Commentary: "It's honestly such a great feeling to have this opportunity again."
Outside an impromptu press conference inside Ohio State's historic St. John Arena on the first day of the Ohio High School Athletic Association girls basketball state tournament a year ago on March 12,
Carroll (Dayton, Ohio) High School athletic director Scott Molfenter compared the prior 60 minutes to an amusement park ride.
The school's team and its opponent –
West Branch (Beloit, Ohio) – had been pulled from the court less than 40 minutes before the 1 p.m. tip of their Division II state semifinal. The contest was "suspended" due to coronavirus concerns. The day before the game, it was announced attendance would be limited to players, coaches and school personnel.
"It's been an emotional roller-coaster for the girls," Molfenter said. "They win regionals, get to come here and then can't play in front of their fellow students. They kind of got over that, and now this."
Two weeks later the girls state tournament was cancelled. So were all other remaining Ohio winter sports championships (boys basketball, wrestling and ice hockey). Most states followed suit. Spring sports never got started.
Much has changed in 12 months.
Much remains in question.
Competition, however, is not.
This week marks the return of the
OHSAA girls state tournament. Games are at the University of Dayton Arena. The semifinals started Thursday morning. Over 1,300 will be allowed entry for the games.
Carroll plays Friday. The Patriots made it back to the D-II semifinals.
She's one of many.
Napoleon (Ohio) – Carroll's upcoming opponent – was undefeated (27-0) and slated to face
Tri-Valley (Dresden, Ohio) in last year's other D-II state semifinal. It was the program's first trip to the state tournament.
"I can remember everything from that day, the day before and the day after," senior Taylor Strock told
wtol.com. "I don't think anyone can understand what it felt like unless you've been through it…That's why it feels ten times better getting back this year."
Carroll and Napoleon's return isn't the only one to celebrate.
A year after a nationwide shutdown, almost every state is contesting prep sports again.
High school football in California and New York returns this week. Football and volleyball in Illinois kicks off next week. Texas and Georgia wrap their basketball state tournaments Saturday. Florida and Alabama finished theirs last week. West Virginia debuted basketball last Friday. In several states, Spring sports have started.
Said Napoleon senior Caely Ressler (to
The Blade): "This year with everything that's happened and everything that's been taken away from us, it's just that much sweeter to be back where we're supposed to be."
Ressler speaks for athletes nationwide.
Her mentor mirrors the country's coaches.
"I'm so happy for these kids," Napoleon head coach Cory Kreinbrink told The Blade. "These last 52 weeks have been a roller coaster."
Carroll and West Branch high schools pose for a shot outside St. John Arena last year after their OHSAA Division II state semifinal was postponed.
Photo by Eric Frantz
