Columbus awaits Valley's best

It's been a while since the Valley sent two boys basketball teams to Columbus. Thursday, Poland and Bristol are state-bound and deserve to be saluted.
The Panthers' 62-56 victory over Strasburg-Franklin Friday in the Division IV regional finale at Canton Field House was an emotional experience for anyone there.
Bristol students and supporters, clad in yellow and black apparel, screamed throughout the seesaw game that saw their hometown heroes trail by seven points in the second quarter.
Late in the game, Bristol saw an eight-point lead evaporate before rallying for the victory.
Better result: For me, this trip to the Field House had a much more satisfying ending than my last visit there two years ago.
At the 2000 regional semifinals for Div. III teams, our Valley sent two community teams to face parochial powerhouses from Akron and Cleveland. The results weren't pretty.
Roy Sembech's Newton Falls Tigers were blown out by Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary and freshman sensation LeBron James. In the nightcap, Rick Gates' Crestview Rebels were easily defeated by Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph.
What bothered me then (and still does today) is how community teams unfairly have to compete with, essentially, all-star teams gathered from a larger area.
It just doesn't seem right that Newton Falls or last year's undefeated Springfield Tigers should have no chance to compete for a state title. There should be a separate division for legitimate small community teams.
What impressed me two years ago was how dignified Sembech and Gates were after suffering defeats in games their teams were never in. (The Tigers trailed 10-0 before they were able to get the ball across the half-court line and were down 18 points before their first score.)
Last Friday, Bristol and Strasburg were competing on a level playing court, which is what made the Canton trip so enjoyable.
Fans for both schools were amazingly vocal in their support. And when the game ended, the elation from the Bristol crowd was deafening.
One thing I like about watching teams from small towns play is the interaction between the players and fans.
When the Panthers came out of the locker room for the third quarter, junior sensation Craig Giesy spotted a friend in the stands and stopped to chat and accept a good-luck wish. Seeing Giesy smile and chat, you'd never imagine he was playing in the most important game of his career.
Can you imagine James taking the time to acknowledge anyone outside of his posse? Do you think his mother would let anyone get that close?
Showing class: As for Poland, you won't find a classier coaching staff anywhere than the guys working with Ken Grisdale.
Win or lose, Grisdale doesn't change. He's not afraid to talk with the media or share his views on what worked and what didn't. He's quick to give credit, even if it's to a top rival.
Brian Nord, Grisdale stresses, is the Bulldogs' defensive guru who has taught this Poland squad to excel when they don't have the ball.
And where could you ever find a better role model than Tom Fender, the former Austintown Fitch basketball coach who walked away from a high profile position to make time to watch his sons Chad and Eric play junior high basketball.
It was Fender who guided the 1997 Poland Little League team to the regional final in Indianapolis where they came up just one victory short of going to Williamsport, Pa., for the Little League World Series.
Up next for Poland -- the James gang from Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary -- who are vying for their third-straight state championship.
Like everyone else in Div. II, Poland is an underdog to the team led by a future NBA superstar. Here's hoping Bristol and Poland do us proud.
XTom Williams is a sportswriter for The Vindicator. Write him at williams@vindy.com.