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.
Elijah McCree (25 points, four assists) and Tony Cornett (17 points, seven rebounds) paved the way in North’s dominant 74-49 state semifinal victory over North Royalton. It was the same-old, same-old for the Warriors, who used their speed, athleticism, ball movement and pressure to overwhelm the Bears. Fairborn, OH – When Westerville North graduated four
There will be plenty of motivation for the Vikings in Saturday’s championship game: A rematch against three-time defending champion Lutheran East and the last chance to secure a ring for retiring 58-year assistant coach John Exline top the list. Dayton, OH – The first time Columbus Academy played for a state boys basketball championship in
Hilliard Bradley used its smothering defense and outstanding guard play of Kypton Norris and Ben Mirgon to overwhelm Newark in Region 2 and Pickerington Central fed off its role as underdog to pull off a massive upset of top-ranked Lakota West in Region 3. Columbus, OH – Hilliard Bradley’s young, tenacious, fearless basketball team took
The defending state champion showed a lot of moxie in rallying from a 14-point deficit, but ultimately a miserable 22.8-percent shooting night doomed their chances in a 45-41 defeat. The 27-0 Firebirds will try to secure their first title since 2013 on Saturday against 2025 runner-up Cincinnati Princeton. Dayton, OH – By unleashing a relentless