lake watching basketball. Kentucky was playing Michigan State for the final spot in the final four in St. Louis and I have not cheered all that hard for UK all season. Kentucky was being out played in the second half by Sparty, they were down 6 late and with time winding down, Patrick Sparks etched his name into Kentucky basketball lore as this last second three sent the game into overtime. I was jumping around like crazy. Michigan State would prevail in double overtime. I was at one point glad that Kentucky did make the 2005 Final four, but now it does not bother me.

On this date in NCAA Tournament History

Six years ago, Illionis played Arizona in the Chicago regional championship, which is called the Midwest Regional. Arizona was leading by 15 with four minutes to play, but Illionis, led by Deron Williams, Luther Head and Dee Brown, fought back to tie the game and force overtime. Illionis would complete the comeback in Overtime, winning 92-91. My Dad, Rick and I were in our basement watching that game, Rick was going crazy, he was super excited about the Illini victory.

Five years ago, George Mason shocked the world, by defeating the #1 seed in the East Regional, UCONN, 86-84 in overtime. "MY GEORGE, THE DREAM IS ALIVE".

GO BIG BLUE BABY

KENTUCKY IS BACK BABY. AFTER  13 YEARS OF NOT PULLING OFF A MAJOR UPSET IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT, KENTUCKY DID SOMETHING THAT WAS LAST DONE, TUBBY SMITH'S FIRST SEASON. I was rooting for Kentucky, even though I had ohio state winning the game. I wanted to see Kentucky win the game because they were due big time. I dont think they can beat North Carolina, UNC is playing pretty good ball.

Ohio State is currently, what Kentucky used to be

Ohio State is playing its best basketball since the 2007 season. They are the best team in the Country. Kentucky on the other hand, has not been to a final four, since 1998, my sophomore year at Lehman. Kentucky has not been the same since Rick Pitino left after the 1997 season. Kentucky has made the elite eight four times since 1999, losing them all. Tubby Smith did a great job in Lexington while he was there, however, he could not get his players ( the players he recruited) past the elite eight.

Ohio State is playing in the regionals for the 4th time since 1991. Randy Ayers had a  fantastic team in 1992 led by Jim Jackson, Mark Baker, Lawarence Funderburke, Chris Jent and Alex Brown. But the Fab Five of Michigan were too much. The 1999 team was a "Cinderella", Sconnie Penn, Michael Redd, Ken Johnson, Brian Brown, Jason Singleton.

It would be nice to see Kentucky end their final four drought, but I dont see it happening this year. I feel for guys like Teyshaun Prince, Keith Bogans, Chuck Hayes, Patrick Sparks ( more on these two shortly), Gerald Fitch, Cliff Hawkins, Patrick Patterson. Some great Kentucky players who never had the opportunity to play in a Final Four. Sparks and Hayes would have if Rajon Rondo could get a shot off in the first overtime six years ago, but Michigan State prevailed and If Keith Bogans does not sprain his ankle in 2003 against Wisconsin, Kentucky  wins the National Championship in 2003.

On this date in NCAA Tournament History

On this day in 2005, Michigan State, pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, beating Duke in the regional semis in Austin. It was Tom Izzo's first ever victory over Coach K and Duke. Michigan State would advance to the elite eight to play the rival Kentucky.  Also that night, North Carolina survived a scare from Villanova in Syracuse. I remember sitting at home that night with Rick, Dad and my friend, Brent.  

On this day in 2006, LSU ( Louisana State University) defeated Texas in overtime and UCLA defeated Memphis 50-45, in a defensive struggle to advance to the 2006 Final Four in Indianapolis. It would be the first final four in 26 years without a #1 seed.

At this time 15, 10 and 5 years ago in NCAA Tournament History

15 years ago at this time in the NCAA Tournament, Mississippi State, led by Dante Jones and Erik Dampier, shocked america by defeating the #1 seed in the Midwest region UCONN and ending the College Career of Ray Allen. The 1996 Final Four, featured the Bulldogs, Syracuse, UMASS and Kentucky.

10 years ago at this time, The biggest upset in the regionals took place in Philly, Southern Cal, led by Sam Clancy and David Bluthenthal, stunned the #2 seed and my then Favorite team Kentucky, 80-76. Kentucky did not play that well all night, they did not play with any heart to me that night. Clancy and Bluthenthal put a Collar on Teyshaun Prince, holding him to 6 points that night. If it was not for the play of Keith Bogans, Jason Parker and senior Saul Smith, Kentucky probably would have been blown out that night. The biggest story of the 2001 tournament was the play of the Arizona Wildcats. Playing for their coach Lute Olsen, who was going through a difficult time with the passing of his wife. The Wildcats made it all the way to the Title game, losing to Duke.

5 years ago at this time, George Mason was making major headlines with their two upset victories. But one of the most memorable moments happened in the West Regional Semis when UCLA came back to beat Gonzaga. LSU beating Duke and ending the career of JJ Redick.

About this time five years ago..

It was about this time five years ago, that the legend of George Mason basketball was born in Dayton, Ohio. I got the opportunity to watch their two victories in Dayton. The Patriots beat Michigan State 65-55 on Friday and two days later, beat defending National Champion North Carolina 65-60. Out of the eight schools that came to UD that weekend, along with Ohio State, George Mason brought a great fan base. Their fans were loud and passionate about basketball that weekend.

Dayton Back in the Altantic 10 Championship Game

The Dayton Flyers are back in the Atlantic 10 Championship game for the first time since 2004, Brian Gregory's first year and also the senior year in college  for alot of my friends from High School. This team has definately shown the "heart of a champion". They have had their ups and downs, but I love the toughness that this team has shown in the last week. There is no quit in a Brian Gregory team. I remember two years ago when they played Kansas in the second round and the could not make a shot but the one thing I remembered from that game, is that they did not hang their head and did not get frustrated, they kept playing. It would be awesome to see Dayton take home the A 10 crown, but to do it, they have to get by either Temple or Richmond.

Lehman comes up short, again

Well, Lehman played in the district championship game for the five time in seven years and once again, came up short. They lost by 4 to Franklin-Monroe in a hard-fought game.

March Madness

March Madness is the time where legends are born, where basketball players make plays that become memories for a long time. Over the last twenty years, we have seen some great moments during March Madness. Small Schools clinch their first ever Conference Championship and make it to their first NCAA Tournament.  Duke’s 4 National Championships, the 20 year anniversary of their 1^st in 1991 and the 10 year anniversary of their 3^rd in 2001. The Fab Five of Michigan, The last Final Four Most Outstanding Player not to get drafted by the NBA, Donald Williams; North Carolina 1993, Dean Smith breaking Adolph Rupp’s record for most career wins, Mike Bibby becoming the first Freshmen point guard to lead his team to a National Championship; 1997. The legend that is George Mason University was born in 2006, when they beat three of the decades National Champions in their run to Indianapolis, including Michigan State and North Carolina at Dayton in 2006. 2006 was also the first year since 1980 ( I googled it) that featured a Final Four with out  a #1 seed. The Big Ten Conference had Final Four teams in a four year stretch from 1999-2002, The Big East Conference won National Championships in 1999, 2003 and 2004, The ACC and Big Ten Conference would oppose one another in the title game in 1992, 1993, 2002, 2005, 2009, with the ACC coming out on top in all five games. The Southeastern Conference had two teams in the Final Four in 1996 and 2006 when Erik Dampier and Dante Jones led Mississippi State on a magical ride to the Final Four in 1996, beating the #1 seed UCONN in the regional semis and beating # 2 Seed Cincinnati in the elite eight, oh I forgot to mention that the Bulldogs shocked #1 ranked Kentucky in the SEC Championship game that season as well and Glen Davis and Tryus Thomas lead LSU to the Final Four beating # 1 seed Duke and ending the college career of perhaps the greatest college basketball player to never win a National Championship, JJ Redick and then beating #2 seed Texas. Xavier University would win four games in a four day span to win the Atlantic 10 tournament and reach the NCAA tournament in 2004 and 2006 as the legend of Stanley Burrell was born in 2006. Georgia winning three games in a 48 hour span to make the NCAA Tournament in 2008, giving Xavier all they can handle in the first round. Oh, who could forget Gerry McNamara leading Syracuse on a magical ride to the 2006 Big East Tournament Championship. The Duke Blue Devils and Florida Gator’s become the first teams since the John Wooden led UCLA Bruins in the 1970’s to win back to back championships. Michigan State would give a state and an economy something to cheer for in 2009 as they went on a magical ride to the National Championship Game, bowing out to North Carolina. March Madness would feature some memorable games during the last 10 years: Illinois vs Arizona; 2005, Duke vs Xavier 2004; Gonzaga vs Arizona; 2003, Kentucky vs Tulsa; 2002 ( Teyshaun Prince, 41 points), Ohio State vs Tennessee ( 2007), Buckeyes overcome second half deficit, Michigan State vs Kentucky, 2005, Duke vs Maryland 2001, Duke overcomes 22 point 1^st half deficit ( no lead was safe against the 2001 Blue Devils), Xavier vs West Virginia 2008 ( the legend of BJ Raymond was born), Kansas vs Davidson 2008 ( the legend of Stephen Curry was born), Kansas vs Memphis, 2008 National title game, Duke vs Butler 2010 National Title game, Xavier vs Kansas State 2010, Kansas Vs Arizona, 2003, Bucknell vs Kansas 2005, Vermont vs Syracuse 2005, West Virginia vs Wake Forest 2005; Mountaineers end College Career of Chris Paul,  Ohio State vs Xavier 2007, Ohio State vs Siena 2009, Ohio Vs Georgetown; 2010 Murray State vs Vandy, 2010, Maryland vs UNC Wilmington (Drew Nicholas saves the defending champs), Michigan State vs Maryland 2010; Korie Lucious 3 propels Sparty to second straight Final Four. Missouri’s run to the Elite Eight as a 11 seed in 2002, West Virginia’s run to the Elite Eight in 2005, Northern Iowa’s surprising run to the sweet 16 in 2010, Temple’s exciting run to the Elite Eight in 2001 as a 11 seed.  I can go on and on. March Madness has also seen its share of heroes as well: Scottie Reynold’s ( 2009 Villanova), Sean May, Raymond Felton ( 2005 North Carolina), Romain Soto, Dedrick Finn, Lionel Chalmers, Justin Doleman ( 2004 Xavier), Kallin Lucas, Raymar Morgan, Korie Lucious ( Michigan State 2009, 2010), Carmelo Anthony, Gerry McNamara, Josh Pace ( Syracuse 2003), Will Bynum, BJ Elder ( Georgia Tech, 2004), Gordon Hayward, Matt Howard ( Butler, 2010), Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith (Duke 2010), Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Lee Humphries ( Florida 2006-2007), Richard Jefferson, Loren Woods, Michael Wright ( Arizona 2001), Kyle Hornsby, Dane Fife, Jared Jeffries, (Indiana, 2002), Tyler Hanbourgh, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, Danny Green ( 2009 North Carolina) and who could forget the legends of Sam Clancy and David Bluthenthal; can’t think of better reasons not to be a fan of Southern California Basketball, USC 2001, who helped the Trojan’s end Kentucky’s season in 2001 and made Tayshaun Prince look like a “fool and on drugs” that very night and It also featured the last #15 seed to beat a #2 seed, Hampton beat Iowa State in 2001, as the Cyclones could not recover from their melt down in 2000 and #16 seed Holy Cross had #1 seed Kansas on the ropes in 2002, before the Jayhawks prevailed by 11. Holy Cross put a scare into Kentucky’s 2001 tournament as a #15 seed before the Cat’s prevailed by 5. March Madness would also feature some of the best all around teams to win the National Championship: Kentucky 1996, four of the five starters were drafted by the NBA, (Point guard Anthony Epps was not), Duke 2001, One of three best starting five’s to win the Championship, All five were drafted by the NBA, North Carolina, 2005, Sean May, Raymond Felton, Rashad McCant’s, Jawad Williams, Marvin Williams, North Carolina, 2009, Tyler Hansbourgh, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington, Danny Green, Ed Davis, all five on both teams were NBA draft picks and two outstanding teams to win National Championships. The Final Four has featured some memorable Cinderella story’s as well. 2006: LSU and George Mason, 2010, Butler, who was a half court heave from winning the National Championship, 1997 Arizona, a team many thought would not make it to the Final Four, let alone beat three #1 seeds. 2000 featured 2 #8 seeded teams, Wisconsin and North Carolina, both bowing out to ensuing National Champions. 2009, Villanova, thanks to Scottie Reynold’s runner in the lane in the Elite Eight, 2005, Louisville and Michigan State #4 and 5 seed’s, 2002 Indiana, a team that gave the Hoosier State something to be proud of once again. 2008 saw all four #1 seeds make it to the Final Four.  Duke University, the last team to play in three National Championship Games in a four year span; 1991-94. University of Kentucky making it to five straight Elite Eight’s from 1995-99 and the last program to appear in three straight National Championship Game’s. March Madness would also feature some memorable sound bites, but none more memorable then Jim Boeheim’s “10 f---ing games this year” and Roy Williams “I can get a you know what about North Carolina right now”.      

        March Madness is a time when college basketball legends are born. It’s a time when basketball memories are etched into basketball lore and the record books. Its what makes sports fun and exciting to watch.

At this time 15 and 5 years ago: Big East Conference Tournament

I was watching today's Georgetown UCONN Big East Tournament Game and the commentator was saying that it was the 15 year Anniversary of the UCONN Georgetown Final when Ray Allen made the winning shot over Allen Iverson. I remember sitting in this very basement watching that game by myself. 

It was at this same time five years ago when Gerry McNamara single handedly led Syracuse to the Big East Tournament Championship in one of the most memorable Four game run's in Conference Tournament History.

The Best Basketball Coach to never coach at the Varsity Level

I’ve been around for 29 years. I’ve been to quite a few high school basketball games during that time span and seen some outstanding coaches guide their teams during the course of a long season. Guys like Doug Hughes, former Botkins Basketball coach who guided the Trojan’s to the 1999 Regional Finals and the 2001 Regional Semis. Paul Bremigan, Russia Head Coach who guided the Raiders to the 2002 State Finals, the 1995 District Championship, the 2006 District Championship. John Willoughby, Houston Basketball Coach, who coached guys like Bryan Olding, Doug Ernst, Brandon Hughes, RJ Meier. Willoughby lead Houston to three straight District Championships from 2006-2008, The 1990 Regional Finals. Jason Shatto, who led Ft. Loramie to the 2003 Regional Finals, and a #1 ranking in Ohio in 2004, Mike Lee, Minster Head Coach, led the Wildcats to the Regional Finals in 1998. Mike Piatt, former Lehman Coach who lead the Cavaliers to the District Championship Game in 2005 for the first time in 25 years, the District Championship Game in 2007 with an outstanding 18-5 record, including a 14 game winning streak and their first winning season in 2006 since Henry Stolly led the Cavaliers to a 13-7 season in the 1994-95 season. All of these coaches had outstanding players and teams. However there is one man I know, who would have been an outstanding coach at the Varsity Level, even though he never took the reins of a basketball program…

                   My Dad, Ken Schlater is the CEO of Area Energy and Electric. He is the founder of one of the finest Electrical Contracting business’s in the Midwest.  He may be one of the most successful business men in this area; however his passion for basketball and love for the sport is amazing in itself. He loves going to watch the University of Dayton play and while watching the games, he would point out what offense’s the team or their opponents would run. He is also a die-hard fan of the Boston Celtics.

                   In the 1970’s, my Dad was on Jerry Delong’s staff at Lehman. He was the Freshman Head Coach of the 1970-71 team that went 15-1. His best team would come a few years later in 1974-75. He coached the Junior Varsity Squad to an undefeated record of 16-0. That team had some outstanding players on that squad: Craig Reier, Fred Drapp, Bob Cianciolo, and Mark Geise, to name a few. My Dad one time told me that Craig Reier was one of the best players he ever coached.  Fast forward to the 1990’s. Then Lehman Coach, Ron Burgel, brought my Dad aboard for the 1991-92 season as Varsity Assistant Coach. Even though that Lehman’s Record was not all that great during the two years my Dad was helping out, he still enjoying what he was doing. It was during the 1992-93 season when Lehman played Kenton Ridge in the tournament at Vandalia High School. Lehman was favored to win the game and it was a hard fought game. The Cougars won on a last second 3 point shot. In the locker room after the game, my Dad was devastated; he pounded his hands on the bathroom stall doors and was frustrated with the defeat. 

                   My Dad took a few years off of coaching then returned to the sideline to coach the eighth grade Holy Angels boys’ team in the 1995-96 season. That was a fun group to be around. The team featured the likes of Tony Henning, Jamie Westerheide, Justin Frantz, Dave Hodapp, Ryan Ratermann, Matt Zimmerman, Anthony Amiewalen, Todd Barhorst, Matt Bowman, Brad Graver, Myself, Kyle Henson, Joe Schmeising, Jake Sinclair and Beau Sweigart. The team went 5-10, but Dad, along with Mike and Kevin Behr made the season fun. Whether it was his diamond press, black line drill, figure 8’s, motion, flex, open post offenses, Dad made the 1995-96 season a fun filled time. Practices were fun; he rarely ever yelled at any of us, he made us believe that we could achieve our potential. He prepared us for the High School level. “Dad was a basketball coach who cared so much about his players safety, during one practice, I believe it was on a Saturday Morning, Ryan Ratermann sprained his ankle pretty good and he asked Matt Bowman and I to go to the nearest grocery store (Liberty Cardinal), to get a bag of ice and a ankle brace, because we did not have that stuff at the time” Luke Schlater, “That’s the kind of person he was when he was a basketball coach”.

          Two years after the 1995-96 season, my Dad took the assistant varsity coaching position at Lehman. Henry Stolly was at the helm for the Cavaliers in his fourth and final season. It was a young team during the 1997-98 campaign. The team featured Doug DeMange, Joe Arnold, Matt Graver, Tommy Middleton, Kyle Goubeaux, Bryan Tobe, Eric Hewitt, Ben Kohlhorst, Tony Cianciolo and Ryan Ratermann. The team struggled to a 4-17 record. The high light of the season came at New Knoxville when Dad argued with the referee over a bad call and got T’ed up.  A few months after the 1998 season, Henry Stolly resigned. It was a tough moment for Lehman’s basketball team, with three returning starters coming back; Lehman needed a coach for the following season. By the time the Findlay Summer Camp approached, Dad decided to coach the team at Findlay in June of 1998. The team did not disappoint. Winning the tournament championship that Sunday against Shelby County powerhouse Houston in a thriller thanks to Tony Cianciolo’s late basket and Ryan Ratermann’s buzzer beater put back lay-up. Even though I did not play on the team that weekend, I was apart of it as the Assistant Coach as a soon-to-be junior. The team that weekend featured: Eric Hewitt, Bryan Tobe, Tommy Middleton, Kyle Goubeaux, Ben Kohlhorst, Sam Mikolajewski, Ryan Ratermann, Tony Cianciolo, Tony Staley, Jake Sinclair and Matt Hare. Days after the Findlay tournament, My Dad was offered the Varsity Head Coaching position at Lehman. After a few days of giving it some thought and being the “then” President of Area Energy and Electric, he turned it down.  Growing up, My Dad would always tell me, that if he ever coached a Varsity High School team, he would want for me to be his Assistant.

          Weeks after turning down the Varsity Head Coaching position, Lehman Welcomed Lima Native Jerry Fries as there next Basketball Coach. Dad stayed aboard and was the Junior Varsity. Along with Jerry Fries and my Dad, the Coaching Staff included 1991 Lehman Grad, Brad Barhorst and Tom Middleton, who was a successful freshmen coach.  The 1998-99 Junior Varsity Squad included the likes of Jimmy Dembski, Mitch Geise, Matt Hare, Matt Wyan, Brad Hampshire, Matt Gibbs, Matt Sargeant, Jason Hoying, Bill Mertz, Joe Schmeising, Jake Sinclair, and Derrick Orlik. The JV squad captured the Southwestern Rivers Conference crown that year. The Varsity Squad went 10-11, losing a heartbreaker to Greenview, 42-39 in the first game of the tournament. The varsity team featured: Eric Hewitt, Bryan Tobe, Tommy Middleton, Kyle Goubeaux, Ben Kohlhorst, Sam Mikolajewski, Ryan Ratermann, Tony Cianciolo, Tony Staley, Jake Sinclair, Matt Hare and Derrick Orlik. “He always had a way to motivate me and push me to be better. I came to the bench during a timeout and sat down with my head down. He use to wear the area energy and electric ring with the initials AEE that must have been a little too big. It had flipped around on his finger with the AEE facing down. He came over to me told me to get my head out of my ass and smacked the back of my head. When I felt the back of my head I had some blood and hair on my hand. His ring had put a small cut in my head. I couldn't have cared less at the time about the cut as he was right. Coach Schlater is one of my favorite coaches I have ever played for; you always knew where you stood and how much he cared for the players and team. I think he is one of those rare coaches the players want to play hard and win for him as much as themselves.  I feel very fortunate he was an assistant coach my junior and senior year. It wouldn't have been the same without him”. (Tommy Middleton; LCHS Class of 1999)To tell you the truth, we were better than a 10 win team in the 1998-99 season. If my Dad was coaching the varsity team that year, we would have won the District Championship that year. The next year, my Dad coached the JV team to a successful season and was a part of an outstanding Varsity team that won 11 games and advanced the Sectional Championship game, bowing out to eventual Regional Semi-Finalist Ft. Loramie 58-37. The Varsity team included Ryan Ratermann, Sam Mikolawjewski, Dave Hodapp, Jake Sinclair, Tony Cianciolo, Tony Staley, Luke Schlater, Matt Sargeant, Derrick Orlik, Bill Mertz, Brad Hampshire, Jimmy Dembski, Tom Hartings. The JV team featured: Jimmy Dembski, Nick Caulfield, Nick Johnston, Patrick Urbanc, Tom Hartings, Peter Henne, Matt Sargeant and Matt Gibbs and AJ Jutte. “He gave me the nickname Hondo for Havlicek, because I could play all five positions, Great coach, I enjoyed playing for Coach Schlater”, Brad Hampshire; LCHS Class of 2001. “He was a great coach who helped us get better”, Tony Cianciolo, LCHS Class of 2000, “He was the best coach I have ever been around” Matt Sargeant; LCHS Class of 2001 

          The next year, 2000-01, would be the final year My Dad would coach High School basketball. He was the coach of a young Junior Varsity team at Lehman. The team included Ryan Shaffer, Matt Zimmerman, Adam Cisco, Chip Thompson, Nic Staley, JP Sustrich, Tony Thoma, Kevin Davey, Brian Drapp, Tony Reier, Andy Ratermann, Sean Rank. The team struggled that year, and lost three of its final four games. It was during that season that one of the games featured a moment when my Dad whistled out instructions to his team and play stopped, no one knew what was going on.  I remember being at My Dad’s last JV game, on Saturday February 17, 2001, I was the only one of my immediate family there that night. I am still disappointed in my Mom that she did not come that night. I even tried to get my uncle Bill to come along with my cousin Peter, but both declined. I guess the “last game” did not mean anything to anyone other than me. Ryan Shaffer cried in the locker room after the game, hugged and thanked him for a wonderful season. “Ken had the respect of his players and he always wanted them to play hard, regardless of the result”, Jim Schlater; Ken’s brother. “My brother was a outstanding coach, the kids enjoyed playing for him and it was fun watching him coach the JV team while I was the JV cheerleader”, Sharon Rittenhouse; Ken’s Sister.

          Just a year later, Jerry Fries resigned. Lehman was looking for a basketball coach and my Dad considered applying for the job. It would have been a one year process for him. Being the senior year for guys like Justin Seger, Andy Ratermann, Andy Malarkey, Nic Staley, I told Dad, that this would be the best chance to do something fun and that you would remember for the remainder of your life. Dad told me, “this isn’t the last”. Mike Piatt took the reigns of the Lehman job; the team went 10-11, just like it did in Jerry Fries first year. Who knows what would have happened if My Dad took the job that year.  I was the administrative assistant and Freshmen Assistant that year.

 Being 62 years old, it’s pretty set in stone that my Dad will most likely never stroll the sidelines on a basketball court again. In the last 10 years that I have gone to basketball games with him, I think he enjoys being a fan. However, in the first few years after he resigned as a coach, I had the sense that My Dad wanted to get back on the sideline and coach again. I had the sense that he missed teaching younger kids the fundamentals and how to play the right way and missed coaching the sport that he loved. From time to time, he has wanted to try to give the University of Dayton Coaches some of his plays or pointers on things.  To me, my Dad, Ken Schlater, is the best basketball coach to never coach at the Varsity Level of High School basketball. Just think how better the 1998-99 team would have been, the 2002-03 Lehman team would have been if Ken Schlater was the Boys Basketball coach. Lehman would have won the District in 1999 if my Dad was coaching that team.  In 2003, he was considering applying for the Lehman girls’ job after the dismissal of Mike Greve, but turned it down. In 2006, Emily Seger tried to get him to coach the Lehman Girls team in 2007, but to no avail.

Congrats to Lehman Boys Basketball

Twenty years ago, winning basketball games in postseason were hard to come by for Lehman boys basketball. Ten years ago, from 2001-2004, their four tournament losses were by a combined 14 points. Things have changed snince 2004, they advanced to the District Championship tonight, March 4, by defeating Botkins, for the fourth time since 2005 in the tournament and will participate in the district championship game at UD Arena for the 5th time in 7 years under their third different coach, (Piatt, Vanover and Williams) not to mention they improve their record on March 4 to 1-2 and 1-1 in sectional championship play. Something to inform all the former players, especially ones that I played with, these guys came to watch us while we were there, you could at least go and support OUR ALMA MATER. Congrats to the Cavaliers and Good Luck Friday night

On this day in Lehman Basketball and College Basketball History: March 4

On Saturday, March 4^th, 2000, the Lehman Cavaliers took on the Ft. Loramie Redskins in the Division IV Sectional Finals, it was the first time in 13 years since Lehman last made the Sectional Finals, meanwhile Loramie was playing in it’s third sectional championship in the last four years. Lehman needed to be at its very best to win, but it wasn’t in the cards. Brad Rethman and the Redskins rolled to victory, 58-37 and ended Lehman’s season one game short of a return trip to UD Arena. “We just did not have our day that we needed, even though the margin of victory really does speak for itself, I don’t think we gave Loramie our best punch that afternoon, we did not play the way that Lehman could play” I also think that the experience of playing in a game of that magnitude really mattered, because Loramie is a storied basketball program and they know what its like to play in a game of that magnitude. We on the other hand, we were new to this whole environment, first time winning two games in the tournament since the seniors were in the 1^st grade and we were new to the setting. Having the opportunity to be a part of a team that made the sectional championship game is something I will remember for the rest of my life.  That was the final game for the senior class of Ryan Ratermann, Sam Mikolajewski, Tony Staley, Tony Cianciolo, Jake Sinclair, David Hodapp and Luke Schlater.

Five years later on the same day, March 4, the Lehman’s Boys basketball team played in the District Championship game at UD. They would take on Cedarville that night and at the half, the game was tied. Lehman trailed by 3 after three quarters and midway through the 4^th quarter, Lehman trailed by 11. Freshmen forward Kyle Corbin would bring Lehman to with in 4 with time winding down, but it would not be enough as the Cavaliers lost 60-54. Corbin had 31 that night. I was proud of the Lehman team that night for how well the represented the school and our basketball program that night. We were a “Cinderella” at the District Championship that night. That was the final game for the senior trio of Luke Maurer, Derek Horstman and Mitch Rank. That would be the first of four District Championship game losses in a six year span for the Cavaliers boys basketball program.

On this day 11 years ago, Kentucky hosted Florida on senior day, it would be the final game at Rupp Arena for seniors Jamaal Magloire and Steve Masiello. I remember watching that game in the living room prior to going to Lehman for our game. That would be Florida’s second-to last loss before losing to Michigan State in the title game. Kentucky would go undefeated at Rupp and would lose to Syracuse in the second round by a basket in a game they should have got beat by 20.

On this day 10 years ago, My Mom, Dad, Eli (my cousin) and I were down in Apopka, Florida at my Grandparents house on vacation. We decided to stay in because the weather was not to great that day and there were two outstanding basketball games on, that’s if you’re a fan of the Florida Gators and Duke Blue Devils. Florida hosted Kentucky that afternoon and “obliterated” the Cats, I don’t believe that the Cats came to play that afternoon and I don’t believe that they played with any heart that afternoon either. They would play just as poorly 18 days later against USC (and yes I am right as well). The Gators won by 18 that day and I don’t know the score. Shortly after that, North Carolina hosted Duke. My cousin and I were in my Grandparents pool watching the game. Duke was without Carlos Boozer that day, but Jason Williams, Shane Battier and Mike Dunleavy helped the Blue Devils coast to the victory to gain a share of the ACC crown. The two teams would meet the following Sunday in the ACC tournament championship game, with Duke coming out on top as they would go on to win the National Championship.

Five years ago today, Dayton hosted Rhode Island on senior day. Dayton was having a “non-flyer” like season. The Rams defeated the Flyers by 13 that day. It was the final home game for Warren Williams, Marques Bennett, Doug Penno and Logan White. The Flyers basketball program would see much better days in the years ahead.