Congrats to the Dawgs!

For the second straight year, congrats go out to our Bulldogs on capturing the championship of our Twin Lakes Holiday Classic.

Going through the games last week with an overall 4-0 record, Clinton County put up some very impressive performances to take the championship title over what was, once again, a very nice and talented field of competition.

Realizing that it’s not really a given that we’re going to win our own tournament every year, and seeing this year’s title question come down to that final game between us and South Warren, both entering the contest with a 3-0 record, explains why our tournament has become quite the prestigious event that keeps teams coming back and other teams asking months ahead to join the field.

Last year’s return to the title claim for the Bulldogs came after a three-year drought.

In addition, congrats certainly go out to the athletic staff at Clinton County High School for playing the perfect host during the event. I spoke with several coaches from all of the schools participating, as well as some fans, and not once did I hear a negative comment about the event.

That bodes well for the event organization itself, not to mention the goodwill it plays with the many, many visitors who accompany the visiting teams that participate in our Twin Lakes Classic.

It also brings in considerable spending in our community at a time when tourism is usually at a standstill. Motels, gasoline, restaurants, retail stores – everyone benefits and likewise, the group of sponsors who support this event have stood strong for the past decade in backing the effort to bring a top notch stretch of high school basketball to Clinton County.

Besides, if we’re going to play in two holiday tournaments each year, it’s better to play at home at least once than to play both times on the road.

On to our girls’ event

This week we return to the host role as we welcome four schools to our Best of the Lakes Classic for games this Wednesday through Friday.

Like the Twin Lakes Classic, our girls’ tourney has also gained the respect of area teams who enjoy our hospitality and the level of competition.

Plus, it keeps me off of the road again.

Congrats to the Lady Dawgs

Even with a limited and injury laden roster, our Lady Bulldogs managed to return home last weekend with heads held high after a 2-1 finish in the Warren East Holiday Classic

While our single loss came in the first game to University Heights, a loss that threw Clinton County into the losers’ bracket, our Lady Dawgs rebounded with back to back wins over Ohio County and then over Cumberland County in the top game of that bracket.

Congrats to the Cheerleaders

A photo last week gave the news that our cheerleading squad had returned home with a first place division win in the Smoky Mountain Christmas Championship event held in Gatlinburg.

Congrats to these girls and their coaches on a job well done.

Happy New Year to our readers

This week’s column closes out another year and while we are busy with games, I hope everyone takes at least a little while Saturday (New Year’s Eve) and Sunday (New Year’s Day) to reflect on the memories of 2016, and the wishes for 2017.

To our Bulldogs, Lady Bulldogs, coaching and support staff, my wish for you is plenty of wins and no more injuries.

Two more months remain in this 2017 regular season and then we hit the post season play.

Come on out and get in on some of this action – it’s a great way to spend the winter months enjoying the action, and showing our youngest citizens that we are proud of the way they wear the blue and white and represent our town and county.

For the rest of this 2016 year and into the new year of 2017 . . .

I’ll see you in the gym!