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Yappi.com writer CANTON—The talk around the city of Canton was if the Canton McKinley Bulldogs could successfully become the first school to record back-to-back Division I state basketball championships since Cincinnati Elder accomplished the feat in the early 70’s. Based on a high-octane offense, a suffocating defense, and cohesiveness between the players and coaching staff, the answer was about as portentous as the question asked. Canton McKinley had no trouble capturing the third state title in their illustrious program and winning consecutive big school championships with a 63-33 thrashing of Trotwood-Madison in the 2006 Division I state championship game last March at the Value City Arena. During the Bulldogs four-year run, this team recorded a regular-season record of 88-15 overall and a near-flawless 21-2 record in four years of tournament play which included three straight district championships, three regional championships, and two state poll and tournament championships. “I think three things stands out to me about this year’s team. We had a team that believed in teamwork, defense, rebounding and those are things you normally don’t get from some talented players,” 11th year Canton McKinley bench boss Dave Hoover said via phone from his office. “These players also represented our school and did a lot to shine a positive image on the city of Canton and Canton McKinley High School.” “As a coach, I wanted our team to be better than last year’s state championship team and they accomplished that.” >From a coaching standpoint, Hoover has one of the best winning percentages with teams that finish the season ranked #1 in Ohio. He has a record of 76-5 with #1 ranked teams and the two schools he has coached in that time have won state titles, Westerville North in 1994 and two with McKinley. Hoover’s win percentage with these teams is an astonishing 94 percent. “I have had very good players and a very good coaching staff. We win games that we are supposed to win,” Hoover said of his track record regarding top-ranked teams. “One of the biggest things I emphasize as head coach is to prepare for an opponent the same as any other opponent and play the way we are capable of playing.” Hoover’s words were echoed soundly by the way his team recorded wins by vast margins. All it took was a key run in a contest and the Bulldogs were off and running. This season, the Bulldogs left no question about who was the supreme force of Division I basketball this season. However, their superiority was briefly threatened in this year’s district championship contest by their archrival Massillon. The Tigers did something that no other team was able to do against the Bulldogs and that was to lead at the half. The Tigers possessed a 36-31 lead early in the third quarter but before the antennas could go up regarding a major upset, the Bulldogs turned up the intensity and wore down the Tigers by outscoring them 37-14 the rest of the way for a 68-51 win. The Bulldogs never trailed again during their tournament run but the way they handled the situation is what impressed Hoover the most. “There was never a sense of doubt. But we knew we had to come out and take charge right away. Massillon had a great team and they were playing to win,” Hoover said. “Our guys have been in that situation before and they didn’t panic. In the second half, our execution was better and that was the difference.” Canton McKinley was never threatened the rest of the way as they took down Barberton and Solon in the Akron regional and followed that up by downing Toledo St. John’s and Trotwood-Madison in the state tournament. The Bulldogs success was not on deaf ears nationally either and Hoover is no stranger to that. His Westerville North Warriors team finished the 1994 season #1 in Ohio and 14th in the nation as Ohio Division I state champions. This Canton McKinley team finished 13th in one national poll and eighth in another. If not for close losses to national perennial Oak Hill (VA) and Division III two-time state kingpin Cincinnati North College Hill, the Bulldogs easily complete an undefeated season with a state and national championship ala the 1997 Canton McKinley football team. Even in defeat, Hoover added the losses made his team better for their remarkable run to success. “We came out and took both teams to the wire. They were both nationally ranked. From what I can say, we were able to improve and get better based on these games,” Hoover said. Canton McKinley’s eight seniors consisting of Michigan State bound forward Raymar Morgan, Findlay bound guard Marcus Parker, Wright State recruit Todd Brown, David White, Harriel Moore, Sedelle Broyles, Kyrk Freeman, and Ricky Jackson have left a legacy that will be talked about for a long time. Canton McKinley is the winningest program in the state of Ohio with the most wins and state tournament appearances. Because of this fine senior class, the program is the only public school to record consecutive state titles. “Our players were very humble. They follow responsibility real well,” Hoover said. “From where we went from our travels, hotels, team meals, we got a lot of praise for the way we conducted ourselves as professionals. They were professionals on the basketball court and I’m proud of them. “These players have known each other for a long time and they get along well with each other. They have done real well these last several years. These guys were a big reason why we were a tough team. They played hard and represented the program well.” The answer regarding the question if Canton McKinley could win consecutive state titles was a portentous and easy one. |
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