Saturday high school basketball games saw some exciting action as teams competed in the OHSAA sectionals. Marlington’s girls basketball team claimed victory as Chelsea Evanich scored 17 second-half points, surpassing 1,000 rebounds for her career and reaching a rare milestone. With a total of 23 points and 16 rebounds in the game, Evanich’s career totals now stand at 1,520 points and 1,006 rebounds. Marlington’s win secured them a spot in the district semifinal against St. Vincent-St. Mary.
Central Catholic also emerged victorious in a decisive win against Lisbon David Anderson, with Lily Belden leading the Crusaders with 17 points. The team now advances to a district semifinal against Berlin Center W. Reserve.
Tuslaw secured a hard-fought victory on the road, defeating Columbia Station Columbia with Destiny Dulkoski scoring 15 points. The team’s win advances them to play No. 3 Columbiana Crestview in a district semifinal.
Tusky Valley’s girls basketball team dominated the court, with Leah Bourquin and Kaleigh Norris leading the team to a Division III sectional final win at home. The team’s next challenge is against Union Local in a district semifinal.
Alliance faced a tough loss on the road against Gilmour Academy, with Jayla Callock scoring 19 points and grabbing eight rebounds in the Division II sectional final.
In boys basketball, despite Chance Casenhiser’s remarkable 44-point performance, Lake High School lost at home to Mentor. Casenhiser, who leads the Stark County area in scoring, now holds a scoring average of 24.3 points per game for the season and has increased his school-record career scoring total to 1,249 points.
