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SF David Lighty (Most Career Buckeye Wins, ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne Basket - France)

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yeah only 2-3 teams in the country would beat oj and walker.

btw, 44820 can we add a profile to the first page of the thread? with obvious increase of traffic headed to these 5 guys threads i think it is important to standardized some simple info.
6-5 180lbs sg/sf, combo gaurd, wing
 
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Canton

3/22/06

Lighty was named First Team All-Ohio in Division III. Congratulations.

Division III

First team

O.J. Mayo, Cin. N. College Hill, 6-5, jr., 28.8; Bill Walker, Cin. N. College Hill, 6-6, jr., 22.4; Nate Davis, Bellaire, 6-3, sr., 38.9; David Lighty, Cleve. VASJ, 6-5, sr., 20.0; Eric Schiele, Atwater Waterloo, 5-9, sr., 41.3; Kurt Huelsman, St. Henry, 6-9, sr., 15.9; Dan Kessler, Johnstown-Monroe, 5-11, sr., 24.2; Dennis Gagai, Ironton, 6-3, sr., 21.0; Richard Semrau, Rocky River Luth. W., 6-10, sr., 22.9.

Players of the Year O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker, Cin. N. College Hill; Nate Davis, Bellaire; Eric Schiele, Atwater Waterloo.
Coaches of the Year Joe Bline, Johnstown-Monroe; Phil Argento, Rocky River Luth. W.
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NewsHerald

3/22/06

Lighty gets a second Schott

VASJ senior will return to site of Jan. 16 disappointment; only this time, his team has much more at stake on his future college court

It didn't take long for the criticism to start on the evening of Jan. 16.

On the very floor where he will be spending the home portion of his college playing days, Villa Angela-St. Joseph senior David Lighty scored a season-low 10 points and the Vikings were ambushed by Dayton Dunbar, 101-53, at Value City Arena on the campus of Ohio State University.

The murmurs in the crowd and on press row began to permeate almost immediately around the Schottenstein Center:

What did the Buckeyes see in the Ohio State signee?

What's the big deal with Lighty?

Who said VASJ was a top-notch team?

Why did they bother to show up?

As quickly as the derogatory comments started flying around Value City Arena, a different kind of comment was heard on a very quiet bus ride back to Cleveland.

"I told everybody on the bus that we'd be back (in Columbus)," Lighty said.

The 6-foot-5 All-Ohioan is a major talent on the basketball court, but he has proven to be almost as good when it comes to keeping his promises.

Lighty and VASJ (20-5) will have a second chance to make an impression upon the folks at the Schottenstein Center as the Vikings take on Wheelersburg at 8:30 p.m. Thursday in a Division III state semifinal at Value City Arena.

There is no added pressure Lighty feels heading back to the scene of his and the team's worst game in his four-year career.

And even though he knows the critics and the expectations will be waiting on his return to Columbus, he is relishing the opportunity to perform on the big stage again this weekend.

"I don't worry about anyone but myself, my teammates, my family and my coaches, but I know it is my final chance to step up my game and show people what we are capable of at the state final four," Lighty said. "I am sure people were a little skeptical about me and our team after the Dunbar game. People had their questions, but those were people outside the program. We had to stay strong and focused and continue to believe that we could get back there. This is our chance to show everyone that the guys from Cleveland can play this game, too."

It is a chance at redemption times two for Lighty.

The versatile wing player missed his chance to lead the Vikings to the state final four last March as he watched helplessly from the sidelines at the Canton Fieldhouse, nursing a torn ACL while his teammates were knocked out of the postseason by Loudonville in a regional final.

Following that game, a very disappointed Lighty also made a statement that carried a lot of weight. In a locker room full of tears, Lighty tried to keep things positive, saying the loss would only make him work harder to get to Columbus this season.

Again, he was true to his word.

Lighty, who recently picked up his third straight Division III Northeast Lakes District Player of the Year award, has been a man on a mission this year - particularly after the beating by Dunbar - and he has received a lot of help from his teammates.

VASJ has won 11 of 14 games since the Dunbar loss - two of the defeats coming by a combined six points - and Lighty has led the way.

In five postseason wins, he has averaged 20 points, 11 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 5 steals per game.

The fact that Lighty has picked up his game and helped steer the Vikings back to Columbus doesn't surprise Coach Dave Wojciechowski.

"When Dave makes a promise and puts his mind to something, he can do just about anything," Wojciechowski said. "He is a very special player and very special kid, and he deserves the opportunity to go back and play on that floor and show people just how talented he is.

"We were blindsided, railroaded and dismantled all at the same time in the Dunbar game, but I think it was a turnaround point for all of us, including Dave. I don't think he has anything left to prove, and I believe him when he says he doesn't feel any added pressure Thursday, but I am sure there is a little bit of a chip on his shoulder because of the last time we were there, and I think he is sitting on a big game."

VASJ assistant coach Mike Wojciechowski said he could see what kind of game Lighty was sitting on heading into his freshman year.

When a skinny incoming ninth-grader dunked over two varsity players at a tournament in Erie, Pa., and the entire gym stopped to take notice, Mike knew this wasn't just another talented youngster.

As a former player on a state championship VASJ team in 1992, Mike said he thought then and there in Erie that Lighty was not only the kind of player who could lead the Vikings back to the state tournament for the first time in nine years, but one who deserved that chance to experience the final four.

"What Dave means to this program and to the whole school, it is fitting that he would be the one to help break a drought that has gone back to 1997," Mike said. "It's great for the whole team, and as a staff, we really wanted this for all the guys. But for Dave to come back from the knee injury, which he never used as an excuse, and come back off the Dunbar game and stay focused through all the criticism shows what kind of young man he is. His talent is obvious, but what he does for us, all the little things, sometimes go unnoticed.

"Hopefully, over the next two games, the people in Columbus will get to see what they are getting over the next four years and what we have been lucky to be around for the last four. And what a stage for him to get to perform on. He's the best I have ever been around, and he deserves this chance."

It's a chance Lighty doesn't plan on getting away like the Dunbar game got away.

However, with the spotlight on the return to his future college home, Lighty quickly credits his teammates, the coaching staff at VASJ and his parents for his play and determination, and everything that he has done to lead the Vikings to the state final four.

"This is why I came to this school - to be around good people like this and hopefully get us back to the days when the great Viking players and teams were hanging banners all the time," Lighty said. "I am very excited. This is my last week to play high school basketball. Win or lose, on Monday, I won't be playing high school ball anymore, so I want to enjoy this with my friends and hopefully try to win two games and bring home the state title. I am going to do my best to make sure that happens."

Since Lighty has proven to be so good at keeping his words, it would not be a surprise to see the future Buckeye show up big at his future home court this weekend.
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CPD

3/23/06

DIVISION III SPOTLIGHT

David Lighty, Villa Angela-St. Joseph

Thursday, March 23, 2006



David Lighty was wondering "what if" at this time last year.

After suffering a torn ACL in last season's district finals, the 6-5 All- Ohio guard from Villa Angela-St. Joseph had to watch from the sidelines as his team was eliminated in a regional final. A much-anticipated matchup with national power Cincinnati North College Hill and its superstar, O.J. Mayo, never took place.

While North College Hill went on to win the Division III crown, Lighty underwent eight months of rehabilitation and, in his own words, came back better and stronger than before.

Lighty, part of Ohio State's super recruiting class, assumed more of a leadership role this winter and led the way for VASJ's first state final four appearance since 1997. Winners of four boys basketball state championships, the Vikings (20-5) will face two-time state runner-up Wheelersburg (23-2) in a semifinal tonight.

Lighty has been a big influence on his younger teammates.

"He's made me a much better player and person," sophomore forward Ashen Ward said. "I consider being in the starting lineup with him a real blessing."

- Eddie Dwyer
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CPD

3/23/06

BOYS BASKETBALL INSIDER
Lighty returns to future home


Thursday, March 23, 2006

Eddie Dwyer
Plain Dealer Reporter

Call it the David Lighty influence, a little magic, if you will.

As Villa Angela-St. Joseph was en route to Canton for Saturday's regional championship game against St. Peter Chanel, Lighty, the Vikings' three-time All- Ohio senior guard/forward, predicted big things from Vikings promising sophomore forward Ashen Ward.

"We talked together on the ride down there, and he told me, Something tells me that tonight is going to be your night, I just feel it,' " Ward said.

"Well, I end up scoring 25 points [a career best], and when the final buzzer sounded, he was the first one congratulating me, and telling me, I told you so, didn't I? I told you so!' "

As VASJ (20-5) prepares for tonight's Division III state-semifinal against Wheelersburg (23-2) at Value City Arena in Columbus, Vikings faithful are hoping the 6-5 Lighty can find more encouraging words and work more magic on his future home court. Lighty is part of an Ohio State recruiting class regarded as being among the top three or four in the nation.

As physically talented as Lighty is, Ward looks at the intangibles as being key elements to his teammate's success formula.

"He makes you feel like he's just another one of the guys," Ward said. "As good as he is, he's got no attitude problem. It's all the other things he does out there that makes him so special."
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[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica][FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]Lighty led VASJ into the state finals against Cincy NCH on Saturday. Unofficially he had 32 points, 11 boards, 8 assists, and 4 steals in a 71-62 victory over Wheelersburg[/FONT][/FONT]
 
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I watched Lighty play tonight against Wheelersburg. He was very impressive in displaying an all-around game. He made plays all over the court on both the defensive and offensive ends and seemed very unassuming even though he dominated. I realize he was playing against DIII high school competition but I believe OSU fans are going to be very fortunate to see this young man wear the scarlet and gray for the next 3-4 years.

Best of luck on Saturday David!
 
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Here are a few pics of Lighty from last night.....you have to feel good for him and his team after his knee injury in the tournament last year....

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VASJ's David Lighty is congratulated by and assistant coach Mike Wojciechowski at the end of the Vikings' win over Wheelerburg.

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David Lighty of Villa Angela-St. Joseph points to the fans in the stands after he and his teammates defeated the Wheelersburg Pirates during a Division III.

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VASJ's David Lighty dunks for two points over Wheelersburg players with seconds left in the game.

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VASJ's David Lighty receives congratulations from the opposing team after the Vikings' win.

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David Lighty of Villa Angela-St. Joseph is pressured by Wheelersburg player Matt Jenkins during the 1st half.

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David Lighty drives to the basket for two his 32 points.
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