VASJ-Roger Bacon is a dream matchup

Villa Angela-St. Joseph will play for its seventh state title on March 25. The Vikings’ opponent is St. Bernard Roger Bacon, which defeated Archbold, 68-43, in the other state semifinal on March 24.

The Spartans finished the season ranked No. 10 in the state poll, but VASJ coach Babe Kwasniak finds it fitting the teams are the final two standing at the end of the tournament.

“It’s the two best teams in D-III,” Kwasniak said. “They are a worthy opponent: athletic, smart and incredibly coached. Plus they paid their dues losing to Lima Central Catholic the last couple of years — they are motivated.”

Coming of age

After he squared off with 6-foot-9 Bowling Green committ Derek Koch in VASJ’s regional final victory over West Salem Northwestern, Alonzo Gaffney again faced a formidable matchup. In Columbus, he matched up with Fairland 6-foot-8 junior Kollin Van Horn and the Vikings knew after his 24-point performance last weekend he would be a focus of the Dragons’ defense.

Van Horn scored Fairland’s first three baskets to put the Dragons ahead 6-4 early, and boxed out Gaffney on a couple of shots. Gaffney dominated the rest of the way.

He scored 18 points, soared for a few more dunks and pulled down nine rebounds as the sophomore’s performance continues to peak.

To frame it one way, there was a time not too long ago a 10:45 a.m. tipoff, let alone practice, might have proven troubling for the young forward who sometimes combated punctuality.

Lately, Gaffney’s shown up on time for practice and at the perfect moment for the Vikings. He’s averaged 17.7 points in VASJ’s last four games, and is a major factor in the Vikings’ fifth straight run to a state title game.

“He’s changed his attitude, and he’s changed his life,” Kwasniak said. “I mean, these other guys are the guys who have been around a couple years but I just think (about) his growth as a young man.”

Looks to Kill

One of VASJ’s biggest fans this weekend in Columbus is Lima Central Catholic Coach Frank Kill.

Kill has been decked out head to toe in VASJ gear on both days of the tournament. He stood just off the northeast corner of the court on March 24 watching the Vikings’ state semifinal win over Fairland wearing a VASJ shirt and hat.

“I’ll support my buddies, whether it’s blue and gold or Carolina blue and red,” Kill said.

Kill said he and Kwasniak became friends at a coaches clinic in 2013. VASJ and Lima Central Catholic then played in three straight Division III state championship games, with the Thunderbirds winning two (2014, 2016). • Mentor Baseball League will holds its 46th annual Nations Baseball Qualifier Fourth of July Firecracker Tournament July 1-3. Divisions are 8-and-under (coach- and player-pitch) through 18-and-under and unlimited wood bat divisions. Visit www.mentorbaseball.com or www. nations-baseball.com or call 440-796-1515. • Former St. Joseph High School, Xavier and Detroit Pistons player Stan Kimbrough offers basketball training for grades 3 to 11 on Sundays at VASJ. Call Stan at 513-265-0913 or Tamara at 216-533-5367, or go to www.kimbrobball.com or email kimbrobball@icloud. com. • The Euclid Recreation Department needs teams and players for its Friday night coed, men’s weeknight, Sunday morning and Sunday night slow-pitch softball leagues. Call Paul Serra at 216-486-8882 or 216-409-9697. • The Wickliffe Recreation Department needs teams for its Monday-Wednesday coed softball league. Call the recreation department at 440-943-7120. A managers meeting will be held in March. • A Sunday morning men’s golf traveling league is looking for one new member. League play starts April 9 and will run for 20 weeks. Call Rich at 440-487-1433.