MARION LOCAL ( 17 - 9 ) V.S. SEBRING McKINLEY ( 24 - 1 )
While Sebring McKinley comes in with a better record and #3 ranking, don't be
fooled. Marion Local plays in the toughest small school conference in the State.
With games that go down to the wire every week, the pressure of playing at this
level is normal for the MAC school. They are not alone in Columbus, with fellow
conference foes, St. Henry & Versailles playing for championships.
Sebring has a size advantage with two 6'5 players at the forward positions,
but the bulk of their scoring comes from the guards. David Scarpitti and Joe
James both average 13 points a game, while the big men stay around the 8-9
points per contest.
Marion Local can match with 6'5 Russell Moeller ( 13 pts. ) and center Cory
Luebke ( 17 pts. ). Look for the play of Ryan Winner to be the key for the
Flyers.
This should be a great game, both teams come into the contest almost even
with points scored and allowed. I look for Marion Local to advance in this
contest and here's why. Experience, plain and simple. This makes back-to-back
trips for the Flyers, while the Trojans make their first appearance since 1973.
ADVANTAGE: MARION LOCAL FLYERS
KEY PLAYERS
MARION LOCAL
CURTIS MOELLER - 4.5 PPG.
CORY LUEBKE - 17.6 PPG.
RUSSELL MOELLER - 13.0 PPG.
ADAM KREMER - 4.2 PPG.
RYAN WINNER - 11.0 PPG.
SEBRING
MATT FERGUSON - 8.6 PPG.
JOE AMABELI - 8.3 PPG.
DAVID SCARPITTI - 13.7 PPG.
JOE JAMES - 13.5 PPG.
DAN SCARPITTI - 10.3 PPG.
COACHES
KEITH WESTRICK - 8 YEARS - 133 - 45
BRIAN CLARK - 5 YEARS - 88 - 29
PLAYOFF APPEARANCES
MARION LOCAL: 2004 - 2003 - 1984 - 1975
SEBRING: 2004 - 1973 - 1970
SOUTH WEBSTER ( 22 - 3 ) V.S. HOLGATE ( 18 - 7 )
Two teams not ranked have made the Final Four. When looking on paper, South
Webster has a big advantage. With an average of 62 points scored and giving up
only 47 per game, the Jeeps look to run Holgate out of the gym. Will that
happen? We will see very soon.
Holgate only averages 43 points a game and give up an average of 35. For them
to make the trip to Columbus, deserves much credit. The last time the Tigers
played at State was 1953. Coach Wayne has his team prepared with ball control
and defense and could cause problems for the higher scoring Jeeps.
I have to give South Webster the advantage in this game, but I
also don't see a State Champion coming from these teams. ADVANTAGE: SOUTH
WEBSTER
KEY PLAYERS
SOUTH WEBSTER
NICK ALDRIDGE - 25.8 PPG.
EVAN DeCAMP - 7.9 PPG.
ROB JOHNSON - 6.4 PPG.
KYLE CAYTON - 8.6 PPG.
JUSTIN RICHARDSON - 5.5 PPG.
HOLGATE
BLAKE SIZEMORE - 5.6 PPG.
ADAM BJORLIN - 1.4 PPG.
DREW CLADY - 10.2 PPG.
LEE BRUBAKER - 9.7 PPG.
RYAN FRUTH - 3.4 PPG.
COACHES
MARC KREISHER - 1 YEAR - 22 - 3
PAUL WAYNE - 27th YEAR - 384 - 241
STATE APPEARANCES
SOUTH WEBSTER: 2004
HOLGATE: 2004 - 1953 - 1940