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.
In its first state tournament appearance, Delaware Hayes had perennial power Cleveland St. Ignatius on the ropes, but was doomed by costly turnovers down the stretch and lost to the Wildcats 55-54. Dayton, OH – Fully aware of the herculean task ahead in facing a Cleveland St. Ignatius basketball team with five players ranging from
Jordyn Watson scored 26 points, Alex Bobb 22 and Gator Nichols 18 as Maysville broke through in the final two minutes to reach the state title game for the first time. The game featured 15 lead changes and 10 ties. Dayton, OH – Six-thousand, eight-hundred and seventy-four fans in full throat from the opening tip
Shooting lights out all day long, Kettering Alter jumped to a 20-4 lead and trounced Youngstown Ursuline in state semifinal. R.J. Greer scored 24 points to pace the tradition-rich Knights, who are seeking their first state title since 2001. Dayton, OH – A glance at Kettering Alter’s season stats offers a glimpse of what makes
Ronald Taylor and Jesse McCulloch combined for 37 points and 18 rebounds, powering defending champion Lutheran East to an easy win over out-manned Preble Shawnee. The Falcons will shoot for their third state title in four years. Dayton, OH – Coach Sam Liggins reads the social media memes about how his Cleveland Heights Lutheran East
After repelling numerous comeback attempts by Ottawa-Glandorf, Harvest Prep hung on to beat O-G and reached its fourth state title game. Adonus Abrams was magnificent for the Warriors, scoring 26 points and making six steals. Dayton, OH – Coaches Tyson McLaughlin of Ottawa-Glandorf and David Dennis Sr. of Harvest Prep had to be feeling more