March 2, 2017

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

2017 BASKETBALL EDITION

THE CONVO COMPILATION

THE BOBCATS APPROACH CLEVELAND WITH PLENTY OF TALENT AND LEADERSHIP, BUT BRING UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

OHIO AFTER CAMPBELL P8 APARTMENT IN FLAMES P18 BASHAM TAKES ON NFL DRAFT P20

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Emma Ockerman MANAGING EDITOR Elizabeth Backo DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR Seth Archer ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR Hayley Harding

EDITORIAL

NEWS EDITORS Kaitlin Coward, William T. Perkins SPORTS EDITOR Charlie Hatch CULTURE EDITORS Alex Darus, Sean Wolfe OPINION EDITOR Chuck Greenlee COPY CHIEF Rachel Danner

ART

ART DIRECTOR Abby Day DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Alex Driehaus GRAPHICS DIRECTOR Samantha Güt SPECIAL PROJECTS DESIGNER Matt Ryan

DIGITAL

DIGITAL PRODUCTION EDITOR Hannah Debenham SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Hannah Wintucky BLOGS EDITOR Jeremy Hill DIRECTOR OF MULTIMEDIA Patrick Connolly BUSINESS MANAGER Matthew Barnett

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‘Post’ editor to strive for diversity in coverage, newsroom

I

first noticed a BuzzFeed admittance on a lack of newsroom diversity in October 2015 — right after I had started my tenure as editor. It was something that stuck with me. The newsroom’s founder and CEO, Jonah Peretti, published BuzzFeed’s successes and failures in hiring persons of differing ethnic and racial backgrounds, genders and sexual orientations.

That article wasn’t his first, either. A year earlier, the newsroom had completely flipped how it saw and incorporated diversity into its daily newsroom practices. Other newsrooms, such as Mic, have also made great strides to hire reporters and editors of differing backgrounds, partially to ensure that they are fairly covering the entire population — not just the segments the predominantly Caucasian, male field of journalism identifies with.

Over the past two years, both professors and students have turned my attention to the overwhelming whiteness of The Post’s newsroom. Even without their help, it’s easy to spot: Few of our editors are persons of color and the majority of our editors, indeed, are Caucasian women.

According to Ohio University’s Office of Institutional Research, 2015 Fall Enrollment data shows that approximately 5.2 percent of students on the Athens campus identified as African-American, while 3 percent identified as Hispanic.

And, according to a previous Post report, there were approximately 1,500 international students on campus during Fall Semester 2016. Those statistics provoke two questions worth exploring: Does our newsroom represent that data fairly, and have we done our part in covering those thousands of students and their interests and experiences while attending OU? I think it’s safe to say that we have a lot of room to improve. Over the past two weeks, I’ve reached out to several student leaders to gauge how we could improve our reporting. The Post’s incoming editor-in-chief, Liz Backo, will be compiling a report of how we could improve diversity in our newsroom and in our coverage before the end of the semester. I hope The Post will be public in its findings, admit its faults and publish how it will proceed forward.

Being a diverse, inclusive publication means also striving to push our perceptions of the college experience and how OU students navigate their way through it, and how we cover that comprehensively. Do our reporters come from differing economic backgrounds, or does every staff member identify as cisgender, for example? Are we inclusive in how our staff members identify with their sexualities?

Do we have reporters who were raised in Republican and Democratic households, or do our staff members identify with differing faiths?

Each question is important to consider while attempting to cover a campus where we can expect each faculty member and student to identify a little differently. I hope our readers can help us navigate our upcoming plans, too.

Emma Ockerman is a senior studying journalism and editor-in-chief of The Post. Want to talk to her? Tweet her at @eockerman or email her at eo300813@ohio.edu.

Cover photo illustration by Matt Ryan

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 3

EDITOR'S NOTE

A FUTURE, UNWRITTEN WITH ONE GAME REMAINING AND A TOURNAMENT

APPROACHING, THE MEN'S AND WOMEN'S PROGRAMS HAVE ONLY ONE WEEK TO REWRITE THEIR SEASONS' FATES

N

ovember was a simpler time for Ohio basketball.

For the men, a new season offered new hope. Antonio Campbell was the reigning Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, the Bobcats had four returning starters and two incoming freshmen who could compete for significant minutes.

For the women, this season began the “Post-Kiyanna Black Era,” as the second-highest scorer in program history recently graduated. But even without Black, the returning roster offered more experience — and wins — than any other in school history.

November brought excitement. For the first time, there was potential for both the men’s and women’s teams to win the MAC in the same season and advance to the NCAA Tournament — just as Buffalo did in 2015-16.

But then things happened.

Campbell got hurt and the Bobcats struggled to regain their momentum, though they haven’t lost any ground in the MAC standings. Likewise, the women’s team became consistently inconsistent either offensively or defensively.

Which makes the end of the season all the more exciting.

The men are attempting to dethrone Akron and return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012, when they advanced to the Sweet Sixteen. The women, who failed

4 / MARCH 2, 2017

to win the conference regular season title for a third consecutive season, approach the MAC Tournament in an unfamiliar place: as an underdog.

This year, the men and women alike have provided a plethora of storylines, good and bad. It’s been interesting. And now, with one more regular season game apiece and the MAC Tournament in Cleveland next week, the one-and-done consequences can only make things more exciting.

In the following pages, the men’s and women’s basketball beat writers wrote engaging stories about Campbell’s present and future, Quiera Lampkins and her legacy, the Saul Phillips and Bob Boldon relationship and much more. Oh, and there’s even a story about Tarell Basham, who’s months away from being selected in the NFL draft. Seriously.

This special edition basketball tabloid was enjoyable to produce. Hopefully it’s enjoyable to read and look through, too. Either way, the season is far from over and we still have plenty of work to do.

Thank you for reading,

CHARLIE HATCH SPORTS EDITOR

COLUMN

Jaaron Simmons is the MAC MVP CHARLIE HATCH SPORTS EDITOR Everything seems to revolve around Jaaron Simmons, at least in Athens.

Since Antonio Campbell hobbled off the court for the final time in mid-January, it’s been Simmons who has throttled the Bobcats forward, pushing for the Mid-American Conference championship Campbell couldn’t clinch.

But Simmons looks to do just that.

While the Bobcats are at an even 7-7 without Campbell, Simmons has kept them CHARLIE HATCH afloat, either forcing wins by any means or playing the part of the puppeteer’s hands, influencing every offensive possession.

There’s brilliance in his passes, his shot selections and his motivation to lead his team that’s unparalleled in the MAC. Sure, there are better teams than Ohio, and statistics show there are better players than Simmons, too.

Central Michigan’s Marcus Keene, who is averaging 29.4 points per game, could be the first college basketball player to average 30 points per game since 1997. It’s an accomplishment the MAC should marvel.

But there’s no player more valuable to his team within the conference than Simmons, who should be the most valuable player. Coaches hate to plan around him. Teams hate to guard him.

When Simmons — who’s averaging 18.9 points, 6.1 assists and 37.4 minutes since Campbell broke his foot — plays well, generally Ohio plays well.

By contrast, Campbell scored 16.4 points per game.

Which makes it all the more insignificant when Keith Dambrot, Akron’s coach, threw a tantrum in a postgame press conference about Simmons being overrated. Akron had just lost to Kent State, making Dambrot’s remarks sound cynical.

The next day, Bowling Green coach Michael Huger called Simmons the best player in the MAC. Moments later, coach Saul Phillips called him one of the nation’s top point guards.

“Period.”

But here’s the reality Dambrot actively ignores: If there was a hypothetical draft, there’s not one player any MAC coach would select over Simmons. (OK, except maybe John Cooper from Miami, but when you’re the conference’s worst team and attendance is below 1,500, Keene’s theatrics might put more butts in seats.)

What makes Phillips so lucky at Ohio, though, is Simmons chose him. Simmons, a redshirt junior, transferred from Houston after his freshman season. He scored 65 points as a Cougar. Against Miami last week he scored his 1,000th point.

Winning a MAC title this year — Ohio’s first since 2012 — would be a massive achievement, especially given the circumstances. But winning isn’t an absolute must.

Since Phillips arrived in Athens, he’s indicated success comes in the long-term. But short-term wins are nice, too.

Simmons is the long-term. He’s the point guard who creates magic from even the bleakest of situations. MAC coaches know that.

Ohio plays Miami on Friday, and will play in Cleveland next week.

Judging by Simmons’ demeanor all season, there’s more to come from the conference’s best player. Period.

Hopefully Dambrot thinks about that a few times in the oncoming week.

@CHARLIEHATCH_ GH181212@OHIO.EDU

Jaaron Simmons throws up a 3-point shot against Bryant University in Ohio's Dec. 3 game (BLAKE NISSEN / FOR THE POST) THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 5

The 'Battle of the Bricks' breakdown

R

CHARLIE HATCH SPORTS EDITOR

ecently, the “Battle of the Bricks” has resembled a one-sided pummeling rather than a matchup between two of the Mid-American Conference’s most-storied basketball programs.

Memories of the late Miami coach Charlie Coles, donned in a red turtleneck, prowling the RedHawks sidelines in The Convo and Millett Hall have been replaced by Ohio overwhelming its arch rival.

The Bobcats have won 11 of the last 12 meetings, including the last one on Feb. 21, when they beat the RedHawks 79-62 in Oxford.

But the rivalry, score-lines aside, is perhaps the most notable conference rivalry in the MAC, as both teams have had runs dominating either the conference or the East Division.

When the teams meet Friday night in The Convo for Ohio’s Senior Night, the RedHawks arrive with the worst conference and regular season record in the MAC. Ohio will play host with the No. 2 seed in the upcoming MAC Tournament on the line.

In all likeliness, Friday night will mark Ohio’s 12 win from 13 previous games and will be Miami coach John Cooper’s last time coaching in The Convo. He’s currently in his fifth and final year of his contract.

Above are a few numbers to show that despite recent numbers, the Ohio and Miami matchup is more historical than recent times suggest.

107-92

OHIO VS. MIAMI (ALL TIME)

10-20 MAC REGULAR SEASON TITLES

6-4

MAC TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIPS

13-17

NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES OHIO

MIAMI

@CHARLIEHATCH_ GH181212@OHIO.EDU 6 / MARCH 2, 2017

CARL FONTICELLA / FILE

Ohio sophomore guard Jordan Dartis goes up for a layup during the first half of a game against Buffalo on Tuesday. (CARL FONTICELLA / PHOTO EDITOR)

Ohio needs win to secure No. 2 seed LUKE O’ROARK FOR THE POST Ohio’s season may hang in the balance Friday. This is it.

Coach Saul Phillips said Tuesday night he’s used two mulligans, and he won’t be able to use another.

He’s referring to Ohio’s Friday bout against Miami — the Bobcats’ last regular season home game this year.

The Bobcats play the RedHawks at 6:30 p.m. It will be the second time Ohio and Miami have played this season. It’s also the 200th meeting between the two rivals.

It’s simple: a win gives Ohio (18-10, 10-7 Mid-American Conference) a first round bye in the MAC Tournament, which will be held in Cleveland starting March 9.

If Ohio wins, and the five other teams with 10-7 records (Kent State, Buffalo, Ball State and Western Michigan) win, Ohio still holds onto the No. 2 seed.

A loss, however, will push Ohio to no lower than the No. 6 seed and an on-cam-

pus match up with a lower seed on Monday night. But Phillips and company aren’t trying to think of that.

They’re prepping for an archrival that upsets the best team in the MAC, Akron, Tuesday night.

“I don’t like Miami,” sophomore guard Jordan Dartis said. “Once we get that win, we’re going to punch our ticket to Cleveland.”

Last time, Ohio handily beat Miami (11-19, 4-13) 79-62 in Oxford behind Jason Carter’s 25 points and 11 rebounds.

The Bobcats will need the best from Carter if they want to beat the RedHawks and advance far into the postseason.

Carter, along with Jaaron Simmons, has been vital to Ohio’s late-season run at the MAC Tournament.

The Bobcats will need them Friday.

“Let’s face it, if we don’t get a bye, we’re going to host a home game,” Phillips said.

The Global Leadership Center is accepting applications for the 2017-2018 academic year

1 2 3

}

Do you want to become a more engaged leader and build global awareness?

Do you want to tackle collaborative projects for real-world clients?

Have you always wanted to travel abroad?

If you answered "yes" to any of these, then the Global Leadership Center may be the right certificate program for you. Visit www.ohio.edu/global/glc to learn more.

CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

@LUKEOROARK LR514812@OHIO.EDU THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 7

THE PATH OF BIG TONE Everything was going right for Antonio Campbell, a potential NBA draft pick, until he suffered a season-ending injury LUKE O'ROARK FOR THE POST

8 / MARCH 2, 2017

H

UNTINGTON, West Virginia — Ohio forward Antonio Campbell doesn’t want the attention. // The Bobcats just lost their first game of the 2016-17 season to Marshall in late November. Campbell garnered a season-high 31 points and 16 rebounds. It’s a school night, and he has to attend a 9 a.m. the next day. // “F--k, man,” he says under his breathe when reporters surrounds him with

notepads and recorders. // He stands gingerly with shrink wrap around both calves in a gloomy hallway in Marshall. // The interview is brief, a little over three minutes. // Campbell doesn’t want the attention. But he can’t help it.

BACKGROUND

First, it may be easy to pick Campbell out of a crowd.

He’s 6-foot-9, 251 pounds and has a relaxed persona. At one point he was even bigger — 280 pounds his junior year — before trimming down the summer going into his final season.

Campbell trimmed down after declaring for the NBA Draft and talking to NBA scouts after his successful junior season, one where he won Mid-American Conference Player of the Year. He did all the right things heading into his last year in Athens.

“How many change their body completely in college?” Ohio coach Saul Phillips said after an early season practice. “I know this: my dietary choices weren’t (conducive) to losing 30 pounds. That would’ve taken some real commitment.”

Secondly, Campbell’s personality gathers attention.

Campbell grooved in the heart of Ohio’s pregame huddles. He single-handedly palmed rebounds. He once threw a football from The Convo floor to the top of the rafters during a practice.

He was, in fact, the quarterback of his high school

football team.

“He just wants to have fun,” teammate Mike Laster said. “As long he’s having fun, man.”

Campbell is candid. No nonsense on, or off, the record.

“What does it take to make an impression on Tony Campbell?” someone once asked him.

Campbell shrugs.

“I don’t know, man,” he said. “That’s a good question. I don’t even know the answer to it.” There is a sense of stoicism to Campbell.

He did not respond to an interview request for this story. Phillips added that Campbell doesn’t seem to be listening, but deep down is internalizing.

“You don’t get immediate feedback from Tone, like you do Jordan Dartis where it’s a smile or ‘Yes, sir.’ ” Phillips said. “That’s not the way Tony receives information. But boy, he’s listening. Because if he wasn’t, he wouldn’t have gotten to where he’s gotten to.”

Thirdly, Campbell’s a demanding lowpost behemoth for the Bobcats. He draws double teams on the block. Against Iona early in the season, he was bombarded by the Gaels' double teams after he scored 12 points off 6-of-7 shooting in the first half with an array of hook shots and tip-ins.

Simply: teams know who “No. 33” is on Ohio’s roster.

“He’s a reigning MAC Player of the Year, so that takes a lot on his plate and he’s handled it pretty well,” sophomore Gavin Block said “He’s got guys coming at him left and right every day at practice, and you know, he’s handled it pretty well but he gives a lot of confidence to guys.”

GROWTH

In an Appalachian area proud of blue collar work, Campbell’s growth as a player — and human — symbolizes a greater, profound picture.

Campbell was recruited out of Holy Cross High School, a private Roman Catholic school on the border of Kentucky and Ohio. Hardly any teams (Kent State and Bowling Green, to name a few) expected him to become the monstrous double-double machine he was as a Bobcat.

He wasn’t aggressive enough. Too reliant on his 3-point shot. Not “traditional” enough for the four/five spot.

“No one was thinking of him as an MVP candidate a few years ago. No one was,” Phillips said. “He was good. But what really separates him from everyone else in the league?”

Even during his first two seasons with the Bobcats, Campbell hardly flirted with the idea of being one of the program’s best players ever. He played nine minutes a game his freshman year, good for just four points a game. He averaged 10 points per game even when starting 25 games

LEFT: Ohio's Antonio Campbell jumps to block a shot by Bowling Green's Anthony Henderson during a game at The Convo on Feb. 24, 2015. (ALEX DRIEHAUS / FILE) ABOVE: Ohio forward Antonio Campbell tries to drive past Akron junior center Pat Forsythe in the second half of a game on Feb. 4, 2015, at The Convo. (CARL FONTICELLA / FILE)

his sophomore year.

But experience is the greatest teacher.

That, along with clichéd “hard work”, separates Campbell.

“He works so hard, man,” Dartis said.

Campbell often worked on his patented right-hook shot after practices. Other days he would work on his 3-point stroke, sweating when he walked off the court.

He cites former Ohio forward Maurice Ndour, and current New York Knick, as a source of inspiration. Ndour and Campbell played two seasons together.

One play remains a core tenant of their relationship on the court: A full court lob from Campbell to Ndour with just 3.2 seconds left, in which Ndour received the ball at the top of the key and dunked the ball with 0.1 seconds left to beat Buffalo 63-61 on Jan. 24, 2015. The two forwards embraced each other with a hug after the play.

“Mo rubbed off on Tony in a lot of different ways,” said Kenny Kaminski, who sat out during Ndour’s final season because of NCAA transfer rules. “They’re both very unique players. They’re special.”

For a guy who didn’t garner much attention going into college, there’s hardly any debate where Campbell stands in terms of Ohio’s lore.

He is just one of nine players in Bobcats history to ever win Mid-American

Conference Player of the Year award, after posting 18 points and 10 rebounds per game as a junior.

“He's good, he's long, he's an interesting player," former Ohio coach Tim O'Shea said of Campbell.

O’Shea compared Campbell to Ohio great Brandon Hunter, who O’Shea coached during his tenure. "(Campbell)’s talented, he can make a 3, he's got long arms. He's just a really good player."

Starting his senior season, Campbell scored 229 points in 14 games on 53 percent shooting.

He was on pace for a potential second-straight MAC Player of the Year award and a chance to be one of the Bobcats all-time greats.

“It’s OK to be frustrated with a moment in time with your team, a player, but still able to step back and look big picture and say, ‘You know what? It’s been a pretty good success story for that kid,’ ” Phillips said.

Of course, his broken foot changed everything.

GAME THEORY

Campbell’s Bobcat career abruptly ended on Jan. 14 after a broken right foot caused him to miss the last three months of Ohio’s season.

It was an ending few predicted, and

few could’ve imagined.

“It was a little weird not seeing him today, not playing with him,” Doug Taylor said the day after it was announced Campbell’s season was over. “I feel bad for him. That’s my brother. Anytime my brother goes down, I feel bad. It’s felt weird without him, it’ll feel weird warming up without him.”

Campbell did an open interview with Ohio Athletics' Russ Eisenstein at Broney’s Bar and Grill on Feb. 23, but did not give a comment to The Post.

He sat with a boot on his right foot and opened up about his final days in Athens. One attendee was Jaaron Simmons, a close friend and the only teammate at Broney’s that day.

Since Campbell’s Bobcat career ended, he may have taken the end the hardest.

“That’s my brother,” Simmons said of Campbell. “We connect on the court. I know where he likes it. ... He knows where I like the ball … we always keep it one hundred percent with each other.”

It’s heartbreaking, really.

Campbell finished with 1,257 career points, 801 rebounds, 119 blocks in 113 games played. He was an All-American Honoree. And who knows how Ohio’s season would turn out with Campbell.

Campbell’s Twitter bio reads “Trust the Process V2.”

It’s a not-so-subtle hint at Philadelphia 76ers forward Joel Embiid, who suffered a broken foot before dominating the NBA with 20 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.

Parallels could be made with Campbell.

Like Embiid, who played college ball at Kansas, Campbell dominated at his level.

He kept Ohio in the hunt for its first NCAA appearance since 2012 — that was until he broke his right foot just like Embiid did.

“He lost so much, he was moving a lot better, and I feel like when he recovers he’s going to have big plans ahead of him,” Dartis said.

His future remains in question, sure, but he’s remained loyal to the Bobcats. He still travels with the team and can be vocal from the sidelines.

“You say something to him and you see him seep into his own game,” Phillips said.

“Now, he’s trying to teach other people.

That’s a journey.”

A journey it has been. An unfinished one, too.

Campbell was once asked about a particular “game theory” he uses during conference play earlier in the year.

He never said. Maybe, he just didn’t want the attention.

@LUKEOROARK LR514812@OHIO.EDU THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 9

Ohio senior guard Quiera Lampkins drives to the basket during the first half of the Bobcat’s game against Central Michigan on Feb. 15.

MADE TO PLAY

Lampkins didn’t choose to play basketball, but she’s glad her dad chose for her 10 / MARCH 2, 2017

JIMMY WATKINS

/ FOR THE POST

CARL FONTICELLA / PHOTO EDITOR Had it been up to Quiera Lampkins, one of the best basketball players in Bobcat history would’ve never touched a basketball.

Lampkins is 17 assists away from being ranked in the top five all-time of four categories in the Ohio record books. She ranks second in points, second in steals, sixth in assists and fifth in rebounds.

On March 30, she will participate in the InsiderExposure.com Pro Combine. She has the opportunity to become the first WNBA player Ohio has ever produced.

But when she put on her first pair of basketball shorts at 10 years old, she was ready to end her career before it began. She was self-conscious about how she would look while playing.

“I didn’t wanna sweat,” Lampkins said. “I felt like my knees were ugly.”

Because of her height, her shorts revealed much more of her legs than her teammates’. She was so embarrassed by her knees showing that she wouldn’t take her pants off before one of her first games to reveal the shorts underneath.

When Andre, her father, threatened to take Quiera home if she didn’t get into uniform, she became more disinterested in playing.

After realizing that wasn’t a realistic option, she begrudgingly took the court. Twelve years later, as the end of her career at Ohio draws near, her name is rapidly ascending through the Ohio record books.

She has played her way onto the short list of greatest players in program history, but what changed?

GOD-GIVEN ABILITY As her career progressed, the knees Lampkins was so ashamed of became a part of her greatest asset.

When coach Bob Boldon was first hired to coach Lampkins in 2013, one aspect of her game stood out.

Boldon, who had been coaching for 15 years, saw a level of explosiveness he hadn’t seen before.

“Her ability to go from stop to start is the best I’ve ever seen,” Boldon said.

Taylor Agler was introduced to Lampkins’ athleticism at an early age. Agler began playing against Lampkins in Amateur Athletic Union tournaments when each player was in middle school. Lampkins and Agler grew up 15 minutes apart in Gahanna and Westerville, respectively.

When the teammates would play against each other, Agler knew exactly how to point Lampkins out to her teammates.

“I’d be like, ‘she’s the really fast one,’ ” Agler said. “‘Don’t let her get by you.’ ” Occasionally, Agler was tasked with guarding Lampkins. She said she would become frustrated whenever Lampkins would zip by her for a layup.

They were both future Division-I prospects, but Lampkins had an extra gear that Agler couldn’t match.

Agler was experiencing the same problem that many in the Mid-American Conference players face today: She just wasn’t quick enough.

By the end of Lampkins’ high school career, her father’s urging had paid off. She was a two-time All-Ohio Capital Conference First Team member, Gahanna Lincoln High School was 74-26 during her career and she was recruited to Ohio University on scholarship.

But her passion for basketball wasn’t where it is today.

She was good, so she liked that part. But the obsessive work ethic that would propel her to her current heights wasn’t there.

Not yet, at least.

MATCHING THE TALENT WITH WORK On March 2, 2014, Lampkins played perhaps the most important game of her career. It was also one of her worst.

It was her freshman season with the Bobcats. She entered the matchup with Bowling Green averaging just under 11 points per game.

Her quickness

had transferred to the next level. She found that she could still drive to the basket rather easily, even against Division-I talent.

But Bowling Green defended her in a way she had never seen before. They didn’t defend her at all.

She had only attempted 15 3-pointers through 26 games. Knowing how well she attacked the rim, Bowling Green decided to force her to shoot deeper shots.

Lampkins said her defender stood at the MAC logo, about eight feet away from the 3-point line in Anderson Arena, and dared her to shoot.

The result was a five-point performance in 29 minutes. Lampkins made 2 of 8 shots from the field, and went 0-of-3 from 3-point range.

“She just looked at us like, ‘What am I supposed to do?’ ” assistant coach Marwan Miller said.

Lampkins had no confidence in her jump shot. After the game, she promised the coaches she would never experience a similar situation again.

That summer was filled with long sessions in empty gyms with Kiyanna Black and Miller. She worked on her jump shot, but it was the discipline she developed that would help her the most.

Lampkins said she and Black were on three-a-day practice schedule. In the morning, they would go for a run. In the afternoon, they would work on skills.

They would participate in drills such as form shooting, where players shoot with one hand from different places on the court to improve their shooting technique. They would also work with the speed ladder, where they would chop their feet through small holes to improve their quickness.

In the evening, Black and Lampkins would find a gym where they could play pick-up basketball.

Dating back to their AAU days, Lampkins had always shrugged her shoulders when Black outplayed her in a drill or scored on her in practice. After that summer, she stopped expecting Black to be better than her and starting getting upset about it.

Her unrelenting competitiveness, now so famous around The Convo, was born.

The following season, Lampkins shot 32.8 percent from 3-point range, which is still her career-high.

Her scoring average has improved in each of her four seasons, and she has developed guard level ball handling skills.

As a result of one of her most embarrassing moments against Bowling Green, she discovered the work ethic that would propel her to become one of the best players in program history.

“I’m glad that it happened,” Lampkins said. “It allowed me to continue to work on my game and grow as a player.”

I’ve put a lot of work in, and to see myself grow as a player, I have respect for myself.”

-Quiera Lampkins

PUSHED INTO THE PROS? Lampkins may not have fallen in love with basketball from the beginning, but now she plans on dedicating her life to it.

Her uncertainty about her future isn’t about if she’ll play professionally — it’s about how many professional leagues she’ll play in. The WNBA offseason occurs during the same window as the in-season play for some overseas professional women’s leagues.

“Playing in both wouldn’t be the worst,” Lampkins said. “But playing in one is for sure gonna happen.”

Her coaches and teammates have just as much confidence in her. Agler, whose father coaches the Los Angeles Sparks, said any WNBA team could use Lampkins’ explosiveness.

Boldon believes her versatility is her biggest professional asset. He said she is smart enough to play point guard and run an offense, a good enough defender to be a defensive specialist Miller, who has known Lampkins since she was in seventh grade, bases his faith in her around the fierce competitive nature she has developed at Ohio.

“She ain’t afraid of nobody,” Miller said. “She don’t care who you are, you can get this work just like anybody else.”

Before she gets a chance to showcase her talents to pro scouts at the combine, Lampkins has work to do.

She has made progress with her jump shot, but she knows it can still improve. Her driving ability is unmatched by any player in the MAC, but she still believes she can be a more consistent finisher.

After the season is over, Lampkins will still be in the gym every day. More shooting drills, more running, more speed ladder work.

But for someone who never wanted to play in the first place, she seems to be OK with working on basketball for a few more weeks.

“I’m definitely glad (my dad) made me play,” Lampkins said. I’ve put a lot of work in, and to see myself grow as a player, I have respect for myself.”

@JAJIMBOJR JW331813@OHIO.EDU THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 11

12

/ MARCH 2, 2017

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MATT RYAN

Ohio's struggles provide perspective

For the first time since Ohio women's coach Bob Boldon’s first year at Ohio, there’s going to be a new Mid-American Conference regular season champion.

Two weeks ago, Ohio was wrapping up the toughest part of the schedule with Central Michigan ahead and Kent State the following Saturday. Ohio lost both those games — the first one against the current leaders in the MAC. Those consecutive losses put Ohio out of contention for the top seed heading into the tournament. The loss to Kent State put them out of the No. 1 seed in the MAC East Division. The team that was once the team to beat has now been beaten, and things will change in the tournament this year.

“The league has gotten much, much better,” Boldon said a few weeks ago.

“Our kids have competed and as the league’s gotten better, it’s become more competitive and your margin for error (has) become smaller and a couple things that maybe didn’t hurt us last year because we were a little bit better were enough to get us beat this year.”

In the MAC West Division, Central Michigan, Ball State and Northern Illinois are Nos. 1, 2, and 3, respectively, in the conference standings.

A large part of the MAC West’s growth this year is the change of pace it plays. With an exception to a couple of outliers, the MAC West play a more up-tempo pace to the game, while the East plays a slower, half-court tempo and looks to set up the offense.

Boldon said adding the extra game for them March 6 changes how he will play his players. Though it’s not the year Ohio expected, with the MAC Tournament coming up in just a few days, there’s a lot Ohio has to reflect on this season and how for the first time since the year everyone wants to forget, it has struggled during the regular season against conference opponents.

“You’re gonna play a lot more kids because you’re gonna have a little bit longer grind and things of that sort, but I think we’re in good shape for that kind of stuff,” Boldon said.

@WYNSTONW_ WW773412@OHIO.EDU

WYNSTON WILCOX FOR THE POST

Chaos ahead of the season’s last game

ANDREW GILLIS ASST. SPORTS EDITOR It's time to break out the calculators and lower your glasses to the bridge of your noses. There's chaos in the Mid-American Conference.

Akron has already clinched the No. 1 seed for the conference tournament next week. Miami will be the No. 12 seed in the tournament. That much is known. What isn't known, however, is literally everything else.

Five teams are tied for second in the conference at 10-7 in conference play, including Ohio, Buffalo, Western Michigan, Kent State and Ball State.

The reason that matters is that Nos. 1-4 get a bye straight to Cleveland to play Thursday night at Quicken Loans Arena. Nos. 5-8 host a campus site game Monday, while Nos. 9-12 have to hit the road. Since no one at 10-7 plays each other, there's still a chance all five teams will remain tied as the regular season ends. If that were to occur, then the conference will head to tiebreakers.

Because there are multiple teams, the tiebreaker will go to "tie-breaker E," meaning win/loss record, or win percentage.

Ohio holds that tiebreaker over every other team in the conference, hence the reason why Ohio is still No. 2. However, once the tiebreaker gets down to two teams, it reverts back to "tie-breaker A," which is head-tohead match-ups. After that, the tiebreaker would go to C, (B is only for deciding divisional champs). Tie-breaker C is winning percentage versus ranked conference teams.

The second seed isn't decided yet, which for the Bobcats, is an incredibly scary thought. They've had two chances to punch their ticket straight to Cleveland and the conference's worst team looks tougher than originally thought. Miami just beat Akron 79-75.

Whatever happens on Friday night, it'll sure to be one of the more exciting final days in recent years. It'll also probably give you a headache.

@ANDREW_GILLIS70 AG079513@OHIO.EDU

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Weatherspoon: All blocks, warm smiles and sports goggles CAMERON FIELDS FOR THE POST

A

t the end of practice last Friday, Jasmine Weatherspoon, Marwan Miller and a few others talked about Weatherspoon’s few days left as a Bobcat. Ohio’s regular season ends Saturday, with only Mid-American Conference Tournament play likely to follow.

“Get the tissues ready on the bench,” Weatherspoon said to everyone around her.

JASMINE That goes for Miller, too, who’s the Ohio Director of BasWEATHERSPOON ketball Operations, even if it’s for preventative measures.

“If I’m crying it’s tears of joy, that I’ve served my 10-year prison sentence and I’m free,” Miller joked, who has known Weatherspoon for a decade.

ADAPTABILITY Weatherspoon recently worked with Miller on shooting after practice.

It’s an aspect of her game still developing, after beginning her Ohio career as a defensive specialist and an offensive afterthought.

“She couldn’t breathe outside the paint,” Miller said. “If it was outside the paint, she didn’t have any ability to shoot the ball.”

But now she’s shooting 3-pointers better than she has her entire career and has become Ohio’s secondary scoring option behind Quiera Lampkins. Along with that, the Bobcats also have an additional shooter who can spread defenses.

But even with Weatherspoon’s improved scoring ability, she still prides herself on her first strength: defense.

A former volleyball player in high school, Weatherspoon stands 6-foot2, Ohio’s tallest player and the leader of the Bobcats’ interior defense. She ranks second in program history for blocked shots with 122.

But another trait – perhaps her best one – defines her personality. Weatherspoon is warm-hearted, and she possesses the ability to make people smile.

“She is the only one that would interrupt me in the middle of yelling at the team to ask me a question,” coach Bob Boldon said. “And not get yelled at for it.”

Weatherspoon’s ability to lighten the mood is valuable, particularly when the team is going through a lull.

“If we’re struggling in a game or something, she’ll say something serious, but she’ll follow it up with a nice joke,” forward Hannah Boesinger said.

JASMINE BEING JASMINE Miller’s 10-year prison sentence, coaching Weatherspoon, is over. But he’ll continue to help her after she graduates.

Weatherspoon is grateful for him, saying he’s a cool guy to talk to.

As Weatherspoon finished giving interviews Monday, she still needed to take a picture. She wears sports goggles, so before she posed for the picture, she ran back to the locker room to grab her glasses.

She came back out, but Boldon stopped her.

“You look good,” he said.

Weatherspoon smiled in response, walking over to the center of The Convo floor. As she prepared to pose, she smiled, dribbling the ball from side to side. The goggles stayed on.

@CAMERONFIELDS_ ​CF710614@OHIO.EDU

14 / MARCH 2, 2017

Carter: Filling a void on Ohio’s roster, with a bright future CHARLIE HATCH SPORTS EDITOR

I

n his first and only collegiate postgame interview, Sam Frayer wanted to say something that would be remembered.

Frayer, a walk-on who has scored one point this season, said Jason Carter, who’d just scored 16 points in his first 15 minutes in The Convo, would be a future Mid-American Conference Player of the Year.

When he heard the claim, coach Saul Phillips shook JASON his head and said Frayer should worry about himself.

CARTER When Jaaron Simmons, Ohio’s best player, made the same claim three months later, Phillips sat upright and spoke sternly.

“Jaaron doesn’t throw compliments around very easily,” Phillips said after Ohio’s 79-76 loss to Toledo on Jan. 24. “You gotta earn his respect.”

Suddenly Frayer’s claim didn’t seem so outlandish.

JASON CARTER

JUST A FRESHMAN For only being a freshman, Carter’s been forced to mature quickly.

When the season began, Phillips said Carter was a natural “four,” a power forward who would rotate with senior Kenny Kaminski for minutes.

But when Campbell, the reigning conference player of the year, broke his foot against Eastern Michigan on Jan. 14, Carter was thrust into the starting lineup two games later — as a center.

“My initial thought was, ‘crap,’ ” Carter said of Campbell’s injury.

“Afterwards, coach was talking to us and said things happen and guys you just gotta step up.”

For Carter, who only averaged 5.5 points and 4 rebounds in just over 15 minutes with Campbell healthy, that meant replacing an irreplaceable role.

Campbell averaged a team-leading 16.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per game before his injury.

The effects of playing without him were instant. After starting conference play 3-0, the Bobcats yo-yoed between wins and losses, soon dropping to 6-5.

“I wasn’t in the flow of things,” Carter said.

Comfortability came rapidly, though.

At 6-foot-8 and 224 pounds, he’s light on his feet. Despite playing undersized against the opponent’s largest player, Carter found effectiveness in his ability to slip around defenders.

He’s started all but one game since Campbell was injured against EMU, averaging 14 points, 8.3 rebounds and 25.4 minutes per game during that 14-game span.

“Now I’m confident in this role,” Carter said. “It’s just all clicking now.”

Part of that gel comes from Carter adjusting to the speed of the college game he’s still trying to learn; the other part comes from everyone improving around him.

With Campbell absent, Simmons inherited the role as the team’s on-court leader, opting to lead either from scoring himself or creating openings for teammates. Those openings have often led to Carter’s points accumulating.

The Bobcats aren’t better without Campbell, but they’re learning to play well without him.

“Jason Carter cannot be a Tony Campbell,” Jeff Carter, Jason’s father, said. “He’s gotta be Jason and he’s got to play smart basketball.”

@CHARLIEHATCH_ ​GH181212@OHIO.EDU

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 15

OHIO'S POLAR PERSONALITIES Saul Phillips and Bob Boldon may not have similar personalities — but the two coaches manage to collaborate well LUKE O'ROARK FOR THE POST

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MATT RYAN // PHOTOS BY HANNAH RUHOFF AND BLAKE NISSEN

16 / MARCH 2, 2017

O

XFORD, OHIO — Voices are booming down the hallway outside of Ohio’s locker room.

The Bobcats had just won their four t h-consecutive conference game. They were detoxing from a 79-62 win over their historic rivals.

One voice is just a tad louder, though.

“He’s a gym teacher!” coach Saul Phillips' buoyant voice echoed down the hall.

The context hardly matters. Phillips enjoys talking.

And the scene isn’t anything new: Phillips is mostly a passionate, verbose intellectual who has set Ohio up for competitiveness in the next few years.

“He is the best,” assistant coach Aaron Fuss said of Phillips. “He puts a lot of time now into his craft. He watches just a ridiculous amount of film, he thinks about the game just non-stop.”

After winning 10 games his first season in Athens, Phillips has turned Ohio around with careful recruiting, balancing personalities and watching an abundance of film. He admitted to not often watching the women’s team, who play a day after Ohio’s usual Tuesday night matchups, because he’s beginning to prep for its next opponent.

“You’d be woefully disappointed in my social life, let’s put it that way,” Phillips said earlier in the year. “I help my wife, hang out with my kids, watch tape, maybe have an occasional beverage. Other than that, we’re good.”

The Bobcats (18-9, 10-6 Mid-American Conference) are second in the MAC. And they did it without arguably their best player, Antonio Campbell.

“His guys are really patient when they pick up the dribble … they do a good job of moving and not panicking and keeping the ball moving,” women’s coach Bob Boldon said of Phillips’ team. “Similar idea to what we do.”

From a technical standpoint, the men’s team utilizes mostly ball screens to pry shooters open and space the floor. And it's worked, too.

Since joining Ohio, Phillips has gone 51-41 and has potentially notched backto-back No. 2 seeds in the MAC. Phillips has pushed the Bobcats from bottom dwellers — going 10-20 in his first season — to NCAA Tournament hopefuls in just two seasons.

Its offense has been one of the MAC’s best, ranking first in points per game (78.4) last year. Jaaron Simmons has carried the offense during year three, leading the team in points (418) and assists (185).

“He’s a real player’s coach,” graduate assistant Tommy Freeman said of Phillips.

“And I think you don’t necessarily have to be that at this level because there’s a lot of college coaches that definitely ar-

TOP: Ohio women's basketball head coach Bob Boldon shouts out instructions to his team during the second half of their game against Toledo on Saturday, Feb. 4. In his first season as head coach, the Bobcats went 9-21 and 4-14 in MAC play, but are now perennial contenders to win the MAC. (CARL FONTICELLA / FILE) BOTTOM: Ohio Men's Basketball Head Coach Saul Phillips smiles while talking to his team on the bench during a game on Dec. 3. (BLAKE NISSEN / FILE)

en’t player’s coaches and they run it like a business. But Saul is very loyal and dedicated to those guys he’s in the locker room with.”

The upward trajectory is similar to a person whose office is right down the hall from Phillips' inside The Convo: Bob Boldon.

GREATNESS FROM SMALL BEGINNINGS

Boldon entered the women's program at its lowest point. His predecessor, Semeka Randall, did not attend post-game conferences and went 6-23 before Boldon took over.

Like Phillips, Boldon’s first season was tumultuous: a 9-21 season.

What followed was a NCAA Tournament berth a year later, an National Invitation Tournament invite the year after and back-to-back MAC regular season titles.

The rapid success has become a precedent for the once-mediocre program.

“Just going through the motions, that really makes him mad,” senior Quiera Lampkins told The Post earlier this year.

“And then making the same mistake twice. But definitely not working hard."

Boldon has worked hard.

He’s gone 81-41 since leaving Youngstown State in 2013 to join the Bobcats. He’s coached Ohio to two of the best seasons in program history including a school record 27 wins in 2015.

Boldon finds success utilizing a motion-based offense that prioritizes extra passes and a 4-person out, one-person offensive formation, along with other similarities men's guard Gavin Block has seen between the two teams.

“They kind of have the same deal that

we do: they lost a lot of players from last year,” Block said, alluding to the women’s team losing second-best leading scorer Kiyanna Black to graduation and the men’s team losing Campbell to a broken foot.

But while the men used offense to jump into contention, the women used defense.

Boldon and company have led the MAC in points allowed — a staple defensive category in basketball — for two of the previous three seasons. In 2014-15, Ohio surrendered just 56.5 points per game — the 26th-best in the NCAA. A year later: 60 points per game.

“I like that we switch on defense and it requires you to be able to play every position,” women's guard Taylor Agler said.

Despite similar results and potential, the two teams play in different worlds, too.

As Phillips personality booms and claps, Boldon’s is more soft and serious.

And the relationship between the two coaches can be summarized in a simple Phillips anecdote: “Like I said, if there’s a chart of oxygen used in the room, I’m using up 85 percent.”

From Boldon’s perspective: “I enjoy listening to him. One, he’s got a great basketball mind. A large part of coaching is about developing plays for your team and a large part of coaching is developing relationships with your players and he does a really good job at both.”

The two have leaned on each other before.

Phillips said they’ve talked basketball before despite using two different systems — and personalities — to find success.

“I do all the talking; he never says anything.” Phillips said of Boldon with a laugh. “He’s a really good coach. I ask him basketball questions. I sneak out and watch some of his practices. I like the way his team plays. He’s a joy to work with. He gets it. And when he does say two words put together, it’s usually pretty funny.”

- Jimmy Watkins and Cameron Fields contributed to this report.

@LUKEOROARK LR514812@OHIO.EDU THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 17

Fire consumes building at Carriage Hill BAILEY GALLION FOR THE POST Wrapped in a blanket to protect herself from the cold wind, Cherikee Ray held a cigarette as she watched her home of nearly three years burn.

“I don’t smoke, but I smoke now,” she said. Streaks of dark eye makeup from tears had dried to her cheeks.

The fire started at about 4:15 p.m. Sunday in Ray’s apartment, Unit 1213. It spread through Building 12 at Carriage Hill Apartments, 115 Carriage Hill Dr., and destroyed the roof and third floor.

The fire originated from the electrical wiring in a wall of the apartment, Ohio Fire Marshal Spokesperson Kelly Stincer said.

Smoke damage from the fire made the building uninhabitable, displacing everyone who lived in the building’s 30 apartment units. The fire caused $1.2 million in damage to Building 12 and $1 million in damage to the

Jimmy

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18 / MARCH 2, 2017

Burned out windows and walls at Carriage Hill Apartments were boarded up following the fire Sunday.

(PATRICK CONNOLLY / FOR THE POST)

building’s contents, according to an Athens Fire Department report. One person was treated for smoke inhalation, Stephanie Tresso, a spokeswoman for Wallick Communities, the company that owns the apartment complex, said.

The Athens Fire Department and four assisting fire departments worked for

hours to douse the flames.

Smoke settled in a haze around the complex.

Residents from Building 12 and Building 13, which was evacuated as a precaution, stood outside wrapped in blankets and holding pets. They called friends and family members.

Ray said her brother was home when the fire started.

The flames spread too quickly for him to rescue her cat, Veve. They hoped she escaped through an open window.

Another resident’s pet, a dog named Scotty, lay safely in a crate nearby. Ray said she had warned the dog’s owner to rescue him.

“At least we could save somebody’s baby,” she said.

Ray still felt optimistic about her circumstances.

“When you’re at rock bottom, you can only go up,” Ray said. “Somebody’s worse off than I am.”

Another apartment resident, Arwa Ayiq, stood near

her three daughters with tears in her eyes. Her husband saw smoke while she was in the shower.

“Everything is gone,” she said. “I didn’t take anything.

Everything is in there.”

Athens Mayor Steve Patterson arrived at about 6 p.m. and watched the fire quietly. He said he understood what the residents were going through — in 1982, the apartment next to his caught fire, killing his 3-year-old neighbor and damaging his own apartment. He

CLASSIFIEDS

Being out in the frigid cold and having to find a new place to live with just the clothes on your back … It’s hard.”

- Steve Patterson, Athens Mayor said it “still hurts,” adding that he feels for the families displaced by the Carriage Hill fire.

“Being out in the frigid cold and having to find a new place to live with just

the clothes on your back …

It’s hard,” he said.

The fire was under control by 8:30 p.m., but the Athens Fire Department remained well into the night to extinguish flareups.

The American Red Cross of Southeastern Ohio distributed hotel vouchers to residents displaced by the fire. Ohio University kept Baker University Center open late to provide a “warming center.”

OU Spokesperson Dan Pittman said at least nine students, one faculty member and one staff member were affected by the fire.

The university provided $100 Wal-Mart gift cards, temporary housing and meal plans to them.

Donations of clothing,

toiletries and baby supplies filled tables on the fifth floor of Baker Center on Monday. The Red Cross worked nearby to find housing for displaced residents.

“The community has been a huge support with their donations,” Tim Callahan, a disaster program manager for the Red Cross, said. “It’s a huge help.”

People can drop off donations at Diles Hearing Center at 275 W. Union St. and Class A Sounds at 447 E. State St. Displaced residents can pick up donated items at the Athens Community Center at 701 E. State St.

@BAILEYGALLION BG272614@OHIO.EDU

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TACKLING THE DRAFT PHOTOS BY MATT STARKEY 20 / MARCH 2, 2017

Basham, a former Ohio defensive end, was one of the best and most productive players in program history. Now, he’s heading to the NFL Draft in April.

T

ANDREW GILLIS / ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

arell Basham lowered into in his stance with his head lifted slightly, his eyes filled with emotion as he peered through his white face mask.

He’d probably done the drill a million times in his life. At its core, it was just another repetition from just another practice.

But this was Senior Bowl practice. And this time, Basham had to go through a mammoth.

Zach Banner, a tackle from the University of Southern California, leaned in opposite Basham. Banner is 6-foot-9 and 360 lbs, and he’s projected to be a third-round draft pick.

Banner had every advantage, at least on paper. The size, notoriety and even the helmet he wore seemed to be in Banner’s favor. The Trojan on Banner’s helmet is one of college football’s most recognizable logos.

Basham’s Ohio arch was the only one at the Senior Bowl.

Basham fired off the ball, used a spin move and beat Banner clean. Banner barely touched him.

In that moment, scouts and coaches alike became aware: Tarell Basham had officially arrived.

Becoming the best Basham, a defensive end, was one of Ohio’s most productive players in program history. Now, he’s heading to the NFL Draft in April.

He said attending Ohio University was something he’d recommend to anyone. However, he didn’t make that choice himself.

His mother, Glenda, made the decision before Tarell. Once her mind was made up, it was easy to get Tarell to Athens.

“I loved Coach Gdowski … just the way he came to me and spoke about the school,” Glenda said. “I think I helped make Tarell’s mind up.”

The Rocky Mount, Virginia, native graduated from high school, then a postgraduate military academy, where his mom helped him make the decision to become a Bobcat.

Sometimes, mothers know best.

Tarell not only left Ohio as one of the best pass-rushers in school history but one of the best in conference history as well.

He won Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year his senior year as a result of his nine sacks and 49 total tackles.

His nine sacks are an Ohio season record, as are his 27 career sacks. The latter ranks fourth in MAC history.

“All the hard work I put into my career, the season, the offseason in order to have a good season, it all paid off,” Tarell said.

Tarell was part of a defense that ranked sixth in the nation in run defense and tied for 12th in sacks. His simple appearance on the field forced teams to run plays away from him.

“His presence on the field raised our level of defense to a level that we hope to sustain,” defensive coordinator Jimmy Burrow said.“...

People know about Ohio University and how good of a football team we had this year. A big part of that was Tarell.”

And as his senior season progressed, Tarell’s name appeared more and more on draft boards. He was also invited to the Senior Bowl, an annual game for the country’s top seniors in Mobile, Alabama.

As his rise continued, something more important happened: he graduated.

Tarell was the first member of his family to attend college, and in December, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in specialized studies with a focus on marketing and communications.

“I cried at his high school graduation, and I cried at his college graduation,” Glenda said. “It makes me feel good as his mother that he’s a college graduate, he’ll always have something to fall back on.”

Tarell’s work ethic, one Burrow praised continuously, isn’t just applicable to the football field.

“I feel like I set the tone for my younger

siblings to go to college and to make something of themselves,” Tarell said. “Football will not always be there, but I’ll always be a Bobcat, I’ll always be an alum of Ohio University.”

As Tarell’s time wound down at Ohio and the accolades rolled in, he had to focus on the next part of his life. Fortunately for him, help wasn’t too far away.

What comes next?

Ohio’s Sports Administration program is known as the best in the country. That’s what drew Aaron Henderson to Athens.

After Henderson graduated in 2015 with a master’s degree in sports administration, he was introduced to Tarell. The two hit it off so well, Tarell signed with Henderson, who partnered with Priority Sports to co-represent Tarell.

“One of things he liked was the fact that I was young, that I was hungry, the fact that I went to Ohio’s program which is so highly regarded in the sports world,” Henderson said.

To some, a MAC player that had lateround grades entering the season possibly going in the first round seemed like a stretch.

Then, the Senior Bowl happened.

“I told him he had the potential to be a second-round pick, and he told me, ‘I’m shooting for first round,’ ” Henderson recalled. “That’s exactly what I want to hear.”

Mike Mayock, an NFL Network draft analyst, said on the NFL Network on Jan. 26 he thought Tarell would be a second-round pick.

“A lot of teams had questions about me going into the week,” Tarell said after Senior Bowl practices. “But I’m pretty sure they don’t have those questions anymore.”

After Senior Bowl week, Tarell went out to San Diego to train for the NFL Combine, which will take place from Feb. 28 to March 6 in Indianapolis.

“If you’re not setting goals that are damn near impossible to make, then you’re not setting yourself up to complete at the highest level,” Tarell said. “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”

His speed and size allows teams to view him as a typical 4-3 defensive end, or even a 3-4 outside linebacker. Wherever a team decides to use the 6-foot-3 1/2 inch, 259 lb athlete, he’ll have the ability to play that position well.

“We see that Basham has earned 28.2 percent of his pressures to the inside in 2016,” Zoltán Buday, the Group of Five lead analyst for Pro Football Focus, said in an email. “This suggests someone who uses his strength well.”

Tarell is gaining more notoriety, seemingly by the day, and he now has a legitimate chance to be the highest Bobcat draft pick since 2009, when Mike Mitchell went 47th overall.

“Sometimes when I think about what he’s

“

TARELL BASHAM

All the hard work I put into my career, the season, the offseason in order to have a good season, it all paid off.”

- Tarell Basham

CAREER: 152 TACKLES 27 SACKS 50 GAMES PLAYED

SENIOR SEASON: 49 TACKLES NINE SACKS MAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

doing and where he’s going, I get chills, I get butterflies in my stomach,” Glenda said. “I can only imagine how he feels. It’s kind of unbelievable.”

As for Ohio, Tarell’s impact won’t be apparent until next season, when his replacement has to replicate the statistics of the program’s best pass rusher.

“He loves the game and is willing to work at it to be the best that he can,” Burrow said.

“He certainly isn’t afraid of hard work that’s necessary to be a great player. ” One of the things Henderson hasn’t had to worry about is Tarell’s attitude. For some NFL teams, that can make a player undraftable. For Tarell, it’ll be a positive.

“He brings it relentlessly every day,” Henderson said. “That’s the coolest thing about Tarell: He loves to come to work, he’s definitely a lunch-pail type of guy.”

Tarell is currently projected by CBS Sports as a second-round pick. An NFL player would be a great accomplishment for Tarell and the program — there’s just three other players from Ohio currently on a roster. But for Tarell, that’s not enough.

The first round of the draft, occurs on April 27 and the second and third rounds are the 28th. For now, it looks like Tarell will know his NFL team and future on the 28th — but you might want to tune in on the 27th, just in case. “... I was non-stop, 100 percent trying to beat the hardest goals out there for someone in my shoes,” Tarell said. “Maybe I make it, maybe I don’t. I’m never going to set myself lower than the best.”

@ANDREW_GILLIS70 AG079513@OHIO.EDU

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 21

the weekender Mead and venison competition will allow locals to sample drinks, dishes ALEX DARUS CULTURE EDITOR Some Athens residents and students may like to spend their Saturdays eating burgers and drinking aquariums at The Pub. This Saturday, those individuals will have a chance to take a break from the usual Uptown food to sample homemade wine and venison dishes.

The 2017 Wine, Mead and Venison Competition will take place Saturday at ARTS/West, 132 W. State St. Admission is $15 and participants will get a chance to judge several entries of wine, mead and venison and get a commemorative glass.

The event will also feature live music.

The event is hosted by the Athens Do It Yourself Shop, 16060 Canaanville Road, and has been going on for about 14 years.

Eric Hedin, the owner of Athens DIY Shop, said each entry of wine, mead and venison is numbered for people to pick their favorites. There will even be a full table of red and white wines for people to try. Each taster casts a ballot for different categories such as “most unique” and “favorite venison dish.” In the past, venison dishes have included different chilis and meatballs made out of venison.

“Variety is the spice of life,” Hedin said.

Janice Brewer, who graduated from Ohio University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in specialized studies, has attended the event several times before and plans to go again this year. Her favorite venison dish at the event, which she said she remembers “vividly,” was a sauerkraut and venison meatball.

“It was dope,” Brewer said.

The competition gets a different number of competitors each year, Hedin said, from about 40 to 100 entries. The entries are usually amateur winemakers and hunters, but professionals are allowed to enter.

CJ Verity, an Athens resident, has at22 / MARCH 2, 2017

It’s definitely something new to experience in Athens, like an alternative to the uptown scene.”

- Janice Brewer, OU alumna A local wine, mead and venison competition will be held at ARTS/West on Saturday.

(KAITLIN OWENS / FILE)

tended the event for “as long as it’s been going on” to taste and judge the drinks and dishes. He “dabbles” in homebrewing but has never entered anything into the competition in the past.

Verity enjoys the “laid-back” atmosphere of the event and getting to try many different things made by local people in their own homes. He added that if a person is interested in learning how to homebrew or make their own wine, the Wine, Mead and Venison Competition is a great place to network with other people who enjoy the same activities.

“It supports local enthusiasts that are homebrewing that are making their own wine, mead and venison,” Verity said. “There’s local entertainment. The price is very reasonable for three to four hours of entertainment.”

Brewer, who lives in Athens, enjoys the DIY aspect of the event and appreciating dishes people take their personal time to create.

“It’s definitely something new to experience in Athens, like an alternative to the uptown scene,” Brewer said. “It gives people a greater sense of the Athens community.”

Brewer also likes that the event is held at Arts/West because it adds to the “community feel.”

“It’s really DIY,” Brewer said. “People are making these dishes or the wine and mead at home, and that takes a really long time for it to ferment. (I like) knowing that people in my community have taken the time to make this mead or wine.”

Hedin hopes the event helps showcase amateur wine and mead makers as well as

IF YOU GO WHAT: 2017 Wine, Mead & Venison Competition WHEN: 5 p.m., Saturday WHERE: ARTS/West, 132 W. State St. ADMISSION: $15 hunters and the hard work they do to on their own time to make the event happen.

“When people make something that they’re proud of, they want to share it,” Hedin said. “(The event will) shine a light on people who make the good stuff.”

@_ALEXDARUS AD019914@OHIO.EDU

WHAT’S GOING ON? ALEX MCCANN FOR THE POST

Friday Kickoff Recital for American Trombone Workshop 8 p.m. in Glidden Hall 440. Ohio University Trombone Studio will host a recital in preparation for its upcoming performance at the American Trombone Workshop in Fort Meyer, Virginia. Admission: free.

Y2K Millennium Dance Party with DJ Barticus 9 p.m. at The Union Bar & Grill, 18 W. Union St. In another edition of his popular dance nights, local jumpsuitwearing record spinner DJ Barticus will play the songs that defined the 2000s. Admission: $5 Hellnaw, Doxcity and Mossom 10 p.m. at Casa Nueva, 6 W. State St. Cleveland-based grit band Mossom and two Athens-based groups — rock duo Hellnaw and hip-hop outfit Doxcity — will perform at Casa Nueva on Friday night. Admission: $5

Saturday The Come On, Come Ons 6 p.m. at Casa Nueva, 6 W. State St. Athens’ own four-piece rock group The Come On, Come Ons will play the early show at Casa Nueva on Saturday. The band played at Tony’s Tavern on Feb. 10.

Admission: Free, food and drinks for sale.

An Intimate Evening with Guitarist Jim Volk 8 p.m. at Athens Uncorked, 14 Station St. Wine bar Athens Uncorked will continue its Intimate Evening series Saturday when Columbus-area guitarist Jim Volk comes to town.

Admission: free, drinks for sale.

Del McCoury Band 8 p.m. at Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Square, Nelsonville. Age is no factor for 76-year-old bluegrass singer Del McCoury. McCoury and his band will perform Saturday at Stuart’s Opera House in Nelsonville. Admission: Floor seats-$40 in advance, $45 at the door; Balcony seats-$35 in advance, $40 at the door; Box seats-$50 in advance, $55 at the door.

Sour Mash String Band 8 p.m. at Donkey Coffee & Espresso, 17 ½ W. Washington St. Sour Mash String Band, a bluegrass five-piece from Parkersburg, West Virginia, will play the back stage at Donkey Coffee & Espresso on Saturday night. Admission: $5 Fiesta Latina 9 p.m. at The Union Bar & Grill, 18 W. Union St. Salsa, merengue and reggaeton music will fill the air at The Union Bar & Grill on Saturday night during another iteration of Fiesta Latina.

Admission: Free for ages 21+, $3 for ages 18-20 Woody Pines 10 p.m. at Casa Nueva, 6 W. State St. Coming all the way from Nashville, musician Woody Pines will perform Casa Nueva’s late show Saturday night.

Influenced by an array of artists ranging from Bob Dylan and Hank Williams to Charlie Chaplin, Pines combines roots, country, blues and ragtime into his music.

Admission: $5

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Ho iEm & fEs vGgEs FiL t-GoCoTaNe aDAyByTh oNc wThYoRLe mAlPlN

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Located at Jefferson Hall on the corner of East Union and Stewart St.

Sunday Sunday Funday: Brewery Dogs of Jackie O’s 3 p.m. at Jackie O’s Taproom, 25 Campbell St. Local brewery Jackie O’s will host an art exhibit of “brewery dogs.” Four musical acts — Traci & JJ, Dawg Yawp, Coal Fired Bicycle and Yōkai — will perform throughout the evening. Admission: free, food and drinks for sale.

Bar Deals in Athens The C.I. - Friday and Saturday, $2.75 well drinks and domestic bottles, $5.50 pitchers; Sunday, $2 well drinks, $1.75 domestic bottles, $5.50 pitchers Jackie O’s Public House & BrewPub - Friday: $2 FAF Pints. Power hour daily 8 to 9 p.m., $2 select house pints

Lucky’s Sports Tavern - Friday, 4 to 9 p.m.: $1.75 well drinks and domestic bottles, $1 short domestic drafts The Pigskin - Happy hour daily, 7 to 9 p.m.: $2 domestic beers and well drinks, $2.50 call drinks The Pub - Friday, Saturday & Sunday: $2.75 domestic bottles, $3 domestic pints, $5 domestic aquariums Red Brick Tavern - ‘Brick Break’ daily, 6 to 9 p.m.: $1 well drinks, domestic bottles and domestic pints The Smiling Skull Saloon - Friday, 5 to 7 p.m.: 50 percent off domestics Stephen’s On Court - Sunday: beer buckets five for $10 Tony’s Tavern - Sunday: $1 PBR and Miller High Life, $1.75 Hot Nuts

@ALEXMCCANN21 AM622914@OHIO.EDU THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 23

THEPOSTATHENS.COM / 24