Diebler's focus never wavers

COLUMBUS (AP) -- All year, every night that Jon Diebler put on a uniform, hundreds of people were watching him closely. That's the way it is when you're on the verge of making history.
Diebler, a 6-foot-7 senior at Upper Sandusky High School, never flinched when the flashbulbs went off and his game and his focus never wavered.
No wonder he's The Associated Press Mr. Basketball for 2007.
"I wouldn't call it a burden because I'm grateful to be in the position I'm in right now," said Diebler, who late in the regular season overcame Jay Burson's 22-year-old record for most points scored by an Ohio high school player. "I'm sure a lot of people would trade to be in my position."
Who wouldn't want to have 3,136 points on their resume heading into today's state semifinals?
Who wouldn't want to be headed for Ohio State to play with some of the greatest young players the college game has seen?
Stellar numbers
Diebler is more than numbers, but that's still as good a place as any to start. He averaged 42.7 points as a senior, to go with 13.5 rebounds, 7 assists, 5.2 steals and 4.7 blocked shots while leading his team back to the state tournament.
Two years ago as a sophomore, with his brother Jake playing point guard and his dad, Keith Diebler, prowling the sidelines as head coach, the Rams won the Division II state title.
Getting back to Value City Arena -- where he'll spend much of his time from now on -- has always been the primary goal. Not the points, not records, not the attention.
"We've brought him up that individual things will take care of themselves if you win and if you do what's necessary to help make your team successful," said Keith Diebler, speaking of the job he and his wife, Renee, have done. "He's shown over and over again his commitment to do whatever it takes for the team. And also, to stay humble. In today's age, it is refreshing."
Hard to be humble
It's particularly hard to remain humble and hardworking when you're racking up huge point totals and are passing some of the legendary names in Ohio basketball history: Jerry Lucas, Bob Huggins, Jimmy Jackson, LeBron James, just to name a few.
"Jon is one of the greatest kids I've ever recruited," Ohio State's Thad Matta said. "And he's one of the hardest-working kids I've ever recruited."
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