You can’t teach Jason Ellis how to get open; you can’t teach Lukas Isaly how to will the course of a game; you can’t teach Tim Kreeger not to wear his emotions on his sleeve; you can’t teach Mason Lydic, the junkyard dog from Cuyahoga Falls, how to consistently out rebound opponents with a 6″ height advantage; and you can’t teach Ryan Reidy how to stoically persevere, ready to plug a hole on short notice …

But you can coerce, orchestrate and teach a group of kids from different backgrounds to play the game of basketball with fervor, in a manner such that from 5-30 rows back they appear as a seamless unit epitomizing aggressive amateur effort and good sportsmanship.

It is obvious to every fan that your challenge has been formidable. Giving 15 young men (all seeking 40 mins/game) enough playing time to keep the juggernaut (29-3) humming is an Augean task, which you have accomplished. Taking a program whose arena was empty — enough that fans had to muffle their enthusiastic outbursts, lest they be identified as the course — and turning that same arena into a high volume (without the music) den of frenetic activity and emotion … THAT has been a Herculean accomplishment.

That is what you have done for us Mariettans and we appreciate you and your effort. We now enjoy summer, fall, basketball and spring. We are aware of your unfair advantage — two omnipresent PR agents circulating in the community and stands, “rounding off” your rough edges — but everyone needs a little help.

When you hang it up, I have the perfect statue and perfect location for that statue to honor your stint in Marietta, Ohio. (Larry Heiser can spearhead that project). When you retire, don’t leave. Run for mayor!

We Mariettans and Pioneer fans salute and thank you.

Rick Hershey

Marietta