1999-2000 Lehman Cavaliers Basketball

Five years later at this time, during my senior year, a new bunch began a 5 month journey. The 1999-2000 Lehman Cavaliers began preps for Jerry Fries second season at the helm. That team featured 7 seniors: Ryan Ratermann, Tony Cianciolo, Tony Staley, Jake Sinclair, Dave Hodapp, Sam Mikolajewski and Myself. 4 juniors, Matt Sargeant, Bill Mertz, Brad Hampshire and Derrick Orlik. One sophomore Jimmy Dembski. We began with scrimmages at Bluffton and Columbus Grove and wouldn’t you know it, the one who lead the team in field goal percentage was yours truly 2/3 including a buzzer beating 3 against Columbus Grove. When I hit that 3, I was so excited. I could not contain myself and I felt like a part of the team right then. Everyone was so happy for me. It was the 1st 3 pointer I ever hit in a game. To lead the team in field goal percentage in the preseason after 2 preseason games, I was honored to have that distinction. I remember our first game against Franklin Monroe, taking the floor for the first time and hearing Lehman’s fight song. I had the Kentucky fan song playing in my head every time I took the court for warm-ups. We won that game and I was glad it was a close game, because I would have gotten nervous playing in my first Varsity game. We played Botkins on the road in our next game, they were coming off a trip to the Regional finals and gave them a game through 3 ½ quarters. Late in the 4th quarter, we were down by 20 and I was hoping to get in the game, but it was not to be. I was very upset that I did not play in that game, but I don’t blame coach Fries 15 years later. There were other games I should have played in, but did and did not.