DUBLIN SCIOTO IRISH VS THOMAS WORTHINGTON CARDINALS

"Now I've been happy lately thinking about the good things to come. And I believe it could be something good has begun.........."

I hope you remember the artist and the song, I will leave you the answer when I close our season.

Thewebguy has been very upbeat since our last tournament victory. It was his belief that "something good had begun."

The IRISH offense in the 1st quarter of last nights game made him feel really good about our chances of making it to the Central District finals against the number one seed, Westland High School.

However, our play or lack of play in the second quarter brought about our "EVE OF DESTRUCTION".

If you get the chance, thewebguy asks you to go back and read the article titled, " What thewebguy Knows". Unfortunately, the outcome of this game was right in front of him. He got what he wanted but not on the side he wanted!


Let's talk basketball...........

Varsity Game

The first quarter play was the best team work that thewebguy had seen the IRISH use all year long. Not that it did not take team work to get where they were. However, the IRISH were looking for the second and third opportunities. Thewebguy liked this and thought that it was very good strategy on the part of Coach Bisutti.

Once again, the IRISH were determined to get the ball into Clark Crum. Clark missed his first shot but Austin O'Connell was there to put score the first points of the game on an offensive rebound.

The IRISH continued to look for Clark. Clark being bottled up started looking for other players. He got the ball back out to Duzan and Freeman or he fed Austin coming down the middle.

LJ and Zach helped the cause with 3 point baskets each and Austin O'Connell sandwiched another basket in-between buckets by Clark Crum.

The IRISH left the floor after the first quarter with a 4 point lead of 14-10. ("....now I've been smiling lately thinking about....")

The second quarter was the demise of the IRISH. So much so, that it reminded thewebguy of BARRY MCGUIRE and his song, "EVE OF DESTRUCTION". The IRISH imploded, exploded and went kerplunk!

Coach Bob Miller changed his defensive strategy and employed a very high top and low post zone defense. The IRISH disintegrated on the offensive side of the court.

The zone defense kept Duzan, Rolf and Freeman too far away to launch any three point shots and was tight enough to not allow any drives to the basket. Our passing game became erratic and the turnovers started to pile up.

The IRISH's inability to score impacted their defensive play also. The Worthington Cardinals stepped up the tempo of their offensive game and continually beat the IRISH down the floor and scored on lay ups or put backs from offensive rebounds.

Scioto was outscored 11-2 in the second quarter and were behind 21-16 at the half. That is when thewebguy was reminded of a line in the song "EVE OF DESTRUCTION" "....take a look around you, boy, it's bound to scare you, boy.....". Yes, thewebguy did not have a good feeling!

The third quarter brought about a higher level of play from both teams. The zone employed by Worthington got much tighter and rougher. Both teams were called for two double fouls. A rare call in itself, but to see it called twice in one game is a new one for thewebguy.

Zach Duzan and Clark Crum led the IRISH in the 3rd quarter. Each player scored five points apiece. It was not enough to put a dent in the seven point lead built up by the Cardinals. The IRISH left the floor down by seven at 37-26.

Thewebguy is sure that the last thing said by Coach Bisutti to the seniors was to leave their game on the floor when the final buzzer sounded. That is exactly what this senior class did!

Zach, LJ, Jordan and Kyle played very good in their last quarter for the Dublin Scioto IRISH. Duzan and Rolf each hit three point baskets, Freeman reminded thewebguy how good he is at free throw as he drained four freebies. Jordan Whitehouse continued what he did all year long. He stepped out to screen for the players that scored. He attempted to take a charge, he fought valiantly under the boards even though he was continually out manned. Thewebguy hopes that the fans appreciated the "game" of Jordan Whitehouse.

The IRISH ran out of time in the fourth quarter. Their attempt to obtain a 15 win season for the fifth time in a row was thwarted by the Thomas Worthington Cardinals. Thewebguy wishes Coach Bob Miller and the Cardinals best of luck in the District finals and beyond!

The Scioto scoring was led by Clark Crum with 15 points, Zack Duzan had 11 points, Austin O'Connell had 8 points, L J Freeman 7 points and Kyle Rolf had 3 points and Steve Oesch dropped in 2 points.

The Irish Varsity final season record is 14 wins and 9 losses. They finished 6-4 in the OCC Cardinal Division league. They were tied for 3rd place with the Olentangy Braves.

The final score was Thomas Worthington 53 and Dublin Scioto 46.

The Final Comment

Thewebguy believes that this senior class took the team much farther than any fan realized. Thewebguy wishes each of them all the success after graduation. However, gentlemen...you still have some education to finish......

Thanks for a very good season, thanks for allowing thewebguy to report on your play and thanks for the memories that you gave to each of us as parents!

".............For out on the edge of darkness there rides the peace train" CAT STEVENS...... And now you know the rest of the story!!!