Well like the Dispatch pregame writeup said, about 8 of the Ready players considered football thier favorite sport, and at times the blocks and tackling did make it appear to be arena football, but at the end our couple of basketball players were able to get it done. A few sore spots for sure. At times it seemed as if the officials were slow and not sure if they wanted to call or not, but they let it get physical early and let them go, no blood no foul.

I felt the officiating was quite good. Yes, it was a tough, physical game....just what you want. Chase was huge on Graessle. He couldn't handle that big body pounding him. And how about the kid Chase rolled over at their end.....ouch!...lol
What can you say about Miller.........way to deliver. I was sitting pretty close to his family....his mom was so emotional she could hardly watch. lol

Sittin' here with Hoobs and my boys right now getting the inside scoop. He's pretty pumped.

All played great! How about that bomb Bolyard hit! Reminded me when Ranauld hit that deep one at state and the announcers said it should count for 4. Great stuff! One to go!

Let's go Red!

I think it is pretty safe to say the 2 best teams in DIII are going at it Saturday.

rrfan,
guys behind me from Van Wert were in awe. Jake does it all the time....that's what I told them.

Also saw JJ...of JJHuddle...he's a Ready guy, which made this win extra sweet....should have paid my $12 directly to him.

Hope he goes off for about 35 Saturday!

Should have gotten my 12 bucks back from JJ. Lol!

What's this do for Sly's legacy...after only 1 year? If we win state...can you even begin to complain about the program as long as he's the coach?

I say no....he's already got a free pass from me....anything after the Triway win was gravy...but his team has exceeded so many expectations....just so happy for him.

Has any team gone from 1-and-done one year to the state title the next? Usually, teams have to knock on the door a few times before they kick it in.

PS - 500+ blog visits today....easily a record.

Biggest week in blog history...for obvious reasons.

rrfan wrote: All played great! How about that bomb Bolyard hit! Reminded me when Ranauld hit that deep one at state and the announcers said it should count for 4. Great stuff! One to go!

Let's go Red!

That was Michael Reghi announcing then , who had no clue what was going on, Smitty was confering with the officials because they had Ray for 4 fouls and the idiot Reghi thought they were arguing to get a 4 point basket.

Its good to be a Red Rider!

riders1,
Great memory...Reghi was/is a dork.

RedRider1 wrote: riders1,
Great memory...Reghi was/is a dork.

Right about that, and people in Cleveland were upset when Gilbert came from Detroit and brought in real pro announcers and canned Reghi.

I know it's JJHuddle...but a very good read.

http://www.jjhuddle.com/news/articles/2010/3/25/orrvilles-remarkable-run-continues-red-riders-rally-to-top-ready

From Sly....

"Our community has waited and waited for something to get excited about.”

We sure have.....

Just finished reading your blog Red. Nice job. One thing did puzzle me though.....why...no welcome home celebration....what's up with that?

They said when they announce a banquet...that will be the time for fans to attend and help celebrate.

I dont know what they dont just have one on Sunday...what's the harm....gives the kid a chance to see the players and get autographs. I remember going to them in the 90's. Smitty was always in rare form.

Six tourney wins....anyone think we'd be where we are? Still seems unreal.

OrrPride wrote: Just finished reading your blog Red. Nice job. One thing did puzzle me though.....why...no welcome home celebration....what's up with that?

You have got to have something in Orrville, the thing in the auxilary gym is not enough, it's just a little OHSAA promo thing, what about the fans that can't get to Columbus and the community?

^^Exactly...have a community celebration IN THE COMMUNITY. Just helps the state clear the arena quicker.

The game is on STO. Anyone hosting a watch party?

THE4RINGZ wrote: The game is on STO. Anyone hosting a watch party?

Not me, I'll be in the FRONT ROW............. of section 214 anyway.

WOW just looked outside and it's white, makes you think back a year ago and think it would be a cold day in hell before Orrville won a game at STATE!

Me neither, I'll be in the FRONT ROW...........of Section 111.

Wow!

I've got a few comments on what I have just read. First off, this bitching by the losing team about the refs is absurd. That was a very physical game and it went BOTH ways, PLUS.....like golfman said, if it wasn't a foul, then there would have been an easy lay up. (and BTW, kudos to Sam for getting the inside position on that!).........then, of course, sinking the FT's! Bam!

I agree with RR1 about most teams would have folded after what happened to us when our lead diminished and was taken away. These young men responded with a fury that is just frickin' awesome.

Also, RR1, consider this question that was brought up tonight: Has there ever been a first year head coach (and I mean TRUE first year head coach, not just first year at a school) who has won a state championship AND also PLAYED on a state championship team FOR THAT SAME SCHOOL!?

OrrPride: I think we are just keeping it low profile for now and hoping to save the HOOPLA for later.

1_beast cracks me up!

As well you should be. Enjoy the game and bring home a W.