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Originally Posted by tedginn05
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I went to the game and have a few observations:
- A majority of that lead was built in the first quarter when South Webster scored 18 straight points. The score was tied at 7 three minutes into the game then they went on that amazing run using their speed and capitalizing on some of Columbus Grove's lazy passes. South Webster's largest lead was 26 but Grove cut that lead to 15 a few times... if they didn't build that large lead the game would have been much closer.
- I am speechless that Nick Aldrige was not on the D4 1st-team all-state, let alone the player of the year. He was originally committed to Cincinnati but his offer was revoked when Huggins was let go. He had a huge game (34 points) and was one of the best D4 players I've seen in a while... he could play inside and outside and was very mobile for a player his size. There was a period in the third quarter when he just took over the game and made 6 or 7 straight shots.
- My Bulldogs came out looking flat and couldn't hit the broad side of a barn in the first half... if they played the first half like the second half they would have had a shot to win the game... of course it is easy to make that assertion though.
I think South Webster still would have won by 8-10 with their speed and shooting (61.7% for the game).
- Here are the official attendance totals for all four championship games:
- Division 4: 16268
- Division 3: 16024
- Division 2: 15674
- Division 1: 15531
I find it interesting that the Division 4 game had the highest total, even if it was only by a few hundred. Does anyone know what the "sellout" capacity was for the championship games? I know the Schott holds 18000+... I think part of that total is because of the support these small communities give their teams. I know that the entire town of Columbus Grove was there (they were joking about the last one out of town turning out the lights) plus I saw many fans and players from the teams in Grove's two conferences (Putnam County League and Northwest Conference).
Overall, even though my alma mater lost I am very proud of their accomplishment on Saturday. I talked to my dad later that night and he said that the town had a welcome back rally in the town square... the team was escorted into town by not only Columbus Grove's fire trucks but every town in the county also sent one to welcome home... a great gesture from the surrounding communities! It's awesome to hear about that kind of community support and is something you just don't see (or at least notice as much) in the city.