Spring Forward

I can't believe spring is already here. Basketball state finals on Saturday - when track meets were going on. Opening day for area baseball and softball teams two days later on Monday. Yikes! No break in the action...

Here's a good bet: Moeller will follow their state basketball title with another one in baseball. The Crusaders are loaded again. Check out our feature story on their baseball program in the upcoming issue of Hacks Magazine, due out next week. They have an amazing legacy.

If you get a chance to see one pitcher this spring in fast-pitch check out Ryle junior Kirsten Allen. Chances are by the time she is finished with her career she will go down as the best player to ever come out of NKY. Simply dominating. Last year's stat line: 0.22 ERA, 478 strikeouts, 13 no-hitters - all in leading the Raiders to a state title.

Speaking of domination: How about Ross going for their 21st straight FAVC title in fast-pitch? Senior hurler Anna Smith is one of the best in Ohio.

Covington Catholic is going for their 21st straight season of 20+ wins in baseball. That's impressive.

Time sure does fly. Former standouts Jackie Cornelius of Oak Hills and Stephanie Salas of McAuley have taken over the reigns of the Mount Notre Dame softball program. Jackie was featured several times in Hacks during her prep career. Now she has already graduated from college and is coaching. I'm getting old. She said the same thing about herself when I talked to her.

Here's a news flash...not. CovCath and Notre Dame are loaded again in tennis.

I counted 22 Cincinnati teams that are now competing in lacrosse. The sport still has not become sanctioned by the state, but it continues to grow in popularity.

We'll be getting the website populated with spring sports content over the next week or so along with other feature stories from our next issue of Hacks.

John Diebler is the real deal.

In case some of you have never heard of John Diebler who plays for the Upper Sandusky Rams, trust me when I tell you that you will know him next year when he is playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Diebler became the leading scorer in the state championship in Div II by scoring 48 points, breaking the old record of 38. His 48 points put him third for the most points ever scored in an Ohio championship game, only behind Jerry Lucas (53) and Clark Kellogg (51).

The most remarkable part was the fact the Diebler did it despite having been fouled very hard, borderline technicals that weren't called for whatever reason. He suffered a bloody nose more than once (not sure if he broke it) but fought through the blood, mask and yards of tape throughout the game.

Depsite the fact his team lost 87-85, it was probably the most courageous performances I have ever witnessed. Diebler is the real deal.

Best Part of Moeller's win on Saturday.

The great thing about high school sports is that most of the kids are playing for their school, their fellow players, family and friends.They lay it all out on the line and for 32 minutes it is their time and win or lose they leave everything on the court.

Sometimes their blood and sweat. Sometimes their tears. But sometimes their smiles, exhuberant shouts of joy and hugs.

Saturday night after Moeller beat St. X for the Division I state title, the best part of the game actually occured in my opinion.

Moeller's guard Tony Rack stood near the free throw line, locked arm in arm with this team as they sang Queen's 1977 hit "We are the Champions."

The scene that unfolded went something like this.

"Hey Tony"

"Yes, sir?"

"Tony there are two little boys in the crowd that are such big fans of yours that they asked me to get your autograph for them"His smile widening even more than it had during his celebration.

"Where are they? Can you point them out?"

"Over there behind press row. See them? they are wav....."

Tony bolts across the Ohio State floor, leaps over the press tables and grabs the little boy, giving him a huge hug and holding onto him for a few seconds. Then Tony takes a sharpie and signs the little boy's shirt, along with his brother.

The little boy's dad stands there with his chest out in admiration and appreciation of what Tony did. The mom has tears welling up in her eyes for the kind jesture. The little boy, his eyes glazed over as his hero returns to the court. Possibly dreaming of wearing the Moeller uniform someday.

That is what was great about Saturday night's game. That is what we sometimes forget when we count a player's greatness based on wins and losses.

I'm not necessarily a Moeller fan but I can tell you after last night, I'm a Tony Rack fan.