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Mobley reigns as state’s best

The first of Sydney Mobley’s 42 offers to play Division I college basketball came when she was in sixth grade, straight from the hometown school in Ohio State. Whether Big Walnut’s star junior forward ultimately ends up a Buckeye remains to be seen, but what stands out to Mobley’s father is how she handled the pressure that comes with prominence then – and continues to do so today. “She’s had a lot of attention on her since she was very young,” David Mobley said. “Some kids tend to get content with where they are, but she has managed to stay the course and keep ...

SPORTSBRIEFING STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Laurel ends dynasty DAYTON — Laurel’s girls basketball team took out four-time defending state champion Purcell Marian with a 56-54 in overtime of a Div. IV state semifinal on Thursday at the University of Dayton. Tristen Williams’ floater with 2.2 seconds left in overtime gave the Gators the win. Laurel beat West Branch 53-41 in a Div. IV regional final on Saturday in Canton and also topped Div. V district champion Crestview 55-42 in the South Range Holiday Hoops Showcase on Dec. 30 Laurel will play Bellevue at 12:30 p.m. today for the Div. IV title. Canton Central ...

Sacrifices pay off for area grapplers

By MICHAEL S. BURICH Assistant Sports Editor The road to the state tournament for area wrestlers isn’t always a smooth one. Adversity of all kinds can pop up. This season a snowstorm on Jan. 24 into Jan. 25 produced more than a foot of snow for many places in the area. That meant ...

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

Heartland’s next test on Friday BARBERTON — The Heartland Christian basketball team is making history as the first Columbiana County boys team to capture a district title since Columbiana in 2008. The Lions can add a regional title with one more win. Heartland (22-4) will play Jeromesville Hillsdale (19-7) in a Division VII regional championship game at 7 p.m. Friday at Barberton High School. It is a rematch of last year’s district championship game that saw the Falcons overpower the Lions in the second half for a 73-54 win. Hillsdale’s top player is sophomore point guard ...

Potter pair hopes for podium spots

It’s the fourth official edition of the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s girls wrestling tournament and things are still changing at a rapid pace for the growing sport. “It’s been around for a few years now, but what I noticed is every year they get better,” West Branch ...

Heartland inches close to state tourney berth

BARBERTON — When the game is on the line, the Heartland Christian boys basketball team has all the faith in junior Collin Kalaher. “He’s our guy,” Heartland coach Josh Scott said. “These kids know to get the ball in his hands. I’m sure the other teams know by now.” Kalaher ...