ATHENS — If fans and pundits are not talking about the Ironton Fighting Tigers basketball team, they better start. Ironton continued it’s amazing season by using the same formula it has all season to topple the Wheelersburg Pirates 63-47 to win the Division 5 district championship at the Ohio University Convocation Center on Saturday. Avenging one of its only two losses this season, Ironton used defense and controlling the backboards to win its first district title since 2015

ATHENS — When it comes to tournament basketball, the most important factor in the outcome is defense. The Wheelersburg Pirates made defense their main area of concern heading into their Division 5 district semifinal game on Tuesday at the Ohio University Convocation Center. And it was their defense that gave them a hard-fought 60-52 win over the Fairland Dragons. The Pirates now play Ironton at 2 p.m. Saturday in the district finals at the Convocation Center. Wheelersburg (15

2025-26 Ohio Prep Sports Media Association All-Southeast District Girls Basketball Teams Division 2 Second Team Ella Hinton, Logan, 5-7, Jr., 14 Special Mention Ryann Landis, Logan  Division 3 First Team Hayleigh Chidester, Marietta, 5-8, Sr., 10.2; Milee Smith, Unioto, 5-10, Sr., 23.7; Mylie Forgrave, Sheridan, 5-3, Sr., 12.0; Ella Chapman, Athens, 5-2, Sr., 11.5 Player of the Year: Milee Smith, Unioto Coach of the Year: J.D. Walters, Sheridan Second Team Keyairah Beard, U

Coaches All-District 14 Basketball Selections Divisions 3&4 First Team Player, Team Gr. Milee Smith, Unioto Sr. Hobie Miles, Hillsboro Sr. Addison Edgington, Circleville Jr. Pairley Pryor, McClain Jr. Maddie Blakeman, Circleville Sr. Tyler Davis, Hillsboro Jr. Kiannah Ingram, Logan Elm Sr. Gracie Lovett, Miami Trace Jr. Keyairah Beard, Unioto So. Second Team Player, Team Gr. Kimberly Petty, Logan Elm Sr. Paige O’Bryant, Waverly Sr. Eliana Racine, Wash

WAVERLY — To say the Wheelersburg Lady Pirates had a cold shooting game is like saying it’s cold in the Antarctica, Cold shooting spelled doom for the Pirates as they fell to the Piketon Lady Red Steaks i48-35 in the Division 5 district semifinals on Saturday at Waverly’s Downtown Arena. The Lady Pirates were plagued early by turnovers and missed shots, many at close range. Head coach Dusty Spradlin said missing shots and giving up too many second shots hurt his team early. “

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WHEELERSBURG — Looks like Captain Jack Sparrow got the best of Indiana Jones. In a battle between the Pirates as the Raiders, it was the Wheelersburg Lady Pirates who beat the River Valley Lady Raiders 58-32 in the Division 5 district tournament on Wednesday. The Lady Pirates (4-8) used a strong defense led by the play of Myles Bailey as they held River Valley’s offense to just 18 points through three quarters. Wheelersburg took a 16-3 first quarter lead as Peyton May scored

WHEELERSBURG — For Cooper Heimbach, he’ll be going away as far away to college as about as far as one of his kicks. The Wheelersburg Pirates senior All-Ohio placekicker and punter realized his dream of kicking for Marshall after signing a letter-of-intent with the Thundering Herd. “To have such an amazing culture and historic program just 45 minutes down the road is amazing,” said Heimbach. “All the early mornings and late nights that’s led up to this and all the hard work is

WHEELERSBURG — The Wheelersburg Pirates caught fire from downtown, hitting 15 shots from behind the 3-point line to beat the Symmes Valley Vikings 76-43 in a Southern Ohio Conference divisional crossover game on Wednesday night. While the Pirates success from long range was a surprise to many, coach Alex Prater wasn't as surprised because he knew the kids were capable of moments like these. "We've really felt like throughout the season, we've felt like we've been a good shoot

WHEELERSBURG — Talking with Cashton Adkins you almost get the idea that one of his idols is Buzz Lightyear. The Wheelersburg Pirates outstanding senior discus thrower signed a national letter of intent with the Marshall Thundering Herd on Monday, but you could almost hear Buzz Lightyear in the interview. It was Buzz Lightyear who famously said, “To Infinity and beyond.” In his own way, Adkins was saying, “To Marshall and beyond.” Signing with Marshall was a difficult decision

WHEELERSBURG — A second quarter surge put Wheelersburg ahead, but key scoring and defense in the second half made sure the Pirates secured a 69-59 win over the Valley Indians in a Southern Ohio Conference game on Friday night. Due to the snow and ice that ripped through the region, the Pirates hadn't taken the floor since last Friday where they suffered their first conference loss to Waverly. But the long lay off turned into a positive for Wheelersburg coach Alex Prater, as h

WHEELERSBURG — The unpredictability of the Southern Ohio Conference continues to rear its head. After suffering a string of tough losses last week — including one to Wheelersburg just 7 days ago at home — the Waverly Lady Tigers returned the favor with a 44-41 win over the Lady Pirates on Monday night. The win was a relief to Waverly coach John Bonifield, as his Lady Tigers suffered through 3-straight tough losses going into this game. "It feels great in two aspects. It's

WAVERLY — Sometimes you have to find a way to win. For the Wheelersburg Lady Pirates, they had to find their way past the Waverly Lady Tigers for a 45-39 win in a tough and physical Southern Ohio Conference game on Monday night. The game was definitely a rough and physical one, as the teams combined for 41 fouls and the teams combined for 51 fouls shots in the game. As a result, Callie DeHart found herself in foul trouble just three minutes into the game and had to sit for mu

RACELAND — A dominating defensive effort and long range shooting provided the right mix needed for the Wheelersburg Lady Pirates to roll their way to a 63-42 win over the Raceland Lady Rams in the final game of the Ryan Keeton Exp Realty Ohio River Classic. Callie DeHart delivered a 21-point performance to lead the Lady Pirates. The senior hit 4 shots from behind the arc, had 4 rebounds and 4 steals. Jaylinn Prather finished with 11 points and 5 boards. Lainey Skeens hit 3 t

WHEELERSBURG — Some key defensive stops, coupled with a 10-0 run in the fourth quarter proved to be the edge needed for the Wheelersburg Pirates to knock off the Ironton Fighting Tigers on Tuesday night in clash of Southeast Ohio rivals. After the game, Pirates coach Alex Prater was very satisfied with the effort by the defense to stop Ironton's high-scoring offense. "You know we hadn't played well defensively in our first two games. Ironton came in with a ton of talent, play

2025 BATTLE OF THE 740 SCHEDULE  (all games at Shawnee State University) Saturday, Dec. 13  * 11 a.m. - Meigs Eastern vs. Symmes Valley * 12:30 p.m. - Piketon vs. Northwest  * 2 p.m. - Southern vs. Portsmouth  * 3:30 p.m. - Columbus Africentric vs. Huntington High (W. Va.)  * 5 p.m. - Fairfield vs. Valley * 6:30 p.m. - Harvest Prep vs. Chesapeake  * 8 p.m. - Chillicothe vs. Fairland  Sunday, Dec. 14 * 12 p.m. - Hillsboro vs. West  * 1:30 p.m. - Huntington vs. Rock Hill * 3 p.

COLUMBUS – The Division IV and V football All-Ohio teams were announced Tuesday by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association.   Information used for the All-Ohio teams comes from the regular-season accomplishments and does not include playoff games. The seven districts of the OPSMA determine the all-district teams and nominate their best for the All-Ohio teams.   On Wednesday, the Division II and III All-Ohio teams will be announced, followed by the Division I team on Thursday.

CANTON — One way or another, Wheelersburg's memorable playoff run was set to come to an end. Unfortunately, it just didn't end the way everyone wanted. The Liberty Center Tigers used a diverse attack on offense and the defense stymied the Pirates to win 35-3 and claim the Ohio Division 5 state championship on Saturday night at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The win completed the Tigers quest to bring home a title after finishing runners-up in the previous two seasons. The t

WHEELERSBURG — One more time for it all. The Wheelersburg Pirates will put it all on the line one final time on Saturday night when they square off with the Liberty Center Tigers in the Ohio Division 5 state championship game at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton. Both teams come into the game with loads of experience and a hard-nosed styles of play. Wheelersburg (14-0) comes into the game on the back of their defense, which has been the hallmark of this team all season long. On th

Act now to take advantage of our Christmas Special! No coupon code needed! WHEELERSBURG — After shrugging off a slow start, Wheelersburg Lady Pirates used a barrage of 3-pointers and a deep bench to power their way past the Symmes Valley Lady Vikings 62-31 on Monday night in a non-league crossover game between Southern Ohio Conference teams. "I felt like we got caught watching too much," said Wheelersburg coach Dusty Spradlin. "I thought we were good in spurts. Second half, I