It was about this time in 1998

It was about this time in 1998-99

 

The 1998-99 Lehman Girls Volleyball team traveled to Centerville High School to play in the 1998-99 Regional Semis and Regional Finals. Back then, you had to win 2 games to advance to the State tournament at Wright State and there would be 3 matches and not five like they are today.

 

The 1998-99 Lehman Girls Volleyball team was Awesome. They were led by a great Senior Class: Jackie Watercutter, Meghan Tyler, Courtney Fuller, Sarah Henthorn, Megan Roeth and Kelly Short. They loved playing for Greg Snipes. These girls were a joy to watch and they played so well together. The rest of the team was rounded out by Juniors Jenni Fortkamp and Kara Reier, Sophomores Heather Butt, Michelle Pelter, Bethany Biggs and Joy Wills. The nightcap at Centerville High School was a thriller. I don’t recall who they played, but it was a exciting game. We looked down, but Jackie Watercutter, Jenni Fortkamp, Meghan Tyler would not let us lose,. Jackie was one who would ride over someone’s back to spike the ball, she was that good. Her and Jenni Fortkamp on the front line were an unstoppable duo. Bethany Biggs, Meghan Tyler Heather Butt and Michelle Pelter played a key role in that game to get us to Wright State.

When the team was in tournament play, Meghan Tyler created a buzz that went a long way: "Let's thunder 'em". Jenni Fortkamps' Mom, her husband did magnets, buttons etc that looked like a thunder cloud that had everyones name and number on it and during the games, the Lehman crowd would chant “We hear thunder” and went was a pretty cool phrase that carried us all the way to the state title game

 

We played some team in the State Semis and rolled over them. In the 2^nd game we were ahead by a nice margin and Junior Kara Reier, a girl I have known since the 1^st grade and one who rarely saw the floor her last two years at Lehman, brought the Lehman Crowd to its feet and some members of the Class of 2000 in attendance to tears as she scored the point to put us in the state championship game. To this day, its my favorite Kara Reier moment. The next day, we played Archibold in the State Championship and that team was not going to be denied that day. In the 2^nd match, they turned a seven point deficit into a 13 point rout and seeing my friends and girls that a lot of people enjoyed watching and made us proud being outplayed that way, was very difficult. To this day, I feel bad that your last game, Class of 1999 ended the way it did. You girls have a lot to be proud of. Your class had awesome athletes: Football to Baseball, Basketball to Volleyball. I remember the emotions on the floor. Megan Roeth’s face was as red a a bead. The next day in the Dayton Daily Sports page, there was a picture of Kara Reier crying. Words can't describe what that senior class meant to Lehman volleyball, they represented Lehman volleyball with class and ladies you have a lot to be proud of.

I wish NFL teams would leave Farve alone

I wish that the NFL teams would leave future Hall of Famer Brett Farve alone and allow him to enjoy his retirement. You have guys like Tim Tebow, Donovan McNabb, Troy Smith, Todd Boeckman, Kellen Moore, Matt Leinart out there who are wanting to resume their careers. I know McNabb retired a few months ago, but I think these teams should give him a try.

Bengals Receiving duos of the last 20 years

1990's: Darnay Scott and Carl Pickens: Two awesome receivers who were not surrounded by great talent during their days in Stripes. David Klingler, Jeff Blake and Boomer Esiason threw these two passes during their Bengals careers and its a shame because these two never appeared in post season play with the Bengals

2000: TJ and Chad: two awesome receivers who I wish were playing right now in the league. Carson Palmer had these two and they were awesome to watch. Guys like Chris Henry, Kelley Washington, Kevin Walter, Peter Warrick, Reggie Kelly, Matt Schubel. It's a shame these two great receivers only appeared in one playoff game together.

2010: AJ Green and ???: I am leaving this spot blank because currently, the Bengals are currently looking for a 2nd receiver to compliment Green. Jerome Simpson, Brandon Tate, Jermanie Gresham, Tyler Eikert, Marvin Jones, Mohamad Sanu. Andy Dalton is doing a fine job with this group, yes Simpson is gone and these others are filling in nicely to fill the void.  

Notable pitching performances in LCS Game 5, teams facing elimination

In the last 10 years, I have noticed some notable pitching performances in a Game 5 LCS game when a team was facing Elimination.

2003: The Marlins were facing Elimination and Josh Beckett pitched a gem to take the NLCS back to Chicago and the Marlins went on to stun the Cubs 4-3.

2007: The Red Sox were trailing the Indians (sound familiar) 3-1 and Josh Beckett was sent to the hill and his Game 5 gem sent the series back to Fenway where the Red Sox beat the Indians 4-3

2012: The Giants, who came back to beat the Reds in the NLDS, were in a familiar spot against the Cardinals in the LCS, down 3-1, they sent Barry Zito to the mound and Zito's gem sent the series back to San Francisco, where the Giants beat the Cardinals 4-3.

On this night 10 years ago. A Classic in the Bronx

The Yankees and Red Sox squared off to go to the World Series in a winner take all Game 7. The pitching matchup was one made for Cooperstown: Pedro Martinez and Roger Clemens. The Red Sox grabbed the early lead and Clemens was taken out in the 7th Inning. In the 8th Inning, the Yankees rallied and Grady Little was about to take Pedro Martinez out, but Pedro had the final say. Pedro decided to stay in the Game and the Yankees came back to tie. The Game went into the 11th Inning. Aaron Boone hit Tim Wakefield's first pitch into the upper deck in left field and the Yankees advanced to the World Series. The Yankees lost the Fall Classic to the Florida Marlins 4-2

On this night in 2003, A personal favorite moment of mine

On this night in 2003, The Minnesota Golden Gophers hosted Michigan at the Metrodome. Minnesota jumped out to a 28-7 lead in the 3rd Quarter. In the 4th, Michigan decided it was time to play some ball. John Navarre led the Wolverines to the greatest comeback in UofM history. Chris Perry scored twice, Navarre hit Braylon Edwards for a 50 yard touchdown and Jacob Stewart returned a interception for a touchdown. Freshman kicker Garret Rivas connected from 35 yards out with 40 Seconds left as Michigan stunned the Golden Gophers and retained the little brown jug.

It was one of my favorite moments as a diehard Michigan Football fan (1996-2005).

My hopes for the next Reds Skipper

With Dusty Baker being let go, it was a surprise. However, i think the Reds should look "Outside the organization". Barry Larkin, Tony LaRussa, who managed the Cardinals and worked under Jocketty. I to this day, still do not agree with the Bob Boone hiring, but it is what it is.