A few years back, popular recording artist Montell Jordan had a smash hit, “This is How We Do It”. Well, to paraphase Montell, Saturday night at the Elyria Catholic Coliseum was a classic example of “This is Why We Do It” in regards to high school basketball. It was a game that exemplified why players play, coaches coach, cheerleaders cheer, fans roar, and broadcasters put a microphone on. EC’s heart-pounding 77-75 win over Elyria High School was as good as it gets. It was the most exhilerating night of basketball we have had in a long time on WEOL.
The place was jumping from the get go, as the EC fans rolled in decked out in their green, and the Pioneer faithful filled their side in a sea of red. Like the roar of a crowd when the opening bell rings in a prizefight, the fans were in it from the opening tip. And the players did not disappoint! In race-horse style, the two teams went up and down the floor in the first quarter combining for 49 points, and then 41 more in the 2nd quarter in a dizzying array of baskets, including 13 made three-point shots in the first two quarters! Perhaps the two teams had to catch their breath in the 3rd as the action slowed, but then they ramped it up again in the 4th period, combining for 40 points, and EC hanging on for the thrilling two point win. What a night of basketball and what a night for the city of Elyria! For EC fans, the right to celebrate only their second win ever against Elyria, and for Pioneer fans, I’m sure next year’s rematch is already circled on the calendar.
But to me, not only was the basketball game great, but the fans afterwards as well. Those fans in green and were shaking hands and hugging those wearing the red as all involved relished what they had just witnessed, a game that will be talked about for a long time to come. Indeed, “This is Why We Do It”, to have nights and games like Saturday at Elyria Catholic. It is and was makes high school sports so incredibly special.
