My Top 10 of 2010 - # 1

This is my Top 10 Red Rider Sports Blog Moments of 2010. See the full list of posts here. 

Here we are...the #1 Red Rider Sports Blog moment of 2010 as decided by a panel of one.

I debated over the positioning of every other of the nine selections, and some that ended up not making the cut...but not this one. It was far and away the best moment of the year, and when looking back, it was many memorable moments wrapped up in one.

Ok..no more suspense, here's #1.

My Top 10 of 2010 - # 3 and # 2

This is my Top 10 Red Rider Sports Blog Moments of 2010. See the full list of posts here. 

We're down to just a few on this countdown.  I chatted with a follower of the blog and Orrville alum today.  Said he was "on the edge of his seat" to see the final three.  Pretty sure it wasn't facetious.

Anyway, two familiar subjects on today's list...and I don't think there's any denying either from the top 10.  You could argue each could be #1.

My Top 10 of 2010 - #5 and #4

This is my Top 10 Red Rider Sports Blog Moments of 2010. See the full list of posts here. 

We're getting closer, and that means the choices are much harder to make. Every one of these top 10 are moments to be proud of as Orrville citizens, students & alumni.

I think this one might cause some people to question my thought process.  I'll try to explain the best I can.

Mike Plant speaks the truth....

Taking a break from the Top 10 of 2010, I wanted to draw attention to an article by Daily Record sportswriter Mike Plant. It appeared in this past Sunday's sports section. It was your obligatory "end of the year" article, full of gifts and wishes for 2011 in both the local, and national sports scene.

In one sentence, Mike sums up what a proud sports landscape we've carved out in this sleepy town of 8,000, and how proud we should be of our young athletes, and the community (us) that supports them.

My Top 10 of 2010 - # 7 and # 6

This is my Top 10 Red Rider Sports Blog Moments of 2010. See the full list of posts here. 

Got some catching up to do. Hope everyone had a great Christmas and took some time to relax with loved ones.

Back to business. I'm going to do two items per day for the next three and then the #1 Orrville Sports Blog happening of 2010 will be a post all it's own either Thursday or Friday.

Today, it's #7 and #6 on our list.

My Top 10 of 2010 - # 8

This is my Top 10 Red Rider Sports Blog Moments of 2010. See the full list of posts here. 

We're up to #8 on the list, and this one is basketball related.  The 2009-10 Orrville boys basketball team was special for lots of reasons, but their two standout players accomplished very impressive individual milestones mere weeks apart from each other.

My Top 10 of 2010 - # 9

This is my Top 10 Red Rider Sports Blog Moments of 2010. See the full list of posts here. 

Today we're up to #9...and it's one with plenty of personal significance for me, and not much at all to do with Orrville Sports. I'll get this one out of the way and the rest of the list is Orrville-centric....I promise.

My Top 10 of 2010 - # 10

This is my Top 10 Red Rider Sports Blog Moments of 2010. See the full list of posts here. 

Business, as it relates to the 2010-11 Winter Sports schedule, hasn't quite kicked in to full gear yet, so things are a little slow around these blog parts.  So what will I possibly do to fill time between now and 2011?  Why a "Top 10" list, of course. 

Today kicks off the "Top 10 Blog Moments of 2010." It's a mix of Orrville Sports happenings and happenings connected to this site that may not be 100% related to OHS sports....but still very noteworthy, to me anyways.

We'll do one of these per day leading up to the #1 moment of the year.

But before we move forward, let's look back at a post from late in 2009.

Hey...Smitty Classic is this weekend.

The 7th Annual WQKT/Steve Smith Holiday Hoops Classic is set for this Saturday at the College of Wooster's Timken Gymnasium. This year's Classic is sponsored by Orlo Auto Parts.

Let's talk Girls Basketball, OK?

A very nice start for Coach Alberts and the Lady Riders. A convincing 4-0 start that has seen the Lady Riders win very handily in 3 of the 4.

Leading the way again this season for the defending OCC champs is sophomore Hannah Plybon. Her numbers this season have been very impressive, leading the team in scoring in all four games so far, including a 35-point effort last week against Lexington. By the records listed in the Winter Sports program, 35 points is tied for the 3rd most in OHS girls history.

Here's the team results along with leading scorer info so far....

Orrville Boys Basketball Ticket Info

Straight from Kent Smith & the ever-valuable Booster Club e-mail list.....

OCC Ticket Sales
For all OCC games we will do presale out of the OHS Athletic Office. Presale is $4.00/students and $6.00/adults. ALL tickets at the gate are $6.00. (Remember we have student passes available for home games that make the cost only $2.00)

The Smitty
The WQKT/Steve Smith Classic is coming up soon. (Dec. 18th) We play the feature game at 8:45 p.m. vs. Hillsdale. Presale tickets are $4.00/students and $6.00/adults. At the gate ticket prices go up to $5.00/students and $8.00/adults. One ticket is good for the entire day of basketball. Proceeds go toward scholarships given in Smitty’s name at our Senior Assembly in the spring. Here is the schedule for the day:

Noon- Norwayne vs. Manchester
1:45 p.m.- Northwestern vs. Avon
3:30 p.m.- Dalton vs. Lutheran East
5:15 p.m.- Wooster vs. Olentangy Liberty
7:00 p.m.- Triway vs. Brunswick
8:45 p.m.- Orrville vs. Hillsdale

Season Ticket Sales
Home season tickets will go on sale to those that haven’t renewed by mail this coming Monday. (Dec. 13th) Here is the schedule of sales:

6:00 p.m. - Renewals for those that did not renew by mail.
6:30 p.m. - Previous season ticket holders that wish to change seat locations
6:45 p.m. - Anyone Interested In Season Tickets For The First Time!

That Smitty ticket may be the best deal anywhere for an entire day of high school basketball. Even if you buy at the gate, it's still only $8 for 6 games. Send the girls Christmas shopping and stake out a seat at Timken Gym at the College of Wooster. They're building that SCOT Center that will connect to the gym, so that area of the college is a mess when it comes to parking. Plan accordingly.

Still wish Hiland would be a part of the Smitty. I'm of the understanding that they've been reached out to by tournament organizers, but maybe their schedule doesn't allow it. Maybe the fact that it's on a Sunday has something to do with it, too.

Happy Friday.

Complaining about Parochial Schools....again....and my solution.

I wrote on this topic last year, but it's such an easy target, I'll trot it out again this year. The just-completed state football championships again pointed out the lack of a level playing field in Ohio high school football, as 5 of the 6 state title winners were private schools.

Stats never lie...and I've got a bunch of 'em to prove my point.

OHS Sports Hall of Fame Nominations

I was asked to post this on behalf of the Orrville Sports Hall of Fame committee and am happy to help get the word out.

The next induction isn't until next October but now is the time to start thinking about nominations.

Read below for all the details and for the nomination form and the entire list of previous induction classes.