Wednesday’s post season games were the last we’ll see for a indefinite period. Ohio Lt. Governor John Husted reiterated in a news conference today, we’re living in an “unprecedented time” as Governor Mike DeWine laid out plans for the state’s handling of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Thursday afternoon, DeWine handed down a directive for Ohio’s school districts to take a three week long “extended spring break” beginning at the close of the school day Monday March 16th, 2020.
As for the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s Winter Sports post season plans, the postponement is indefinite. Here’s their official release:
#OHSAA Postpones All Remaining Winter Tournaments, including boys basketball regional and state tournaments, along with ice hockey, wrestling and girls basketball state tournamentshttps://t.co/E408LM6YHRpic.twitter.com/6kDUJbqoOK
The Pioneers’ tourney run came to a close at The Convo in a 58-46 loss to top-ranked Harvest Prep Wednesday, before a crowd to rival an open practice or scrimmage.
Action by the Ohio High School Athletic Association Tuesday, limited the number of spectators for the game due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
As for the game, Zane Trace came out of the gates hot in their Division III Sweet 16 battle with #1 ranked Harvest Prep, posting a 7-2 lead, but the Warriors scrapped back for an 11-10 score through the first period… then, Harvest Prep ratcheted up the defense and rallied with a 17-0 run. Cam Evans nailed a basket to stop the Pioneers scoring drought.
Harvest Prep held a 26-17 lead at the half.In the third, Zane Trace managed to pull within 28-26 but the Warriors hit another gear and pulled back on top by the end of the period by five points, 37-32.
The Pioneers tightened the game again at 39-36, but that was their final gasp as Harvest Prep moved to 44-36 with 4:30 remaining.
The final as the Pioneers season closed at 22-4.
Cam Evans dropped in 26 points for Zane Trace and with just minutes remaining became the Pioneers’ top scorer in school history with 1,652 points.Prior to last weekend, only the 1969 and 1970 Zane Trace Pioneers had won District Titles for their school.
Harvest Prep returns to The Convo Saturday night for a spot in next week’s Division III Final Four.
WATCH our Litter Media Sports post game report with highlights and Coach Kellough.Cam Evans (10) is congratulated by Nick Nesser (5) and Colby Swain (0) after sinking a free throw which was the basket that made him the All-Time leading scorer in Zane Trace Boys Basketball. Photo by Dan Ramey/Litter MediaFew in numbers, the Pioneer fans made themselves heard Wednesday night. Photo by Dan Ramey/Litter Media.
The milder weather has permitted spring flowers to begin their annual attention grabbing displays amongst the drab earth tones leftover from winter. Time to enjoy them!
Zane Trace won its fourth District Basketball Championship in school history with a 51-41 win over Ironton Friday at The Convo.
Nick Nesser had a hot hand early, scoring 9 of his team high 20 points in the first period as Zane Trace turned a 9-9 tie into a 13-9 lead.
Ironton kept pace with the Pioneers in the second period, cutting the margin to 23-20 by the half.
Zane Trace pulled ahead again in the 3rd quarter and appeared in command until Triton Davidson picked up his fourth foul of the game midway through the period forcing the Pioneers to go to the bench for freshman Nalin Robinson.
Despite the Tigers Reid Carrico keeping Ironton in the game with his team high 20 points, down the stretch, the Pioneers nailed some free throws to secure a 51-41 victory for the school’s fourth district title and winning them back to back for the first time since the 1969 and 1970 seasons.
Nesser led the Pioneers with 20 points and Cam Evans added 15 while Reid Carrico also netted 20 to lead Ironton.
Zane Trace will face Harvest Prep Wednesday at Ohio University with a 6:15pm tip-off. Harvest Prep nipped Worthington Christian Friday night 49-47.
In the game prior to the Zane Trace-Ironton game, Fairland socked Chesapeake 71-43. Fairland battles Ridgewood in the nightcap at 8pm Wednesday at The Convo. Ridgewood breezed past Morgan 65-48.
The top ranked Circleville Girls Basketball team had its season ended by Tri-Valley in an 45-43 overtime battle in a Regional Final in Zanesville Friday night.
Tri-Valley nipped Sheridan earlier in the week 50-48 to advance to the Elite Eight.
The Lady Tigers close their season at 26-1.
Special thanks to John Howley for his coverage from Zanesville.
Logan Elm fell behind in the early going as Warren took a six point lead. The Warriors’ Brandon Simoniette dropped in a couple of buckets to set the margin for a 13-6 lead over the first 8-minutes and managed a 24-19 lead at the half.
Logan Elm came out of the intermission hot tying the game at 24 in the first two minutes on a shot by Isaac Ward and Jason Sailor gave the Braves their first lead of the game at 26-24. Logan Elm had a 32-31 lead through three quarters. Jeremy Weitelmann gave Logan Elm its biggest lead at 39-35 on a three-pointer with 5:28 remaining.
Warren’s Kurt Taylor pulled the Warriors to within 44-43 on a trey with 1:00 left.
Jared Harrington got behind the defense to sink a layup on a pass from Weitelmann and 46-43 LE
It’s Logan Elm’s fifth District Championship since 2006.
Brayden Sallee led Warren with 14 points. Logan Elm was paced by Gabe Chalfin with 18 points and Isaac Ward with 14.
The Braves will face the winner of Meadowbrook and Tried-Valley on Thursday March 12th.
(Pictured is Litter Media’s Dan Ramey with Adena’s Amy Robertson and Dr. Wael Haidar to his right and to his left, Dr. Christopher Brown, Michelle Long and Ben Avery of the Ross County HealthDepartment before the taping of an interview. See bottom of this story).
While America grips with the threat of the Coronavirus, Ross County Health officials say they’re prepared.
Tuesday, Litter Media’s Dan Ramey sat down with representatives of the Ross County Health District and Adena Health System to put rumors to rest and discuss how to handle COVID-19.
Ben Avery, Administrator for the Health District, Health Commissioner and Medical Director Christopher Brown, MD and Director of Nursing, Michelle Long were joined by Adena Health System’s Wael Haidar, MD with Infectious Diseases and Director of Quality Services Amy Roberton talked about how prepared the Health District and Adena are per chance an outbreak of the COVID-19 were to descend on Ohio’s First Capital and the surrounding communities.
Dr. Haidar explains coronavirus has been around for awhile and while there’s currently no vaccine, the push is on for pharamaceutical companies to develop a vaccine.
Avery adds the main thing is to get the word out to wash your hands with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds and there’s no need to rush out and purcahase surgical masks, which are relatively useless. If you are sick, stay home.
Long suggests ensuring you have enough non-perishable food to last 14 days at one’s home per chance you’re holed up in the house for that period. The group adds the coronavirus can live on surfaces, so wipe down those surfaces which are touched often. Eliminate greetings with a handshake or fist bump, a simple “hello” will do.
The third meeting between the Pioneers and Warriors was much closer than the first two. Zane Trace won by margins of 16 and 13 points in their previous matchups in 2019-20.
Adena had taken the first period 12-9 on a drop-in by Cade McKee just before the buzzer. Zane Trace got a hot hand while Adena cooled its shooting in the second quarter as the Pioneers outscored Adena 17-7 to take a 26-19 lead at the half.
It looked like Zane Trace was going to run away with the game in the third, but Adena drained three-pointers on three consecutive possessions and pulled to within 32-30. The Pioneers recovered and extended their lead to 40-30 to close out the period.
In the 4th, Adena stormed back and whittled the lead to 51-48 with an opportunity to tie the game at the end of regulation, but a three-pointer from Logan Bennett missed its mark and Zane Trace grabbed the rebound as time expired.
Nick Nesser led the Pioneers with 17 points ahead of Cam Evans’ 15. Logan Bennett was the game’s top scorer with 19.
Adena closes its season at 16-9 while Zane Trace improves to 21-3.
The win sends Zane Trace to the DIII District Championship game March 6th at 8:15pm with upset minded Ironton. The Tigers were a 56-41 winner over 3rd seeded Eastern Brown Sunday. Ironton trailed 3-0 but went on a 17-0 run and kept Eastern Brown down 10-17 points the rest of the game. Ironton is 13-10 entering Friday’s game. Zane Trace defeated Ironton in the regular season 54-50.
Nick Nesser aims for two of his team high 17 points for Zane Trace. Photo by Dan Ramey/Litter Media
Logan Elm’s Isaac Ward crossed the 1,000 career points mark in a memorable place, The Convo in Athens.
The junior guard tallied 16 points to help lead the Braves to a 65-45 victory over Athens and secure a spot in Thursday’s District Championship game with Warren.
Gabe Chalfin added 12 points while Luke Baldwin and Jeremy Wietelmann netted 11 points each as Logan Elm controlled the game from the start.
The Braves held a 32-18 lead at the intermission and had built a 53-33 lead through the third period.
Logan Elm faces Warren who had defeated Waverly 45-42 earlier in the evening.
Jeremy Wietelmann drives the lane for two points. Photo by Dan Ramey/Litter MediaGabe Chalfin lays in two for the Braves. Photo by Dan Ramey/Litter MediaIsaac Ward became the newest member of the Logan Elm 1,000 points club. Photo by Dan Ramey/Litter Media
