Sunday, January 09, 2000
SBC plans to expand to 13 schools
HIGH SCHOOL INSIDER
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Southern Buckeye Conference is expanding. Beginning in the 2001-02 school year, Blanchester, East Clinton, Clinton Massie and Greenfield McClain will join the SBC, bringing the membership to 13 schools.
“We're looking at creating a North and South Division with Route 32 the dividing line,” Western Brown Athletic Director Tim Cook said. “We had to do some talking, but everything has been worked out.”
Under the current setup, Clermont Northeastern, Hillsboro, New Richmond and Western Brown make up the American Division; Batavia, Bethel-Tate, Felicity, Georgetown and Williamsburg are in the National Division.
The new alignment has Williamsburg, Bethel-Tate, Batavia, Felicity, New Richmond, Felicity and Georgetown in the South Division.
Current members Hillsboro and Clermont Northeastern will be joined by McClain, East Clinton, Clinton Massie and Blanchester to form the North Division.
“We'd like to add at least one school and possibly more.” Cook said. “It's tough scheduling in football when there's an uneven number of teams.”
East Clinton, Clinton Massie and Blanchester are members of the Kenton Trace Conference; McClain has competed as an independent the past seven years.
Felicity and Georgetown don't field football teams, forcing SBC officials to require two cross-over games every season, which was a potential stumbling block during negotiations.
Finalization of plans for basketball and the other sports will be made at a league meeting Jan.19.
“There's two proposals for basketball,” Cook said. “Some want a single round, with every team playing the others within the entire league. There's also some thought to having home-and-away games within each division.”
Although travel will be increased for schools on the fringe areas, the longest drive between schools would be less than 90 minutes (New Richmond to Greenfield).
“This is a great shot in the arm to a conference that has proven itself as one of the best all around in Southwest Ohio for both academics and athletics,” SBC Commissioner Bud Phillips said.
KLAMO HONORED: The Ohio High School Athletic Association has released the rankings of football officials as voted on by the coaches.
The top vote-getter (29 votes) for the 1999 season was Bill Klamo, a resident of Fairfield and a member of the Butler County Football Officials Association.
“This was a great honor and the first time I was ranked No.1,” Klamo said. “Coaches look for consistency from officiating crews and don't like nit-picking. If you hustle for them, they'll give you a fair shake.”
As a result of the voting, Klamo was awarded the Division V state championship game, his first appearance at the big show.
“The ironic part of this is that if my son (John) hadn't been injured, I wouldn't have been eligible for the playoff,” Klamo said. “To be eligible, an official must work at least eight games.”
A fullback for the Hamilton Badin football team, John Klamo suffered a leg injury during the fourth game of the season. Bill Klamo planned to take the year off to watch his son play, but after the injury, he retained the games.
Other local officials with 20 or more votes are Tom Moore (28) Daniel Byrum (27), Thomas Driggers (23), Gary Duncan (23), Thomas Berns (22), Danny Fernbacher (22), Curtis Meyer (22) and Mike Sharkey (21).
“I'm proud of the ranking, especially if I stay up there every year,” said Berns, a member of the Ohio Valley Football Officials Association and the top vote-getter in 1998. “This is the fifth year in a row I've been ranked in the Top 10.
Berns said the abundance of football officials in Southwestern Ohio is the reason for the area's lackluster showing in the rankings compared to the past three or four years.
LaSALLE STAG: Hall of Fame baseball pitcher Gaylord Perry will be the featured speaker at the 16th Annual LaSalle Sports Stag, Jan.26 in the school's gymnasium.
During the ceremonies, Paul Jungkunz (soccer), Tim Naehring (soccer, baseball) and Doug Schields (baseball, football) will be inducted into the LaSalle Hall of Fame.
Tickets are available at Winton Savings & Loan, North Bend and Cheviot roads, or by calling the LaSalle Development Office at 741-2687.
UMPIRE TRAINING: The Blue Chip Umpires Association will conduct instructional classes beginning in February for anyone interested in officiating fast-pitch softball and baseball. Call Pat Hesler at 793-4129 for information.
CLASSIFIEDS: Milford is looking for a head varsity girls soccer coach. Call Hank Ohnmeis at 831-2990, ext.122.
Due to several cancellations, Milford also needs two teams for its wrestling invitational Feb.4-5. Call Ohnmeis for details.
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