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BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

Heartland’s next test on Friday BARBERTON — The Heartland Christian basketball team is making history as the first Columbiana County boys team to capture a district title since Columbiana in 2008. The Lions can add a regional title with one more win. Heartland (22-4) will play Jeromesville Hillsdale (19-7) in a Division VII regional championship game at 7 p.m. Friday at Barberton High School. It is a rematch of last year’s district championship game that saw the Falcons overpower the Lions in the second half for a 73-54 win. Hillsdale’s top player is sophomore point guard ...

Lions roar into regional final

BARBERTON — When the game is on the line, the Heartland Christian boys basketball team has all the faith in junior Collin Kalaher. “He’s our guy,” Heartland coach Josh Scott said. “These kids know to get the ball in his hands. I’m sure the other teams know by now.” Kalaher ...

Girls road to state not any easier

It’s the fourth official edition of the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s girls wrestling tournament and things are still changing at a rapid pace for the growing sport. “It’s been around for a few years now, but what I noticed is every year they get better,” West Branch ...

Horizon just out of reach for Penguin women

INDIANAPOLIS — In Monday’s Horizon League semifinal against Cleveland State, a big fourth quarter propelled the Youngstown State women’s basketball team to victory. However, the Penguins couldn’t replicate that feat in Tuesday’s championship game against Green Bay. After trailing at halftime, the Phoenix flipped the script on the Penguins and controlled the second half to pull away late, handing YSU a devastating 57-49 defeat and capturing their third straight Horizon League tournament championship, as well as the league’s NCAA tournament autobid at Corteva Coliseum in ...

Rhodes, Kalaher top picks

CANTON — Crestview senior Addison Rhodes and Heartland Christian junior Collin Kalaher are more than district champions. Both were named players of the year in their respective divisions on the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association’s 2025-26 All-Northeast Inland District basketball teams ...

ALL-NORTHEAST INLAND DISTRICT BASKETBALL TEAMS

CANTON — The 2025-26 Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association All-Northeast Inland District basketball teams honors the top players from parts of Stark, Summit, Portage, Medina, Wayne, Trumbull, Columbiana, Mahoning and Ashland counties. The teams are selected by a media panel from the district: BOYS DIVISION I First Team Anthony Chavers, Canton McKinley, 6-4, sr., 15.5; Kaiden Loy, Massillon Jackson, 5-11, sr., 18.3; Issa White, Canton GlenOak, 6-1, sr., 17.9; Trey Drexler, Brunswick, 6-0, sr., 26.5; Sean Barnett, Brunswick, 6-5, sr., 17.6. Player of the Year: Trey Drexler, ...