2 teams, one goal Poland, Harding are state contenders

VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT

It’s been 15 years since the Girard and Campbell High basketball teams won state championships on the same day.

Since then, state trips for Valley boys basketball teams have been rare. And that’s what makes this year’s tournament a little more exciting because Warren Harding and Poland have excellent chances of playing next month at Ohio State’s Value City Arena.

For Bulldogs coach Ken Grisdale, it would be a return trip, as Poland was regional champion last March before losing to Upper Sandusky in the state semifinals.

“We’ve got to stay healthy,” said Grisdale whose 2002 team lost to Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary with LeBron James in the state semifinals, “and chemistry is so important.

“The kids, especially the seniors, gave up a lot up to be successful,” Grisdale said of this year’s squad, led by Anthony DeFelice and Ben Umbel. “They understand there could be a reward at the end for them.”

The Bulldogs have some unfinished business to attend to as they attempt to complete an unbeaten regular season. At 18-0 and ranked atop Division II in the Associated Press poll, the Bulldogs can accomplish a 20-0 mark with wins Friday against Springfield and Saturday against Salem.

No team in Poland history has gone unbeaten in the regular season. The 2003 team started 19-0 before falling to Springfield. One other team also finished 19-1.

When Grisdale was asked about going undefeated, he paused on the phone for five seconds.

“I just knocked on wood five times,” Grisdale responded. “The league game [against Canfield] on Friday was key. But we’ve got two more games this week and we have to take care of business.”

Against Canfield, the Bulldogs scored 32 points in the first quarter in an 86-71 victory that clinched the Metro Athletic Conference championship.

The Bulldogs’ offense is simply overwhelming. They often score in the high 90s before Grisdale advises them to stop short of three digits.

On last year’s success spilling over, Grisdale said, “We’re excited that what we started last year carried over to the school and the team.

“Last year’s team tasted it. They’d like another bite,” said Grisdale, a Canfield native who has been Poland’s varsity coach since 1993. “I think they worked really hard in the off-season and made themselves into a really good team, but we’ve got two games to go.”

The top seed in the Boardman High district, Poland will begin tournament play Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. against the Southeast-Crestwood winner.

For Harding (17-1), a state trip would be quite a feather in Coach Steve Arnold’s cap. The Raiders have been one of the Valley’s strongest teams for years, but have found district play quite challenging mostly because of Canton McKinley.

Three years ago, McKinley’s Raymar Morgan, now a Michigan State sophomore, dominated district opponents at the Canton Civic Center.

Harding has a different district home — Warrensville Heights High. The Raiders, ranked sixth in the final AP poll, are the top seed.

Their most challenging opponent looks to be Garfield Heights, the second seed and the No. 10-ranked team in the state.

Harding’s first tournament game will be Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. against either Solon or Cleveland South.

Another team with a shot at a busy March is Wellsville (17-1) of the Inter Tri-County League.

Because Wellsville plays at the New Philadelaphia High district, their ITCL rivals won’t be facing them again anytime soon.

Columbiana (ITCL Tier One champion) has the top seed at the Struthers Div. IV sectional, while McDonald and Sebring are second and third.

Div. III has two area district sites — Salem and Howland.

Campbell Memorial, Ursuline and East Palestine have the top seeds in Salem while Pymatuning Valley, Newton Falls and Champion have the same for Howland.

Most of the district sites begin play Monday. The district finals are set for Feb. 29 and March 1.