National City Bank branches in Northwest Ohio and Michigan will be converted to PNC Bank because of the acquisition of National City by PNC Financial Services Group Inc.
Most National City branches in the region will close at 4 p.m. April 9; remain closed over the weekend for the physical conversion and reopen as PNC Bank branches on April 12, according to Brian Bucher, regional president of PNC Northwest Ohio Toledo Region.
Some branches could close earlier April 9 with times to be posted at each location.
“We’re committed to the Toledo market and want to grow in this market, providing additional benefits for the community to make it a great place to live and work,” said Bucher, who has served this region for the past five years living in the Toledo area.
The signage on local National City branches has been changed for the conversion. The new PNC Bank signs are covered by temporary National City banners that will be removed that weekend. No local branches will be closed and all will be refurbished or updated with the conversion, Bucher said.

Brian Bucher

PNC Bank is hiring some customer service and management-level employees but the consolidation could affect a small number of employees whose positions could be eliminated in the process, Bucher said.
“We look at the business to figure out how we can operate better,” Bucher said. “We’re excited about what we’re doing for our customers by combining two institutions with a lot of good people.”
National City customers will become PNC clients with as little disruption as possible, he said.
Customers should receive their new PNC Visa check card by April 9 and can activate the cards after 8 a.m. on that date. Check card purchases can be made during the conversion weekend using either National City or activated PNC Visa check cards.
ATM access to checking, savings and money market accounts will be available at any National City or PNC ATM inside and outside the local region. Balance information will be available via ATM starting at noon on Saturday, April 10.
Mobile and online banking through National City or PNC will not be available after 3 p.m. April 9. Existing customers can begin accessing PNC account information by mobile phone or online starting at
8 a.m. April 12. Telephone banking will resume after 6 a.m. April 12 by calling 1-877-762-9119.
PNC customers will have access to new products, such as the “virtual wallet” which allows people to conduct online banking from hand-held phones and computers 24-7 from almost anywhere with the transition, Bucher said.
“We’re in the people business and strive for the personal touch but you have to have great products and the latest technology,” Bucher said.
“We’re committing more dollars to the local community as part of PNC’s commitment of $100 million over 10 years,” Bucher said.
Bucher said that National City has and now PNC will support local programs, such as the “Grow Up Great” campaign for children up to age 5, with both money and the time of employees volunteers. Locally, the bank has supported the Toledo Zoo, Toledo Mud Hens, UT, Valentine Theatre, and other community organizations.
Bucher said that he knows many of the management people at PNC from his previous experience working for National City Bank in Pittsburgh where PNC is based. He was born in Cleveland and lived in Chicago before earning a bachelor’s degree in finance from The Ohio State University and an MBA from Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. PNC has successfully completed the conversion of more than 1 million customers and 320 branches from National City Bank in other regions of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana since November 2009. Another 1.5 million customers and 420 branches in Akron, Cleveland, Toledo and Michigan are being converted in April.
“The process of converting customer accounts is proceeding smoothly as the acquisition of National City continues to exceed our expectations,” said Thomas Whitford, PNC vice chairman and co-leader of the National City integration that remains on track for completion by the middle of 2010.
The acquisition of National City Bank by PNC Financial Services Group Inc. closed Dec. 31, 2008. PNC is a national diversified financial services organization, providing business and retail banking, residential mortgages, asset and wealth management to more than 5 million customers in 15 states and District of Columbia.

The Ohio Environmental Review Appeals Commission (ERAC) granted summary judgment to FDS Coke  Plant LLC on March 17.
The judgment concludes that the FDS Coke Plant’s Permit to Install (PTI) has not expired.  The company made contractual agreements with Talon Consulting prior to the expiration date of their PTI, and the court found it “entered into a binding contractual obligation to undertake and complete within a reasonable time a continuing program of installation,” required by law.
“What I know is the ruling from the ERAC was the last hurdle for the company. This  has been going on for almost eight years and this was the last hurdle to allow them to move forward,” said Dean Monske, deputy mayor of operations for the City of Toledo.
The city will meet with the principals of the company in the next 30 days to discuss the plan and scope for the current project and how the city can assist the company as they move forward, Monske said.
“A project of this magnitude would be a nice shot in the arm for Toledo,” Monske said.
How many jobs will be created will be dictated by the scope of the project today, but Monske believes the FDS Coke Plant will create a similar number of jobs as originally proposed.
The FDS Coke Plant was proposed to be built on the Toledo-Oregon border, with docks on the Maumee River, in 2006.  The facility has faced controversy and court battles concerning environmental issues and permits to build, that have prevented construction from taking place.
The facility was proposed to be 140,000 quare feet, on 53 acres and will produce metallurgical coke to be used in the production of steel. It would provide $800 million in investment and create approximately 150 full time jobs and numerous construction jobs.

A group of local agencies announced March 18 that state Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)   funding is still available.
According to the agencies, more than 30,000 Lucas County household may qualify for HEAP, assistance with home energy bills, but have not applied.
To assist as many people as possible across Northwest Ohio, Economic Opportunity Planning Association (EOPA), WSOS, Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS), United Way and Columbia Gas of Ohio are encouraging those who qualify to apply before the March 31 deadline.
“We’re promoting the services that we still have available and letting people know they’re still out there,” said Tomeka Rushing, heat program coordinator for EOPA.
Assistance can lower gas payments for households that qualify. Additionally, funds for weatherization may also be available through NHS to help lower energy costs.
“It’s vital right now because the funding ends on March 31 and winter heating ends April 15. If people don’t set up payment plans or seek assistance some of these opportunities will be finished and gas services may be turned off,” said Chris Kozak, communications and community relations manager for Columbia Gas of Ohio.
Qualification for assistance is based on the Federal Poverty Level.
To find out if a household qualifies or to apply for assistance, contact United Way 2-1-1, or in Lucas County EOPA at 1-866-504-7392 and in Wood, Seneca, Ottawa or Sandusky counties, call WSOS  at 1-800-775-9767 or NHS at (419) 691-2900.

Douglas Pelmear, president of HP2g.com in Napoleon, and Henry County Commissioner Richard Myers met with officials of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in Washington, D.C. om March 10 about possible funding for his firm’s hybrid engine.
Pelmear said they had discussions with DOE officials to educate them about his HP2g V-8 hybrid engine, which has achieved 110 miles per gallon. He explained the technologies of the engine and provided documentation of its performance ratings to DOE officials.
The Hp2g engine features variable displacement and electromagnetic pulse power within the same engine.
It can achieve fuel economy of 110 MGP with tests showing better results than the 2016 standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, according to Pelmear.
He claims the HP2g hybrid engine operating on E-85 ethanol fuel will help preserve the environment by reducing emissions by more than 66 percent.
The company is seeking startup funds to establish manufacturing operations to produce the engine. Pelmear said the DOE is guiding them through the process for two programs for possible funding, one for grants and another for low-interest loans.
“We’re moving at the speed we can, working with our own funds. No banks are willing to consider financing us,” Pelmear said as the reason for turning to the government for possible funding.
HP2g is also working to qualify for numerous ISO certification requirements for manufacturing automotive products, Pelmear said.
“America needs this technology now more than ever as gas prices continue to rise and more people are desperate for work. I’m just an inventor who wants to see my products out on the road but I can’t do it alone. It requires is a team effort.”
Manufacturing the HP2g engine could create jobs not only in Ohio, but across the U.S. The revenue coming from those jobs and engine sales will positively benefit the local, state and federal economy, Pelmear said.
“We’re holding confidential talks with major OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) in the automotive and agricultural farm equipment industries at this time,” he said.
Pelmear and HP2g are working with Revenge Designs on plans to use the hybrid engine in that company’s new vehicles. Revenge Designs is in the process of establishing a research and development facility for the vehicles, according to Peter Collorafi, president and CEO of the firm based in Decatur, Ind.
Ohio Congressman Bob Latta’s office arranged the meeting with the DOE for Pelmear after previously touring HP2g’s facilities. However, Latta was unable to attend the meeting with the DOE due to prior commitments.
County Commissioner Myers said he went to Washington with Pelmear to support him and his business. The county had loaned the company $50,000 last year toward the cost of the application process for the patents on his technology.
“It was quite interesting to meet with officials from the Department of Energy. Doug was able to answer all their questions about his engine. It was all very positive,” Myers said.

Todd Crandell offers a greeting with a bit of a boyish smile, but traces of adversity show through the surface. His demeanor was that of a well-groomed, confident young man, with a twist of easygoing spirit.
Crandell’s 40-year journey, the subject of an upcoming film, has included drug abuse and suicide in his family at a young age. A triathlete who has completed 18 full-length Ironman Triathlons across the world, in 2008 he was the only person in the world to complete the Ultraman Hawaii Triathlon and six days later complete Ironman Western Australia.
Crandell is a husband, father of four children, and a friend and mentor to many people around the world. He is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit organization Racing for Recovery.
Because of his many triumphs, Crandell has been able to share his story with the world. He wrote a book, “Racing for Recovery from Addict to Ironman” and released a documentary, “Addict: Racing for Recovery.”
His new film, “Running with Demons,” is scheduled to debut May 8 at Tam-O-Shanter, 7060 Sylvania Ave., in Sylvania. “Running with Demons” will also play in Los Angeles, New York and Florida. His plan is to enter his documentary into film festivals and to release it on DVD for worldwide distribution.
Crandell said many believed he would become a successful hockey player, but, at the age of 13, he chose to indulge in a dark world of alcohol and drugs. For 13 years, his bad choices led to spending time behind bars, suicidal thoughts and unconsciously annihilating ties with family and friends. On April 15, 1994, after a bout with the law, Crandell decided he had hit bottom with alcohol and drug abuse and chose to stop.
“Nothing has entered my system in a non-healthy way since that day,” Crandell said. He said he believes alcohol or drug abuse is a choice, not a sickness that has to be cured.
The recovery process was long and demanding, but Crandell said he was certain he would beat the odds. He immediately started attending Alcoholics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous meetings. Crandell said he was grateful to receive help from the various programs with steps designed to assist addicts, but believed he needed something else to balance his new lifestyle. He realized the importance of education and went back to obtain his degrees. In the fall of 1994 he met Melissa, whom he eventually married. He also began seeking recovery through a return to athletics.
Crandell said his drive to compete in Ultraman and Ironman triathlons sprang from an obsession to prove that he could do it. He has come to a point in his life where he no longer needs to prove himself.
“My point has been proven repeatedly,” he said.
In 2001, he formed Racing for Recovery, a nonprofit organization that “seeks to prevent all forms of substance abuse by promoting a lifestyle of fitness and health for all those affected by addiction.”
Crandell said he had the need to film “Running with Demons” because he felt his original film, “Addict: Racing for Recovery” was told by  others and explained his journey only to that point.
“Two of my kids were in it, which was great but I don’t think it really told the story and the impact that Racing for Recovery had done at the time. It did a little bit, but not enough in my opinion,” he said.
He said “Running with Demons” will give audiences “a true depiction of the real Todd Crandell” and will walk them through the backdrop of him in action during an Ultraman competition.
“It is an unbelievable feat that most people cannot fathom,” Crandell said.
“Running with Demons,” will focus on who Crandell is today; a licensed professional counselor, helping those in need.
The film will also explain some of the demons he has fought as he continues on his journey.
Crandell has a support group that meets every Thursday evening in the Sylvania area, and he is at every meeting unless he is out of town racing. He said his support group is unlike any other. He focuses on good health and fitness by exercising, walking and or running, but competing in an Ironman is not an expectation.
His program is also designed to support the family and friends of the substance abuser, and he has incorporated a preventative program for children.
He proudly said his two oldest children, Skylar and Koner, are athletic and have already competed in mini triathlons.
Asked if he was concerned about them following in his footsteps, he smiled and said, “I don’t care what they do, so long as they don’t do drugs and alcohol, and I want them to have high self-esteem. That’s very important to me.”

Tickets for the May 8 showing of “Racing with Demons” are $30. Visit www.racingforrecovery.com for more information.

Many people can’t imagine going through four years of high school without participating in a sports program, but that could be the reality if one of the cost-cutting plans before the Toledo Public Schools (TPS) school board is approved.
Superintendent John Foley has proposed cuts in programs and staff to close a $30 million budget shortfall. He has put two plans on the table for the school board to consider. One plan, based on the passage of a proposed May tax levy, outlines $18 million in cuts. The other, more drastic plan, with cuts totaling $30 million, would be needed if the tax levy is rejected by voters.
The long list of cost-cutting proposals includes laying off teachers, closing three schools, including Libbey High School, eliminating bussing for high school students and cutting athletics and other extracurricular programs.
Emotions were running high this week as parents attended a series of meetings sponsored by the school board and voiced their opinion about proposed cuts. Parents and students expressed disbelief that the school board would vote to eliminate sports programs to save $3.5 million.
Entitlement or privilege?
School boards across the state are faced with making some tough choices, said Scott Ebright, spokesman for the Ohio School Board Association. The economic downturn is affecting the amount of money schools are receiving from the state and from property tax assessments.
“It’s very, very rare for schools to cut all sports, but it does happen,” he said.
Ebright pointed to a school district just outside of Columbus. Last year, the South-Western City School Board voted to eliminate sports after a tax levy failed three times. He said the results were devastating for the local community. Once vibrant high school campuses were dark on Friday evenings without sports to bring the community together. Some star athletes transferred to nearby school districts. The tax levy finally passed in November on the fourth attempt, but it was too late for students to participate in fall sports, Ebright said.
“Schools have a minimum standard of education they have to provide,” he said. “Schools must provide one foreign language and they must transport students who live two miles from schools. That’s it.”
As school districts across the country are grappling with shrinking revenue due to the state of the economy, more school boards, parents and taxpayers are facing this question. Are school-sponsored sports an entitlement or a privilege?
Balancing the budget
Foley said he does not relish the thought of cutting athletics and other extracurricular programs but, “I have to balance the budget and at the end of the day our core work is providing academics for students,” he said.  “We don’t get any state report card on winning championships.
“We are about to listen to what the public wants in Toledo. If the public values athletics, then something else will have to go. It’s up to the community to decide.”
The school board hosted a three-hour meeting at Start High School on March 17 to hear from the community. The newly renovated auditorium was packed as a parade of parents, students and teachers pleaded for their favorite programs, scolded board members for considering closing top-rated schools and accused them of using fear and intimidation to get public support for the tax levy.
“If they cut all sports, you would see a huge decrease in enrollment,” said Andy DeNucci after speaking to the board at the meeting.  DeNucci, a junior at Start High School, plays golf and softball and is a member of the swim team.
“I would have gone to a Catholic school if Start didn’t offer sports,” he said. “If you ever watch all those commercials for St. Johns and St. Francis they always talk about the ‘experience’ you get at their schools. Sports are part of the experience that you want to get.”
Tracy Hornik, president of the Parent-Teacher Network at DeVeaux Middle School, also asked the board not to cut sports. Hornik said some of the parents at DeVeaux are “scared to death” that sports will be cut but other parents who don’t have kids in sports don’t see it as a priority. She said some parents are wondering if the board is looking into a pay-to-play program to help fund athletics.
Pay-to-play athletics
Many Toledo area schools have used the practice known as pay-to-play to help pay some of the costs of sports teams and clubs for years. As the cost of paying for athletics continues to rise and funding sources continue to shrink, many schools across the country are using pay-to-play to keep their sports programs off the chopping block, said Bob Gardner, the CEO of the National Federation of High Schools. Pay-to-play is a fee charged to students participating in extracurricular activities such as athletics or marching band. Gardner said school districts in at least 34 states have pay-to-play programs to help offset funding shortfalls.
In 1993, the Sylvania School System was the first in the Toledo area to adopt a pay-to-play policy. According to Nancy Crandell, spokesperson for Sylvania Schools, the school board approved charging the fees when it was faced with a budget deficit and a community unwilling to approve a tax levy.
A Sylvania high school student must pay $125 a year to participate in sports. The pay-to-play fees have generated about $128,000 this school year. This is not enough to cover the entire cost of extracurricular programs in the school district of 8,000 students, Crandell said, but the money helps cover the cost of supplemental pay for coaches and advisors.
In Fremont, school officials learned a tough lesson when pay-to-play fees were introduced there four years ago.
“We were having financial problems and we were trying to totally fund athletics through the fees,” said Christine Opelt, director of human resources and community relations. The $375 fee per sport proved to be too much for the community to bear. In the middle schools, where the fee was $175 per sport, participation dropped by some 50 percent, Opelt said.
School leaders realized they need students to play sports in middle school to feed into the high school program. The fees were reduced but are still some of the highest in the area. In high school, students pay $175 for the first sport, $125 to participate in a second sport and $75 dollars to be on a third sports team.
In the Oregon City School District, coaches recently agreed to a voluntary cut in their coaching stipend to help save the sports program. Mike Donnelly, athletic director for the district,  said students pay a participation fee of $75 for the first sport in high school. That’s a $25 increase from 2009. Donnelly said the district has implemented other cost cutting measures this year, such as eliminating some coaching positions and a 3 percent cut in supplemental pay for all coaches who remained on the job. The athletic boosters also help by hosting three fundraisers each year for the sports programs.
“Salaries are the big part and that’s why we took a pay cut,” Donnelly said. We didn’t want to lose more coaches so we all want to keep costs down. We don’t want to pass it along to the parents and we want to make sure everyone is in this together.”
Would parents in the Toledo Public School system be willing or able to pay a fee to help save sports? Foley thinks pay-to-play is not the answer in Toledo. Foley said state law would prevent the district from charging parents who fall below a certain income level and with 67 percent of the kids in the district qualifying for reduced or free lunches, it’s likely that only a small percentage of parents would be asked to pay the fees.
“When we looked at that model it didn’t make sense because it didn’t reduce the budget at all for that percentage of kids that would fall into that category,” Foley said.
Foley said he would like the school board to make a decision between the two budget-cutting proposals by the end of March so that when voters head to polls in May and vote on the 0.75 percent tax levy, they will know exactly what is at stake.
“I don’t want to tell people athletics will be cut and then not follow through,” he said. “I think it’s fair for the public to know before people have to vote. I think we should be honest with what we are saying.”

TPS seeks money to support levy

Toledo Public Schools (TPS) is soliciting money from the community to help fund the Committee for Schools, a political action committee. The school district is asking parents, teachers and businesses to support the Committee for Schools to help pass Issue 3, an income tax levy. Letters were sent to local businesses May 9 asking for donations.
“We don’t just ask businesses, we ask employees and benefactors to assist the schools in providing the best education for students,” said John Foley, superintendent of TPS. “Unfortunately, the way funding is and the law is written, we can’t fund the levy through district money. Our appeal to the business community is to promote education and growth in the city.”
The Committee for Schools provides funding to promote levies for the Toledo Public Schools district. Money raised pays for signs, advertising and literature, said Patty Mazur, spokeswoman for TPS.
Historically, the school district has taken a grassroots-effort approach to passing levies, Foley said.  The district has used volunteers to work phone banks and pass out literature.
“It’s always tough to pass a levy and the economy makes it even tougher,” Foley said.
The Toledo Public Schools is facing a $30 million budget deficit for 2011. The district hopes to raise $18.2 million a year by passing the proposed 0.75 percent School District Income Tax Levy on the ballot May 4.
Even with the passage of the levy, the district will still face $17 million in budget reductions, according to a letter sent to businesses.
Donations can be sent to The Committee for Schools, 420 E. Manhattan Blvd., attn: Angela Jordan, Treasurer.

— Kristen Rapin

Music industry publication Billboard has anointed Crystal Bowersox as “the one who should win ‘American Idol.’”

Bowersox

Ann Donahue, in “American idol Top 12 Power Rankings,” wrote on March 16, “Strengths: Crystal is by far the best singer in the group, and her poise on stage can be attributed to one of two things: she’s an experienced performer, or she doesn’t really care about winning’ American Idol.’ Her attitude towards the show — did she really only think 3 million viewers watch it every week? — is refreshing compared to other stagemom’d and fame conscious contestants and it puts her in the good position of being the favorite and the underdog at the same time.

“Weaknesses: She’s been the favorite from the outset: and the favorite from the outset never wins. (Hi, Chris Daughtry! Hi, Melinda Doolittle!) In broad terms, she’s also a rocker chick — and it’s a category that has never won: Allison Iraheta only made it to fourth place last year.

“Where She Will Finish: 4

“Where She Should Finish: 1″

Bowersox is a familiar face on the Toledo music circuit.

As I wrapped up the ice fishing season early this month, I was reminded of the old adage “Expect the unexpected.” This is always true when it comes to fishing.

Two buddies and I fished Lake Lancer near Gladwin, MI in hopes of pulling in a few late season pike. Lancer is one of a few lakes in Michigan that has an overpopulation of pike, so there is no size limit, and anglers can keep five fish as opposed to two in most lakes.

We opted for the traditional tip ups baited with pike minnows. We had our first flag pretty quickly, but by the time I got to it, the fish had run into some weeds and I couldn’t get him out.

The next fish, however, was hooked solidly and put up a pretty good fight, but something felt different. As the fish got close to the hole, I found out why. It was a huge largemouth bass. I finally got his head into the hole we lipped him just like in the summer. The fish measured twenty inches and probably weighed four or five pounds. Since bass season is still months away, after a few quick pictures, we released him.

Now it’s not that rare to catch bass through the ice early in the year, but one that big is not all that common in late winter. Sadly, the bite shut down and we didn’t have any action until around five when we picked up a small pike.

The next day we moved to deeper water, but the action was even slower. Only one flag, but it turned out to be another big bass. If we hadn’t been a mile away from our first spot, I would have guessed it was the same fish. We caught only one pike and a few small perch, but those two monster bass made the trip worthwhile.

It’s not the first time fish have surprised me.

A few years ago I was fishing the Maumee River for walleye. After about two hours of nothing, I headed back to the car. As I got close to the bank, on a whim I threw a short cast in water only a few feet deep and immediately hooked a nice walleye. I took two more from the same spot. I’ve never caught another walleye that shallow, but they were there that day.

Another time I found smallmouth bass in a most unlikely spot. We were drifting in a shallow, weedy Upper Peninsula lake around on an afternoon in mid July. It was not exactly ideal conditions. I saw a swirl, so I flipped out a floating Rapala that was smashed by a nice smallie. For an hour or so we drifted the same area and hauled in fish after fish. They weren’t supposed to be there, but they were.

One of my biggest surprises came on a muskie trip to Hudson Lake. We pounded the water all morning with every muskie lure in the box but no luck. Finally we gave up and switched to plastic worms to try for some of the nice largemouth that also live there. But you guessed it, and a muskie grabbed the five-inch worm. Luck was with me. I hooked him in the front of the lip in an area with few snags or weeds, and after a nice fight he came to the net. The fish measured around 38”, a heck of a fight on bass tackle.

The lesson here is fish will not always do what you expect. I don’t think they read all the outdoor magazines. So when things get slow, switch things up a bit. If big lures don’t work, go to small ones. If the fish are not deep, try shallow. Try a top-water on a choppy day. Change things up, and you may be rewarded.

The Ottawa Hills boys basketball team boasts a team grade-point average of 3.37, and the high academic standard is translating on the hardcourt.

The 23-1 Green Bears are putting their brains together to carve a path through the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division IV brackets. At press time, a March 19 date with 2009 state runner-up Kalida in a DIV regional final at Bowling Green State University Anderson Arena was set to be the latest test for the team to take.

Having never been past a regional semifinal or to one since 1986, the next test is the Green Bears’ toughest yet, but coach John Lindsay and school guidance counselor Mark Nesbaum are confident these parquet pupils are exam-ready.

“Our athletes are focused and they’re involved in a lot of activities athletically, academically and in the community,” said Lindsay. “They have to be great managers of their time personally, and it’s carried over onto the hardwood.”

“They listen to their coach, follow directions and they’re just a very smart team,” said Nesbaum.

In a 57-44 regional semi victory over Miller City, the green-clad visitors on the scoreboard lofted just 35 shots in 32 minutes of action on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day. It had nothing to do with the opponent’s defense or too many turnovers reducing offensive opportunities.

Patience and sound decision-making resulted in good things for the Green Bears, who converted 21 of those select shot attempts for an impressive 6X % field goal percentage. In pulling away from an early third quarter 28-28 deadlock, they shot 67% (12-of-18) in the second half.

“Coach [Lindsay] preaches value of possessions,” said senior guard Eliot Browarsky, the team’s leading scorer and assistant with averages of 19.2 points and 6.1 dishes a game. The 6’0” District 7 IV boys player of the year averages 4.7 boards and 2.7 steals.

“During the regular season we pushed the ball in transition much more than in tournament,” said Lindsay. “Every tournament game will typically be a one-possession game.”

Browarsky and junior post/forward Andrew Jamieson (11.1 ppg, 5 rpg) form a deadly duo, but as one of only three seniors on the roster, Browarsky provides the veteran leadership to his underclass counterparts.

“Eliot does a great job at the PG position,” said Jamieson. “He makes the right passes and sees the entire floor better than just about anyone I’ve played with.”

Browarsky’s credentials extend well beyond his class status and hoop ability. He’s the reigning D-III state soccer player of the year in Ohio and in 2008 started on the D-III state championship soccer team, the school’s first since the field hockey team in1998.

Now Browarsky, heading to Elon University (NC) on a college soccer scholarship, may find himself as a catalyst for the school’s latest two.

His experience, coupled with his pure athletic capability, makes Browarsky the perfect leader to run the point for a team that has never been this deep into the hoop postseason.

“His success on soccer field and his tournament experience has helped us a great deal on the court. He is result driven,” said Lindsay.

“He’s the greatest competitor I’ve ever coached. With him, it’s all about the win.”

Additionally, senior Jon Shollenberger, juniors JJ Buckey (10.9 ppg, 62 ast, 41 stls) and Bobby Brunner, sophomore Ian Trickey and green freshman Lucas Janowicz (7.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg) are big contributors in all viable ways.

“This is an unselfish group of competitors. All season if one or two of our players are down there’s always someone else to step up,” said Lindsay.

The team has painted a defensive masterpiece. In the23 victories OH is limiting opposition to 39.4 points a game. In their lone loss at New Reigel midseason the Green Bears surrendered a season-high 76 points- but that included two overtime sessions.

Postseason opponents are mustering 39.6 ppg. Overall the Green Bears are making the grade with 58.6 points per outing. In outscoring opponents by nearly 20 points a game, it’s elementary why they have only one defeat

With brilliance exerted on both sides of the orange and averaging just 10.4 turnovers a game, the Green Bears hope to reach the brightest stage by earning a berth in the IV state final four to be played out at Ohio State’s Jerome Schottenstein Center March 26-27.

As we Irish say, ‘Marriages are all happy. Its having breakfast together that causes all the trouble!’

The Irish have a wealth of traditional practices and proverbs for love and marriage. In honor of Saint Patrick’s Day, I am happy to share a few that will surely bring ‘laughing eyes and fire in the belly’.

In County Donegal, there’s a proverb. When a man wanted to marry a girl, he he’d throw his cap into her house. If the cap was thrown back out, it meant she wasn’t interested. If only it were that simple!

Often wonder where wedding bells came from? It’s a Celtic tradition to receive a bell as a wedding gift. When a disagreement takes place between a husband and wife, the man rings the bell to declare truce. Never outwit an Irish lass!

‘Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a sixpence for your shoe.’ Something old is to signify family; something new is to bring good luck. Something burrowed is the symbol of friendship and in Ireland, blue is the color of luck. The sixpence coin is to bring you financial good fortune in your marriage. In fact, coins are used quite often in an Irish Marriage ceremony. After the exchange of rings, the groom gives his bride a silver coin as a token of all he possesses. It symbolizes his willingness to share all he has with his bride. Today, we call that the MasterCard!

What do rain, an old shoe and a torn dress have to do with the bride? Well they are all symbols of good fortune! Wedding day rain will shower the bride and groom with many blessings. As they leave Church, an old shoe thrown over the bride’s head brings good luck. And its always lucky if the bride’s wedding dress is accidentally torn. All these can make for a disgruntled bride. There’s nothing like unleashing the inner bridezilla to bring a little Irish luck on wedding day!

“May the dreams you hold dearest, be those which come true.” Traditionally a fruitcake, slices of the groom’s cake were wrapped in tissue displaying the names of single men. They were then boxed for the single ladies to take home and “dream upon’ under the pillow. Today the tradition is popular in the south, often in a rich chocolate flavor, laced with Irish liquor.

And an Irish wedding wouldn’t be complete with out a good toast. So here’s one to all our Star brides and grooms:

Here’s to lying, cheating, stealing, and drinking.

If you lie, may you lie together.

If you cheat, may you cheat the devil.

If you steal, may you steal each other’s hearts.

And if you drink, may we all drink to your happiness.

Slante!

You can catch more Irish Wedding Traditions at Brittany’s Blog: http://www.crowningcelebrations.blogspot.com/