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[Rocketman]

..........continued
The first game of this year's Classic wasn't an especially exciting game from an outside observer's view, but the fans of both schools were certainly into the game and for a 10:30am on a Saturday morning it got everyone into the right frame of mind. The staff and volunteers this weekend certainly knew their jobs and the efficiency is evident from the scheduling of the games to the fabulous music selection that is played during timeouts, and between games. ( I made mention during my in-game reports that the person responsible for the music montage was my MVP for the weekend!)
The games being played on the court were certainly the reason that the crowds were here, but I was looking for that something else. Girls basketball has taken a backseat to the boy's game over the years, but this shows that putting a good product on the floor will bring even the fringe fan into the fold. 20 games, packed into 3 days not only satisfies the basketball aficionado, but the opportunity to see some of the best talent in Ohio and the nation under one roof helps bring in some who ordinarily might not drive 5 miles to see their own high school team. These are the ladies who will be playing for the UConn's, the Tennessee's, and Ohio State's in the next few years. 'Da cream of the crop like they say back here in NW Ohio. This is definitely where it's at for girls high school basketball this weekend!
As the games flew by, I continued to update the RC thread with all the scores, and all the sights and sounds I was experiencing. The day was building towards the much-anticipated matchup of a relative newcomer out of Florida called Potter's House and one of the best girls programs in Ohio.........the Berlin Hiland Lady 'Hawks. By 8:00pm on Saturday night the Reese Center was jammed to the hilt awaiting this game. But before this contest would commence there was another surprise for the audience.
The promoters of the CITC had arranged for Marvin Blanks, a noted impersonator and historian, to perform a re-enactment of Dr. King's 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech. During those short 16 minutes that he spoke it became very apparent to me what this event was truly all about. A standing ovation wasn't nearly enough in my opinion, but the applause of the crowd was deafening at its conclusion. It was then that I realized what Mr. Jenkins and everyone associated with this were trying to accomplish.
The game itself showed that talent sometimes does win out over heart as Potter's House defeated Hiland rather easily if you looked at the final scoreboard. But the hustle and determination of those Hawks was not to be discounted. While they might have lost the game, they prepared themselves further for their ultimate prize.......another girls state championship! And after watching them this past Saturday I would not doubt their resolve in attaining this goal.
I then drove back to my hotel room at the Hotel Millersburg. A beautiful room on the 3rd floor overlooking the downtown. I did a little work on the computer and then fast asleep in one of the most comfortable beds I've ever had. The next morning I headed back to Berlin to grab some breakfast before the first game at noon............(to be continued)

[slice slice baby]

Posted this in another thread over in one of the girls' threads...Thought here would be a good place to ahve it, too......




Here's a link to TheVoice Of Holmes County site where you listen to replays of the games & also catch an interview by Rocketman & all sorts of other information about the event.......

TheVoiceOfHolmesCounty.com-Classic In the Country

To hear RM's interview, go to the link above & on the left hand side under 2010 - Day Two Interviews, click on the 'listen' button behind Rocketman (Rocketcorner.com).

[ADog]

Cool..