North Ridgeville 35, Lakewood 21

[Amy Martin]

As I said, we DO have the talent.

[Matthew Lee]

As a new resident of Lakewood and a former NYC HS basketball coach, I can say one thing about our athletes that should make all Lakewoodites proud - they are the most resilient, hard working and positive group of young men I've seen in my career as a teacher, coach and professional sports photographer (NIKE Basketball). Where others would complain, get at each other, give up and have bad attitudes, these young men have stood tall despite their losses and many injuries.

Lakewood should be proud of them and their coaches.

http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... e-football

Alex, I could not agree more with you. These kids play their heart out EVERY SINGLE GAME. And the coaches do the best they can to get them in shape and ready for the games. To blame either side is beside the point. Our daughter is in the marching band we attend every game we can (I travel a lot for work so am not there for every game but my wife is there for all of them). It is not whether the kids win or lose. Honestly, and I mean this with all respect everyone, who cares? It is : are you learning to play as a team? Are you learning to work together? Are you willing to give up your personal ambitions and desires to help others? Can you play for everyone and not just yourself?

If the coach is teaching them that, then does it really matter if they beat North Olmsted or Strongsville or Avon?

If anyone is upset at the coach, then please be upset with me also. His philosophy is in alignment with mine. I have been to a lot of the games over the last two years (not as many as I would like, but a lot). Is he the best at X's and O's? Honestly, no. But who cares? He is teaching them how to be good people and how to work as a team. That is really what matters. At least to me.

[Matthew Lee]

As I said, we DO have the talent.

Amy, honestly, no. No we don't. And that is no disrespect to the players.

I have been to the game at Medina, Berea-Midpark, Olmsted Falls, Avon Lake and North Olmsted. I'm assuming you were there as well. The other teams have:

(a) More players. They just have more players on the sidelines.
(b) Bigger players. When both teams are together, it is obvious how much bigger the other teams are compare to Lakewood. It's just a fact.
(c) More talented players. They just are. Look at the colleges the other players are getting scholarships from. Ohio State. Michigan State. Bowling Green. Cincinnati. Boston College.

It is just not true we are as talented as the other teams. And I love our team immensely and the effort they give. But we are not in the same league, no matter what, with the other teams.

[Michael Deneen]

As I said, we DO have the talent.

Amy, honestly, no. No we don't. And that is no disrespect to the players.

I have been to the game at Medina, Berea-Midpark, Olmsted Falls, Avon Lake and North Olmsted. I'm assuming you were there as well. The other teams have:

(a) More players. They just have more players on the sidelines.
(b) Bigger players. When both teams are together, it is obvious how much bigger the other teams are compare to Lakewood. It's just a fact.
(c) More talented players. They just are. Look at the colleges the other players are getting scholarships from. Ohio State. Michigan State. Bowling Green. Cincinnati. Boston College.

It is just not true we are as talented as the other teams. And I love our team immensely and the effort they give. But we are not in the same league, no matter what, with the other teams.

I've been to every game, and I agree with just about everything Matthew said.

The problems go beyond the head coach.
Unlike Mike Pettine, Ribar has not "lost the locker room"...the team still respects him and plays as hard as they can.
Also, switching schemes (to option, spread, 3-4, or whatever) isn't going to make any difference at this point.

Numbers are the biggest problem. Lakewood has too many players playing both offense and defense, which wears them out.
Second halves have been very tough for them.

[Corey Rossen]

As a product of the program, I would simply say look at the feeder program. Bottom line.

What could be done to improve the feeder system? The athletes are victims of a program that does not focus on the feeder system. Fix the system. This goes beyond the current coaches, the high school athletes of today are a product of the feeder system that is failing them. Boys and girls. All sports.

Corey

[marklingm]

As a product of the program, I would simply say look at the feeder program. Bottom line.

What could be done to improve the feeder system? The athletes are victims of a program that does not focus on the feeder system. Fix the system. This goes beyond the current coaches, the high school athletes of today are a product of the feeder system that is failing them. Boys and girls. All sports.

Corey

Corey,

How would you fix the system?

Matt

[Corey Rossen]

As a product of the program, I would simply say look at the feeder program. Bottom line.

What could be done to improve the feeder system? The athletes are victims of a program that does not focus on the feeder system. Fix the system. This goes beyond the current coaches, the high school athletes of today are a product of the feeder system that is failing them. Boys and girls. All sports.

Corey

Corey,

How would you fix the system?

Matt

I love this question and I will never back away from it.

There are many ways, but I am typing in my phone so I will keep it brief for now.

In no particular order:
1. The leader of the program, or particular sport, should have an age appropriate handbook that they give to each coach in the program. The book should be filled with instructional ways to develop a player at that level. For example: a first grader in basketball should be focused on fundamentals and skill building. A second grader should continue where first grade ended and add an offensive play (or two) appropriately designed for that age group. Third grade should continue and add defensive mindsets. And on.

2. Student-athletes should be encouraged to participate in multiple sports. All coaches, at all levels, should encourage this and be taught of the harms of single-sport focus along with the benefits of multi-sport athletes. This should be a requirement in the hiring of all paid coaching positions.

3. The school system at all levels should show an active interest in all age groups of development, both genders. From the Super to the Athletic Director to the Rec Dept on down.

...and much more.

Corey

[Michael Deneen]

I'd like to revisit this topic sometime in the future.
I am hoping to address the topic in a future print article of the paper.

[Corey Rossen]

I'd like to revisit this topic sometime in the future.
I am hoping to address the topic in a future print article of the paper.

I look forward to it.

Corey

[Corey Rossen]

As a product of the program, I would simply say look at the feeder program. Bottom line.

What could be done to improve the feeder system? The athletes are victims of a program that does not focus on the feeder system. Fix the system. This goes beyond the current coaches, the high school athletes of today are a product of the feeder system that is failing them. Boys and girls. All sports.

Corey

Corey,

How would you fix the system?

Matt

I love this question and I will never back away from it.

There are many ways, but I am typing in my phone so I will keep it brief for now.

In no particular order:
1. The leader of the program, or particular sport, should have an age appropriate handbook that they give to each coach in the program. The book should be filled with instructional ways to develop a player at that level. For example: a first grader in basketball should be focused on fundamentals and skill building. A second grader should continue where first grade ended and add an offensive play (or two) appropriately designed for that age group. Third grade should continue and add defensive mindsets. And on.

2. Student-athletes should be encouraged to participate in multiple sports. All coaches, at all levels, should encourage this and be taught of the harms of single-sport focus along with the benefits of multi-sport athletes. This should be a requirement in the hiring of all paid coaching positions.

3. The school system at all levels should show an active interest in all age groups of development, both genders. From the Super to the Athletic Director to the Rec Dept on down.

...and much more.

Corey

Matt Markling - any thoughts on ways to fix, or improve, the system?

Corey