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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Monday, 07 February 2022 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature

Liberty Takes OCC Central Lead With Win Over Bradley

Hilliard Bradley’s Jeb Bischoff shoots over Olentangy Liberty’s Trey Majidzadeh in a key OCC Central game the Patriots rallied to win with clutch three-point shooting in the second half (PressPros Feature photo by John Hulkenberg).
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Saturday, 29 January 2022 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature

Pickerington Central Boys, Girls Sweep Africentric

Pickerington Central’s Josh Harlan (2) battles against Africentric’s Dyson Bibins (left) and Dan Wagner on a night the Central boys and girls showed their dominance (PressPros Feature Photos by John Hulkenberg).
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Saturday, 29 January 2022 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature

South Needs OT To Survive North in Battle Of The ‘Ville

Round Two of the Battle of Westerville was as tightly contested as this rebound scrum, where South’s Andy Badu (23) and Drey Carter (24) outnumbered North’s Simon Ebbrecht (14), in a struggle the Wildcats pulled out in overtime. (PressPros Feature Photo by John Hulkenberg).
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Friday, 21 January 2022 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature

Norris Drops Career-High 33 In Bradley Win Over UA

Hilliard Bradley’s Jeb Bischoff tries to block Upper Arlington’s Owen Gawel in a tightly-contested OCC battle that tilted to Bradley on the strength of Cade Norris" career night (PressPros Feature Photo by John Hulkenberg)
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Saturday, 15 January 2022 / Published in Central Ohio, Central Ohio Feature

Gahanna, Pick North Duel…Then Along Came Jones

Gahanna used its size inside, including 6-7 Javan Simmons (24), and a stellar effort from Marquette signee Sean Jones to pull away from Pickerington North (PressPros Feature Photos by John Hulkenberg).