Congratulations to VASJ on 7th championship

BOUQUETS >> To Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School, on winning its seventh state boys basketball championship.

VASJ accomplished that feat on March 25 by capturing the Ohio Division III crown with a 54-52 victory over Roger Bacon High School of Cincinnati.

Toughness is the trait VASJ believes it possesses above maybe any other, which makes this title special because of this year’s group.

“I guess the unique part here is this is great for Cleveland,” VASJ coach Babe Kwasniak said.

“This is as Cleveland as it gets, these guys behind me. They don’t get much more Cleveland.”

VASJ’s largest lead of 10 points lasted for a short sequence in the fourth period before last-minute 3-pointers brought the Spartans within two points.

The Vikings trailed for most of the second quarter after Roger Bacon took a 15-9 lead, but managed to go up one by halftime.

The VASJ lead crept to 3230 after three. So when Noah Newlon’s two 3s swished through the basket unabated by the rim to open the fourth, they were worth more than numbers on the scoreboard.

“It was so hard to find points,” Kwasniak said.

“Those were like touchdowns when he made them. They didn’t feel like 3-point shots, they felt like 7-point shots.”

We congratulate VASJ on its hard-fought state championship win.

BOUQUETS » To Brian Bontempo, on being named as the new superintendent of the Auburn Career Center in Concord Township.

Bontempo replaces Margaret T. Lynch in the new position, which he started March 22. Lynch will continue to serve as a career center consultant, providing a smooth transition for the new superintendent and administrative team.

According to an Auburn Career Center news release, Bontempo has served as the superintendent of the Lake County Educational Service Center since 2009 and will also maintain the position.

The Educational Service Center is located on Auburn Career Center’s campus at 8140 Auburn in Concord Township.

Bontempo’s dual superintendent roles provides an opportunity to reduce costs through shared services and use taxpayer dollars in an efficient manner with the focus on students and programs, said Erik Walter, president of Auburn board.

“The treasurer’s office has utilized this shared services model for approximately three years with great success,” Walter said. “In addition to (Bontempo’s) extensive experience, he has strong roots in our community. He is an established leader in education with a strong knowledge of curriculum and program development. We believe that he will carry on the tradition of success that Auburn Career Center prides itself on.”

It sounds like the Auburn Career Center and Lake County ESC will both be in good hands under Bontempo’s leadership.

BRICKBATS » To Blair Brede of Mentor, after he admitted to having sexual contact with a 7-year-old girl in that city on at least one occasion.

Brede, 43, originally was indicted on one count each of rape and attempted rape in Lake County Common Pleas Court.

On March 27, he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of gross sexual imposition.

Judge Richard L. Collins Jr. then immediately sentenced him to the maximum five years in prison.

Brede also must register as a sex offender for 25 years.

“This is very disgusting and despicable conduct,” Collins said.

Chief Assistant County Prosecutor Karen Kowall and defense attorneys Ian Friedman and Richard J. Perez jointly recommended the sentence.

Friedman called the case a no-win situation for everyone involved.

“But it’s solely the result of Blair’s decision and conduct,” added the defense attorney.

“He is fully prepared to go to prison for five years.”

We believe that Brede deserves his fate.

BRICKBATS » To Maurice Clark Jr., after he was sentenced to 25 years in prison for fatally stabbing one man and wounding two others near Toledo.

Clark, 23, was sentenced March 21 in Lucas County Common Pleas Court on a reduced charge of involuntary manslaughter for the death of 24-year-old Karl Avery

Avery was stabbed June 11 at Maumee Bay State Park, just east of Toledo.

Clark also was convicted of two counts of felonious assault for stabbing two other men that night.

Prosecutors say Clark stabbed the men after an argument.

If Clark could have settled the argument in a more constructive manner, he could have spared himself a lengthy prison sentence.