Bristol is hoping to build tradition

The Panthers hoped to influence younger kids within the community.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
COLUMBUS -- Bristol senior David Colley was just a wide-eyed fourth grader the last time the Panthers made it to Columbus.
He never forgot what he saw.
"This was our lifelong dream," Colley said. "I remember watching that team and wanting to get there. We only wish we could have won the big one."
Bristol (24-2) fell just short of that goal, losing to Delphos St. John's in the Division IV state semifinal.
"Hopefully, there's some younger kids that want to make it here after watching us," Colley said. "They gave us the idea in '94. Since then we've been working for our whole life to get here."
Strong support: Bristol -- a football-less town which renewed its love for basketball this season -- supported the Panthers with impressive numbers. Thousands crowded the arena clad in yellow and white, cheering even after the game was decided.
Thursday's loss may have looked like the end of a dream season. Bristol senior John King didn't see it that way.
"The fun is just starting," King, the Div. IV co-player of the year, said. "We have our futures to look forward to. That's the journey, and all these guys are my family."
The Panthers were ranked in the Associated Press poll all season and finished at No. 3. They've won just two district tournaments, advancing to the final four both times.
Bristol lost to McGuffey Upper Scioto Valley in 1994 in their only other appearance. Scioto Valley went on to win the state title.
St. John's could do the same. The Blue Jays, who lost to Tipp City Bethel in last year's Div. IV state final, play Russia in Saturday's state championship.
Advantage: "It was different this time," St. John's senior Keith Recker said. "We've played inside here and they didn't have that."
Added Nate Klaus, who had a double-double with 15 points and 11 assists, "I was overwhelmed when I saw how big the building was. But we started doing our run-through and it sort of felt like another home game because we've been here so much.
"We all relaxed and just played our game."
Bristol played at St. John Arena in 1994, making this year's team the first to play at Schottenstein.
"Maybe they were in awe, like we were last year," Recker said.
With the tradition Bristol is building, that may never again be a problem.