The further you go, the more it hurts when it ends. Anna’s sensational season comes to a sour end as Purcell Marian rolls in the Regional Final. Read Joe Neves in today’s Press Pros feature.

It was never close, and there was never a doubt Tuesday – or all season – who the best team in the Shelby County League would be come title, or tournament time. Anna and Griffin Doseck (left) left no doubt of it Tuesday with a reminding win over Russia. Read about the Rockets in today’s Press Pros.

Anna was looking to clinch back-to-back league titles. Jackson Center had its back against the wall. The SCAL rivals played a thriller in front of a packed house that saw the Tigers avenge an earlier 17-point defeat with a 51-47 win. Read more about Jackson Center handing Anna its first loss of the season…in today’s Press Pros inside feature.

Man of the hour…His teammates mob Jackson Center’s Trent Platfoot after his half-court shot at the buzzer gave the Tigers a late come-from-behind win over Fort Loramie Friday. Read more about the game, and how it end, in today’s Press Pros Shelby County League feature.

They have balanced scoring, play aggressive defense, and there’s a youthful energy that portends great things ahead for Zane Paul (#4, left) and the Botkins Trojans. They have their best prospects for basketball success in years, and winners of eight of their last ten…they’re making a fast list of believers. Read more about Botkins in today’s Press Pros inside feature.

Fort Loramie’s balanced attack paces the Redskins to a season sweep of Russia in another close finish. Read more of Greg Billing’s story inside today’s feature.

Huge Moments, And Missed Moments…It took a pair of overtimes to do it, and there was the matter of missed opportunities by both teams to win it in regulation, but a big three-pointer by Dana Rose (left) helped Fort Loramie finally survive and hand Minster its first defeat. Read more in the latest Press Pros feature.

Pressure-packed, and heart-stopping…Describes the action Saturday as Anna and Marion Local battled down the final thirty seconds before the Rockets salvaged a 68-67 win to remain unbeaten. Read more about the game in the latest Press Pros Shelby County League feature.

Jackson Center’s stingy man defense held Fairlawn to a season low in points in the Tigers’ 47-27 SCAL victory on Friday night. Read more on the Jackson Center win by Greg Billing inside today’s feature of Press Pros.

Turnovers and points in transition…They made it look easy – vintage Fort Loramie basketball with defense, speed, and points off turnovers. In case you haven’t noticed, they’re 8-1 and looking like another deep post-season run. Read about their Thursday win over New Knoxville in today’s Press Pros inside feature.

When one beats five…Anna’s Justin Murray scored amidst five New Bremen Cardinals Friday to set off a Rockets first-half feeding frenzy. They improved their record to 7-0 and gave every indication that there’s more to come. Read about the game and the Rockets in today’s Press Pros inside feature.

Go ahead points…A New Bremen player (foreground) watches Fort Loramie’s Eli Rosengarten roll in the go-ahead basket that gave the Redskins the lead for good in Saturday’s late win over the Cardinals. Read how it happened in the latest Press Pros area hoops feature.

For defending state champion New Bremen it was business as usual in a three-set sweep over Fort Loramie; while Jackson Center won the rubber match against fellow Shelby County Athletic League opponent Russia in the regional semifinals Thursday. Read Greg Billing’s account of the action in today’s Press Pros inside feature.

Raquel Kessler (above) supplied the power as sixth-ranked Jackson Center made short work of Triad in the Division IV sectional opener. The Tigers move on to Saturday’s second round with a convincing straight-set win. Read about it in today’s Press Pros inside feature.

Star Spangled Offense…Russia’s Laurissa Poling (#4, above) came alive in the third set to spark a Raider outburst that took down Fort Loramie Thursday in five sets. Read more about the match, and the outcome, in the latest Shelby County League update on Press Pros.