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SPORTS BRIEFING

Hiland tops Kirtland DAYTON — Berlin Hiland held Kirtland scoreless for an 11-minute span midway through the game on the way to the Hawks’ 65-43 win in a Division VI state semifinal Friday at Wright State University’s Nutter Center. Hiland has won 20 games in a row to improve to 25-3 heading into the state championship game against Maria Stein Marion Local (26-1) at 7:30 p.m Saturday at University of Dayton Arena. This is the Hawks’ 15th state appearance, including state titles in 1992, 2011 and 2012. Senior Caleb Yoder led the Hawks with a game-high 22 points on 8-of-11 ...

Journey ends for RedHawks

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ja’Kobi Gillespie confessed, yes, he was trying to reach 30 points when he attacked the lane late in Tennessee’s March Madness rout, only for somebody to smack his arm. Gillespie’s wayward shot attempt turned into a lob and a basket for a teammate in a game where even little slip-ups resulted in points for the Vols. Gillespie hit six 3-pointers and scored 29 points as sixth-seeded Tennessee ended a fabulous season for Miami (Ohio) with a 78-56 win on Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. “When he starts making shots, he’s unstoppable to ...

Johnson repeats as Ohio Mr. Basketball

GARFIELD HEIGHTS — Garfield Heights senior Marcus Johnson now has bragging rights in the family. A year after becoming Ohio’s Mr. Basketball like his father and coach, Sonny Johnson, he is now a two-time winner of the award. The Ohio Prep Sports Media Association (OPSMA) announced Johnson’s selection Thursday as this season’s Ohio Mr. Basketball, becoming the first two-time winner since Luke Kennard of Franklin in 2014 and ’15. Johnson also edged Cameron Elwer of Delphos St. John’s for the second year. “It’s just a blessing from God,” Johnson said. “I’m really ...

Steubenville playing tonight for first state championship

From Staff Reports DAYTON — The Steubenville boys basketball team is a game away from its first state title. Big Red held Akron Hoban to three points in the final 3:45 and advanced to the Division III state championship game with a 60-58 win Thursday night at University of Dayton Arena. The only other time Steubenville reached the state tournament was 1952 when Big Red was state runner-up. Steubenville (26-1) carries a 21-game winning streak into the state final against Trotwood-Madison (22-4) at 7:30 p.m. today. Trotwood-Madison rallied from a 10-point fourth-quarter ...

SPORTS BRIEFING

West Branch throws flag BELOIT — West Branch’s flag football team will hold its first games on Sunday at Rayen Stadium in Youngstown. The Warriors will play Rootstown at 1 p.m. and Newton Falls at 3 p.m. West Branch will play 10 games on the season — all on the road — over five Sundays. Warriors on the roster include Tallie Muniz, Morgan Kurtz, Allison Kanagy, Abigail Janosik, Faith Hicks, Ciara Evans, Allie Brammer, Samantha Beatty, Erin Albert, Makenna Woost, Cambrie Nezbeth, Julia Egli, Nicole Deckard, Brianna Clark, Hayden Mulinix, Kaylee Hoops, Kelly Ewing, Elli ...

Penn State looks for more in Cleveland

CLEVELAND (AP) — Penn State is out to claim an elusive fifth straight NCAA Division I men’s wrestling title this weekend. The Nittany Lions have won four straight championships three times under coach Cael Sanderson, including the current run. He said the pressure to win a 13th title overall and make this the longest streak isn’t an issue, and believes past success should help his wrestlers trust that they have been prepared for the moment. “There hasn’t been a year that these guys, our teams haven’t wrestled great at the national tournament,” Sanderson said. “Should ...