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Hoopes: Just the start with Warriors

Local Sports

BELOIT — West Branch freshman Madi Hoopes received a scholarship offer from Youngstown State University before the basketball season began. More are expected after what she did in her first high school season. The 6-foot-1 Hoopes, who led the Warriors to a 23-4 season and regional championship game appearance, was named to the Division IV All-Ohio second team Monday. “Being a freshman, you don’t know,” West Branch coach Walt DeShields said. “Coming into the season we knew she was a very talented player and is only going to get better.” Hoopes delivered at a high level. ...

Kellogg’s great freshman year

Local Sports

SALINEVILLE — The Southern Local girls basketball followed freshman Katie Kellogg to a season of many firsts — including a school-best 24-1 season, their first unbeaten regular season and their first district final appearance since 1995. “It’s no joke when they say she slept with her basketball since the third grade,” Southern coach Mike Skrinjar said. Kellogg was named to the Division VII All-Ohio third team Monday after taking the Indians to the next level. “The best part of her game is her mentality and ability to impact the game in every phase,” Skrinjar said. ...

Crestview’s shooting star

Local Sports

COLUMBIANA — Crestview senior Addison Rhodes, one of the top shooters in Ohio, has shined from the first step she took on the basketball court. “It’s no mystery she is the best kid on the court,” Crestview coach Aaron Blatch said. “Her reputation has got around the state This is a ...

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

Local Sports

Massillon wins first basketball state title DAYTON — The Massillon boys basketball team reached the state tournament for the first time in 81 years and came home with its first state championship Sunday. The Tigers rallied from a 15-point deficit late in the third quarter to beat defending Division II state champion Westerville North in a 68-63 overtime thriller in front of 4,642 fans at University of Dayton Arena. Massillon’s previous best finish was as state runner-up in 1937 under coach Paul Brown, better known as a football coach. Trailing 45-30 with less than 2 1/2 minutes ...

Penn State rules Cleveland

Local Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Mitchell Mesenbrink and Levi Haines each won their second individual championship Saturday to help Penn State win its fifth consecutive team title at the NCAA men’s wrestling championships. Penn State, which clinched the team title during the consolation matches earlier Saturday, finished with four national champions and a record 181.5 points, breaking its own mark of 177 set last year. The Nittany Lions have won 13 of the last 15 national championships. Attendance totaled 103,050 for the three-day tournament at Rocket Arena, including 17,845 for the championship ...

MORNING JOURNAL 2025-26 ALL-AREA BOYS BASKETBALL

Local Sports

MORNING JOURNAL 2025-26 ALL-AREA BOYS BASKETBALL FIRST TEAM Player Ht. Class School Owen Hill 6-7 Sr. Beaver Local Collin Kalaher 5-11 Jr. Heartland AJ Ramgeet 6-1 Sr. Lisbon Cooper Brown 6-4 Sr. Columbiana Jeremiah Thomas 5-10 Sr. West Branch Gavin Gregory 6-7 Sr. West Branch HONORABLE MENTION Luke Rettos Matthew Anderson (Beaver Local); Senator Johnson, Hunter Davanzo (Columbiana); Tyler Savage (Crestview); Tyler Kirby, Jayce Douglas (East Liverpool); Drew Bycroft (East Palestine); Brody Conaway, Isaiah Matthews (Heartland Christian); Ethan Mathia ...