Sunday, March 13, 2011

2.1

This week, I had the privilege of working the OHSAA playoff games hosted by ONU. I coordinated the post-game press conferences. In addition to some great PR practice, I watched some really good basketball.

On Saturday, Celina and Van Wert squared off for the Division II District Final. After watching some teams in semifinal action on Wednesday, I was expecting a good game. My expectation were certainly exceeded. 

This was the scene with 2.1 seconds left to play. Celina had the ball on their end of the court. I found myself shaking. I had no affiliation with either team, but at that moment of the game all of the emotions and feelings that I felt as a high school athlete came rushing back to me.


Van Wert was able to force a turnover, giving them the game and the district title. RIOT ENSUED! But, I sat back and watched.

I looked at the Van Wert crowd and remembered the exciting feeling when your team has just pulled out a thrilling victory. The Van Wert students were cheesin' and the parents crying tears of joy. I could tell that Corey Clifton (Van Wert's star player who dropped 27 points) was on top of the world after he drained a pair of game winning free throws.

On the flip side, my heart went out to the Celina nation. It's the worst feeling when you watch your friends and/or loved ones lose in such a heartbreaking fashion. My last high school volleyball match ended in a thrilling five-set fashion, the final set being 24-22. I felt for senior forward John Homan, who was crushed after the game. It's an awful feeling when your high school athletic career comes to an end, especially the way his did.

So where I am going with this? The ONU Sports Center was flooded with school and community pride. That gym underwent every single emotion in a quick hour and a half. Those Van Wert and Celina players, coaches and fans will remember Saturday night for the rest of their lives. Some of my favorite memories as an adolescent involved volleyball games and intense swimming races.

I went to that game to do a job. I had to check in the media and coordinate the press conference. More important, I got to experience a moment. I'm a firm believer that sometimes you have to embrace the environment that you are in and what you are experiencing.

2.1 seconds is all those ten players on the court had. A short amount of time, but I'm sure they will never forget what happened in those 2.1 seconds.

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