Umbel carries team to state

By Joe Scalzo

He rarely left the court in Sunday’s regional
championship game.

CANTON — A year after playing heavy minutes as a starter on a state tournament team, Poland senior Ben Umbel found himself playing about 20 minutes a game this winter, repeatedly taking a seat on the bench to make room for a talented sophomore class.

“He’d look over at me and I’d say, ‘Your time is coming,’ ” said Bulldogs coach Ken Grisdale. “He understood.”

His time arrived on Sunday. Umbel rarely left the court against Benedictine, piling up 21 points, four rebounds, four assists and six steals to help the Bulldogs earn their second straight trip to Columbus.

But his impact went beyond a boxscore, which can’t record things like breaking a press, settling down his team or getting in his opponents’ heads.

“I don’t think he really stepped up,” said Benedictine coach Rob Stircula. “That’s his game. He’s a great player. He’s been kicking everyone’s butt all season long.”

Despite his limited playing time, Umbel averaged 14 points per game in the regular season, along with six assists, five rebounds and a staggering seven steals to earn district co-player of the year honors. He had 14 steals in a game against Salem and entered Sunday’s game with 151 steals — which would be a state record, if the OHSAA’s figures on its Web site are correct.

“Ben Umbel’s just a thief,” said Grisdale. “He ought to be in jail.”

As Sunday’s contest tightened, Grisdale was reluctant to take him — or senior Anthony DeFelice — out of the game.

“If I had played him and Anthony the minutes they’re playing right now all year, there wouldn’t be anything left in their legs,” said Grisdale.

Umbel eventually took himself out, earning his fourth and fifth fouls in the final two minutes, going for a block and a steal on defense.

“I knew I had the fouls and Coach said we’ll give up two points to keep you one less foul,” said Umbel. “But instinct just tells me to go for it. I don’t want to give them an easy basket.”

As he walked toward the bench after his fifth foul, he saw his teammates huddled up, so he shouted a message toward them.

“I said, ‘Don’t let it slip,’ ” said Umbel.

They didn’t. And now he’s headed back to Columbus.

“Last year at our banquet I was so jealous of the seniors that they could end with that kind of year,” Umbel said. “My goal this year was to get back.”

scalzo@vindy.com