For two days last week at Vermilion High School, fans who attended the 13th Annual Lorain Holiday Classic tournament got their money's worth.

The tournament, which was played on December 27-28, featured Vermilion, Lorain, Elyria and Sandusky.

Prior to the tournament Vermilion, Lorain and Elyria all came in with 4-1 records.

Day 1 of the tournament had two great games, with some great performances.

In the first game Lorain and Elyria battled each other into overtime, with the Pioneers coming out with 66-56 victory.

Sophomore guard Kody Bender led all scores with 24 points.




Both teams showed why they are considered a couple of the best teams in Lorain County.

I wouldn't be surprised if these teams meet down the road in the Division I district tournament, possibly for the district championship.

In the second game, an undersized Vermilion team pushed Sandusky to the limit, but fell 64-61.

Delon Roldon-Johnson gave the Blue Streaks a spark off the bench and finished with 18 points, 16 coming in the second half.

On Day 2, Sandusky and Elyria faced-off in the championship game.

The Pioneers were without senior Chase Farris, who missed the game to play in an All-Star football game.

Under-manned Elyria still found a way to defeat the Blue Streaks, 62-59, to win the tournament for a second year in a row.

Junior forward Brendan Dickerson led the Pioneers with 20 and 10 rebounds.

Elyria is now 6-1, and its only loss came against Strongsville by one point. The Pioneers are a very good rebounding team and have size and scoring.

Bender and Dickerson were both named to the All-Tournament team along with Lorain's Theron Nelson, Vermilion's Mitch Novak and Sandusky's Xavier Turner and Roldon-Johnson.

They should contend for the Northeast Ohio Conference title and have a top seed going into the district if healthy.

The 2010 football season is officially underway, which means teams all over the state have started two-a-days.
On Monday, I made stops at a couple of camps to see how the football players at Lorain High and Clearview felt about getting back on the gridiron.
My first stop was at George Daniel Field, where I spoke Lorain High Titan seniors Tevvin Jones and Amon Willis about coach Todd Auvil's three-a-days.
Jones, who plays running back and corner back, said he made sure.
"I was used to doing two-a-days, so this whole new three-a-days thing is new to me," Jones said. "We get breaks, so it's not that bad."
Jones said he trys to stay activate and hydrated during the team's break.
Willis, who plays defensive end, said he thinks having three-a-days will be good for the team. Willis added that the workouts are going to get tougher, but said he's ready for it.
"It's all a mental thing," Willis said. "You can't let the heat get to your head. If your mind stays strong then you'll stay strong."
My next stop was to Tom Hoch Field in Sheffield Township, where I talked to Clearview Clipper seniors Cody Kaya, Davon Daniels and Tyler Mielcarek.
Kaya, who plays linebacker, said he liked what he saw from the team on the first day.
"Our team is looking pretty good, we're all a little tired but we'll get into shape," Kaya said. "It's fun to look forward to this because football officially starts today."
Daniels, who plans to compete for the quarterback position and play linebacker, said he felt pretty good after the team's first two-a-day.
"I don't think there anything really difficult for me," Daniels said. "I love it, so I don't sweat anything.
"I just don't want to over-sleep and show up late because coach Collier will run me."