COMMENTARY: Massillon rises up, carnivorously devours detractors, flies to greatness

 

MIGHTY CHAMPIONS. Massillon's basketball team celebrates their state championship on Lincoln Way East Sunday night after their return from Dayton. It was the Tigers first state championship ever in their program history.

COMMENTARY: Massillon rises up, devours detractors, flies to greatness

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

DAYTON--Last year was a stunning and confusing time for the Massillon boys basketball program and their fans.

It was just nearly a week earlier that the Massillon girls basketball program had won their first district championship in 31 years and the boys were on the cusp of their first district title in 22 years. However, an eight-win opponent that was assessed no chance of winning a district title pulled off an unimaginable accomplishment against a team that had Division II Final Four written all over it.

Shaker Heights, a team who had struggled through an unsuccessful regular season that was seen by many as an afterthought departed the Wooster High School gym with an unexpected 72-67 victory that closed the book on the careers of seniors Chris Knight, Jalen Slaughter, and Terrelle Keyes. As Tigers players watched Red Raiders players receive their gold medals and the championship trophy as their rite of passage to the Akron regional in stunned silence and confused expressions, Massillon father Ryan Knight offered six words to the returning Tigers, words that became their motivation going into 2025-26.

"You will be back here again."

As I drove home from Wooster, I thought about Knight's words. At the same time it started to hit me that 19-win seasons don't happen too often and opportunities like that just don't arrive like that. What no one knew that with the high expectations pinned on the 2025-26 edition of the Massillon Tigers, this wasn't going to be a team that was going to underachieve. This wasn't a team that just wasn't going to meet expectations. This was a team that were going to become overachievers.

Sunday afternoon at the University of Dayton arena, the Tigers stared adversity in it's eyes as they trailed defending Division II state champion Westerville North 45-30 in the third quarter. This was the same Warriors team that handed Massillon's neighboring rival Perry a very humiliating defeat in the previous season's title game and were two or three baskets from handing Massillon that same execution. People were already anointing the Warriors as a dynasty. They were going to be back-to-back Division II state champions. They had the best team and the best fans in the state of Ohio. Back-to-back state champion shirts were being made out for the Warriors. Massillon was returning to Stark County with a runner-up trophy and a city in melancholy quietness.

Now stop that. Stop it right now.

Massillon showed the fighting determination that summed up their season and city in the final 15 minutes and 49 seconds of action. A city that prides itself on overcoming adversity. A city where skin color doesn't matter. A city where high income or low income setting doesn't matter. Massillon, Ohio is a fighting city that doesn't believe in abdication until the final zeroes are showing on the clock. Paced by a 38-18 scoring assault and although staggered like a boxer fighting off the ropes, the Tigers needed an extra period to subdue North and the sight of young men in orange and black jerseys celebrating at midcourt with their coaches amid tears, high-fives, and hugs, not to mention the hugs to the students as well.

Final score: Massillon 68, Westerville North 63 in overtime. 

Repeat it again, Massillon 68, Westerville North 63 in overtime.

As everyone knows for the first time in their program, the Tigers captured the first-ever state basketball title in their history. And this is a team that to face not just adversity during the season but outsiders who doubted their ability to thrive on the state's biggest stage.

Earlier in the year, a buzzer-beating setback to North Canton Hoover may have developed into a losing streak that may have spanned two, three, or more games. But there was something about this team that everyone will remember for years to come. There was a three-game road gauntlet that featured three straight district champions in Alliance, Central Catholic, and Mansfield Senior. The Tigers conquered all three on the road. And then there was the home contest against archrival Canton McKinley. Massillon fell behind 10-2 and were down 51-37 before using a 40-24 advantage to capture a second straight win over the Bulldogs. And then how about a walk-off three-pointer at the buzzer against Jackson on the road.

That set the stage for the Tigers return to Wooster. Massillon obtained their long awaited district title with wins over Green and Wadsworth, the latter in which the Tigers had two 14-0 runs with the second one in the third quarter in which the Grizzlies did not get off a single shot attempt. Massillon stayed in Wooster for the regionals and faced even greater adversity against Avon and Euclid in which the Tigers survived foul trouble in both contests to obtain their ticket to the Final Four. 

Many outsiders felt Massillon's season was going to get shattered by a Lima Senior team that had players that were able to score from an array of locations. But Massillon showed in a battle of the two highest scoring teams in the state that they CAN play defense as the Spartans, a team reliant on big shots all season only made three out of 33 three-pointers attempted. That's about nearly as low as a percentage can get as the Tigers departed the Nutter Center on the Wright State University campus, a 75-63 winner. And we know what happened the next day.

HERALDED HOSE. Eighth-year Massillon head basketball coach Josh Hose cuts down the net after Massillon's 68-63 victory over Westerville North Sunday in the Division II state championship. It is the Tigers first state basketball title in their program. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press/ESPN 990)

For head coach Josh Hose, this was a dream that no one outside of him expected. The son of longtime Massillon administrator Butch Hose, who is still revered by the Massillon City Schools and Massillon residents for the successful 40 years he was an administrator, this road for the younger Hose commenced eight years before.

He made the extremely difficult decision to depart the Tuslaw girls program after eight successful seasons to return to his alma mater. Hose inherited a program which at the time didn't have a sign of leadership as previous coach Michael Cruz departed after two short seasons. 

My paths first traversed Hose's when the Tigers were playing against McKinley. Hose woke up that day and was informed he was going to be without three starters due to family situations that required their attention away from competition. It will have been understandable if Massillon had gotten ruptured by the Bulldogs or they just plainly didn't show up. I sure as heck would understand. But that was not the Tiger way. In front of a low crowd of 913, McKinley posted a 63-39 victory. After a postgame interview with him, I came away believing that Massillon found their leader. Someone might have said I was stupid and ignorant for that (I've been called that many times by others, it's OK, no hard feelings) but my assessment was genuine. 

You have to remember that Hose was a junior in 1997 on a Massillon team that was the tallest in Stark County. A starting lineup that was a combined 29 feet, 29 inches and with a very lethal shot blocker in Marco Morgan, who loved to throw block parties with his long and rangy arms whenever a basketball received an invitation to the basket. That Massillon team had district title written all over it and may have won it had not Canton McKinley been twice the infiltrating force that ended the Tigers year at 19-4.

29 years later, he reached the pinnacle of Ohio high school basketball. And the progression from the last four years have been staggering. Massillon has ascended from sectional-district second round, to district semifinalists, to district finalists, and now state champions. During that astronomical run, Massillon is a blistering 75-25 with a fantastic 10-3 ledger in tournament competition.

Young men growing up in Massillon will emulate the state champion Tigers in their parking lots, recess on the playground or the recreation center. A young boy will say "I'm Xavier Williams." Another will say "No, you got to be Braylon Gamble, I'm Braylon Gamble." Even better, "Wait, you got to be Gio Jackson, I'm Gio. You have to be Isaiah Lamp." In any case, the appreciation is already ingrained in those boys, who you can be sure when they go to school, they will tell their teachers when they grow up, they are "going to play for the Massillon Tigers."

There is a special part of Hose that is in my heart. Last year, he invited me to the team dinner. What he didn't know was that it happened on my birthday. It was the best birthday present I ever had. This year was even more special. As a Muslim, I was observing the sacred month of Ramadan. As people know, Ramadan is the time of spiritual cleansing when Muslims abstain from food or drink till sundown. Hose made sure I was able to eat and also made sure I took a plate home for me and my mother. That gesture.........excuse me if I get emotional...embodied what Hose is about not just as a coach but also a father, a husband, a gentleman and a friend. That meant a lot. Also, Hose this year sought out an opposing coach for a private talk after a heated contest in which handshakes were called off and the two had a very nice talk outside the hallway. No media. No one else. The gym departed and the lights were off. Just Hose and the opposing coach. And Hose didn't do that just to burnish his reputation. He did it because it was the right thing to do and showed why Massillon has class. And he would do it again if he had to. That makes me proud.

10 years or longer down the road, everyone will talk about Williams' heroic block leading to a Warriors point blank range miss. People will chat about Lamp's leadership. Others will speak about Jackson's vaunted rim detonators. Many will mention Marcus Garner's block parties. Or the Lincoln Way East lasers from Jadyce Thigpen and others that scorched nets to ashes.

Massillon not only rose up. Massillon carnivorously devoured their detractors. Massillon flew to greatness. 

In a season that saw Massillon capture 27 wins, a season ending in a 24-game winning streak, and a final #1 ranking in the state of Ohio, I want to take the time out to thank everyone on the team who was a part of this seraphic moment, six of them all Massillon graduates: Hose, Marquis Williams, Jamil Dudley, Brian Smith, Evan Berbari, Derrick Conley, and Blake Sitzlar. I want to also thank Amir Jones, Joe Pierce (JoeJoe), Brayden Smith, Landon Hose (the oldest of Coach Hose's four children), Drew Williams, Terrion Wells, Xavier Williams, Garner, Isaac Maxheimer, Gamble, Mascen Marceric, and Jackson. And finally, the seniors who will forever leave Massillon Washington High School as state champions: Lamp, Thigpen, and Damarion Day. You all grew up in Massillon. You all went through the camps. You stepped up the ladder from elementary school to now high school champions. No transfers. All home grown and bred for greatness.

Massillon dad Ryan Knight told the Tigers last year after the Shaker Heights game, which became a life lesson well served, "you will be back here again." He was right. They not only came back to the district championship, they overachieved in a triumphant way which no one can ever question the validity of Massillon again. At least not on my watch.

Thank you to the 2025-26 Massillon boys basketball team. You are champions always and forever.

TRIUMPHANT TIGERS. Massillon basketball players celebrate their state championship Sunday afternoon at the University of Dayton Arena in Dayton, Ohio. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press/ESPN 990

Keno Sultan is a writer for Stark County Prep Press and basketball color commentator for ESPN 990. He can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.

TREMENDOUS 2,000! BULLDOGS OBTAIN HISTORIC VICTORY

 TREMENDOUS 2,000! BULLDOGS OBTAIN HISTORIC VICTORY 

By Keno Sultan 

Stark County Prep Press writer 

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

CANTON--The Canton Memorial Field House has always been an iconic coliseum for the McKinley Bulldogs boys basketball team.

They now have another iconic memory to add and one that will be remembered for a long time.

Having had to hold off a gritty North Canton Hoover basketball team, in front of a strong crowd, McKinley obtained their 2,000th victory in their illustrious tradition with a competitive 64-59 win over the Vikings and major momentum going into Friday's showdown with a 16-1 Massillon team that has Stark County's top-scoring offense.

McKinley head coach Sean Weatherspoon, a 2005 graduate and a member of their first of two straight title winning teams expressed gratitude on the accomplishment as a head coach and former athlete at the school.

"This means a lot as a player and as a coach. We are starting to get healthy and to jell at the right time and there are a lot of players who played before me who are a part of this," he said.

Early on, North Canton Hoover played with early spunk as they took an early six point lead. But an Ed Webster steal and two handed dunk allowed McKinley to creep into the Vikings early six point advantage. A second dunk by Webster issued McKinley their first lead at 20-19. But a putback by Hoover's Hunter Hershberger reclaimed the advantage along with a three-point play at 22-20.

From that point on, it was a seesaw affair ending with the visiting Vikings leading 26-24 at halftime.

Both teams traded a series of baskets on their way to a 33-33 tie as Brady McCann of Hoover and Anthony Chavers of McKinley hit three pointers. The Bulldogs went on a 6-0 run highlighted by Webster before Hershberger hit a three to stifle the run. 

There was no quit in Hoover despite McKinley threatening to pull away after in the quarter. McKinley used a 23-16 third quarter to have some breathing room with eight minutes to operate in the final quarter.

"That was a huge third quarter. We started to speed them up and were able to execute down the stretch," Weatherspoon said. "North Canton played hard and Coach Bluey does a great job over there. They played hard because they didn't want to be on the wrong end of history tonight."

Two Connor Newell three point baskets cut the Bulldogs lead to one at 49-48 but a basket by Davey Thompson and a steal and lay-up by Chavers restored a seven-point advantage as they matched the Vikings 6-0 run and appeared to knockout the Vikings. But Newell, a 5'10" junior refused to let the Vikings wilt as he finished with 24 for the Vikings. Hershberger had 17 for the Vikings.

The Bulldogs had 16 points from Jamar Keyes and Chavers.

McKinley finished Federal League play a flawless 12-0 and will prepare for the biggest exam of the season when they travel to Massillon and face a Tigers team that has flew their way to a 13 game winning streak, having obliterated Wooster 88-67 at press time.

Last season, Chris Knight delivered a game-clinching three-pointer that allowed Massillon to emerge victorious on the road 74-73. Weatherspoon knows his team cannot give up big plays to the Tigers, who thrive off of such.

"We got two days to practice and then get ready to play the biggest game of the season," he said.

The Canton Memorial Field House has always been an iconic coliseum for high school basketball and tonight, the McKinley Bulldogs entered a pantheon that no other high school can attest to.

WINNING BULLDOG. Sean Weatherspoon, McKinley head coach poses in front of the sign signifying the 2,000th win in Bulldogs history after a 64-59 win over North Canton Hoover Tuesday night. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Keno Sultan is a writer for Stark County Prep Press. He can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.

Bulldogs put hammerlock on Jackson, seize outright Federal League title

 Bulldogs put hammerlock on Jackson, seize outright Federal League title

By Keno Sultan 

Stark County Prep Press writer 

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

JACKSON TWP.--Canton McKinley staggered Jackson early with an early flurry and appeared to be on their way to an early knockout of the host Polar Bears.

But playing at Jackson High School, victories are always to be earned.

Such was the case for the Bulldogs as they survived an early fourth quarter flurry by Jackson that saw them take their only lead of the game 11 seconds into the fourth quarter when freshman Mason Morris drilled a three-point basket from the right corner to hand Jackson a 47-46 lead. Undeterred by the blow, senior Davey Thompson retaliated with a three-point basket to recapture a lead that McKinley did not relinquish the duration of the evening and were able to depart with a 68-55 victory that snagged an outright league championship for the Bulldogs, who are now 15-3 on the season and 11-0 in league play.

McKinley used an early 9-0 run to erect a double digit lead to conclude the first quarter with a 21-8 advantage.

The Polar Bears responded well to the early McKinley onslaught as they resorted to high percentage baskets that allowed them to pull within six points. But McKinley's Davey Thompson connected on a buzzer beating three pointer that extended the Bulldogs advantage back to nine to venture into the intermission with a 35-26 lead and 16 minutes from an outright Federal League championship.

An Anthony Chavers steal and dunk could have deflated the hosts. But the Polar Bears calmly worked their way into the game and an 18-10 third quarter allowed them to be down by one going into the fourth quarter.

If McKinley was going to capture the outright league title, it was going to have to be earned and not given to them by a silver spoon.

For third-year McKinley coach Sean Weatherspoon, seizing the league title outright was priority number one for the Bulldogs crossed off their checklist.

"It feels good. We have been in the Federal League for 21 years and have won it six times, that shows how tough the league is and to win it outright is an attribute to the hard work in the offseason, hard work during the season and we definitely should be proud of that," Weatherspoon said.

For Jackson (11-7, 8-3), their five-game winning streak concluded amid a batch of missed opportunities in the fourth quarter. Veteran head coach Tim Debevec rued the missed opportunities that befell his squad, especially a woeful evening behind three point range, where they connected on just one the entire evening.

"We can't shoot 1 for 19 from three point range and win a game like that. Tonight, we only had one. I thought we battled and played hard," Debevec said. "We have got to find a way to finish. This is game 17. I'm sick and tired of people saying that we're young. I can see if it's two or three games but this is game 17 and we have to find a way to win. We've played a lot of basketball now," Debevec said.

McKinley was paced by 16 points from junior center Jamar Keyes, who had 11 in the second half with Ed Webster finishing with 10. Thompson had eight for the visitors.

Jackson had three players in double figures as they were led by the 18 points of Chase Maurer, 16 from Kaiden Loy, and 11 from Mason Morris.

McKinley will turn their sights to a Saturday contest against Harvest Prep, who is coached by longtime commander David Dennis Sr. And it is a game that may go a way into determining where the Bulldogs will be seeded come the sectional-district tournament draw. Weatherspoon is taking it one game at a time.

"We have to see what is in front of us and our biggest thing is taking care of us. We have to continue to win games and take them one at a time and see where the chips fall," he said.

Canton McKinley staggered Jackson and appeared to be on their way to an early knockout of the Polar Bears. Eventually, the knockout came three quarters later than expected and as a result, their outright league title was rightfully earned.

EYES OF THE BULLDOG. McKinley head coach Sean Weatherspoon confers with his team during a timeout in Friday's contest against Jackson. McKinley prevailed 68-55 to win the Federal League title outright and improved to 15-3 overall, 11-0 in the league. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Keno Sultan is a writer for Stark County Prep Press. He can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.

Massillon natives thriving as Purple Raiders after distinguished Tiger careers

 Massillon natives thriving as Purple Raiders after distinguished Tiger careers

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

ALLIANCE--As Austintown-Fitch's undefeated season was ending after eight games, Massillon center Elijah Farrington felt two hands wrap around him and next thing he knew, he was on the ground. Whereas Falcons center Devin Sherwood was ejected for throwing Farrington to the floor out of frustration, the 6'4'' Farrington calmly got up and walked away.

Walking away from rankled players from opposing teams is one thing. But when it comes to adversity, Farrington doesn't believe in walking away, ever. That attitude is an ample reason why the junior forward and former Tigers standout is now a two-year starter on a Mount Union basketball team that is standing tall at 16-0 on the season, 7-0 in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) and living up to their billing as the conference favorite to win not only the regular season crown but more importantly the conference tournament title as well.

The last two seasons, it was rival John Carroll that kept Mount Union from being a part of the Division III basketball tournament with wins of 88-86 and 82-69 in the last two conference title games. Now with the Blue Streaks having defected to the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC), the expectations are sky high for the Purple Raiders to snag the title that has eluded them since 2023. And Farrington believes that the time is now for a team that is very deep on the bench.

"With John Carroll leaving the conference, we knew how wide open it was going to be and this will be our year to go out there and prove to everybody that this is our conference run and that no one can match up with us. We have to go out there and play every game like it's our last," the junior forward said.

In Wednesday night's conference bill agaist a struggling Capital team, Mount Union appeared to have an early night at the office as they attempted to score an early knockout of the Comets as they raced out to a 23-5 advantage. On multiple occasions in the second half the Comets shrank their deficit to 8 points but were unable to edge any closer as the Purple Raiders obtained a 91-78 victory to maintain their winning ways. Farrington, an accounting major scored 17 points and altered key lay-up attempts with his now 6'7'', 225 lb. frame.

FARRINGTON FOR TWO. Mount Union junior forward Elijah Farrington powers in for two of his 17 points in the first half against Capital in the Purple Raiders 91-78 victory at Alliance. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

The game could have concluded much quicker if Capital didn't display the fight that embodied the 30 other squads that veteran general Damon Goodwin possesed in his long tenure as basketball head coach. The Comets continued to chip away throughout the contest but largely in part to the Purple Raiders defense, were unable to get out of the early labyrinth that the hosts placed them in what proved to be the decisive first half.

Se'Ron Calloway-White paced Comets scorers with 25 for the visitors, who are now 6-10 and 1-6 in the conference.

"Every team is going to want to come in and beat us because of how good we are so we have to bring our 'A' game everyday and just know that every team is bringing their best to us, so we have to play our game and finish games stronger," Farrington said.

For Farrington, Alliance isn't far away from Massillon albeit on the eastern side of Stark County. Committing to Mount Union after he wrapped up his stellar career at Massillon in 2023, it was the tradition of the basketball success along with their strong academic reputation that led the Massillon native to donning the purple and white.

"The culture and the community. I saw how far they made it to the tournament and how much support they had and that became the place I needed to go to in order to continue my athletic and academic career here," he said.

He is not alone in that department.

If Mount Union ever needed a...er...Knight in shining armor to come out the castle with the drawbridge dropped, they found one in Farrington's teammate.

It was just last year that Chris Knight sent an orange and black sword through the Canton Memorial Field House. With McKinley threatening to extend the Tigers losing streak to eight against their rivals in the closing seconds, Knight fearlessly lofted a three-pointer from the left wing under intense defensive pressure from Bulldogs defender Anthony Chavers. The ball swished perfectly through the net and was paramount in Massillon slaying the Bulldogs winning streak with a 74-73 victory that was part of their eight-game winning streak on their path to a district title.

Massillon's bid for that dream however ended with an unexpected 72-67 district final loss to a Shaker Heights team that struggled handily in the regular season per their 7-15 record but went on a three-game winning streak that saw them advance to the regional finals.

That setback closed the book on Knight's career at Massillon that saw him become the program's third all-time leading scorer but opened the door to follow in Farrington's path.

Knight was a freshman when Farrington was a junior at Massillon and the two have adhered together since their youth days. It also helped that Knight has multiple cousins that competed at Massillon, one being former Tiger point guard Mike Porrini, whose lethally cold refusal to wilt under pressure made him one of the feared Tiger athletes in his day. 

Choosing Mount Union was a no-brainer for the Massillon sharpshooter.

"I knew a lot of the guys here and I saw Eli succeed early and I wanted to come here and be a part of the culture," Knight, a sports management major said. "I was a sophomore when he left so I had to come in and fill his role. He showed me a lot and let me be the player that I am today."

Farrington and Knight are two of five Stark County players on the Purple Raiders roster with the others being Chase Casenhiser (Lake), Cam Weekley (Jackson) and Darius Rodriguez (Alliance). And leading them is 15th year head coach Mike Fuline, who is largely remembered for being the head coach at Jackson High School and leading them to a 25-2 record and a Division I state championship while ending the year ranked #25 nationally. He would coach one more year before departing for the current position he is at now.

Knight recalled last season's 18-5 Massillon squad being a factor as to why he chose Mount Union. Both he and Farrington believed that the tutelage of their prep head coach Josh Hose (a John Carroll alum and 1998 Massillon graduate) had a large asset in that. 

"Teamwork was at an all-time high and that was a great thing to be a part of. That's another reason why I came here and. The chemistry of the team is an all-time great here," he said.

Mount Union is two years removed from a national championship game appearance that ended with an agonizing 74-72 buzzer-beating loss to Christopher Newport. But during Fuline's 15 years atop the helm after succeeding long-tenured general Lee Hood, the Purple Raiders have captured three conference tournament titles out of the eight times they have been to the finals. And with a strong team, they are aiming to make it a fourth title and the pieces are in place for this fine team.

WEEKLEY AND KNIGHT. Mount Union guards Cam Weekley (Jackson) and Chris Knight (Massillon) warm up before the Purple Raiders contest against Capital Wednesday night. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Nine games are remaining in the regular season with four of them being at home and a pivotal three-game home stretch commencing February 7th against Muskingum, followed by Heidelberg and Wilmington. Currently the Purple Raiders lead Otterbein by 1 1/2 games with a lot of competition remaining.

Farrington fell short of appearing in a district final. Knight's aspirations of being a champion ended in the round Farrington aspired to be in. Now both are united for the same cause in bringing not just a regular season conference title but a tournament title to Mount Union.

Both men payed homage to their Massillon roots while expressing their hopes of being champions as Purple Raiders.

"Coach Hose taught me more than just basketball, he taught me how to be more of a man and being mentally tough and to overcome adversity and he pushed me as hard as he could and I am thankful for that," Farrington said. "We as a team were close off the court and the coaching staff trusted us and that helped mold me into the player I am today."

"We just want to stay solid and don't take the foot off the pedal and don't stop," Knight said, referencing the approach to last year's Tigers team while also expressing the same for the Purple Raiders team.

Walking away from rankled opponents is the form of discipline that makes Elijah Farrington and Chris Knight disciplined. Now they walk not just together as Tigers but Purple Raiders in the hopes of attaining something very special at the end of the tunnel.

Keno Sultan is a writer for Stark County Prep Press. He can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com

Bulldogs ransack Raiders in rout

 Bulldogs ransack Raiders in rout 

By Keno Sultan 

Stark County Prep Press writer 

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

CANTON--Deliverance and the Chavers name goes hand-in-hand.

And McKinley senior guard Anthony Chavers provided the salvation for the Bulldogs.

Paced by his  points triggered by a personal 11-0 run, McKinley turned their battle against fellow district champion Warren Harding into a stunning mismatch in a - finality in the last game of the OHSBCA Shot Clock Shootout at the Canton Memorial Field House.

Both teams were district champions last year and returned a lot with players poised to take the next step. McKinley sent an emphatic message with a resounding performance that left head coach Sean Weatherspoon pleased with his team's 5-1 record.

"We are going to try and pressure teams and speed them up and turn them over and lead to steals and balls going out of bounds whatever the case may be," he said. "We played hard on defense, we played Canton McKinley basketball."

A Jay'veion Carter steal and lay-up triggered a 6-0 run and led to a prompt Raiders timeout late in the first quarter as the Bulldogs assumed a 13-6 lead as they eventually ended the quarter with a 15-9 lead.

A personal 8-0 run by junior guard Anthony Chavers prompted another Warren timeout. Harding's cause wasn't helped out by an abysmal 3/12 from behind the arc as the Bulldogs ran out to a 39-22 halftime advantage.

Warren Harding never recovered as they were undone by an anemic inefficiency from three-point range, not to mention two intentional fouls, a technical foul and a warning that left Keelyn Franklin, a 2007 graduate of Harding obviously disappointed as his legion of Raiders descended to 4-2 on the year.

"It was devastating because we wanted them to force them into jump shots and Chavers got going and hit about four or five three pointers," he said. "This was kind of a punch in the face we needed and we will respond. But once they started making shots, it took us out of our game plan and forced us to adjust."

Between the second and third quarters, McKinley outpaced Harding 49-19, a run in part to their carnivorous defensive pressure. Shooting 60% from the field in the decisive first half also parlayed into the Bulldogs now owning a 5-1 record and have won four in a row since a second game setback to Akron Hoban.

For the Raiders, they hope that tonight doesn't become a portent of things to arrive as they will travel to Farrell (PA) to battle the Steelers in what will be the second of six straight road contests. This will be a stretch that will likely determine the trajectory of their season and according to Franklin, they will have to put tho behind them quickly.

"This is something we needed because we will need four or five high level intense practices and Farrell is a very competitive environment and it will be a dogfight so we are looking forward to responding and we have the guys to do that," he said.

Chavers had 24 points to lead the Bulldogs along with Ed Webster's 14 and Jamar Keyes' nine.

McKinley cannot bask in the win for long as Canton Central Catholic will come to the Field House Tuesday for a battle against the Bulldogs. Weatherspoon was a freshman 23 years ago when he contributed to the Bulldogs upset of top-seeded Massillon, who was then head coached by current Crusaders general Matt Creamer.

Creamer has known Weatherspoon since that 2002 season and Weatherspoon knows what the Crusaders are capable of under Creamer's tutelage and expects his battalion of Bulldogs to be ready.

"We have to come in tomorrow, practice, watch film and prepare and do the right things to get better," Weatherspoon said.

Deliverance and the Chavers name go hand-in-hand. Anthony Chavers provided the salvation and Canton McKinley departed a very happy congregation of Bulldogs.

BULLDOG STROKE. Jay'veion Carter attempts a free throw during the first quarter of Sunday's game between Canton McKinley and Warren Harding. McKinley improved to 5-1 with a 72-50 victory. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Younstown Ursuline 84, Tallmadge 73

CANTON--In the fourth game of the OHSBCA Shot Clock Shootout, it was Jalen Gunther scoring 35 points as the Irish outlasted a scrappy Tallmadge team to improve to 6-1 on the season.

Despite the victory, veteran head coach Keith Gunther was not thrilled in part to his team's lack of defense.

"I thought the reason it was choppy was because we outscored them and I'm not real happy with how we played defensively. But hat's off to Tallmadge, they kept scrapping, they kept attacking. We have got to get better on the defensive end of things. Ursuline is about defense and we did not play any defense and I'm not happy about that," he said.

Keno Sultan is a writer for Stark County Prep Press. He can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.

Blue Streaks defense grinds down Tornadoes in gritty victory

 Blue Streaks defense grinds down Tornadoes in gritty victory

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

DOVER--Lake dared Dover to beat them from long distance. 

It was a resounding mission accomplished from a defensive standpoint.

Lake's defense was locked in from the outset and used a 22-11 second half that was highlighted by the host Tornadoes missing all ten of their three point attempts not to mention a suffocating sequence that saw Lake hold Dover without a field goal in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter to post a key 41-27 victory that saw their record ascend to 3-0 on the season to go along with wins over Akron Ellet and Youngstown Boardman.

The last two seasons have been growing sticks for the Blue Streaks but they are starting to resemble to a small degree the team that seized three district championships in six years and came within two points of a state final four last decade.

The Blue Streaks gradually pulled away from the Tornadoes and the scoring output of the hosts receded from the second and third quarter as after Lake trailed 11-9, Dover only scored five and four points in the second and third quarters while Lake outscored Dover 32-16 after the first quarter.

"It was a game that was presenting itself as one not to be very pretty but that's a tribute to our guys. We did some things that we really didn't practice this week and we were fortunate enough that they were starting to scramble and we got some easily layups out of it and tonight is a tribute to our seniors," Lake 26th year commander Tom McBride said. "They are looking at the underclassmen as their teammates and it's hard to have a team that's humble and enjoys each other and are spirited in the locker room, so tonight is a tribute to them who tied last year's record as juniors. We only played one senior last year but we stuck with it and they have become leaders on the floor."

EYES OF THE VETERAN. Lake head coach Tom McBride, a 1987 graduate of Canton Central Catholic High School intently sits on the bench before Lake's game against Dover. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

After what was a feeling out quarter between the two teams, the visitors systematically began to carve through the Tornadoes. A key 10-0 run in the second quarter pushed their lead to 19-13, forcing the Tornadoes to utilize a timeout to truncate the hemorrhaging inflicted by Lake.

Dover's best punch came in the third quarter as at one point they had a sequence where they claimed six offensive rebounds in a row and their hustle was keeping them in the game. But a three-pointer by Lucas Draher to beat the third quarter buzzer handed Lake a double-digit lead heading into the fourth quarter.

From there, Lake salted the game away with a 7-0 run that saw Dover fail to score in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter and the end result was their first loss of the season after three contests.

Gavin Salzwimmer led Lake with 14 points while Luke Leggett added nine for the Tornadoes.

Dover second-year head coach and 1997 graduate Matt VonKaenel rued his team anemic deficiency from the arc.

"We just get one to fall and when you are playing a quality opponent like Lake, you need to get some shots to fall. We felt like they had a nice size advantage inside and our kids felt like they had to settle for threes and when you don't make your threes, your defense starts to lax. Credit Lake and their staff as they did a good job tonight," he said.

Lake will now face two tests over the weekend as they will host Canton McKinley, a strong contender for a state title Friday and then challenge New Philadelphia in the Hall of Fame Hardwood Shootout in Massillon. McBride will learn a lot about his team over the course of those two days but wants to see better offensive production.

"We will learn a lot. Defensively I thought we were better than I expected and offensively, I just don't think we were that clean tonight and we were not moving much with our offense," he said. "

The Tornadoes are a team that was a few plays away from being a 15 or 16 win team last season. Shoring up their three-point deficiency will be a step toward becoming the team VonKaenel hopes to see late in the year.

"This is a great learning experience for our kids tonight. As long as we don't make the same mistakes tonight, it will be a learning point. We will get back to the office and get to work," he said.

THE LEADER OF THE STORM. Dover head coach Matt VonKaenel communicates with his team during a timeout Tuesday night in Dover. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Lake dared Dover to beat them from long distance. Lake accomplished that mission in a resounding manner.

Keno Sultan is a writer for Stark County Prep Press. He can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.

COMMENTARY: It's not a goodbye. It's see you later

 COMMENTARY: It's not a goodbye. It's see you later.

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

CANTON--336 teams fueled up with aspirations of being one of 14 teams playing in the hallowed confines of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Along that treacherous road to Canton, there were roadblocks waiting in the form of a turnover, penalty, interception, big plays etc. that stalled the season of 322 schools who had hopes of playing in Canton. When the five week journey ended 14 teams proved worthy and earned the right to compete for a state title. 

This week, there were two teams that captured back-to-back titles (Avon and Columbus Bishop Watterson), one that is officially a dynasty with their third in four years (Cleveland Glenville), a first-time state champion (Olentangy Orange), one that returned to the throne as an old guard (Kirtland), one longtime power returning to the throne (St. Henry) and one who finally seized a title after coming up short in two state title games (Liberty Center).

But at the same time, let's not forget that Cincinnati Anderson, Shelby, Toledo Central Catholic, Cincinnati St. Xavier, Jeromesville Hillsdale, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon, and Wheelersburg also earned the right to be in Canton based on their hard work over the course of 16 weeks.

Saturday night at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, the lights darkened. The football field became empty. The seats were empty. It is that solemn reality that sets in that football season has concluded. 

As Denzel Washington said in the 2002 movie John Q: "It's not goodbye. It's see you later."

I have been very blessed to have covered the state football championships at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium dating back to the 2018 season when #2 Massillon faced #1 Akron Hoban in what truly was the game of the year when both teams were also ranked in the nation and undefeated. That was the only game in which no tickets were sold at the door and other fans were still attempting to obtain tickets at the gates, well after the sold out notifications were placed on the entrances for what became an unforgettable Division II state championship game.

I want to take the time to thank all the educators and administrators of the schools who all competed this weekend for making sure their athletes prosper not just on the field but most importantly the classroom. I also want to thank the coaches who put in countless hours to mold their teams for the challenge of competing for a state title and molding their student-community-athletes for life after football and the wives who stood behind their coaches in times of success and shortcomings. I want to also thank the mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents of the athletes who competed as they purchased the first set of cleats, jerseys, pants and helmets for their athletes who started out as early as kindergarten all the way up to 12th grade.

Most importantly, I want to thank the Ohio High School Athletic Association commissioner Mr. Doug Ute and his staff which features Mr. Bob Goldring, Mr. Beau Rugg, Mr. Tim Stried, and the entire association who have made my experiences very phenomenal year after year with their countless media expertise and insights. In all I just want to thank the entire OHSAA in general, the entire staff.

I also want to thank all the media members I had a chance to meet and chat with over the course of three days. That is always a welcoming sight to meet other media members from around the entire state.

As another high school season concludes for the 54th time, there are many players who have played their last high school game and will graduate from their respective high schools. Some will matriculate on to college and play football for a college or university. Some will go to college and never play the sport again they played for 12 years but work toward obtaining a degree and a job in their field of study. Others will enlist in a form of military government and serve our country. Others will enter the workforce. 10 to 20 years down the line or longer, they will reconvene at class reunions to rehash the memories of their football seasons and playing for a title. By that time, they will be husbands that are married to wives, raising sons and daughters and eventually becoming uncles and the pinnacle of life, grandparents. They too will see their offspring carry on their name. They will tell their children and eventual nephews and grandchildren stories about playing for a state title near the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Saturday night, the lights turned off at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium after midnight. All good things eventually have to come to an end. Saturday was that night after the Division V state championship.

To high school football fans, coaches, players, family members and the entire OHSAA. It's sad the season is over. We will convene again for the 55th annual football state championships. But as Washington said in the movie John Q: "It's not goodbye. It's see you later."

Keno Sultan is a writer for Stark County Prep Press. He can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.