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Franklin girls erased 10 point deficit in 4th Quarter for the win

1/30/2021

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Foul shots are called 'free throws,' but they aren't free points. You still have to make them.

From the line neither Franklin nor Counneaut Area teams were exactly stellar in taking advantage of the unobstructed chuck at the hoop all night. Finally at the very end Franklin made just enough of the one point shots to fend off a tough opponent who traveled down from Linesville on a cold icy night.

CASH entered the fourth quarter up by eight.

Franklin coach Ryan Justice told the girls sitting on the bench between quarters that the first couple minutes of the quarter will determine who will win the game.

CASH came right out and scored to go up 10.

But Justice wasn't wrong. After that hoop Franklin made stops and managed to get the ball in a very pesky basket that seemed to thwart attempt after attempt for them all night.

Luckily for the Knights, the hoop on the other end was equally stingy for CASH.
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Only two points from late foul shots separated the two teams as the last buzzer rattled the gymnasium windows. Franklin 43 - CASH 41.
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I also photographed a few frames from the junior varsity game as well. Please see a link at the bottom to view even more photos.
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I did get a kick out of photographing CASH's coach because I remember photographing her playing for Conneaut Lake many many years ago.
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See more photo that can even be purchased by clicking here

Thank you to our sponsors from the Buffalo Street Lanes. They are awesome!
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Cochranton defends the cage from a bunch of Bears

1/28/2021

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Updated 1/29/2021 to reflect final score.
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"You gotta want the ball more than they do, right now they want the ball more than you," -Union City head coach Chris Krause hollered out on to the court Thursday at Cochranton High School.

​That pretty much summed up the game Thursday night. Even a half-time buzzer beater by Lexie Moore(above)  rattled only slightly before finding the net. Cochranton just wanted  it more. When I left in the fourth quarter Cochranton almost doubled the Union City Bears total. The game ended at 66-40.

​I had fun photographing in Cochranton again and seeing George Schroeder again. He's being refereeing a very long time and he can still get up and down the court with the folks half his age. 

​Check out some of the action shots I grabbed in tonight's contest. There is a link to even more below.

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See even more phots here: https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p506203622
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MASH holds back the Oilers at home

1/27/2021

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Oil City never quite got on track tonight visiting the Meadville Bulldogs. The Bulldogs weren't exactly stellar either, but they managed a low scoring 48 - 36 victory at home. 
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It was good seeing a couple of the Oil City kids who I haven't seen since the game I got knocked out cold. Thank you principal Scott Stahl for coming from the other side of the gym to say hello and say he was happy to see me vertical and getting around. ​Me too Scott. Me too!
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See more photos here:
https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p213998610
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Oil City and Rocky Grove split two tight games

1/27/2021

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My interest in community journalism and story telling is think a little more outside the box from the traditional documentation of the community. A community isn't just made up of the highlighted areas of business, politics and high school sports. A community is a much larger fabric.

I'm working out details for how Eight & 322 can maybe reach out a little further than just the standard High school varsity coverage. We're not an outlet that will concentrate on college or professional sports, so we hope to eventually have more of a dedication to all levels of our family's sports lives.

I haven't worked it all out yet, I'm still trying to figure out how I can make a living, but somehow covering junior high ball tonight to make a few action photographs seemed like the start of an idea.. Stay tuned for more, my mind is racing with ways I can maybe make this happen.

Here are just a few photographs, more can be seen by following the link below.

By the way the Orioles and the Oilers split games today. The first game ended one made foul shot away from overtime at 28-27. In the second game the Orioles held of the Oilers with a two-point 20-18 victory.
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See even more photos here: ​https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p363545814
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Cranberry 33-Franklin 27

1/26/2021

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Franklin had a few pins and decisions tonight, but not quite enough to take down Cranberry in the non-region match-up. It ended with Oil City edging out the home squad 33-27

The match ended up a tad anti-climatic with four forfeits at the end of a tight back and forth battle.
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​A few more spectators and the Franklin cheers were allowed in the gym. It was closer to seeming like a normal match.
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Please see many more images at https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p623093579
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Rockets pinned the Knights

1/23/2021

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I've been to two Franklin Wrestling matches so far this year and each one had only one non-forfeited match each. And each was won by a wrestler named Cael.

But not the same Cael.

Last week Cael Dailey was the only bright spot at 106 pounds against a ridiculously tough Reynolds squad. Tonight it was Cael Ziegler at 145 who nabbed the only pin against a Titusville squad that dominated with pin after pin. The Rockets tallied a 48-24 victory. The rest of Franklin's points came from forfeitures.

The funny thing, each match, because of social distancing, I have been careful about approaching folks and getting the information I need. Last week I asked one of the girls doing video on the sideline who was the one Franklin winner. It turned out to be the winner's sister i randomly picked to ask.. Tonight I approached one of the coaches and it happened to be the only winner's dad.



​This Eight & 322 sponsor also happens to have pins as a large part of their vernacular. Click on their ad to see what is new at Buffalo Street Lanes and say hello and thank them for supporting local storytelling.
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Like them on Facebook!
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See more photos and in color at the link below.
https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p676786219
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There seemed to be a force field around the hoop tonight

1/23/2021

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There is a line in the movie The Big Lebowski delivered by actor Steve Buscemi that kept running through my mind as I watched tonight's basketball action at Rocky Grove High School - "We're throwing rocks tonight, Dude!" What is a good thing to say at the bowling alley isn't very good on the basketball court.

It seems like everything the Rocky Grove boys threw up at the hoop just wouldn't find the net. Almost like there was a forcefield preventing the ball from going into the cylinder. They shot probably enough to score 100, but the ball just didn't want to cooperate. Visiting Farrell wasn't much better, but managed to get 19 more points by the time the fourth quarter's final buzzer sounded. 

​There were a few moments when RG seemed to turn the tables of momentum only end up falling further behind as the Farrell fast break racked up a good percentage of their points

​It was nice to be out of the snow and inside a warm gym to photograph the action none-the-less. Here are a few shots from tonights action below. Farrell 59 - RG 40.

​And if you want to throw rocks like Steve, AKA Donny, check out what our sponsor, the Buffalo Street Lanes, is up to by clicking the ad below. They have Cosmic bowling happening again as well as league play. Check them out.
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View more photos at link below:
https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p765910466
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Oil City nearly comes back to win on the road in Meadville

1/21/2021

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Felt sorta like home tonight as I photographed in the House of Thrills again. Oil City traveled to take of the Meadville Lady Bulldogs and though it was a pretty rough start for the Oiler when Meadville looked to be on the verge of a blowout, the Oilers roared back to only lose by two. 

​Here are a few photos from tonight's contest.
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Sponsor: Katie M. Dewalt Photography
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To see even more follow this link below:
sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p317868547

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Obituary and final thoughts on Craig Phillips

1/20/2021

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"You just missed him!"
By Richard Sayer
I met Craig Phillips around 20 years ago while working at The Meadville Tribune. Craig was a former sports editor at the Tribune before I started to work there - the stories of him were infamous and he was respected.

Tribune sports editor. Bob Heist, a big wrestling fan himself would take me along to photograph big wrestling events. Craig was always there as a writer for The Derrick and News-Herald.

Over the last 20 years I would run into Craig probably around a half dozen times a year. As I was sitting to write out my thoughts I thought of the many stories I have.

That time at the State Championships..... ummm.... nope can't tell that one.

Or the time he came to the first game at Meadville's new football stadium..... no, I can't tell that one either.

Most Craig Phillips stories are ones you tell over a beer with friends who knew him, not jot down, words don't do them justice with out hand gestures and body language.

There is one story I can tell though and it illustrates how I have always seemed to be one step too slow for Craig Phillips.

 I have a long history of just missing Craig.

When I started at the Tribune I just missed working with him. Then I was hired at The Derrick years later and again, just missed him.

When I was going around Oil City I was always looking around for him.

I had been at the Derrick for around eight months and was surprised I hadn't run across Craig in my travels. So I decided on New Years Eve I would finish my assignment and then track him down.

I was told Craig would spend the last night of the year circulating around town and the many watering holes, usually staying a little while and then visiting another.

I had pretty good intel from some friends of his on where to find him. So I began hitting the bars I heard he would likely be.

​Obituary

Robert Craig Phillips

Robert Craig Phillips, 63, of Oil City, passed away Friday, January 15, 2021 at UPMC Passavant.

He was born April 8, 1957 in Newport Beach, CA, a son of Robert and Leta M. Robbins Phillips.

Craig was a 1975 graduate of Maplewood High School, where he started his career as a wrestler, ultimately becoming a PIAA state place winner.  He then attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned his varsity wrestling letters at 126 pounds.  He was also a United States Wrestling Federation national finalist at Iowa City, Iowa in 1975.

Craig started work as a sports writer and became sports editor at The Meadville Tribune for many years.  He subsequently worked as a sports writer at The Oil City Derrick and Franklin News Herald.  He additionally was a lead contributor to the PA Wrestling Round Up for 30 years.  Also, in 2020, Craig was featured on ESPN radio.  He is a member of the PA Wrestling and Softball Writers Halls of Fame.  In 1990, Craig received the high honor of being named the National Wrestling Sportswriter of the year.

Craig began his coaching career at Meadville Junior High in 1983 and continued through 1988.  His teams were undefeated in dual meets every year but one.  He built one of the finest Junior High wrestling programs in the State. 

In 1988, he began assisting Dick Lumley at Meadville High School through 1992.  Craig also started and coached The French Creek Freestyle Wrestling Club based in Meadville that brought in talent from around the State. 

​The club won multiple PA State Freestyle and Greco championships with Craig at the helm.  He was also a PA Cadet and Junior Freestyle and Greco-Roman coach.  Those PA teams from 1987 until 1992 won multiple national championships and never finished lower than 2nd place.  He spent several years training some of the State’s finest wrestlers and was one of the best motivators of his time. 

Craig always took time to listen to his wrestlers and taught them just as much about life as about wrestling.  Many of his wrestlers would go on to become coaches themselves including every current Meadville coach as well as some of Cochranton’s assistant coaches. His legacy continues as a result.  Craig is to be inducted posthumously in 2021 into the PA Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Survivors include his parents, Robert and Leta Phillips of Cambridge Springs; a brother, Edward Todd Phillips (Jan) of Meadville; a sister, Cherie Phillips Melat of Fairfax, VA; and six nieces and nephews, Tyler, Ian, Abby, and Katie Phillips and Perry and Chloe Melat.

A Celebration of Craig’s life will be held at a future date.

The arrangements have been entrusted to the ROBERT W. WAID FUNERAL HOME, 581 CHESTNUT ST., MEADVILLE where memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidfuneralhome.net.

Now my eyesight isn't very good, so when I go into a dark place it takes me awhile to really look around. I did meet another friend and told him of my quest and we decided to have a beer. I asked the barkeep if Craig had been in and he said "you just missed him, I think he went to Billy's."

So I finished my beer and headed to Billy's.

Someone I knew was walking out and I asked if Craig was in there? "He was, you actually just missed him, he's probably at Double Play."

Same thing happened at Double Play. 

So I went immediately over to another bar and had another beer. The barkeep said Craig doesn't usually show up until around midnight. They suggested another bar. 

When I got there, yup you guessed it, "You just missed him."

I never did find Craig that night. I just missed him at every turn.

About a week later I was crossing the street in front of St. Stephen church and I heard an unmistakingly unique graveled voice yell out "hey Rich."

"That sounds like Craig Phillips," I thought before I even turned around.

I turned and there he was behind the wheel of a boat of a car waving me over. We talked right there in the middle of the street. I got the sense that this was his town.

I told him my story about looking for him on new years and he smiled and said he was around I was just too slow. 

​I heard that voice several more times over the last five years and even had a couple chances to have a beer and chat with Craig. 

I was incredibly sad to learn last week he wasn't doing well and then he died. 

​I am going to "just miss him."

RIP old friend.



​Please read more about Craig's life and his impact on others in this great story by a former colleague and long-time friend Bob Heist.
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January 16th, 2021

1/16/2021

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Rocky Grove girls basketball hosted a tough Mercer High School squad Friday night. I went to this game because a very nice invitation was sent to me via social media. I didn't know what kind of game it was going to be.

I won't discuss the score here.

​As a photographer mostly I try to make the best images I can and lets just say that my first week of covering sports hasn't been an exercise of seeking the best games to report on, in fact I'd say I didn't really witness a close competition all week. But these are our kids doing the best they can and participating in life.

So kuddos!

​Here are some photos from tonight and more can be found at the link below.

https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p983693769
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Thank you Buffalo Street Lanes and Katie DeWalt photography for your support.

​Please check out these great local folks by clicking on their ads.
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