A seven-time Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association writer of the year, Blackledge spent the final 34 years of a four-decade career as the chief prep beat writer for the Columbus Dispatch. A Delaware, Ohio native, Blackledge graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1982 with degrees in journalism and communications. He served as sports editor of the Wilmington News-Journal for three-plus years. He also worked at the Lake County Telegraph and the Delaware Gazette. In addition to the prep beat, Blackledge has covered the Browns, Indians, Reds, Bengals, Columbus Crew and various Ohio State sports.
Devin Brown racked up 20 points, eight rebounds, four blocked shots and three assists while dominating down the stretch as Olentangy Orange beat Hilliard Bradley 51-47 in a long-awaited rematch. Hilliard, OH – It sure helps to have a blossoming 6-foot-5 junior superstar who can handle the ball confidently, knock down 20-foot shots with uncanny
In a nonleague showdown between the No. 3 and 4 seeds in the upcoming Division I Central District girls tournament, Marysville stymied Olentangy Liberty and used three key mini-runs to prevail. Liberty won the boys game in a rout, however. Powell, OH – It took four minutes and 10 seconds for the Marysville girls basketball
With All-Ohio guard Gigi Bower sidelined by an illness, Claire Mikola stepped up with 18 points and 11 steals to help Liberty clinch a share of the OCC Central championship. Powell, OH – Not everything went exactly as coach Tommy Waterwash drew up it up Friday as his Olentangy Liberty girls basketball team took on
With a slew of deft ball-handlers, a balanced attack and two Division I recruits, Delaware moved to 14-1 and is taking aim at its first district title since 1986. Delaware, OH – After watching the Delaware Hayes boys basketball team run up and down the floor a half-dozen times, one thing becomes glaringly apparent: The
