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.