Hiland-Marion Local is the best high school basketball game I've ever covered | Simpson

DAYTON — OK, where to start. I don't even know. My mind is still blown away from what I just witnessed. But lets start here. In my four years as a sportswriter for USA Today/Gannett, the OHSAA Division VI state championship game between Hiland and Marion Local on Saturday, March 21, at the University of Dayton Arena was the best high school basketball game — boys or girls — I've ever covered. Yes, THE BEST. The scene was set. No. 1 Marion Local (26-1) vs No. 2 Berlin Hiland (25-3). Marion Local brought height — 10 players on the roster were six feet or taller, while four of their five starters stood six feet or taller — strength and a bruising style on both ends of the floor to the table....