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Okay, so the 11 boys’ teams in the eastern Maumee Bay region did not fare as well as the girls’ teams.
That is only when you look at the accumulative records of the teams.
Three of the 11 boys’ teams were at .500 or better at the end of the season, while 5-of-10 girls’ teams had winning marks. At one point midway in the season, Eastwood had the best boys record but was still right at the .500 mark.
That changed in a hurry. Eastwood went on to defend its Suburban Lakes League championship, and as a result Todd Henline has been voted voted Alan Miller Jewelers All-Press Coach of the Year and his 6-foot-8, 250 pound senior post player Clay Rolf is Player of the Year.
Both ran away with the voting. Waite coach Dave Pitsenbarger, Genoa coach Jeff Overmyer and Gibsonburg coach Brent Liskai also received votes.
During a time when we have a contingent of local coaches who are taking charge at their alma mater — Henline leads the pack.
It must make a difference because Northwood coach Matt Donegan, Stritch coach Jim Sheehy, and Clay coach Rob Belegrin all have been working to follow suit at their alma mater, and Sheehy has had success during his eight years there. Give Donegan and Belegrin some time — they just arrived onto the scene as head coach.
After last year’s Eastwood championship season (20-3 overall, 14-0 SLL) and an outright title again this year, Eastwood fans have to feeling pretty good about who the school hired to replace long time coach Steve Stoller three years ago.
For POY, Rolf dominated voting, while Waite 6-7 senior center Antonio Allen, Genoa 6-9 senior post Richard Wonnell, Woodmore 6-1 senior guard Justin Garver, and Northwood 6-2 senior guard/forward Ryan Canaday got votes.
Rolf, who averaged a double-double 16.7 points and 11.8 rebounds, was also chosen the SLL Player of the Year. He led the Eagles to a 15-7 season (11-1) and a sectional victory over Woodward before the Eagles lost to Libbey in the championship.
Even though the 18-year-old Rolf is headed to Bowling Green to play NCAA Division I football, one voter commented he thought he could move on to also play basketball after seeing him play in the victory over Woodward.
"Here's what I would say," Henline told The Press. "They're going to be more impressed with his athletic ability than his basketball ability. Because of his size, he's going to be able to score and rebound in the Suburban Lakes League. But he moves well and he has a soft touch, which are great basketball attributes.
"Basketball is third on the list for Clay. He is really good at saying whatever sport happens to be in season, that's his favorite sport. He's a great kid, but the time he's put into basketball has been minimal. For what he's done for us the last three years — he's averaged a double-double and he disrupts other teams' offenses — if he would have concentrated on basketball and worked at it, he would have been one of those players where you were saying 'Wow!’”
"Football is No. 1, definitely," Rolf said. "I love everything about it."
Whether or not he could have been an all-world basketball player at Eastwood had he concentrated on that sport is a moot point for Rolf.
"That's a question that will never be answered," he said. "I could have been worse if I concentrated on one thing. I'm trying to enjoy my senior year as much as I can. So far it's been great. I don't want to leave yet."
Genoa’s Coach Overmyer said he has admired Rolf's accomplishments as a three-sport athlete.
"Clay has enjoyed an extremely successful athletic career," Overmyer said. "High expectations are placed on him, and to his credit he has met and exceeded those expectations despite being the focal point of every opponent's game plan. Clay displays poise and class on the floor and he's a credit to his family, team, school and community. BGSU is gaining a fine athlete and an even finer individual."
Joining Rolf on the All-Press First Team are two players each from Genoa and Waite. From Genoa, 6-1 senior point guard Matt Bassitt and 6-9 senior post Richard Wonnell made the first five list. Wonnell averaged 14.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and three blocked shots per game. Bassitt averaged 17.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists. The Comets finished the regular season 13-7, 8-4 in the SLL.
It might be noted that Gibsonburg 6-2 senior wing Lee Renner, a second team choice, trailed Wonnell by just one vote. Renner, a First Team SLL, First Team All-District 7, and SLL All-Academic selection, averaged 16.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and had a school record 63 three-point goals. The Golden Bear guard averaged 71 percent in shooting from the free throw line.
On the All-Press First Team from Waite are 6-7 senior center Antonio Allen and 6-0 junior guard Ke-Sean Harris. Allen averaged 13.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks, while Harris averaged 17.9 points, 2.5 assists, and 3.8 rebounds. The Indians were 11-9 during the regular season, 5-6 in the Toledo City League.
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