Brianna's Kid...Taylor Hitzfield

[Trilby]

LEXINGTON -- "Vertically-challenged" is not a term 6-foot-5 Grant Weaver can identify with. He couldn't as a player for Lexington and he can't now as the South coach in the 30th News Journal All-Star Classic.

Eight of his 12 players stand 6-3 or taller, including the two representatives from his district champion Lex squad: 6-5 Michael Grist and 6-4 Tyler Munro.


"When I played in the all-star game (in 1987), we had about seven guys who could dunk," said Weaver, who scored 13 points for the South in its 119-114 victory over the North 21 years ago. "That's what we're looking for in a game like this ... the best dunking team. We want to look the best in warm-ups."

Fredericktown's 6-4 Taylor Hitzfield hopes he can live up to Weaver's high standards.
"It seems like I can dunk when it doesn't matter ... it's not a sure thing with me," Hitzfield said. "I tried one against Danville. I thought I was high enough, but I grabbed the rim. I counted it as a dunk. It just wasn't as forceful as I wanted."

Hopefully, Hitzfield gets a chance at a breakaway slam on game night. He deserves at least that much given what he is sacrificing to participate.

Fredericktown's senior class trip to Washington, D.C., is taking place simultaneously. Hitzfield chose to play in the game. Teammates Merrit Zollars and Ryan Hathaway, who like Hitzfield starred on Fredericktown's regional finalist football team, opted for the trip.

"It was hard; both opportunities are one-time things," said Hitzfield, who has also been invited to play in the Mount Vernon News and Central District all-star games. "There won't be a class trip again and there won't be an all-star showcase again. But the chance to go to Washington will always be there. I'll only get a chance to play in a high school basketball game a couple more times."

Hitzfield, whose college future is in football, has been chosen to play tight end in the Ohio All-Star Game next summer. Freddies coach Luke Beal will be an assistant on the South squad.

When he's not working on his strength and conditioning for next fall, Hitzfield takes advantage of open-gym opportunities to keep his hoops skills honed.

"Unless you win a state title, you're always going to end your career with a loss," Hitzfield said. "This (all-star) game gives me another chance to win my last game."

Hitzfield and Grist have some history together. They played AAU ball for the North Central Stars in eighth grade at the Friendly House, along with North all-stars Taylor Housewright (Ashland) and T.J. Lindsay (Mansfield Senior).

"He can pass for a big guy," Grist said of Hitzfield. "I loved playing with him because he had good vision in the paint."

Grist and Hitzfield will give the South an imposing front line, along with the likes of 6-6 Jake Mochoskay of Ontario; 6-3 Tyler Clark of Lucas, an All-Ohio football player; and Mansfield Senior's Di'Nero Ramseur, who plays much bigger than 6-2.

"We've got big guys who can handle the ball like guards," Weaver said. "Mochoskay can go outside (he had more than 50 3-pointers this season) and Grist has that potential as well.

"In a game like this, you're just looking for athletes who can get out and go. We've got that. So does the North with guys like (Shelby's Matt) Sommer and (Taylor) Housewright and (Ashland teammate Gregg) Berkshire. It would be nice to have them, too."

Grist hasn't dunked or made a 3-pointer this season. One of each would be nice in the Classic. Right now the bar is set at eight points. That's how many his brother Stephen scored for the South two years ago.

"I'd like to beat him and get at least nine," Grist said, smiling. "I just want to represent Lexington and Coach Weaver and have fun."


jspencer@nncogannett.com 419-521-7239



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Originally published March 3, 2008

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NEWS JOURNAL PHOTO


South team members are, left to right, front row, Lexington's Tyler Munro, Ontario's Jake Mochoskay, Lexington's Michael Grist; middle row, Mansfield Senior's Di'Nero Ramseur, Wynford's John Shifley, St. Peter's Ryan Chenevey, Crestview's Anthony Easterling; back row, Mount Gilead's Trent Bostic, Lucas' Tyler Clark, Fredericktown's Taylor Hitzfield, Willard's Kevin Deidrick, Colonel Crawford's Dan Sherer.

IF YOU GO
30TH NEWS JOURNAL ALL-STAR CLASSIC



When: Thursday, March 20.


Where: Lexington High School.


Tip-off: 7:30 p.m.


Who: Lexington's Grant Weaver and Shelby's Troy Schwemley will coach two teams of area seniors.


Beneficiary: The Rehab Center.


Tickets: For sale at the News Journal and The Rehab Center.


History: The game has raised more than $300,000 for The Rehab Center and physically challenged children.

News Journal staff report





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30th News Journal All-Star Classic: Meet the South team