KETTERING, Ohio — As the OHSAA Final Four for boys' basketball tournament kicks off, one team remembers a matchup from almost 20 years ago.
What You Need To Know
- Kettering Archbishop Alter faced Akron St. Vincent-St Mary and LeBron James in the 2003 state championship
- Now, Coach Eric Coulter is hoping to have a better outcome
- Coulter said he is keeping his team focused on them rather than their opponent
- The teams face off on Friday at 5 p.m.
Togetherness — it’s a mantra Kettering Archbishop Alter head coach Eric Coulter preaches all throughout practice. That togetherness continues to keep Alter competitive.
“Going in with a mindset like you have to believe," Coulter said. "And I feel like that this year as well.”
Including back in 2003, the last time Alter faced Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary in the state championship with LeBron James on the other side of the ball. It's something Coach Coulter still remembers. He was an assistant coach then.
“There is going to be some memories," Coulter said. "I don’t expect LeBron James to step on the court this time.”
Back then, Alter lost by just 4 points — something Coulter said was a big improvement after losing to them by 30 earlier that season.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been as proud. I know Coach Petro would say the same thing, of a team, how hard they played in 2003," Coulter said. "I said it’s probably the best performance by a team who lost.”
But this year, Coulter is trying to keep all eyes on his team.
“You guys know about Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary’s," he said. "Everybody knows about them. [Let's] not focus so much on Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, but focus on us.”
Overall, he said they need to put the past in the past.
The Knights face Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary in the Division II state semifinal on Friday at 5 p.m. at UD Arena.