Streakball team heads 2025 Sandusky hall of fame class

Streakball will take center stage at the Sandusky High School Hall of Fame induction ceremony next Saturday. The 1992-93 Blue Streaks boys basketball team will be among Class of 2025 inductees at the event at 5 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Sandusky went 22-2 that season, losing only its first and last games of the season. The team was part of the Streakball era under head coach John Schlessman. Other inductees include Darvio McDaniel (Class of 1991), Durond Clark (2001), Robert Fair (1972), Ashley Gilbert (2011), Jazmunn Ritchie (2008), Taylor Vargo (2013) and school official Ronald Kaufman (1957). Sandusky's 1992-93 basketball team lost its season opener by two points to Willard (which finished the regular season undefeated and ranked No. 1 in Division II), then rattled off 22 straight wins after a players-only meeting after the loss in the opener. The Blue Streaks kept their long Erie Shores Conference winning streak alive that season — it would reach 41 straight before ending — and won the first Streakball Classic, defeating powerhouse Canton McKinley in the finals. "This team, the year before, went to Birmingham, Alabama, and from that we got the idea to start the Streakball Classic," Schlessman said. "This team was the first winner of the Streakball Classic. We had Mansfield, Canton McKinley and we brought in a team from New Jersey, Essex Catholic." Sandusky was ranked No. 2 in the final Division I Associated Press and defeated Lima Senior in a district final at Anderson Arena at Bowling Green State University. When asked for the team's biggest wins that season, Schlessman mentioned the victories over Canton McKinley and Lima Senior. "Winning the Streakball Classic against Canton McKinley would be the first one," he said. "The second one would be the district finals against Lima Senior. They were state runner-up the year before. "We used to practice situations. In that game, we had a three-point lead with less than 10 seconds to go. We waited 'till there were five seconds and (Dashay Jones) purposely fouled. They went to the line, made the first one, missed the second and we won by two points. Lima Senior was legit." Sandusky lost to eventual state runner-up Toledo St. John in the regional semifinals. Jones, who averaged 26 points per game as a senior, was the star of the team. He was named Ohio player of the year by the coaches association and played at Tennessee. Senior Tavarous Turner and junior Orlando Pace were other standouts. Others in the rotation included Mark Castile, DeMar Moore, Roger Smith, Tony Espisito, Anthony Aaron, Derek Bonner and Tron Lofton. Pace, who starred in football at Ohio State and in the NFL, was a 6-foot-7 presence as a junior on the team. He was a special mention All-Ohio pick as a senior. Pace was the No. 1 NFL draft pick 1n 1997 by the St. Louis Rams and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. "When he was in high school, everybody thought he was too gentle, 'he'll never play for Ohio State.' They didn't know Orlando like we knew Orlando," Schlessman said. "He put the uniform on and he was ready to go. He was such a gentleman and quiet presence. His sophomore year he was learning. He set pretty good picks, though." Schlessman said Pace's size presented unique issues during games. "I had to work the referees over," he said. "He was so big and guys would hit him so hard. He would just touch someone and get a foul." The Streaks had enough depth to give Schlessman plenty of options. "If I didn't think the team was ready early in the game we did a hockey line shift — all five," he said. "You win with good players. I thought this team had a reversible clothing game, if you will. If we wanted to take Orlando and some other people out of the game, we could rely on anyone. We were big but could also go small and put pressure on people." Moore, who was an All-Ohio selection as a senior, played at Bowling Green and professionally. He was a sophomore on the 1992-93 team. "I remember bus rides home. It was nothing but laughs and guys having fun," Moore said. "We knew when the going got tough, we knew we could count on Dashay. He put us on his back and we all knew what we were supposed to do. It was a bunch of guys who understand their roles. I think it was one of the smartest teams I've been a part of." Moore, the current Sandusky boys coach, has brought back the Streakball brand of ball. "Growing up, our ballboys, I was one of those guys when Streakball first started," Moore said. "I was a little older but Streakball was the thing. Friday nights, everybody was at the gym and we'd walk to McDonald's or Burger King afterward." Sandusky played in the rugged Erie Shores Conference in the early 90s. Beginning in the 1989-90 season, the Streaks strung together seasons of 20-3, 19-5, 17-4, 22-2 and 19-5. They won district titles in 1991, 1993 and 1994. In 1990, Sandusky lost 98-97 in double overtime to Mansfield in a district final. Two years later, the Streaks fell to defending state champion Lexington in the sectional round. "Their success (in 1992-93) was a culmination of the people in front of them. They set the standard," Schlessman said. "This team was right in the middle of 41 straight conference victories, and that's Division I basketball. "I just felt honored to coach these guys. The players led themselves in many ways. They were focused and wanted to keep the string going." A look at the other inductees: Darvio McDaniel A 1991 graduate, McDaniel was a basketball standout who led SHS to a Sweet 16 appearance, setting school records in assists and field goal percentage. The two-year captain earned numerous All-Ohio honors and helped put "Streakball" on the map with his leadership and talent. Ronald G. KaufmanKaufman (1957) played football, then built a distinguished career as a lawyer and judge. He served on the Sandusky School Board, helped expand SHS facilities and tirelessly supported Blue Streak athletics and academics. Kaufman died in 2021. Durond Clark Clark (2001) was a track phenom whose records in the 100 meters, 200 and 4x100 relay still stand today. Overcoming adversity, he fueled his success with unmatched competitive spirit and the inspiration of his father cheering him on. Robert "Bob" FairFair (1972) was a record-setting distance runner, earning All-Ohio honors in cross country and track. He later competed collegiately, setting multiple college records and coached state-caliber athletes, leaving a lasting legacy in Ohio distance running. Ashley GilbertGilbert (2011) dominated in softball, setting school records for career strikeouts (867), pitching wins (51) and no-hitters (four). Also a standout violinist, she pitched collegiately at Muskingum and now serves her hometown as Deputy Director of Protective Services. Jazmunn Ritchie Ritchie (2008) was a track star, setting school records in the 4x100 and 400, qualifying for the state meet four times and earning multiple MVP honors. She ran collegiately and remains a proud and active Blue Streak alumna. Taylor VargoVargo (2013) was a state champion swimmer in the 100 breaststroke, a multi-time All-American and record holder in multiple events. She capped her career with an Academic All-American honor and helped set the standard for excellence in SHS swimming. Vargo set several records while swimming for Ohio State. ----- Ticket info Tickets are $30 (plus fees) and can be purchased at the Sandusky High School athletic office. For questions about the hall of fame banquet, call the Sandusky High School athletic office at (419) 984-1074.