Johnnies' Big Barn Bash

The Johnnies did it! After all the hand-wringing, analysis and prognosticating in the papers and high school sports forums, we have the answer.

Yes, the Johnnies are real; their 11 point victory over the Africentric Nubians should leave little doubt of that fact in anyone's mind. No, the soft schedule didn't hamper their ability to play a tough game. Yes, the Johnnies have a deep bench. Yes, the Johnnies can dig deep and play with heart. The Johnnies started the second half up by a solitary point, ran up a double-digit lead, and then blew it. Gut check time! With just over 2 minutes to play, the Johnnies were hanging onto a 4 point lead when DiBlasio hit a 3 pointer that broke it open and Johnstown never looked back. This was an exciting game, and I had a thoroughly good time. The red-to-purple ratio in the coliseum last night was easily 4:1. The band showed up to play a pep rally outside before the game. The whole home-side stands, 1950s Johnstown graduate geezers and all, did the wave. The student section was loud. The adults were louder. The cheerleaders keep the place howling. I love this town. So, it's off to Bowling Green for the Regionals. Maybe someone will charter a bus...