Middies’ last game, first game in arenas to be broadcast online

The final basketball game at historic Wade E. Miller Gym and the first game at Miller Arena this weekend will be broadcast online thanks to a Middletown church.

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Stratford Heights Church of God has volunteered its television production equipment to be used for Friday’s last game at Miller Gym and Saturday night’s first game at Miller Arena. The games will be streamed live on the church’s website, SHCOG.com.

The longtime broadcasting team of Lenny Robinson and Marty Flesher, who covered the Middies for many years on TVMiddletown, are teaming up for these two history-making games.

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“These are special games and it will be a treasure to have them broadcast and recorded,” Aaron Zupka, Middletown’s athletic director, said in a statement.

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Ray Phillips, senior pastor at the church, said while Miller Gym opened in 1952, his church’s heritage dates back to 1915 having started on Clayton Street.

“We appreciate the heritage both the Middies and we have in Middletown and, by being able to broadcast these games, it is just one more way we can help serve our community,” he said.

Robinson said it was important to broadcast these games so history could be preserved for future generations.

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The Middies play Butler County rival Hamilton on Friday, then Lima Sr. on Saturday.

A limited number of tickets remain for sale for both nights and fans wishing to attend these two games should not wait for getting tickets at the door, said Zupka. Tickets are on sale at the athletic department office in the Manchester building.

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