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.
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Friday, 18 March 2022 / Published in Features, Home Features

St. Vincent-St. Mary Defense Fuels Rout Of Alter

After a sluggish start, top-ranked Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary got into high gear and trounced second-ranked Kettering Alter to reach a sixth straight Division III title game. Steve Blackledge writes.
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Friday, 18 March 2022 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature, Features, Home Features

O-G’s Fourth-Quarter Surge Overcomes Africentric

In a fantastic duel between All-Ohioans Colin White and Dailyn Swain, Ottawa-Glandorf used a 12-0 fourth quarter run to take the lead and beat chilly-shooting Africentric, 53-48, and give Titans' fans something to scream about. (PressPros Feature Photo by Sonny Fulks).
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Sunday, 13 March 2022 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature

Pick Central Thumps Gahanna To Reach Final Four

Devin Royal's 13 first-half points fueled Pick Central's offense, despite Javan Simmons (24) and Eljae Deas (1) effort to stop him, and Pickerington Central's defense never let up all night in a comfortable regional final win over Gahanna Lincoln (PressPros Feature Photos by Brian Bayless).
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Friday, 11 March 2022 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature

‘Burg Spanks Anthony Wayne, Now Seeks First Title

Awe-inspiring?....Ohio State-bound Mya Perry and West Virginia-bound Imarianah Russell (below) each scored 20 points as Reynoldsburg coasted to its first state tournament win. Next up: A showdown against Mason with the state title on the line. Steve Blackledge writes the girls state tournament for Saturday Press Pros.
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Friday, 11 March 2022 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature

Hartley Girls Go Down HARD To Alter In State Semi-Finals

When you need a hug...Hartley's Aniya Thorne (left) and Morgan Donnelly console each other following Thursday's 69-33 loss to Kettering Alter in the Division II state semi-final game at Dayton's UD Arena. Steve Blackledge writes the story for Friday's Press Pros.