D.L.Burnworth

  Timothy Hall Ripley High School Offensive Line/Defensive Line 2025 6’ 3” 265 LBS Awards won or earned 1st Team All Cardinal Conference. I was also recognized as Offensive Lineman of the Year through Ripley High School. What were your feelings as you walked off the field for the last time as a member of the Ripley Viking football team? I was sad, but I left no regrets on the field. What are you going to miss the most from playing high school football? I'm going to miss the memories I made with the guys. What was the biggest lesson you learned from playing high school football? I’ve learned a lot of things, but the one that stood out to me was how to respect and treat people. What do you consider your biggest moment as a high school football player? Point Pleasant because that game was the most exciting game I’ve ever had and the feeling of excitement of the fans and crowd with the clock hitting 0. Who was the best player you ever faced in a game, along with the team he played on? ...

  First, I have to say thank you to Whetstone Head Coach Tim Broske for the hospitality and allowing me to shoot pictures from the dugout. 2nd, it was great to speak with Coach Bell, who is helping out with the East Tigers baseball team. My first baseball game of the season took me to Whetstone High School to watch the Braves open their season against Columbus City League. for East Tigers Through two innings this game was locked at zero; the thing that stuck out the most was Whetstone freshman pitcher Lex Beson had struck out all six batters he had faced. He would run that streak to seven in a row to start the third. In the bottom of the third, Jonas Conn would swipe two bases and then score on a passed ball to give the Braves the 1-0 lead. The Tigers would close the door before any more damage was done. Whetstone would go off in the fourth inning. Liam Shea would single in a run to make this a 2-0 game; he would take 2nd base on an error. Dallas Adler would single to make this a 3...

  (First, thank you, Raiders, for having your stats and roster up on MAXPREPS.COM.) 2ND Lakewood has no roster or stats up for the game on MaxPreps.) I traveled to Reynoldsburg for my third softball game of the 2025 season, where the Raiders (0-2) came in with blowout losses to Hamilton Township (20-3) and to Hillard Davidson (18-1). For the Lakewood Lancers (2-0) with wins over Newark (7-5) and Bexley (17-1). In the top half of the first #13, Lakewood hit a hard shot for a single to drive in a run, making this a 1-0 game. #13 would go 4-4 at the plate and drive in two when all was said and done. #16 for the Lancers would blast a bomb to make this a 2-0 game still in the first. #16 would blast two homers in this one. Her second shot was a three-run bomb. #23 made it 3-0 with a single. The Lancers would lead 5-0 after two innings with #13 and #16 driving in runs on hard-hit balls. #13 also would earn the win in this one by going the distance. I spoke with #13's father during the gam...

My second softball game of the year took me to Whetstone High School in Columbus, Ohio, where the Braves hosted the Panthers from Linden McKinley. Whestone (1-0) comes in off of their 18-2 thrashing of the Northland Vikings, while the Panthers were playing their first game of the year. The Panthers dressed nine players and ended with just eight. 55 Brave fans showed up for this contest played in the cold. 48 fans looked to be for the Braves, with the Panthers having 6, and there was me, a neutral fan. A six-run first inning for the Braves put this one away early. The Braves tacked on nine in the second, with two in the third and one in the fourth, which was their last at-bat. To be honest, the Braves could have won 60 or 70 to zero if their coach had won with class and made sure his ladies did not embarrass the Panthers. Using the Whetstone stats that are up on Maxpreps (thank you, Braves, for getting the stats up as fast as you did). Jillian Nelson, Avery Bair, and Kiara Heizman comb...

  (I COULD NOT FIND A LAKEWOOD ROSTER ONLINE.) Softball season kicked off this afternoon in Hebron, Ohio, with the Lakewood Lancers hosting the Newark Wildcats. It was cold and windy at times, but these two schools still found a way to put up a combined 18 hits and 11 runs. Both teams had a chance to score in the first as they both had two on with two out, but pitching and defense stood tall, allowing zero runs. The Lancers took a 2-0 lead in the 2nd inning with #8 scoring on a wild pitch or a passed ball, as I am not sure how it was officially ruled. #23 made it 2-0 with a fielder choice groundout. Karma Wells made it 2-1 with an RBI in the third inning. According to the Newark stats, she would go 3-3 on the day, score a run, and swipe a base. The girl should cause problems for teams all season long, especially with her bat control and speed. In the fourth inning, the Wildcats looked poised to blow the game open; they had two on with zero out, but a strikeout followed by a line dr...

  The Division III state final game pitted the speedy, hard-nosed Cincinnati Falcons against the Slow and Steady Louisville Leopards. The Falcons came in with a 27-1 record while Louisville came in 23-5. The first quarter would see Tate Aljancic go off for ten points to lead Louisville, who jumped out to an early 23-12 lead. In the quarter, Louisville hit 8-12 shots compared to 41.7% for the Falcons. Aiken would get 7 points from James Burnett Jr. In the quarter, Burnett hit 3-4 shots. Two big stats in the quarter were that Louisville hit 5-5 from three-point land, while Aiken hit 1-4, and from the free throw line, Louisville was perfect 5-5 and Aiken was 1-1. The second quarter was much like the opening quarter, with the Leopards outscoring the Falcons 15-7. Aiken hit just 3-9 from the field with Burnett again leading the way with 6 points on 3-5 shooting. For Louisville, Avery Andrejcik made his presence known with 8 points. He too hit 3-5 shots. In the quarter, Louisville again ...

  7,148 people were at U.D. Arena to watch Maysville and Glenville battle for the Division Four state basketball title. Maysville entered with a 26-3 record while Glenville out of Cleveland came in 19-8. This one started out with Glenville leading 5-0 behind a three-pointer from Frehman. Garry Pritchett Jr. and a bucket from Xavier Vickerstaff. Mayville responded with eight straight points. Gator Nichols nailed three-pointers, followed by a layup from Jordyn Watson. The quarter ended with holding a 17-13 lead. Leading the Tarblooders with 5 points on 2-3 shooting was Theo Castro. For the Panthers, Nichols too had 5 points. In the second quarter, the two teams traded buckets to get things started. Glenville struck first with Amir Lessears scoring on a layup, and for the Panthers, Nichols hit a three. Glenville would lead by seven at one point in the quarter before the Panthers shaved two points off of the lead to trail 37-32 at the half. Leading Glenville in the quarter with 8 point...

    Lauryn Auchmuty Columbus Grove Point Guard 2025 5”7’ Awards won or earned (Please check pics at bottom of interview for the awards) First, congrats to you and the team on the state championship. Thank you! You are very active as you not only play basketball, but you also are on the track team and you are on the soccer team. Could you explain to everyone how tough it is to be involved in all three sports and keep up on your schoolwork? It is very difficult to manage both athletics and academics at the same time. Between 2 hour practice, lifts, extra time put into each sport and school it can become very stressful and overwhelming but you just need to take it day by day. Of the three sports, which one is the toughest to prepare for? It was hard for all three… Soccer and basketball with all the foot skills and ball handling but with track and the skill development needed to preform at your highest level. Of the three sports, which one do you feel you are the best at? I person...

  The Pickerington Central Tigers have been so close to capturing their eighth state title in school history. The 2024-2025 season, from an outsider's perspective, did not look like it would be the year after the team had some major injuries, losing Faith King and Rylee Bess, but the program itself set out to show why this would be the year. The Tigers would go 13-0 in conference play. They played a tough non-league schedule where they did drop three games to three excellent teams, including Winton Woods. Overall, they entered their state final game setting at 24-3. Princeton, who brings fear with the name alone, in the girls high school basketball world. Year in and year out, they win and do so with solid talent, speed, and the ability to have their superstars blend well with the role players, taking the team concept to another level. They entered the state final game, setting 21-6, with losses to some powerhouse out-of-state teams. To show how hot the Vikings got as the season gr...

  Waterford has quietly become a powerhouse in small school girls basketball and this season added to their powerhouse reputation as they played for the Division VII state title against another powerhouse in small school basketball, Fort Loramie. Between the two schools, they had a 51-4 record. 3,247 total people were in U.D. Arena for this one, with all of them being treated to an awesome competitive game. Waterford took control in the opening stanza, using 5 points from Kendall Sury and 4 points from Avery Wagner to lead 12-7 after one. The Redskins would get 3 points from Mylee Shatto. In the quarter, Waterford was able to get 5 turnovers, while they turned the ball over 4 times. The Wildcats also won the battle of the boards 6-5. The Redskins cut an 8-point deficit down to two with some nice late play in the half. Victoria Mescher led the way with 6 points on 2 of 3 shooting and 2 of 2 shooting from the charity stripe. Avery Brandewie scored 4 points in the quarter by hitting a...

    Played with 3,109 people in U.D. Arena. Columbus Grove looked right at home as they raced out to a 22-6 first-quarter lead, never looking back as they posted a 19-point win over a very good Rootstown squad. Kendal Palte started hot for the Bulldogs, going 4-5 from the field and 2-2 from the charity stripe for 10 points in the quarter. Allison Thompson chipped in with 5 points. For Rootstown, they had three players score 2 points each. Sophi Smith hit her only shot in the quarter. There were 12 turnovers in the quarter, with the Rovers committing seven. Rootstown looked very good in quarter number two, hitting 7 free throws and 2 three-point baskets en route to outscoring the Bulldogs 13-11. Leading the way in the quarter for the Rovers was Elliot Smallfield with 7 points, including 4-4 from the charity stripe. Lauryn Auchmuty led the Bulldogs in the quarter with 5 points. She made 3 free throws and hit one shot from the field. Both teams had six rebounds, and each team had...

  Portsmouth might have the fastest hands in the state of Ohio when it comes to girls basketball, and their opponent is fresh off of a win over the beast known as Africentric Early College, who in their own right is downright quick with the hands too. As I thought of this matchup, my first thought was, could the Bobcats find a way to slow down Portsmouth? When all was said and done, the answer was simply no!!! With 2,699 total people in U.D. Arena, Portsmouth would jump out of the gate, doubling up the Bobcats 16-8, and never really looked back as they would go on to win the state title and make many of the posters on Southeasternohiopreps.com as happy as they could be. The Trojans hit 7-12 in the quarter, with Sienna Allen leading the way with 7 points. On the other hand, the Bobcats made just 2-7 field goals, with Ava Maibach scoring 5 points. But the biggest difference in the quarter was the Trojans defense forced 10 Bobcats turnovers while committing just three themselves. In t...

  Winton Woods out of Cincinnati came into the state championship weekend as the only undefeated team in the state (26-0). The beat Division One Pickerington Central, who plays for a state title later today, and they beat the likes of Milford twice (18-5), Magnificat (20-6), also a D-1 school like Pickerington Central, and let's not forget the win over Olentangy (22-4). So, there was nothing that an excellent Anthony Wayne (22-4) team was going to throw at them that they were not prepared for. Not to say that this was not going to be a very tough game that the winner was going to earn on the floor. The first quarter was very competitive with Winton Woods leading 21-19 with both teams showing the crowd of 3,334 why they were there. For the Warriors in the quarter, offensively they were a one-lady show with Strawberry Blankumsee scoring 13 points largely by hitting 6-6 free throws to go with hitting 3-5 from the floor, including a three-pointer. For the generals, they would get 9 poi...

  Bellevue entered the game 28-1, losing only to Norwalk by three, while Kettering Alter entered 19-8. Bellevue traveled around 160 miles to Dayton, while Alter could have walked the four miles to the arena. Bellevue was looking for their first state title while Alter could say we have been here and done that. The opening quarter would see just 13 total points scored, with the Redmen taking the 9-4 lead. The Knights would go 0-12 in the quarter, getting 3 free throws from Maddie Moody and one free throw from Da'Shai Shepard. The Redmen were led by Audrey Turner with 7 points. In the second quarter, Bellevue would lead 13-6. It was another rough shooting quarter for the Knights (1-9). Bellevue was (1-10). There were six points scored in the quarter and six turnovers. In the third quarter, each team managed to score ten points apiece. Defense was the mainstay throughout the contest. With Bellevue leading 23-16 entering the final frame, I believe both teams felt they could win the gam...

Purcell Marian entered the state championship game looking to earn their 23rd game of the season, while Avon Lake was seeking win number 24. The Cavaliers were the big favorite to earn another state title, and with four seniors in the starting lineup, one knew they would have little or no nerves about playing once again in Dayton. For Avon Lake, they had three seniors in their lineup, with a junior and a sophomore. Things started out very sloppy early, but once things settled down, the Cavaliers jumped out to a 23-8 lead and left no doubt as to how the rest of this one was going to go. Using a pressing defense that made life a nightmare for Avon Lake, the Cavaliers would force 11 turnovers in the half, helping them lead 45-21 at the half. The third quarter was much of the same, with the Cavs winning the quarter 18-7 and stretching their lead to 63-28. Avon Lake would take the final frame 16-9, making the final score 72-44. Leading the way for the winners with 27 points, 10 boards, and ...

  Maycee Martindill Fairfield Union High School Shooting Guard, Small Forward 2026 Height and Weight 5'6, 140 lbs Awards won or earned: Sophomore: Second team All-MSL, Honorable Mention District 11 Junior: First team All-MSL, first team District 11, second team Southeast District How long have you played basketball, and who or what got you started? I have played basketball at the age of 5. I think what made me want to start playing was my parents being big on basketball and my mom coaching my first basketball team. What are you going to miss the most from the 2025 class? the leadership they portray on our team and the connections on and off the court What moment during the season, a game, at practice, or on the bus ride will you remember the most? The pregame bus rides to the game talking about anything and everything. Also home games where the energy is always there. What part of your game do you believe is the strongest? My shooting but also having the ability to drive hard and p...

  Hadli Gillum William V. Fisher Catholic High School (Lancaster, OH) PG/SG 2028 5’11” 145 lbs Awards won or earned: 1st Team All MSL-Cardinal, MSL-Cardinal Player of The Year, 1st Team District 11 (D7), 1st Team Central District (D7), Central District Player of the Year (D7). How long have you played basketball, and who or what got you started? I started playing basketball at the YMCA at 4 years old. I was always around basketball. Watching my dad and his friends play in leagues and Gus Macker tournaments. What were your goals heading into the 2024-2025 season? Earn a spot as a varsity starter. Win the Mid State League. Win a District Championship. Earn All-League honors. Enjoy the one season that I get to share the court with my sisters Charli and Layni (twin). Of the goals you set, which ones did you achieve? All of them. What do you feel is the strongest part of your game? Probably my shooting ability or just my overall ability to score from multiple levels. Which part of your ...

    Olivia Tobin  Avon Lake    Guard   2025 5’6 140 Awards won or earned: 1st team all conference and county 2nd team all conference and county Varsity letter 4 years How long have you played basketball, and who or what got you started?   I have been playing for about 12 years now, it was both my mother and watching a lot of NBA that got me into playing. What were your personal goals heading into the season?   Definitely wanted to score a lot more, be a leader, and be that calming presence in pressure game. What goals had you set for your team this season?   We wanted to win the conference, go deep in playoffs, and be the best defensive team in the are. In watching some of your HUDL highlights, one thing that sticks out is your quick shot. Which part of your game do you feel is the strongest?   I have always thought my floater game is the strongest part of my game. I’m really good at coming down the lane and stopping short with a flo...

  Portsmouth faced Fairland twice during the regular season winning 67-49 in the first match up and then they won the second match up 47-35. The third match up really was over just a few minutes into the game. The Trojans jumped out to a 19-8 game and never let up. The second quarter was a domination by the winners as they outscored the Dragons 21-7. In the half the two big-guns for the Trojans Sienna Allen and Soft-shooting Daysha Reid showed the large crowd that was loud and very much into the game that they were the top Dawgs on the floor. Both finished with 20 points on the night. Reid hit three early threes and Allen added two. Portsmouth outscored the Dragons 17-12 in the third. The Dragons who were beat and I believe they knew it would have spurts that showed the crowd why they were here and had such a great season. Maxpreps has them finishing the season 21-6. Most believe they will be back next season as strong as ever. The final frame would see some the Trojans winning 16-...

  When you hear the name Africentric in Ohio and it comes to girls basketball, there are many adjectives you might hear. Champion, toughness, intimidation, and many others. For the Norwayne Bobcats they simply refused to let any of those adjectives play a part in their semi-final game against the Nubians. Using a 15-2 run in the first half, along with 16 points from super-stud 5-11 Junior Ava Maibach the Bobcats led 14-8 after one period and then 26-13 at the half. A big bright spot for the Nubians in the half was Jeniya Bowers who scored 7 of her teams 13 points.  The second half the Nubians used a ferocious defense coupled with a lot of speed to outscore the Bobcats 12-8 to cut the lead to 34-28. The Bobcats at times struggled at times with the double teams and the quick hands of the Nubians defense but they never seem to forget who they were and what they do and that was enough to carry them to a 49-40 win. I had Maibach with 27 total points and  7 boards. She had thre...

  Rootstown in their first ever girls semi final game was able to make the trip great as they escape a small, young, and very physical Fort Frye team. Fort Frye started one senior and four Sophomores and they all played every minute of the game. The Cadets only dressed eight players in the game.  Rootstown led 19-17 after one quarter with Nadia Lough showing early that she could be a force. Lough had 12 in the first half and finished with 20 after all was said and done. At halftime the Rovers led 34-28 and it looked like the Cadets were going to get ran out of the gym. Their stud player Emmie Dusky was be hounded like a dog on the scent of the kill as she had to work for every shot she took. She still was able to end her night with 13 points. The second half the Cadets came out and looked like the fresher team as they quickly locked this game up. The quarter ended with Rootstown catching their breath to lead 47-45. Fort Frye with just five players playing and basically only th...

  Two foes from the Muskingum County got together down in Athens at Ohio University and early on this was just a 9-8 games, with Maysville leading. From there Maysville would outscore New Lexington 65-36 to walk At the end of one Maysville led 23-10. Things only got worse for New Lexington in the 2nd as they trailed 40-17. The third quarter went by pretty fast with Maysville leading 55-23. The final would be 74-44 with both teams emptying their benches.  Maysville would be lead by Gator Nichols 20 points. He was aided by Jordyn Watson with 18 points and 7 points from Landon Iden. The winners hit 9 there-pointers, 21 two-pointers, and 5 free throws. For New Lexington, Bentley Hanson led the way with 17 points. His biggest help came from Isaiah Stephens 12 points. Maysville hit 7 three-pointers led by Hanson with three, all in the late part of the game. They had 9 2 pointers, and 5 free throws. Follow me on X @HEARTLANDFAN15 On Facebook @ Burnworth David  (For all of my gam...

  Unioto tipped of tonight in Athens at Ohio University against River Valley out of Caledonia. The first quarter was face paced with a lot of good action with Unioto taking a 23-15 lead. In the second quarter it appeared that Unioto was going to turn this into a blowout but River Valley went on a 12-0 run to lock things up at 30. From there the teams went into sloppy mode as it appeared both teams, especially Unioto looked lost. Unioto would recover to take a 33-32 lead into the half. Blake Hoops would have 11 at the half to lead Unioto with Sawyer Weston leading all scorers for River Valley with 12 points. Unioto ran eight players onto the court in the half, as did River Valley. with a total of ten players scoring at least one point. Breaking that down to 6 players for River Valley and four for Unioto. Unioto would have a very solid third quarter taking a 50-42 lead into the final frame. In the quarter Shermans played another pretty clean quarter looking relaxed and in control. Ri...