BERLIN, Ohio—The legacies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coach Perry Reese Jr. are being remembered, featured and honored once again by way of the highly regarded Classic in the Country. For the 13th consecutive year this small northeastern Ohio community is playing host to thousands of fans, recruiters, media and evaluators. Over time the Classic had innovated, adapted and kept itself at the cutting edge of both basketball and technology. The past three years have seen the active implementation of social media platforms and the addition this weekend of an imposing video board showcasing teams, sponsors, attending recruiters and, of course, highlights and replays. Across three days 20 games will feature 30 different teams and some of the most promising young talent on the scholastic landscape.
While the Classic has always featured national caliber teams from across the country, this year’s lineup is made up exclusively with programs from the Buckeye State…and for good reason. The younger classes in Ohio are already being equated with the renowned 2003 class that featured five McDonald’s All-Americans. Validating that perspective is the over 150 college coaches who reserved their spot courtside for the event prior to Saturday’s tip-off of the event.
With seven games are in the books, here’s a wrap up of the day one action
SUMMIT COUNTRY DAY 43 – FORT LORAMIE 38
The day started with what looked like a runaway for Fort Loramie who jumped out on Summit Country Day by a 12 to 2 count after one period. Saying that the Silver Knights responded would be an understatement. A 23 – 6 second period gave them a seven point edge at half and a lead they wouldn’t give up. When all was said and done Summit posted a 43 – 38 win over the Redskins. Dynamic sophomore guard Ravin Alexander posted 15 points in the win on 5 of 9 shooting including 2 for 3 from long range. Fellow sophomore Kiana Allen added 14 more and senior Gabbi Gehner went for 12 on 5 of 6 shooting. Versatile senior Jessica Boerger was alone in double figures for Fort Loramie finishing with 25 points that included an impressive 10 for 10 showing at the line. In the loss the Redskins outshot and outrebounded Summit but their 21 turnovers led to 19 Silver Knight points and disappointing loss.
TECUMSEH 70 – CHIPPEWA 46
Highly regarded and tournament tested Chippewa found the going tough from the tip against Tecumseh. The Arrows took an 11 point lead after one (23 – 12) and never looked back. They outscored the Chips in every period and cruised to 70 – 46 final margin in the win. Five players finished in double figures led by 17 from senior Caroline Smith and 16 each from fellow senior Lindsey Nartker and impressive freshman Presley Griffitts. Another freshman, Corinne Thomas added 11 more while senior Danielle Franklin had 10. Chippewa, who shot just 37 percent from the floor, was led by senior forward Ashley Richardson’s 8 of 11 shooting and 21 points. Fellow senior Carly Koncz had 13 in a losing effort. Tecumseh shot 47 percent as a team from the floor and dominated the glass 40 to just 15. They did commit 25 turnovers but Chippewa could only convert those into just 14 points.
MOUNT NOTRE DAME 59 – WEST HOLMES 56 (Overtime)
The day’s best game was a back and forth affair that saw Mount Notre Dame need overtime to get by West Holmes. An offensive rebound off a missed free throw led to a Hannah Clark three to get the Knights to the overtime period but the Cougars outscored them 8 – 5 and claimed the win. MND trailed after each of the first three periods in regulation but used a 19 – 13 fourth quarter to hold a three point edge before Clark’s three point game extender. Freshman point guard Gabbie Marshall provided an eye catching performance leading the way in the win with 16 points, 3 assists and 4 rebounds along with 3 for 4 three point shooting. Another 2019, Julia Hoefling, finished with 14 while junior forward Maria Pisciotta had 13 more. Senior guard Abby Weeks added 11 of her own in the win. Clark’s 18 paced West Holmes while 2016 classmate Brittleigh Macaulay finished with 17 points and 9 rebounds.
ARCHBISHOP ALTER 63 – AFRICENTRIC 48
Defending Ohio Division II State Champs, Archbishop Alter wasted no time jumping out on a very young Africentric team holding an 11 point lead after one and a 14 point margin at the half. They added 6 more to the gap in the third before the Nubians cut five off the deficit in the fourth leading to a 63 – 48 win for the Knights. Senior guard Libby Bazelak found the range early from three point distance finishing with a 4 for 4 (8 for 12 overall) showing on her way to 26 points. Junior point guard Braxtin Miller also shot it well (8 for 13) and added 18 more in the win. Africentric got 20 in the loss from explosive and competitive junior Leah Morrow who was 9 for 14 herself from the floor. Alter outshot Africentric 43 percent to 35, outrebounded them 40 to 32 and forced them into 19 turnovers.
WADSWORTH 54 – NEWARK 46
Wadsworth and Newark fought a physical battle that saw the Grizzlies hold off a second half charge to claim the 54 – 46 win. Newark found themselves down 4 after one period and trailing by 5 at the half. They cut the lead to just 40 – 37 entering the final quarter but Wadsworth handled the pressure in the fourth to wrap things up. Senior Jodi Johnson led the way in the win with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Newark had two in double figures with senior Takia Barrett posting 16 points and eight boards while junior Emily Paul added 15 points of her own. For the game Wadsworth outshot Newark 44 percent to 40. The edged them on the boards as well by two and forced the Wildcats into 24 turnovers that they converted into 23 points.
MASON 56 – MAGNIFICAT 33
Magnificat outscored Mason by one in the fourth period but unfortunately for the Blue Streaks Mason had already outscored them by 22 leading up to that point. The Comets were convincing in the 56 – 33 win opening with a 17 – 2 first period and never looking back. While Mason shot just 34 percent as a team they held Magnificat to 27 percent and forced them into 20 turnovers. Senior forward Lauren Van Kleunen led all scorers with 13. Junior Samari Mowbray chipped in 11 and senior point guard Jailyn Mason added 10 more for Coach Rob Matula. Magnificat got 10 from senior forward Phoebe Sterba.
BERLIN HILAND 59 – DAYTON CARROLL 46
The 13 point final margin in Hiland’s win over Dayton Carroll makes the game sound somewhat closer than it actually was. Coach Dave Schlabach found a way to get nine of his players double figure minutes in a game that saw the Hawks hold a 10 point lead after one and a 15 point edge at the half. Hiland had got 16 points each from junior Jessica Troyer and sophomore Kennedy Schlabach. The Hawks shot 54.5 percent in the first half and finished the game at a 45.1 clip. They also posted an 11 for 24 showing from behind the three point line finishing at 45.8 percent as a team from deep. They outrebounded Carroll by 6 but joined the Patriots above the 20 mark in turnovers with 24, just one less than they forced themselves. Junior forward Amanda Schroeder led Carroll in the loss with a double – double of 16 points and 12 rebounds.
