The basketball fans of North Central Ohio are lucky because it is not often you see a battle of unbeaten teams this far into the boys’ basketball season, but that is exactly what is going to happen on Wednesday night at the O-rena at Ontario High School when the Warriors host the Norwalk Truckers.
To the winner goes the outright lead in the Northern Ohio League and controlling interest in the league at least until the teams meet again on the last Friday of the season in Norwalk.
The Truckers, ranked number one in Ohio in the statewide media poll in Division II, has won 57 straight regular season games dating back to February of 2011. Middletown, during the days of legendary Ohio State star Jerry Lucas, holds the state record of 76. Willard, also a member of the “NOL,” won 69 in a row from 1979 through 1982. That streak was broken by Mansfield Senior.
The Warriors, in their first year in the NOL, rank fifth in the state in division two and are led by three year starters Cameron Mack and Tyler Boatwright.
Ontario coach Joe Balogh, with 400 career wins dating back to 1987 at Ontario, says Norwalk plays with no fear. “They have kind of been through just about everything during their streak. They have blown people out. They have won close games. They have played a variety of different styles during their streak, so their kids play with no fear. They have no fear of coming into any place, or playing anyone,” he said.
Norwalk is coached by former Lexington coach Steve Gray and features two four year starters in Jeff Thomas and Ben Haraway and the league’s leading three point shooter in Grant Hull.
Both teams feature pressure defense and Gray says being able to handle the ball against that pressure will be a big key for whoever wins the battle. “We have both averaged about 68 points a game. We both have given up about 50. If you are sloppy with the ball they make you pay. The thing about Ontario, and I think the thing about us, is turnovers lead to points. Taking care of the basketball will be a high priority for us on Wednesday,” he said.
Because of the size of the communities in the Greater Mansfield area a lot of emphasis is placed on high school athletics. In many communities, the school system is right at the center of what is happening.
That is not the case if you go to Cleveland or Columbus or Dayton. Yes, there are games of this magnitude played in those areas too. However, it’s clear there is not nearly the fan interest for Cleveland Heights and Bedford or Pickerington North and Gahanna Lincoln is there is for this game. There will be a large number of fans in the gym that aren’t fans of either side, but just interested in a great high school basketball game.
As far as who will win the game, Balogh says it will likely come down to a few big plays in the end and which side makes them. “That is probably what this game will come down to is the team that has players make plays and doesn’t turn the ball over will probably be the team that has the most success,” said Balogh.
Who I think will win? Well, I think it’s a toss up, but if you made me choose I would say Norwalk by five.
“They have kind of been through just about everything during their streak. They have blown people out. They have won close games. They have played a variety of different styles during their streak, so their kids play with no fear. They have no fear of coming into any place, or playing anyone.” – Joe Balogh, Ontario boys basketball head coach on Norwalk.
After years of toil and sweat behind radio station microphones, longtime broadcaster, Jeff Swank joined the new generation of sports followers on the web.
Swank launched his internet radio station with nothing more than some wire, a box with some knobs and switches, and an itch to do much more than just scratch the surface of everything sports.
Richland Source is proud to introduce Jeff as a writer focused on high school sports. He will contribute a weekly column and analysis of a featured game of the week from one of our area high schools.
In addition to his work at Richland Source, Jeff provides complete high school sports coverage for over 70 Ohio schools at his web site, http://www.swankonsports.net76.net/.
