Special double dip this week...in addition to my weekly picks article...I will also be writing a special two-part article detailing some of the greatest OAC journeymen of my career in the league. My former teammate, current potential journeymen, and great friend Rudy Kirbus gave me the idea for the article because it's always a major topic of discussion between the two of us. I jumped at the idea, considering that the term OAC journeyman is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a player in the league. It's a special fraternity of guys that achieved phenomenal success in the league, and left their mark on the league in a big way. This is the kind of article that really should be turned into a 150 page book. So, it is going to be difficult to do justice to some of these players. As I am sitting here thinking about how to write this, I am trying to find the appropriate metrics and pre-requisites in order to be eligible to be on this list. I think for the most part, I am going to write as I go, finding reasons why guys should make this top 12 list subjectively. Everyone on this list however will be my graduating class. Yes, it is unfair to the Mike Grogans, Tyler Ousleys, and Cole Pittis' but it is more relevant to me, as my colleagues and I in the class of 08 have a special journeyman bond. In no particular order....
10. Tyler Sekarak (Baldwin Wallace): A very cerebral player, Tyler was a great 4 year player for BW. Great floor game, dominant defender, always played well in big games. Always at the top of the list in steals, and made a lot of big plays that didnt show up in the stat sheet. Peaked in his sophomore year when BW ran through the league on their way to the NCAA tourney. When I said in no particular order I mean it, because he's easily in the top 5 of all time. More than anything, we have kinda become buddies over the summer, and he's a really cool guy who is fun to drink with. A definite candidate for the All OAC Who Would You Wanna Party With, another article you can look forward to in the coming weeks.
9. Kyle Gehle (ONU): Makes the list only because he was a 4 year player, skilled, with a lot of game. Other than that, pretty big douchebag. Much like his ass hole choke artist predecessors (Badenhop, Lee etc.) all he has is his 4 years and 1000 points. ONU never won one big game, no championships and they had the most skilled talented kids pretty much every year. I mean it was hilarious my junior year, when ONU was so over-hyped and we smashed them twice. Yet, they were still in that top 25 every week. It was always a game that you perceived as a tough during the week, but you were always pretty confident you were gonna win because these pussies would crack in the last 3 minutes. No heart, no guts, no confidence--essential qualities for an OAC journeymen. Having said all that, the guy had some game.
8. Fred Harrison (Wilmington): An obvious choice. Fred was a pretty good player. Really athletic swingman. Fred was a catalyst for Wilmington when they made their runs and surges up the rankings in the OAC. Wilmington doesnt have much to show for themselves, but they had a knack for beating good teams on the road and at home. They always went on a nice run in the league at some point, beating good teams along the way. Fred got A LOTTA buzz this summer when he went to NY for a hoops summit for guys who wanna go overseas. He knocked down some 3's, which he was perfectly capable of, made some athletic plays, and turned some heads. He'll be overseas for a couple years, plenty good enough.
7. Shawn Shriver (Heidelberg): Exploded onto the scene with his tatoos during his freshman year, and had a nice career. Capped off a nice run with an OAC title his senior year, which validated his career and the careers of a couple of his colleagues that may appear on this list later. Really strong, good driver, good shooter. He was a great offensive player. He and I were always pretty cool with each other. I think for the most part me and him were pretty even with each other all things considered. I would probably say he was a little better. A DEFINITE candidate for OAC All Party team, as his drinking decisions became somewhat notorious his senior year.
6. Ross Banazsak (Otterbein): Ross was a force most nights in the OAC. Drove it well, got to the line where he was automatic, and shot the 3 ball pretty good. He had the ball 95% of the time, which made it easy for him to play well and make things happen. He got better and better as he went, mostly due to the fact that the whole offense ran around him. He was a strong driver and pretty creative. Not easy to guard. Another guy who doesnt have much to show for himself other than 1000 points, short shorts, and Ross Jr.
In the afternoon, PART 2 and closing remarks...
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