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Whether it was at Wheeling Central, West Virginia or now with the Jamtland Basketball Club in a professional league in Sweden, Chase Harler has always been a team first guy.
You know. The type of player who coaches dream of because he always has winning above any individual stats or accolades.
With two years of professional basketball under his belt, nothing has changed for Harler in his approach.
"We had a great (season) as a team," Harler, who turns 24 on Sunday, said. "Actually, it was the best season in club history. We made it to the finals and lost in six games, but it was the first time the club had ever made it that far."
Harler enjoyed a solid campaign overseas, averaging 10.5 points, two rebounds and two assists. All told, the top seven players in the Jamtland rotation scored in double figures.
"Individually, I had a good year," Harler noted. "I grew in my role and really executed what I was supposed to do each day. I showcased that I can play on a winning team, fit a role and be a piece."
Harler spent the season as more of a two-guard, which is his natural position. He was a combo guard during his rookie season. This offseason, however, he's working on becoming more of a facilitator.
"That's my main focus and an area I have to continue to grow my game," Harler said.
Harler returned to the Ohio Valley in late May after spending nine months in Sweden. The basketball accomplishments from this past winter are just a start of the big events.
Harler and his fiance, Lindsey Baker, are getting married on July 16. Don't think his family structure change is affecting his desires and goals for his basketball career.
"I plan to play for several more years," Harler said. "As long as I can."
According to Harler, Baker, who just completed her second of four years at the Ohio State University Veterinary School, will be board certified to practice veterinary medicine in Europe when she graduates.
"Being in Europe is kind of our plan right now," Harler said.
What part of Europe, however, remains to be seen. There are basically no long-term contracts in European basketball leagues. Each team is allowed "four imports, which is anyone without a Swedish passport."
As European teams begin to build their rosters, Harler explained that most of the teams spend the early portion of the offseason signing native players.
"By the end of the month, it'll start picking up as teams begin to look for imports," Harler said. "Personally, I would like to get a deal done as early as possible."
Continually changing leagues and teams has its positives and negatives, but for Harler the adjustment hasn't been as challenging.
"The way I describe European basketball is that the (players) aren't as athletic, from top to bottom, as obviously the NBA or even the G-League, but it's a lot about the mental approach," Harler said. "There is a guy on my team who is 41 years old and just finished his 18th season. He's been able to play for that long at that level because he understood the game so well."
Along with doing tasks to prepare for his wedding, Harler is still doing some personal training with some area high school players, but not as many as he was before leaving for his rookie season in Europe.
"I am keeping (the training) more low key," Harler said. "I have about six to eight kids I work with on a more regular basis, but now that I am going to continue to play, I have to work on myself and make sure I'm prepared for what's ahead."
ALEXANDER IS A WIN AWAY
St. John Central graduate Ryan Alexander (Class of 1999) is the head baseball coach at Grove City High School in suburban Columbus. His Greyhounds knocked off Mason Friday afternoon, 4-1, in a Division I state semifinal to send Grove City to its first state title game, which will be played today against Sylvania Northview. Alexander is in his 14th season at the helm of the Grove City program and has his club in the Division I state tournament for the third time.
HELMET PROTECTION
If you saw any clips or pictures from the Steelers OTA workouts this past week, you probably noticed each player, in certain position groups, wearing a protective padding on his helmet.
The Guardian helmet cover, which helps to reduce head injuries, is being required by the NFL this season.
Interestingly, the Guardian company CEO is Erin (Nemec) Hanson. She is the daughter of the late James Nemec, who is a 1955 Bellaire High School graduate.
James Nemec, who played college football at Purdue, actually donated more than 50 of the Guardians helmet covers to the Bellaire High School football program in 2012 shortly after the Guardian was founded.
SETH'S SCOOPS
TORRENCE WALKER, the Wheeling Park graduate, ran an impressive leg for Virginia Tech during last Wednesday's qualifying round in the 4×100 relay at the Division I nationals in Eugene, Ore. The Hokies failed to advance to the final, but their 10th place finish earned Walker a Second-Team All-American accolade.
LONG-TIME Ohio Valley basketball officials Donnie Giffin and Bryan Gaus were recently named as the OVAC Assistant Commissioners for hoops. Doug Costain was approved as the basketball commissioner last month.
THE BUCKEYE 8 Athletic League chose its annual scholarship recipients at its meeting this past week at the Cadiz Country Club. A male and a female from both the North and South Divisions are chosen to receive the $500 award. The recipients are St. Clairsville's Caden Stout and Emily Thompson from the South and Beaver Local's Olivia Keller and Brady Smith from the North.
THE OHIO High School Athletic Association will announce the divisional breakdowns for fall and winter sports on Monday. The regional assignments for the upcoming football season are also due out at that point. The spring sports breakdowns are due to be announced in August.
AREA PREP baseball umpires Mike Cox and Jim Little worked the Division IV semifinal between Russia and Newark Catholic. Cox was stationed at third base, while Little called the balls and strikes.
Staskey can be reached via email at sstaskey@timesleaderonline.com or at twitter.com/TLSportsSeth