91 replies to this topic

[justin44]

Keep control of the tempo again just like against Dunbar today, Blue Dogs. Frustrate them in to low-scoring quarters like the 2-point 2nd quarter they had today. Again, there's no reason to think you don't match up athletically with them, if you don't turn the ball over. I know that's easier said than done, but you can also frustrate their offense in to sloppy passes by doing that. Good luck from all NW Ohio tomorrow & bring home that first hoops state title !

[bulldog96]

Great win by Defiance over a great program like Dunbar. These young men are making this community proud win, lose, or draw tomorrow you guys are number one. Aj Harris is an impressive player cant wait to see him playing for the Bucks. Good Luck Bulldogs!!!

[dhsdawg06]

I know using common opponents isn't the best way to go about things, but the one common opponent for these teams is Holy Name. Central Catholic beat them twice in the regular season....once by 3 and once by 11. Defiance beat them in the regional finals by 25.

On the other hand, Central Catholic has to be flying high right now after beating SVSM.

I think the Holy Name scores prove though the the Dogs CAN play with these guys. They just absolutely can NOT get off to a start like they did today. I understand nerves playing in your first state game in the big arena and everything, and that's understandable. But 9 turnovers and a 13-4 deficit after 1 isn't a very good recipe for winning a state title game.

Regardless of what happens tomorrow, I know these kids are going to give it 100% and won't quit until the final buzzer sounds, and I'm proud of them for that. This has already been a truly historic season in Defiance basketball history, and while I obviously want to see the state title featured next to the football and baseball titles in our trophy case, the result tomorrow won't change my level of pride for the way they've handled themselves on and off the court this year. This is a solid group of young men who stay out of trouble and are led by a great coach, and they've earned and deserved everything they've gotten this year.

As far as the game, I'm going completely with my heart and picking Defiance in a close, low scoring game.


On a completely different note: when Tinora went down to Columbus and lost in the state title game in 2009, their opponent in that game was Cleveland Central Catholic. The Rams acquitted themselves nicely and hung in, but an 11-0 deficit after 1 killed them. Actually outscored them from then on 38-34, but they just weren't able to overcome the bad 1st. Hopefully the Dogs are ready to go from the start and today's win has taken their nerves out of the equation and they can finish the job their counterparts from across town couldn't quite do 6 years ago. Go Dogs!

Edited by dhsdawg06, 27 March 2015 - 10:01 PM.

[charliesheen]

I'll admit...didn't see the Dawgs taking down Dunbar....but now that they've done it, I'm thinking they bring home the trophy. Nobody in NE Ohio will admit that Defiance's schedule prepares them to play in this game....but other than the top 4 or 5 games, CCC's schedule isn't all that great....and CCC lost their 4 biggest games of the year. I actually think that maybe the crowd will favor the Dawgs...and I'm fairly certain that other than a few games, CCC has never played in front of an opponent's cheering section that had more than a couple hundred fans!!! Good luck to the Dawgs.....make the WBL and NW Ohio proud tomorrow!!

[BlueJay]

CCC by 6

[Maltese Falcon]

Defiance wins in OT. Congratulations to the Bulldogs and Coach Lehman. The team is a reflection of their coach, hard workers who are a true class act. Defiance becomes only the 2nd WBL school (with OG) to win a state title in boys basketball. great job bulldogs!

[paynepanthers]

CCC never recovered from the technical after the dunk. Bulldogs never lost composure. Congrats Defiance.

[Tinman]

Congrats Defiance...GREAT JOB!!!

[doughash]

Wow great job by the Bulldogs. Always been a big fan of Kirk Lehman, hell of a coach. Looking at the box scores for both Defiance games this weekend and noticed that out of a total of 68 minutes the Bulldogs had the lead for a total of 8:26. Tells me that they got it done in the clutch.

[waterloowonder]

Defiance becomes a member of schools with State Championships in Baseball, Basketball and Football. Other Publics that I know of are Patrick Henry and St Henry. Good day to be a Defiance Bulldog.

[dhsdawg06]

I still can't believe this and Im not sure when it'll sink in. I can't say enough about these kids and the effort they put in all season. They were good at the beginning of the season, but if you would told me they'd win state I would have said you were crazy.

One of the big turning points of the season seemed to be when they went to Ottawa without Katwan and found a way to win. Seems like the younger guys from that night forward bought in and truly believed they were good. It took some luck along the way and it wasnt always pretty, but these kids never panicked and never gave up. Today was proof that hard work and great teamwork can still take you a long way. Im couldnt be happier for Coach Lehman and his staff. Proud to say that between Lehman, Buti, and Held we have one of the best big 3 sport coaching combos in the state of Ohio.

[FlightCrew]

Congrats to Defiance....Great win.
Disappointing to see a game decided like that however....

[Bluetiger76]

waterloowonder, on 28 March 2015 - 08:31 PM, said:

Defiance becomes a member of schools with State Championships in Baseball, Basketball and Football. Other Publics that I know of are Patrick Henry and St Henry. Good day to be a Defiance Bulldog.

non-pub.....Elder, Molloer, Watterson, Benedictine, St X, Iggy, St Vin St Marys, St Eds & Ursuline......also Marion Pleasant I believe.

Edited by Bluetiger76, 28 March 2015 - 11:40 PM.

[dhsdawg06]

From the best I could gather after midnight while tired: 19 schools have won championships in baseball, basketball, and football.
Akron SVSM, St. Henry, Canton McKinley, Cincinnati Elder, Cincinnati Moeller, Dayton Chaminade-Julienne, Lakewood St. Ed, Cincinnati Pucell Marian, Cincinnati St. Xavier, Cleveland St. Ignatius, Columbus Watterson, Columbus DeSales, Defiance, Hamilton Badin, Patrick Henry, Marion Pleasant, Middletown Bishop Fenwich, Upper Arlington, Youngstown Ursuline.

That would mean 6 public schools have done it: St. Henry, Canton McKinley, Defiance, Patrick Henry, Marion Pleasant, and Upper Arlington. 3 from NW Ohio with a 4th JUST outside.

Edited by dhsdawg06, 29 March 2015 - 12:18 AM.

[Teddy Malone]

Celebration in the gym at 6pm Sunday.

[cameroncrazie90]

for anyone who says it's a shame to see a game decided like that (because of the T I'm assuming), it's just a testament to the fact the best team is usually the most disciplined....

[moe_ szyslak]

Key to victory, and the main key to the state championship, in my opinion = Cam Singleton.

Watched the kid play early in the season, and watched the kid play at the end of the season. Completely different player. Timid and unsure early, and exactly what the team needed late. Wasn't the all-star or best player on the team, but he was the deciding factor, in my opinion.

[Outspoken]

Let's face it...I agree with Kam, but another unsung hero: Michael Menendez. Smart 4.0 GPA......fast, understands his role. Great under rated distributor of the ball who is also capable of drilling a shot if you completely ignore him. Kid is a winner. Great defender also. Dogs not the same team completely when he sits. Same type of person as his coach on and off the floor. Congrats Defiance!!

[FlightCrew]

cameroncrazie90, on 29 March 2015 - 02:00 AM, said:

for anyone who says it's a shame to see a game decided like that (because of the T I'm assuming), it's just a testament to the fact the best team is usually the most disciplined....

The fact that opinions are very split, and are trending more toward letting it go, tells me all I need to know. It was a judgement call and the ref should not have blown his whistle. For anyone who's ever dunked running full go like that, you can get in situations where you swing and it is scary.

[dhsdawg06]

moe_ szyslak, on 29 March 2015 - 07:38 AM, said:

Key to victory, and the main key to the state championship, in my opinion = Cam Singleton.

Watched the kid play early in the season, and watched the kid play at the end of the season. Completely different player. Timid and unsure early, and exactly what the team needed late. Wasn't the all-star or best player on the team, but he was the deciding factor, in my opinion.

Kam is by far the most improved player from the beginning of the season to the end. It was fun to see.

2 more that were nonfactors early but played key roles at some point are Jordan Scott and Noah Strausbaugh. Jordan hit some key free throws down the stretch against Wauseon in the OT win despite shooting ZERO in the regular season, and Noah put his body on the line and took multiple charges at key times.

Just a temendous TEAM run this year. Singleton and Smiddy will get all the pub, and rightly so, but the role players did a great job and this wouldn't have happened without them.

Edited by dhsdawg06, 29 March 2015 - 08:57 AM.