SWC season always a rollercoaster ride for coaches
By Zachary Dzurick
Sports
Published Jan. 26, 2005

Westlake’s Doug Raiff battles North Olmsted’s Chris Hibinger. (Photo by Larry Bennet)

The ebb and flow of the season can test the patience of any coach. Two weeks ago, North Olmsted had an emotional win over Olmsted Falls. The team was playing crisp, motivated basketball. Shots were falling and coach Tim Schmotzer seemed to be pushing all of the right buttons. A week ago, Rocky River coach Tom Thompson was so frustrated with his team's performance against Olmsted Falls that he couldn't talk about the game in the locker room. The Pirates were a turnover machine and getting out hustled.

So of course, this week Rocky River blitzed North Olmsted 68-49.

"After the Olmsted Falls game, I went into the locker room and said nothing," Thompson said. "I just told them when practice was Sunday. I think it was just a tone we brought into practice on Sunday and Monday where the kids refocused. We told them there were some things we needed to do better and we knew we could play better. They were disappointed and it was really nothing more special than getting refocused."

"We have been a solid rebounding team," Schmotzer said. "It is what we hang our hats on, and that is why Tuesday was so disappointing. They out rebounded us by 14."

Both teams had games Friday night against the teams at the bottom of the conference standings. However, there are no nights off in the SWC. Rocky River found themselves up only by two at the half. North Olmsted saw an eight-point second quarter lead at home evaporate into a 27-27 halftime tie with Westlake.

Both made the adjustments necessary at the half to make victory possible. Third quarter defense was the difference in both contests. The Eagles held Westlake to just six third quarter points on their way to a 62-50 win. The Pirates one-upped that by holding Avon Lake to just four third quarter points in their 53-35 win.

For Rocky River, Avon Lake threw a new look at them and it was just a matter of adjusting.

"They threw a wrinkle at us that we hadn't seen," Thompson said. "We made some adjustments. They cut Mike Corrigan's penetration off which he was able to do against North Olmsted and many opponents. We regrouped and he was able to get back to the basket again. The first half was a little of wake-up but they scored four points in the third quarter because I thought we defended well forcing a lot of turnovers."

Thompson believes Corrigan has been vital but says that his entire team has been playing their roles correctly.

North Olmsted’s Joe Weir attempts a shot against Westlake (Photo by Larry Bennet)

"Corrigan has taken the lead but on any give night our post players have really started to play better. Craig Murford and Brent Bartlett both have stepped up. We are getting so much consistency from Zach Haudenschild as well his leadership. Dusty O'Neil is playing well. It is coming in spurts from different players, but it was been a lot of fun with this group because I think they are really starting to understand what we are trying to do."

Schmotzer's program prides itself on rebounding and defending. They did neither well against Rocky River. Their once high-flying confidence was grounded to a halt. It affected their first half against Westlake.

"We lost on Tuesday by 19 to Rocky River," Schmotzer said. "When you get beat like that and give up 25 layups and 16 offensive rebounds, like it or not it shakes your confidence. It was evident tonight. We just don't seem right like we were earlier in the season."

North Olmsted led 21-13 with five minutes remaining in the first half. Westlake got back in the game by penetrating. It allowed them to get to the line where they were 11 of 12 in the first half. A buzzer-beating three from Brett Henderson tied the game at the half.

North Olmsted got big efforts on the boards in the third quarter from Joe Valponi and Jason Mahon. Their workman-like effort restored order to the North Olmsted game plan.

"Coach Schmotzer was pretty upset at half time," Mahon said. "We came out with more energy and we took it to them rather than them taking it to us. Coach always says when we rebound and get out and run is when we are at our best."

Schmotzer liked the second half defensive effort more than he did the first half.

"In the second half, we tried to defend," Schmotzer said. "We held them to six points in the third quarter which is key. If we rebound, we are a pretty good team; if we don't rebound, we are going to struggle on the defensive and offensive end."

North Olmsted made just two of seven free throws in the first half, so Westlake sent them to the line in the fourth quarter in an attempt to get back in the game. The Eagles made 10 of their final 11 free throws.

"At the end of games, we have been a good free throwing shooting teams," Schmotzer said. "Westlake was banking on us to miss free throws to get back into the game. If we miss some, then it is a different game. It was a good win. Our psyche is a little bruised, but hopefully that will build our confidence."

Westlake dropped to 3-10 with just one win in the conference. Schmotzer sympathizes with the rough season that Westlake coach Art Daniels's squad is battling through.

"Art Daniels has always been a class guy," Schmotzer said. "It is always a pleasure to coach against him."

For Daniels, once again his team was in the ballgame but could not get the needed result.

"The key to the game was the second half," Daniels said. "I thought North Olmsted just came out and out-worked us. We didn't start out strong, but I was pleased with our effort in the second quarter to tie back up the ball game before the half. But we didn't come out in the second half with that same kind of energy. We have to attack whether we are on offense or defense for whatever reason we stopped doing that. North Olmsted earned the win."

Losing so many close games can have a draining effect on a ball club.

"It wears a great deal," Daniels admitted. "It is frustrating for the coaches, the fans and most of all for the players. They are out there working their butts off and have done everything we asked in practice. They have great attitudes and a fun group to be around but we can't get over the hump to get a W. We have to find a way to get it done."

Westlake hosts Fairview Friday night and then travels to Rocky River on Saturday night. North Olmsted travels to Bay on Friday before hosting Avon Lake on Saturday. Rocky River will begin the weekend looking for revenge at Amherst.

"They beat us by two earlier in the year," Thompson said. "I think out kids are playing as hungry as they ever have. I think it is a motivator for them."