Last Friday was a special evening for Thomas Worthington Basketball...unfortunately, it wasn't quite perfect. Prior to the varsity game, the parents of all the players and cheerleaders were introduced and a special ceremony took place commemorating Bob Miller's 500th career victory.
The current team presented Coach Miller with the game ball from their win at Delaware Hayes the week before. Then our group of alumni (between 25 - 35 strong) came onto the court as Brad Wentz, a member of Coach Miller's first team at Worthington, presented Bob with a ring celebrating the acheivement. And finally, Athletic Director Jeff Todd presented Coach Miller with a plaque that announced that the court in Memorial Gym will now be known as Bob Miller Court. It was obvious that Coach Miller was touched by seeing many of his former players and thanked many of the people insturamental in reaching such a milestone.
He mentioned his players, past and present, his assistant coaches over the years, and his family. Wife Judy, Son Scott, his wife and their son were all on hand for the affair.
Unfortunately for the home team, Westerville Central made a lot of plays down the stretch to win by one in overtime. Both teams fought hard and it was a close game throughout, but the Warcats prevailed and took a one game lead in the division with both teams having one to play. A write up about the game is below.
I especially felt bad for a senior class that has been nothing short of great, on and off the court. The loss Friday was only their second in two years in the division. For those of us who have gotten the chance to see them over the past few years, this class will be missed not only because of their abilities on the court, but their class and good humor off it. You guys have done the program proud.
If you get the chance to see their last regular season game at Marysville this upcoming Friday or a tournament game, you should....they're a fun bunch to watch.
The Dispatch Article:
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/preps/stories/2008/02/02/hsboys_tworth02.ART_ART_02-02-08_C6_EP98425.html?sid=101
Boys basketball: Fernandez's shot gives Westerville Central a share of title
Saturday, February 2, 2008 3:07 AM
By Steve Blackledge
With the Ohio Capital Conference Central Division championship on the line last night, players from Westerville Central and host Thomas Worthington made decisions in the heat of the moment that their coaches didn't exactly endorse.
Ultimately, it was the Warhawks who were celebrating at least a share of their first championship after a 54-53 overtime victory.
Ignoring a set play, point guard Jerrell Fernandez hit a 15-foot basket that gave the Warhawks a 54-53 lead with 13 seconds left.
"We called a fist play, where we wanted to space people out, drive to the basket and hopefully either find somebody open or draw a foul," Westerville Central coach Todd Minney said. "That wasn't the play we drew up, but Jerrell's the kind of player with enough confidence to take, and make, a shot like that. To his credit, we did have two guys under the basket to rebound it."
Fernandez said his instincts told him to break off the play and take the shot.
"I looked up and saw the clock ticking down, saw an opening and just decided to take it," he said. "There are just certain times in a game when a player's got to step up and make a play and I felt that was one of those times."
Westerville Central (13-4, 8-1), a fifth-year program experiencing its first winning season, can clinch the title outright with a win over Central Crossing or a loss by Thomas Worthington (15-4, 7-2) to Marysville on Friday.
Thomas Worthington's chance to counter went awry when senior forward Taylor Hobbs missed a 26-foot three-pointer with seven seconds left.
Cardinals coach Bob Miller, who had the court named in his honor befor the game, didn't hide his unhappiness with the hasty shot by Hobbs.
"First of all, our point guard (Eric Easley) shouldn't have passed it to him," Miller said. "We're only down one, and in that situation we want to get the ball to the basket. Taylor's our leading three-point shooter and he has that kind of range, but we had plenty of time to get what we needed there."
In the fourth quarter, Westerville Central had a chance to win, but Fernandez's 25-foot three-pointer rimmed out as time expired.
It took 2:31 for either team to score in overtime.
Lucious Mayfield, inserted for the first time after teammate Max Van Meter fouled out, made an off-balance fadeaway basket to put Westerville Central up 52-51 with 1:05 to go.
"We've been playing 11 guys all year and I don't have a problem putting any of them in with the game on the line," Minney said. "Lucious made a huge shot right off the bench."
Hobbs, who scored 15 points, answered on a give-and-go with 30 seconds left, setting up the winning shot. Kyler Cowgill scored 14 points.
Just 18-66 in its first four seasons, Westerville Central has been one of the area's surprises.
"This is what we've been thinking about since day one," said Warhawks forward Tyler Devoll, who had 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Fernandez said, "This gives our basketball program a name. It tells us we're finally good."
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