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Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph (Cleveland, OH)

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CPD

3/19/06

VASJ 78 - Chanel 64


Lighty shines as VASJ advances

Sunday, March 19, 2006

Jack McDermott

Plain Dealer Reporter

Canton — Villa Angela-St. Joseph senior David Lighty fulfilled his dreams Saturday night by leading his team to the state semifinals with a 78-64 win over St. Peter Chanel.

The win gave the Vikings the Division III regional title in the Canton Fieldhouse, and kept alive a season the 6-5 Lighty does not want to end.

“I told all the guys that tonight we needed to put together our best performance of the year,” Lighty said. “I told them that if we lost, we’d be going home, and that I wasn’t ready to home just yet.”

His words hit home as the Vikings ran out to a 41-24 lead by halftime, then coasted home. VASJ will meet Wheelersburg (23-2), a 57-54 winner over Ironton (19-6), in the state semifinals. VASJ advances with a 20-6 record, while Chanel closes out at 18-7.

Lighty tore his ACL last year in the Division III district championship against Chanel, ending his season. He finished Saturday with 16 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and seven steals.

“My personal goal this season was to get a triple double,” he said.

“Tonight I came close, but the big thing is that we won and we’re moving on.”

Also sharing the spotlight was 6-3 sophomore Ashen Ward, with a game-high 25 points, including 13 in the second quarter, while 6-5 senior Darryl Rushton scored 10 of his 21 points in the first quarter.

“This was my best performance of the season,” said Ward. “I owe it all to the play of my teammates. We’ve got a lot of young talent on this team, and tonight we flat out showed up and played to our ability.

VASJ extended its advantage to 20 points, 64-44, by the close of the third quarter, as senior Jim McLeod tossed in a 3-pointer from the right corner with three seconds left.

“This was an amazing night for us,” said Vikings coach Dave Wojciechowski. “Our goal this season was to get to this point, and beyond.

The kids were focused and they turned in their best team performance of the season. To jump out to a start like that was simply amazing.”

Chanel was led by 6-4 senior Steve Martin with 17 points, while 6-11 junior Joe Latas contributed 12. Senior Jahmil Rippy, the team’s best scorer during the season, was held to nine points.

“We’re going to state,” Rushton said. “That has a great ring to it. I’ve always heard about what it was like, and now I’ll be getting to see first hand how great it really is.”

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: [email protected], 216-999-4744
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Dispatch

3/23/06

DIVISION III

Wait ends for foes with state pedigree

VASJ, Wheelersburg back in Columbus

Thursday, March 23, 2006

Dave O’Neil
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH




The late game at the state tournament each day is notorious for less-than-spectacular attendance.

Still, Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph and Wheelersburg should expect to see at least some well-wishers in the crowd tonight for their Division III semifinal in Value City Arena.

It’d be tough to blame either squad, though, if each ran through pregame warm-ups in empty St. John Arena.

VASJ and Wheelersburg combined for 12 appearances during the final 20 years that the venerable gymnasium across the Olentangy River played host to the event. VASJ won four titles (1991, 1992, 1994 and 1995) during that span.

Neither team has returned since the state tournament moved to the Value City Arena in 1999.

The wait between appearances "has been something a lot of people have mentioned," said David Wojciechowski, VASJ’s seventh-year coach, "and having a guy like David Lighty, well, it’s not added pressure but people kind of expect you to get here."

Wojciechowski compared Lighty, a 6-foot-5 senior guard and Ohio State signee, to St. John Arena legend Jim Jackson. Before leading Ohio State to back-to-back Big Ten titles, Jackson led Toledo Macomber to a state high-school title in 1989.

"I would say he’s pretty similar to a Jimmy Jackson type in ’89, a kid that was able to do everything," Wojciechowski said. "They both could handle the basketball, see the floor, were pretty strong inside and can shoot the basketball. Dave has that all-around game."

Lighty won’t be the only concern for Wheelersburg, twice a state runner-up.

Daryl Rushton, a 6-5 senior and three-year starter, scored 21 points in the Vikings’ regional final win. Sophomore guard Ashen Ward scored a game-high 25 in the game.

"It’s been really a team effort the past month and a half, and that’s really something we enjoy watching and seeing," Wojciechowski said.

The state tournament experience of Wheelersburg is in stark contrast to the seasoning of its current team. The Pirates, a perennial power in southern Ohio, rely on only one senior in their eight-man rotation.

Junior post player Camden Miller (6-7) averages 17.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Sophomore guard Drew Spradlin (6-4) averages 15.4 points per game and won’t be at a big height disadvantage against Lighty on the defensive end.

"Hopefully kids will be able to take the lead of our coaching staff and stay on the straight and narrow in terms of preparation," said coach Tom Barrick, in his 12 th year at Wheelersburg.

"Obviously we’re up against a tremendous task in St. Joe’s, and I think everybody is familiar with St. Joe’s reputation and the athleticism that they usually bring to Columbus."

sports@dispatch

.com
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Just got back from the VASJ-Wheelersburg game.

David Lighty is the Real Deal!

After the Dunbar game I had posted some doubts about whether he was ready for the next level. I qualified those statements at the time by saying that part of it may have been the knee and a big part of it was Cook.

Well, a very big part of it must have been the knee. He simply did hot have the quickness or the elevation in the Dunbar game that I saw tonight.

I am anxious to see the line from the game. I know he led both teams in scoring, but would not be surprised to see that he also led both teams in rebounding, blocks, steals, and assists. And he certainly led both teams in effort.

I still don't believe he has the frame of a banger, but that is less of an issue now that I see how quick he can move, how easily he can change direction and how high he can jump. And he can flat play D.

It was particularly interesting watching him after seeing Walker play for NCH. Walker is what I think of when I think of a Huggie-Bear recruit. Tons of talent, lots of show, and it is all about me. His talent is unquestioned. His potential exceeds Lighty. Much bigger and ready to mix it up inside with anyone I have seen in a while (short of Oden of course). But his lack of effort in that game was noteworthy. Give him Lighty's work effort and you might have another Lebron.

Granted, NCH won handily without trying, while VASJ had all they could handle. Maybe NCH was having a let down in the wake of the news that they would be holding the Mayo for tonights game.

But that isn't what it is about. It is about what we saw this season when the Bucks were at their best. Coming to play every night from whistle to whistle. No excuses.
 
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CPD

3/24/06

Lighty leads Vikings to state championship game

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10:10 p.m.

Tim Rogers
Plain Dealer Reporter

Columbus- David Lighty, named to the all-state team earlier in the week, showed why Thursday when he led Villa Angela-St. Joseph to a 71-62 victory over Wheelersburg in the Division III state semifinals in Value City Arena.

The victory gave the Vikings (21-5) an opportunity to play nationally ranked Cincinnati North College Hill (25-1) for the state championship on Saturday at 2 p.m. VASJ will attempt to win the school's fourth state championship, but its first since 1995. Lighty, a 6-5 senior who will attend Ohio State, finished with 32 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and four steals. He scored 16 points and had four rebounds in the fourth quarter, helping VASJ pull away.
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David Lighty is the Real Deal!
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I am glad your on the bandwagon now....:biggrin:

After the Dunbar game I had posted some doubts about whether he was ready for the next level. I qualified those statements at the time by saying that part of it may have been the knee and a big part of it was Cook.

Well, a very big part of it must have been the knee. He simply did hot have the quickness or the elevation in the Dunbar game that I saw tonight.
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A big part of his struggles in that game can be attributed to the knee and the simple fact he was going up against a very good team and Cook who is an amazing talent, but Lighty is underrated in my opinion. He has kind of been in the shadows of the rest of the class due to his injury last year and the fact he didn't play in AAU this summer, he is an amazing player who in my opinion is just behind Cook as far as being an all-around player who can do so many things on the court.

It will be interesting to see him go up against NCH.....
 
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CPD

3/24/06

Lighty has VASJ walking on air


Friday, March 24, 2006

Eddie Dwyer
Plain Dealer Reporter

Columbus -- David Lighty has fulfilled part of his high school dream.

Now the 6-5 All-Ohio senior guard from Villa Angela-St. Joseph has a shot at making it all come true.

VASJ, behind another spectacular all-around performance by Lighty, turned back Wheelersburg, 71-62, Thursday night in a Division III boys basketball state semifinal game at Value City Arena. The game attracted 12,599.

With Lighty scoring a game-high 32 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, and grabbing 11 rebounds, passing for eight assists and making four steals, the Vikings improved to 21-5 and advanced to Saturday's 2 p.m. state championship game against defending champ Cincinnati North College Hill (25-1). North College Hill is ranked among the top five in national polls.

"He's our guy and everyone in our locker room knows that," said VASJ coach Dave Wojciechowski after Lighty took control of the game in the final eight minutes.

"When we need to put him on our shoulders, we do that."

Making their ninth final four appearance, the four-time state champion Vikings had to weather an early charge as the team from the Southern Ohio Conference moved to an 11-4 lead.

VASJ responded with two 3-pointers by senior guard Erich Leden and a 3-pointer by Lighty, and tied the score at 15 entering the second quarter.

Leden's third 3-pointer of the first half, followed by Lighty's second basket from beyond the arc, gave the Vikings a 27-23 lead.

The Pirates (23-3) stayed patient in their half-court offense, however, and the teams went to their locker rooms tied at 31 after the first 16 minutes.

Wheelersburg was 14-of-22 from the field in the first half and VASJ was 13-of-26, including 5-of-8 on 3-pointers.

The Vikings, ranked eighth in the final Associated Press Division III state poll, rode a breakaway layup by senior forward Darryl Rushton off a Lighty assist and two free throws by Rushton to a three-point lead with 4:15 remaining in the third quarter. Rushton finished with 17 points, hitting 7-of-11 from the field.

Wheelersburg closed to 44-43 on a three-point play by 6-7 junior forward Camden Miller with 1:45 to go in the third quarter. But VASJ, on the strength of two free throws by Lighty, led, 50-47, entering the final eight minutes.

"I just go out there and try to do a little bit of everything and get my teammates involved," Lighty said, adding that he is looking forward to the challenge of North College Hill, whether the Trojans are with or without star O.J. Mayo. Mayo was not allowed to play in Thursday's semifinal because of what North College Hill's administration referred to as a "school matter." A decision on Mayo's status for Saturday is expected to come from the school today.

Part of Ohio State's highly regarded recruiting class, Lighty came up with two strong moves down low, blocked a shot and hit four of his next five throws as the Vikings took an eight-point lead with 3:16 left.

After the Pirates cut the deficit in half, Lighty answered again, this time with a driving one-hander down the lane and an assist to Rushton for two more points.

VASJ got breathing room on a fan-pleasing, slam dunk by Lighty with 1:04 remaining, and led by nine points after Lighty canned two more free throws with 31.7 seconds left.

Lighty, who suffered a season-ending torn right ACL in last season's district final, broke into a wide-eyed smile as the final seconds ticked off the clock.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

[email protected], 216-999-5169
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CPD

3/25/06

<H1 class=red>Scouting today's Division III Championship

</H1>

Saturday, March 25, 2006



Who: Villa Angela-St. Joseph (21-5) vs. Cincinnati North College Hill (25-1).

When: 2 p.m. today at Value City Arena on the Ohio State campus.

TV: Ohio News Network.

What to watch: North College Hill phenom O.J. Mayo returns to the lineup. Mayo, Ohio's two-time Mr. Basketball, teams with Bill Walker to give the defending state champs one of the premier one-two punches in the country. NCH is ranked fourth in the Student Sports Fab 50 national poll and No. 1 in the AP Division III state poll. VASJ, the AP's eighth-ranked team, is led by three-time All-Ohio guard David Lighty. Forward Darryl Rushton likely will be matched up with Walker.

Starting lineups: NCH -Damon Butler, 5-11, so., guard (17.1 points a game); O.J. Mayo, 6-5, jr., guard (28.5); Nathaniel Glover, 6-0, jr., guard (5.0); Bill Walker, 6-6, jr., forward (23.0); Paul Leary, 6-4, sr., forward (8.0). VASJ - David Lighty, 6-5, sr., guard (21.0 points a game); Maurice Haynes, 6-4, jr., center (7.0); Ashen Ward, 6-3, so., forward (9.0); Erich Leden, 6-1, sr., guard (7.0); Darryl Rushton, 6-5, sr., forward (12.0).
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CPD

3/26/06

DIVISION III STATE CHAMPIONSHIPCIN. NORTH COLLEGE HILL 90VILLA ANGELA-ST. JOSEPH 73
Hill hastens Vikings' descent


Sunday, March 26, 2006

Eddie Dwyer
Plain Dealer Reporter

Columbus- The disappointment and frustration were carved in every expression he made, and accompanied every word he spoke.

Still, Darryl Rushton, part of the senior class that led Villa Angela-St. Joseph back to basketball prominence, stood tall when it would have been much easier if he just said nothing.

"I mean, they have good players, but we have good players on our team, too," Rushton said after the Vikings' first state final four appearance in nine years ended with a 90-73 loss to nationally ranked Cincinnati North College Hill in Saturday's Division III state championship game. The game attracted 16,024 to Value City Arena.

"We came to play and, no matter what, we were going to be there," Rushton said. "We weren't going to back down."

While there is no questioning North College Hill's enormous talent and the special skills of their junior standouts O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker, or who was the better team Saturday, Rushton and his teammates felt like they played in the most frustrating and bizarre game of their high school careers.

After a first half in which Mayo, Ohio's Mr. Basketball, scored 20 of his game-high 34 points and led the 26-1 Trojans to a 17-point lead, VASJ (21-6) called on what Vikings coach Dave Wojciechowski described as his team's courage, toughness and resiliency.

With Rushton, All-Ohio senior guard David Lighty and junior post Maurice Haynes showing the way, VASJ cut an 18-point deficit to 11 points and appeared to be on its way to getting the deficit down to single digits.

However, after Lighty's driving one-hander fell off the rim and went out of bounds off Rushton's desperate reach, things came unglued for the four-time state champions.

A slam dunk by Walker was followed by a technical foul on Wojciechowski with 2:02 remaining in the third quarter.

After Mayo converted two free throws off the Wojciechowski technical, some shoving took place near the North College Hill basket, and Haynes was whistled for a technical foul.

As Haynes walked toward the bench, he said something to one of the three officials and was hit with another technical. Mayo's four free throws off Haynes' technicals made it a 19-point game.

"I didn't see the initial call [on Haynes]," Wojciechowski said. "But I know our guy deserved the second one. Big Mo [Haynes], he's a warrior for us and let the emotions get the best of him, as we all did.

"That probably started with me. I got the first technical, so I'll take some heat for that."

Mayo, a 6-5 guard, hit eight of his first 10 shots, including two 3-pointers.

He battled leg cramps late in the third quarter, but returned for the fourth quarter and threw a picture-perfect assist to Walker for a rim-rattling dunk that made it a 21-point game with just over two minutes remaining.

The 6-6 Walker finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Rushton and Lighty each scored 20 for the Vikings.

After helping the Trojans to their second consecutive Division III state crown, Mayo spoke about the past few days.

"It has been a pretty up and down week," he said, referring to being named a two-time Mr. Basketball on Wednesday and then having to sit out Thursday's semifinal victory over Archbold for missing classes that day.

Mayo was not permitted to travel with the team for the semifinal.

"But I have a great family, great teammates, a terrific coach and a great school to help me pull it together."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

[email protected], 216-999-5169
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Canton

3/26/06

Explanation of technicals upsets VASJ

Sunday, March 26, 2006


[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]By Todd Porter REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER[/FONT]




COLUMBUS - The technical fouls weren’t what rubbed Dave Wojciechowski like an onion on his eyes.
It was the explanation the Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph head coach had a hard time grasping.
Three technical fouls — all on VASJ — in the third quarter sealed the Vikings’ doom in the Division III state championship game against North College Hill.
The Vikings cut the NCH’s lead to 13 points (58-45) and had possession of the ball when Wojciechowski was called for a technical foul with 2:02 left in the third quarter. North College Hill star junior O.J. Mayo hit both free throws.
After Wojciechowski’s technical, VASJ’s Maurice Haynes and NCH’s Nathanial Glover were tangled up away from the ball when Haynes got caught retaliating and was called for a technical. Mayo walked toward the skirmish but retreated.
Haynes was hit with a second technical for his reaction to the first and was ejected from the game.
Mayo hit four more free throws on the second and third technicals and the Trojans led, 64-45.
According to Wojciechowski, the official’s explanation for the double technical against Haynes was because “O.J. backed down.” He took exception to the offical referring to a high school basketball player on the opposing team by his first name. Mayo was voted Ohio’s Mr. Basketball for the second year in a row. “I’ll take the heat for mine,” Wojciechowski said. “I didn’t see the initial action on the first one against our guy, but I know he deserved the second one.”
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ABJ

Massillon 77, Villa Angela-St. Joseph 68 -- The combination of Tigers (2-0) senior guards Brian Gamble and Michael Porrini proved too much for the visiting Vikings (1-1).
Gamble had a game-high 25 points and six steals. Porrini, a Western Carolina recruit, had 24 points and seven rebounds.
Massillon's Justin Turner scored 13 points and Jared Porrini added 11 points.
VASJ was led by junior guard Nate Barnes, who scored 20 points.
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