Laurel captures first state title

DAYTON — The Shaker Heights Laurel girls basketball team beat a pair of state champions on the way to its first state championship.

The Gators won the Division IV state title Friday by topping defending champion Bellevue, 60-58, at University of Dayton Arena, a day after beating defending Division III state champion Cincinnati Purcell Marian, 56-54, in overtime in the semifinals.

Laurel junior and UNVL commit Tristan Williams made two free throws with four seconds left to give the Gators the victory after being state runners-up in 2024.

Williams had 19 points, eight assists, five rebounds and five steals. Sophomore Jordyn Meyer, head coach Dave Meyer’s daughter, scored 21 of her game-high 26 points in the second half. She shot 10-of-15 from the field with six three-pointers.

The game featured 14 ties and 13 lead changes.

Laurel finished with a 22-4 record, including a 53-41 win over West Branch in the regional final last Saturday and a 55-42 win over Crestview in the South Range Holiday Hoops Showcase on Dec. 30.

Bellevue had its 45-game winning streak snapped to end the season with a 29-1 record. Freshman Ava Jakubcin-Theis had a team-high 20 points, including 10-of-10 from the foul line, with eight rebounds and three assists.

St. Henry handles Canton Central Catholic

DAYTON — St. Henry High School is having a championship season.

The St. Henry girls basketball team topped Canton Central Catholic, 53-34, to win the Division VI state title Friday night after the football and boys bowling teams also won state titles this school year.

The Redskins, who improve to 27-1, were led by sophomore Addy Homan with a game-high 20 points and three assists.

Canton Central shot only 4-of-16 from the field in the first half and fell behind 26-13 at halftime. The deficit got as high as 29 points in the fourth quarter.

Sarah Belden led the Crusaders with 12 points and four rebounds.

Canton Central ends the season with a 23-6 record, including a 62-20 win over East Palestine in the sectional final.

Kirtland returns to state semifinals

CANTON — Kirtland has a chance add a boys basketball state title to go along with the Hornets’ eight football state titles.

The Kirtland boys basketball team reached the Division VI state semifinals for the second straight season by knocking off Richmond Heights, 71-61, in a regional final Friday night at the Canton Fieldhouse.

Kirtland, a Salem district champion, improves to 24-3 and will play in the state semifinals at 6 p.m. March 20 at Wright State University’s Nutter Center. The Hornets will play the winner of Saturday night’s regional final between Berlin Hiland and Portsmouth West.

Richmond Heights finishes at 17-8 after winning three straight Division IV state titles from 2022-24.

Salem HOF seeks nominations

SALEM — The Salem Athletic Hall of Fame is accepting nominations for the Class of 2026.

The 21st induction ceremony will be held on Thursday, August 27. Nominations will be accepted through the end of March by accessing a google form on the HOF Facebook page or by sending an email to shs.athletichof@gmail.com.

West Branch tennis camp

BELOIT — The West Branch tennis team will be having a tennis camp for boys and girls in grades 4-12 on Friday, April 3.

It will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost is $25. Deadline to register is March 23. For more information, go to wbathletics.org.