The following list includes area football teams that are currently ranked high enough to make the post season and may include those just on the outside looking in.  The top eight teams will make the state playoffs.  Here are this week’s computer rankings as provided by the Ohio High School Athletic Association:

Division I, Region 2
No. 1:  Canton GlenOak
No. 5:  Canton McKinley
No. 6:  Massillon Jackson

Just outside:  Wadsworth

Division II, Region 5
No. 4:  Kent Roosevelt
No. 5: Walsh Jesuit
No. 6 (tied):  Copley with Aurora

Division III, Region 9
No. 3:  Ravenna
No. 5:  St. Vincent-St. Mary

Just outside:  Southeast (No. 8); CVCA (No. 9)

Division III, Region 11
No. 4:  Northwest
No. 5:  Marlington

Division IV, Region 13
No. 3:  Canton Central Catholic

Just outside:  Manchester (No. 7)

For a look at example of how rankings are calculated per OHSAA visit: http://www.ohsaa.org/sports/ft/boys/rankcalc.htm

Eight area boys’ lacrosse players have been named Regional All-Americans, according to U.S. Lacrosse.

The players were named for the North Coast section of Ohio.

Players include Western Reserve Academy goalie Kyle Bernlohr, Medina midfielder Nate Blue, Hudson defenseman Cooper Charlton, Jackson attacker/midfielder Dillon Giorgis, Jackson attacker Tom Herold, North Canton Hoover defenseman Sean Hohan, Hudson midfielder Robby Lynott and Medina attack Alex Schell.

According to the lacrosse website, LaxPower.com, there were almost 500 high school boys’ lacrosse players named to the USA Lacrosse Boys’ High School Regional All-American team.

Several area football players have reportedly added scholarship offers over the past few days, according to ScoutingOhio.com:

-Manchester junior offensive lineman Tony Matteo has been offered by Pittsburgh, according to the website. Matteo, who is 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, also has offers from Toledo, Bowling Green, Akron, Connecticut, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Kent State and Miami (Ohio).

-Jackson junior tackle Darien Terrell has been offered by Eastern Michigan. It is the first offer for Terrell, who is 6-foot-4 and 340 pounds.

-North junior wide receiver DeShawn Dowdy has added an offer from Akron. Dowdy, who is 6-foot-4 and 222 pounds, also has offers from Kent State and Youngstown State.

-Walsh Jesuit junior kicker Ross Martin has added an offer from Rutgers. Martin, who is 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, also has offers from Pittsburgh, Iowa State, Kent State, Harvard and Cornell.

CANTON: Cuyahoga Falls senior Haleigh Bartlett is a Division I state champion.

She won the 1-meter girls state diving meet at C.T. Branin Natatorium today with 482.35 points after 11 dives. Bartlett placed third as a sophomore in this competition and second as a junior.

Avon Lake senior Morgan Srail placed second with 473.75 points. Centerville junior Morgan Mullins took third with 466.85 points.

Hudson juniors Taryn McLaughlin and Rachel Speakman placed fourth and eighth, respectively. McLaughlin compiled 450.05 points, and Speakman posted a score of 420.75.

Jackson junior Josie McKee finished 12th with 395.90 points.

Quotes

Cuyahoga Falls senior Haleigh Bartlett

“This feels awesome and I am really proud of myself. I feel really good about my dives today.”

My inward, one-and-a-half pike was really good and then I was really pleased with my reverse dive pike. My last dive was also memorable because it was the winning dive. That was the back-one-and-a-half with a half twist.”

“The next step is college. I am looking at the University of Akron, the University of Utah, Ohio University and Miami University. I plan on diving in college and will probably be making a decision sometime in March.”

Cuyahoga Falls coach Peter Nauman

“This is our first girls state champion in swimming and diving. We are extremely proud of her. She did an outstanding job. I said it at the beginning of the season and all the way to the end, that we wanted this to be the storybook finish. She was third as a sophomore and second as a junior, and now she is first as a senior. We wanted that storybook finish and we got it.”

“Her last three dives have always been the strongest part of her program. I have said that all year. Today, she started out of the blocks with her best couple of dives first. That really set the tone and she led wire-to-wire. It was definitely close all the way, but she managed to hold the slim lead.”

“After the fifth round she was ahead and there were six dives left. She is undefeated in six dive programs throughout her entire high school career [with approximately 36 dual meet wins]. I told her to relax, enjoy this and remember this feeling for the rest of your life. She did just that. She relaxed and won.”

“Chris Medvedeff and Kristin Dodson at the Akron Rippers Diving Club do all the hard work. I just show up and take the curtain calls as her high school coach.”

“She had to do a great dive in the end to win the state title and she did it. We told her to get in with a really clean entry and she did exactly that.”

Hudson junior Taryn McLaughlin

“This is definitely really exciting because we didn’t even make state last year. To be on the podium together is really awesome.”

Hudson junior Rachel Speakman

“I am trying to soak all of this up. This is a good way to end the season. I am happy with this.”

Hudson coach Dan Miller

“I couldn’t be more happy. They both dove really well.”

“For Taryn, she put together just a solid 11 dives. She didn’t miss a single dive the whole meet. In her last three dives she scored 150 points. That moved her up from eighth place to fourth.”

“Rachel, specifically, didn’t start off the way she normally does with her first two dives, but we were able to see how well she just stayed consistent and solid and posted one of her better scores of the year.”

Week Three: Orrville (2-0) @ Copley (2-0)
7 p.m. Friday at Copley-Fairlawn Stadium

Storyline: Copley is starting to look like a top team in the Suburban League thus far as Wadsworth falls off and Green struggles to tackle.

Junior quarterback Lou Gigliotti already has seven touchdown passes this season and is making a lot of plays in his second year at the position.

Sophomore Aregeros Turner and senior Sam Wheeler make for a formidable running duo. Wheeler is also one of the team’s better defensive players at linebacker.

The Indians need a convincing win over a quality opponent to be considered one of the top area teams this season.

Beating a Federal League school 42-21 is always impressive, but it was Massillon Jackson’s 11th consecutive loss. Last week’s 38-21 win over struggling win over Cleveland JFK tells us even less.

An always-tough Orrville program would be a lot more telling. Copley coach Ron Viscounte has never beaten Orrville in his four years at Copley.

The Red Riders lead the all-time series 24-12.

Last week, Orrville dominated Triway 41-19 and had close to 500 yards of offense.

Quarterback Kyle Lichti threw for 277 yards and four touchdowns in his first varsity start. He also had 62 rushing yards. Orrville always seems to have strong quarterback play.

The Red Rider Sports blog has a very detailed breakdown of Orrville here.

The 2010 tennis season has started and their are some names and schools to keep in mind starting with the Federal League.

North Canton Hoover won the league and was 20-2 overall and 7-0 in winning the Federal League. The Vikings lost five seniors, won two straight league championships with a 41-3 record.

“(We) need to grow up fast. This will be one of the youngst team I have fielded – two seniors, two sophomore and four freshmen,” said Viking coach Ryan Shaffer.

Hoover started the season 3-0, includng a 4-1 win over Our Lady of  the Elms. Junior Jillian Warburton won at first singles and sophomore Mindy Moldovan  won at third singles.

Jackson grabbed a lot of people’s attention when they defeated Brecksville last week 3-2 and were 6-1 and second in the Federal League. 

No. 1 singles player Trisha Conlan, a senior, was victorious.  Seniors Tyler Dowling and Marisa Sloan won at first singles and like Conlan are being recruited by Division I schools.

“We are excited to get started and hope to compete for a league championship and go deep into the Ohio Tennis Coaches Association tournament (team championship,” said Polar Bears coach Keith Kohmann. “Our depth is a big plus to have to peak at the right time.”

Another Stark County team to watch is Canton Central Catholic, led by Hannah Lindesmith, a junior, who was a state qualifier last year. The Crusaders were 16-4 last year.

Seniors to watch for the Crusaders are Ashley Fuchs, Abby Svetlak, Marsec Thottman and Ali Kesic and Morgan McCann.

“We are strong at the top, with significant depth,” said coach Basil Violand.

Three area boys basketball players were selected to play in the Ohio-Kentucky All-Star Game on April 9 at Thomas More College in Crestview Hills, Ky.

Jackson senior forwards Mark Henniger and Josh Egner will join North Canton Hoover senior forward Cory Veldhuizen on the Ohio team.

Henniger is a 6-foot-8 forward Kent State recruit and Egner is a 6-foot-7 University of Akron recruit. Veldhuizen is 6-foot-5 and is headed to Malone University.

Please keep refreshing for updates

Division I boys basketball state championship game from Ohio State University’s Value City Arena.

Jackson vs. Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller

JACKSON IS DIVISION I STATE CHAMPIONS

– Jackson defeats Moeller 57-34.

“We’re state champs,´´ said Jackson coach Mike Fuline, who high-fived everyone on the bench during the final seconds of the game and then hugged members of his family.

“I am really happy for our guys. This is a happy ending. How many teams get to end their season on a win? We leave on a win. This could not have happened to a better group of kids and parents.´´

Senior forward Mark Henniger led the Polar Bears (25-2) with 21 points and 12 rebounds on Saturday night at Ohio State University’s Value City Arena before 12,920 fans.

“Defense was the key to winning this game,´´ said Henniger, a 6-foot-8 Kent State recruit. “We had so much adrenaline pumping and went after it [during the third quarter].´´

Junior guard Michael Shull (17 points) and senior guard Brad DuPont (11 points, five assists) also scored in double figures for Jackson, who took control of the game with a 16-0 scoring run to open the third quarter.

“That team has a prototype guy at every spot,´´ Moeller coach Carl Kremer said of Jackson. “It was difficult for us to score. It was a perfect storm.´´

Senior Griffin McKenzie, a 6-foot-9 center and Xavier University recruit, scored nine points for the Crusaders (22-5).

Jackson made 23-of-39 field goal attempts and Moeller made 13-of-51 of the field goals. The Polar Bears also made 8-of-11 free throws and had a 38-20 rebounding advantage.

“When you defend you give yourself a chance to win,´´ Fuline said.

Jackson came out firing in the third quarter and extended its lead to 36-15 with 2:41 to go in the quarter. DuPont made a layup and a 3-pointer, Shull followed with a jumper and 3-pointer, Henniger converted two layups and senior forward Josh Egner made a short jumper.

“We came out strong and did not want to let them score,´´ said Shull. “This is one of the craziest games I have had.´´

The Polar Bears extended their lead to 44-18 with 55 seconds to go in the quarter following an Egner two-handed dunk and baskets from Shull, DuPont and Henniger. Jackson held a 44-20 advantage after three quarters.

“Coach looked at us at halftime and he said to us when we go out there the first three or four minutes [of the third quarter] is going to be the game,´´ said Egner, a 6-foot-7 University of Akron recruit that finished with four points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. “He told us to look at the fans who came out to support us.´´

Moeller, which was making its fifth appearance in the state tournament and the holder of three state titles, struggled in the first half, converting just 6-of-24 shots from the field.

“We came out with intensity and they could not match it,´´ said DuPont a 6-foot Wheeling Jesuit University recruit.

Senior guard C.J. Julian and junior forward Tyler Graening each scored two points for Jackson, which was making its third appearance in the state tournament. James Feller, Nathan Kanam, Steve Griffin and Dave Devine also contributed for Jackson.

– Jackson is well on their way to winning a state title. The Polar Bears lead 44-20 after three quarters.

Jackson came out firing in the third quarter and extended its lead to 36-15 with 2:41 to go in the quarter. Senior guard Brad DuPont made a layup and a 3-pointer, junior guard Michael Shull followed with a jumper and 3-pointer, senior forward Mark Henniger converted two layups and senior forward Josh Egner made a short jumper.

– Jackson leads 20-15 at halftime.

Senior forward Mark Henniger and junior guard Michael Shull each have eight points to lead the Polar Bears. Henniger also has six rebounds.

– Jackson leads 9-8 at the end of the first quarter.

Senior forward Mark Henniger leads the Polar Bears with four points and five rebounds.

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Jackson vs. Gahanna Lincoln

Division I state semifinal game Friday night at Value City Arena on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus.

Jackson wins 62-50

Jackson senior forward Josh Egner finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks, all of which were game-highs, in 31 minutes on the floor.

“When he comes to play, it’s over,” Jackson coach Mike Fuline said of Egner. “He is exciting to watch. He goes strong to the basket, rebounded well and made a lot of free throws.

“He has always had a lot of energy. He was not polished as an eight grader and ninth grader, but he has worked so hard and he believes in himself. He has built a sense in his mind that you are not going to stop him.”

Jackson (24-3) will play Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller (22-4) in the Division I state final at 8:30 tonight. Moeller defeated Mentor (23-4) in overtime 66-59 on Friday.

“They are a big, strong and physical team,” Lincoln coach Tony Staib said of Jackson. “They are physical at all five positions.”

Senior Anthony Jackson, a 6-foot guard, scored 23 points for Lincoln (26-1).

Egner, a 6-foot-7 University of Akron recruit, had two tremendous two-hand dunks in the third quarter, both of which 6-foot senior guard Brad DuPont assisted on.

“We just went out there and we are playing for everything right now,” Egner said. “There are six [seniors] in the locker room that don’t want to say goodbye to each other. Emotionally, we are on a different level than we ever have been.”

DuPont (12 points), 5-foot-10 junior guard Michael Shull (14 points) and 6-foot-8 senior forward Mark Henniger (11 points) also scored in double figures for Jackson.

DuPont also recorded seven rebounds and seven assists and Henniger, a Kent State recruit, grabbed nine rebounds.

Jackson made 21-of-26 shots from the field for 58.3 percent. Lincoln converted 18-of-57 shots from the field for 31.6 percent.

“We are a team that needs to shoot the ball well and we didn’t shoot the way we needed to,” Staib said. “I thought there size and strength hurt us. They got us on the glass and they got a lot of loose balls.”

The Polar Bears held a 37-26 rebounding advantage, but committed 23 turnovers to the Lions nine.

Lincoln defeated Columbus Northland 71-45 this past Saturday in a regional final.

“Gahanna Lincoln is a team that had an unbelievable year,” Fuline said. “I think they deserve a lot of credit. They went 26-0 with the schedule they play and they beat the No. 1 team in the country [Northland, according to the USA Today].”

Jackson leads 41-32 after three quarters

Senior forward Josh Egner has taken over the game. He has 17 points, six rebounds and three blocks.

Egner had two tremendous two-hand dunks in the third quarter, both of which senior guard Brad DuPon assisted on.

DuPont lobbed the ball off the backboard on the first dunk during a fast break and Egner jammed it home. Egner followed that up a few possessions later with another emphatic dunk over a Lincoln defender.

Jackson leads 26-24 at halftime

Junior guard Michael Shull has nine points, senior guard Brad DuPont has eight points and five rebounds and senior forward Josh Egner has six points, six rebounds and three blocks.

Lincoln senior guard Anthony Jackson leads all scorers with 12 points and junior guard Stevie Taylor has five points.

Jackson has 12 turnovers at halftime, Lincoln has three. The Polar Bears have a 18-12 rebounding advantage.

Basketball legend Jerry Lucas was honored at halftime by OHSAA for its circle of champions. After receiving a standing ovation he then walked off the court and was handed a Jackson basketball t-shirt, which he held in the air to a loud roar from Polar Bears fans.

Lucas was also honored Thursday at halftime of Orrville’s game with football legend Howard “Hopalong” Cassidy.

Jackson leads 18-9 after the first quarter

Junior guard Michael Shull led the Polar Bears with nine points and senior guard Brad DuPont scored six points.

Jackson senior forward Josh Egner contributed three points, three rebounds and three blocks in the opening quarter.

Senior forwards Josh Egner and Mark Henniger led Jackson to a 52-50 victory over Toledo St. John’s Jesuit in a Division I regional final Saturday night at Rhodes Arena on the campus of the University of Akron.

The Polar Bears advance to play in a state semifinal in Columbus with a 23-2 record. The Titans conclude their season with a 19-5 record.

Egner, a 6-foot-6 University of Akron recruit, scored 24 points.

Henniger, a 6-foot-7 Kent State University recruit, scored 17 points.