Toledo City League playoffs

• lhs2ndbase

  Should be a couple of good games. St. Francis needs to keep shooting the ball the way they have been IMO to win, SJJ is going to come out firing. The CC/Whitmer matchup is interesting too since Whitmer lost by 10 last time around, we will see how much this team has improved. Ill take SJJ by 5 and Whitmer in Ot in a low scoring game
  
  knightxc1-I agree Libbey will be more athletic and faster than Eastwood, would they matchup in sectional finals, but Eastwood goes 6'8", 6'6", 6'5". Dont get me wrong Id take Libbey over them any day of the week and even think Eastwood may struggle with Woodward, but given the right pace Eastwood could give the Cowboys a game, and I also believe Rossford should beat Scott should they matchup
• hookshot

  If both St. John's and Central win tonight, that would make for an all SJJ-CCHS championship game for all three TCL levels -- Freshmen, JV and Varsity. How unusual is that?
• vball10set

  I'd think it'd be highly unusual--I wonder if it's ever been done involving any two teams in the TCL??
• SFSFan

  Come on, Ross Ford - SJJ intentionally allowed Storm to score in the paint. Please. No way Ed would allow that nor would any self respecting player - absolutely no way. And the Titans escaped that OT by the skin of their teeth - they weren't going to just allow Storm to have all those points, risk their undefeated seating, just to lull them into complacency in case they meet again in the city league playoff! However, I would love to have some of those drugs you must be using!!
  
  Tonights' games are going to be great matchups. I think SFS shot terrible from the perimeter last time they played SJJ - and the last two games, they've been a little more consistent with their perimeter shooting - hopefully they carry that momentum into tonights' contest. And anyone who watched the game will admit the ref'ing was terrible. Hopefully tonight we see a clean, well played, well referee'd game...it'd be a disservice to all the kids playing if that's not the case. Good luck to all teams tonight - enjoy yourselves, stay healthy, and play hard!!
• ross ford81

  SFSFan: Please do not come on here and misrepresent what I posted. I did not say SJJ "allowed Storm to score in the paint". They DID intentionally allow him far too many touches in relatively good position on the block with no one attempting to front him, and that indeed was their strategy to not focus much on him and take away the outside game and penetration (which they did well). Storm had a fine game and finished. And I never said or implied that this was done for some strategic reason for a possible rematch. I believe SJJ thought Storm would not be quite that effective and they were wrong. I expect there will be more focus on Storm tonight.
  
  While SFS might not have shot well from the perimeter last time, how did SJJ do at the foul line? I won't even comment about officiating, as if the only play that impacted the outcome of the game happened with 2.4 seconds left.
• vball10set

  from the 2/13/10 Blade:
  
  "Lowe said he opted not to foul after that timeout. Despite the Titans' woeful 12-for-27 effort at the foul line, he preferred to rely on his team's defense.
  
  St. John's was 20-of-42 from the field, including 8-of-15 from 3-point range, and was outrebounded 35-24 by the Knights.
  
  St. Francis was 20-of-45 from the field, including 5-of-14 on 3-pointers, and was 13-of-21 at the line."
• SFSFan

  ross ford - don't get your panties in a bunch - you said "intentionally allowed Storm to do too much " They may have intentionally not focused on him, but certainly they didn't intentionally allow him to do too much...hard to interpret what you wanted to say. Thanks for clarifying....
  
  And for clarification - I never said the poor ref'ing was one sided or anything about the last inbounds play - so please don't misrepresent what I said as well. I simply said I thought it was obvious the ref'ing left much to be desired and that I hoped tonights' would be called better by the officials. If you believe it all comes down to the last 2.4 seconds with the non-call on Storm....or the 3rd call on Yodzis where replay clearly showed no foul at all...I think the whole game pretty much stunk from the one ref (two were okay....it was the "older" guy that also missed the first half three pointer at the buzzer.) So, I understand that you don't want to comment on the officiating...hard to complain when so much goes your way...got any obvious missed calls from the game (live or on replay) that went the other way?? Regardless - it doesn't matter - I'll stand by my last comment - I hope it's a good, clean game, the kids stay healthy, and the officials do a "BETTER" job than last time they met....should be a good game.
• Swamp Fox

  My Panthers are still around and I must admit I have enjoyed watching this occur. They are still a ways from being what they will eventually be, but they are a very nice ball club now that still may not be quite good enough to win the City this year, but they are dangerous. I also really like the Central team under Coach Welling. I'm very respectful of Coach Heintchel's outstanding record and consistency through the years at St. Johns and Coach Lowe over at St. Francis has done a nice job also. In my humble opinion, these four teams have proven that they are the best in Toledo this year, and any of them would be a worthy Final Four Champion. The reason I refer to the Panthers as "My Panthers" is because I picked them before the actual season started to be in the Final Four along with the three parochial schools. It's so rare for me to get these things right that I just had to boast a little. OK, I'm done.
• KnightXC1

  

  SFSfan - I agree with basically everything minus the call on the 3 at the end of the half. I do think Kent got it off late both live at the game on watching the replay.
  
  lhs2ndbase - Don't get me wrong, Libbey will have their hands full but I think minus the size Eastwood has, the Cowboys can match up with them well. I also think Scott can give Rossford a very good game as they always turn it up a notch in the playoffs. No one expected them to knock out Waite and SFS last year and take Rogers to OT in the state tourney. Both Scott and Libbey are coming off of a good week of games so they have momentum heading into the tourney. Libbey certainly has a better chance of advancing than Scott does though.
  
  As for tonight, GO KNIGHTS!!!
• D Bialorucki

  D Bialorucki wrote: Back to the topic.....
  
  SJJ - 47
  SFS - 51
  
  CCHS - 55
  WHS - 49

  Sorry I was so far off on the WHS score...
• KnightXC1

  

  St. Francis wins game one over St. Johns 72-63 and Central beats Whitmer comfortably to set up a big rematch on Thursday night. Haven't gotten a chance to watch the game yet but from listening on the radio, SFS killed the Titans down low with Storm and Fockler. Loving wasn't doing anything and last I heard, he had 2 points. He may have added a couple before fouling out but the Knights did a great job.
  
  Central continues to just win. Took care of Whitmer tonight from what it sounds like. Should be a great rematch come Thursday.
• TolCentralCath

  Central Catholic rolls tonight against Whitmer. The final was 54-39. The Irish defense came up huge tonight. CCHS controlled the game the entire time. The big guys may not be big on the offensive scoring side but they have a huge impact on defense.
• Mr Pat

  Go Knights!!!
• Swamp Fox

  Central really looking good. Coach Welling has his program in place and the stage is set. St. Francis eased past St. Johns and this should be a classic final. I guess if I were picking now, I'd probably go with Central but it's going to be a good one.
• SFSFan

  Central dominated and SFS was never really out of control against SJJ - it was tied at one point in the third, but SFS pulled away again. The Frannies got some pretty good point production from several players - they'll have to be equally as engaged on Thursday - they're going to need all their horses to play Central close. And while I would love to see SFS take this match-up, CCHS is going to be pretty darn hard to beat if they play like they did last night. But if SFS can stay out of foul trouble and keep getting solid games from the Yodzis' and Fockler's of the team, and hit their perimeter shots...they will make it a fun, exciting, and close contest. Looking forward to it!
  
  GO KNIGHTS!!
• vball10set

  nice win for Coach Lowe and the Knights--should provide a great atmosphere for this long and fabled rivalry...btw,I just read that the last time the Irish were City Champs was Bialorucki's senior year!!! j/k,db
• ross ford81

  SFS can win Thursday night -- no question. To me, they executed a game plan. They were physical. Storm made plays and good decisions. If Central can solve the issue of whether or not to double team or prevent Storm from getting in position (to score or find other people) they can win. Welling may be the best coach in the city but Lowe knew what he was doing Tuesday night and he'll be ready too. My guess is this will be a 3-point game either way.
• D Bialorucki

  vball10set wrote: nice win for Coach Lowe and the Knights--should provide a great atmosphere for this long and fabled rivalry...btw,I just read that the last time the Irish were City Champs was Bialorucki's senior year!!! j/k,db

  Hey, I'm not that old. Looking forward to Thursday. On one side my buddy Nick Lowe and on the other, my school and 4 kids from Rossford including Drew and Jay who I know well and are world class kids from world class families...
  
  Prediction to follow. Nailed the semi's...
• KnightXC1

  

  The Blade has a short memory this morning as they said last night was the first time Lowe has beaten St. Johns. They must have forgot about Darryl Roberts and Chris Wyse beating them a few years back, God Junga and the rest of the Blade is awful.
  
  SFS can certainly win tomorrow night. With Storm and Fockler down low they will make Central decide early on whether or not to double Storm. Central is much more physical than the Titans were but I think SFS is a deeper team and can handle the pressure. Should be a good one tomorrow.
• D Bialorucki

  I like Central Catholic 45-39.
• TolCentralCath

  Coach Welling will have his men ready tonight. I am excited to see what kind of defense they will be playing in order to stop Stanley and Fockler.
  
  
  Interesting fact I read in today's article in The Blade about this game, Coach Lowe is a 1990 graduate of Central Catholic.
  
  
  It's time to end the 42 year old drought, GO IRISH!!!
• KnightXC1

  

  Central won and they did what they needed to do. Played slow tempo and scored when necessary. Congrats!
  
  On to SFS. Thanks for laying a huge freaking egg tonight! Was almost a carbon copy of the first game to a T. For the first half, I thought SFS did a great job on containing Lehman and not letting him get anything. Unfortunately, that's about all the nice things I have to say. The Knights made no adjustments whatsoever from the first game to now and from the first half to the second half, none! Lowe made a great adjustment against SJ from the 1st to 2nd game but changed nothing against Central. Just let them stand around for long posessions at a time while the Knights were trailing and countered with nothing offensively. I still do not understand how SFS's guards cannot get the ball to the tallest kid in NW Ohio. Cannot understand it one bit. Throw it up to him, not at his waist! Storm, you have been a great player but when you get the ball, it is inexcusable to be stripped as much as you do. Drew Lehman should not be able to take the ball from you, ever! (nothing against Lehman at all, fine player). I think he had 3 points in the second half?!!! That cannot happen! It's like having Kobe or Lebron on your team, they should touch the ball every time down court. Storm should touch the ball in the post every time down the court. Just something that hasn't happened for 2 years now. Blows my mind.
  
  Then at the end of the game when SFS fouls Central, Lowe takes out probably our best or second best rebounder in Fockler (played great again, another lone bright spot) and what happens? Kid misses but Central easily gets the rebound over a much shorter player, right where Fockler would have been. Takes me to the guards, outside of Fought (thought did a very good job for the most part) no one else did anything. Goldsmith was invisible and his shot was just not good at all, which is the second straight game this has happened (may still be sick since he was on Tuesday). If that's the case then so be it. But if not, he has to show up next week.
  
  Sorry, I ranted a little there but this was a golden opportunity for both teams, with SJ being down and the whole league not being as good, for one to capture a rare title. Central capitalized and SFS did not. On to the playoffs where SFS better step up their game to the level they had against SJ, especially since they may and likely will see them again. Congrats again to Central for doing what you needed to do.
• NLLBEST

  Score?
• TolCentralCath

  Central Catholic, CITY CHAMPS!!!
  
  Congrats to Coach Welling and his men and the entire Fighting Irish faithful! The Irish played with heart tonight and you just knew they weren't going to lose this one. Central controlled the tempo of the game the entire time. A low scoring game, that's what Coach Welling does.
• TolCentralCath

  36-28, Irish!!!
  
  When these teams first met in the regular season, CCHS won 37-28.