The Kettering Alter Lady Knights will tip it off at 7 p.m. tonight vs. league foe Hamilton Badin in a regional final to be held at Springfield High School.

Our very own Ted Thompson will be one of the biggest fans in the house as his daughter, Elena, plays an important defensive stopper role for Alter. How cool would it be for Elena and her family to experience the Division II Final Four at UD Arena next week?

Elena is a sophomore and earned honorable mention all-district honors recently. She is not only an excellent basketball player, she is an outstanding volleyball player and student. Looking forward to seeing where she might take her skills in both academics and athletics in the years ahead.

The Lady Knights were in a rock fight with an excellent Granville Blue Aces squad in Tuesday's regional semi-finals and won 39-36. The Aces forced a lot of first half turnovers and led by 3 at the break, but Alter adjusted and dominated the third quarter. They managed a close lead in the fourth quarter and had to defend a long trey attempt that would've forced OT if it had gone in.

There is an online broadcast tonight for those interested in following along. Alter has already cut down two sets of nets -- league and district titles.The winner tonight gets another one and a chance to try for one more set. Cutting down nets -- Never. Gets. Old.

Wishing Elena, teammates, coaches and the Alter school community the best.

Awesome, Go Elena! Enjoy the ride Ted!

Another Ohio alum - Natalie Britt Lantz -has been achieving remarkable success coaching her high school almater's girls team. Shelby High School too is playing in a regional tonight. The girls are 27-0. As a high school player, Natalie's team lost a state final game.

Nice Official Game Thread addition Joe. Good luck to Elena and the Thompson family rooting her on!

Alter 45, Badin 35.

Congrats, Pop! Happy to hear of your success.