CINCINNATI (AP) — Slade Cecconi pitched 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball, Corbin Carroll drove in the game-winning run with an eighth-inning single, and the Arizona Diamondbacks hung on to beat Cincinnati 5-4 on Thursday, capping a series sweep and extending the Reds’ losing skid to eight games.

Joc Pederson homered in the first inning for Arizona, which won its fourth straight.

Five different players drove in runs.

“Just day by day, quality at bats,” shortstop Kevin Newman said. “The offense is starting to go a little better. Handing the at-bat off to the next guy behind you, putting him in a good position to drive a run in, knock a pitcher out, it just seems like we’re starting to play how we know we can play. I don’t think anybody in this clubhouse thinks we’re ever out of it.”

Spencer Steer’s two-out single in the seventh inning tied the game for the struggling Reds, but Carroll’s two-out hit in the eighth brought home Tucker Barnhart — and gave Arizona a lead that stuck.

“When I needed them to step on the gas in the eighth inning, they gave a little bit extra,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said.

Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald struck out Will Benson and Tyler Stephenson, and got T.J. Friedl on a ground ball in the ninth to pick up his first save.

Cecconi (2-2) went 5 1/3 innings, allowing one run and three hits while striking out two.

Kevin Ginkel (2-0) pitched a scoreless inning to get the win.

Reds starter Hunter Greene had his streak of 15 1/3 scoreless innings snapped on Pederson’s homer.

Greene allowed three runs and four hits through five innings, striking out six and walking five.

Fernando Cruz (1-3) pitched the eighth and took the loss.

“It was a sluggish day,” Greene said. “I was just trying to grind through it and keep the team in the game.”

Jeimer Candelario hit his fourth home run for the Reds, and Elly De La Cruz stole two bases to push his major-league leading total to 23.

Cincinnati lost for the 11th time in 13 games, and were also swept at home by the Baltimore Orioles last weekend.

They haven’t scored more than four runs in a game during the losing streak, slipping a season-high five games under .500 (16-21) with a long road trip ahead.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Diamondbacks: Starting center fielder Alek Thomas (left hamstring) was pulled from his rehab for further medical examination.

Reds: RHP Ian Gibaut had anterior interosseous nerve-release surgery on his right arm on Thursday. He was shut down in April with lingering forearm issues.

UP NEXT

Reds: Lefty Andrew Abbott (1-4, 3.32 ERA) took the mound against the Giants on Friday night in the first of a 10-game road trip out West.

Right-hander Logan Webb (3-3, 3.50) was the scheduled starter for San Francisco.

Portsmouth sophomore pitcher Katie Ankrom (10)

Courtesy of Randy and Joann Waugh

PORTSMOUTH — It was in the third inning on Monday when Portsmouth Trojans head softball coach Chad Galloway knew his pitcher was doing something special.

“I knew right then, you had the 1-2-3 batters up, and she’s just putting the ball past them,” he said.

What exactly was sophomore pitcher Katie Ankrom doing that was so significant?

A perfect game in the Division III sectional semifinal.

In five innings of work, the righty Ankrom gave up zero baserunners — while striking out nine of the 15 batters she would face.

“All of my pitches were kind of working. My coaches knew exactly what to call to get the batters out.” Ankrom said regarding her performance.

A single in the bottom of the first inning by senior Olivia Dickerson would be all Ankrom and Portsmouth would need, but they scored nine more throughout the game — winning 10-0 in a mercy-rule finish over visiting West Union.

Ankrom’s counterpart in the circle, Sara Boldman, did not fare as well for the Dragons.

She went 4.1 innings, allowing all 10 runs on eight hits and four walks.

Half of the Lady Trojans’ runs came in a five-run bottom of the fourth inning.

Dickerson struck again with a solo homer to centerfield to kick things off.

Portsmouth senior Olivia Dickerson (18)

Courtesy of Randy and Joann Waugh

An error would score another run, and junior Amya Carr doubled home another.

Ankrom’s older sister, Madison, scored two on a single to cap off the frame.

After the final out, it was all smiles for Ankrom.

“I was really excited, because obviously it’s something that doesn’t happen a lot.”

Portsmouth went on to score four more in the bottom of the fifth, securing the mercy-rule win and the perfect game for Ankrom.

The win improved the Lady Trojans’ record to 8-13.

Portsmouth senior Emily Cheatham (5)

Courtesy of Randy and Joann Waugh

West Union ended its season at 1-14 with the loss.

PORTSMOUTH — On Tuesday, Portsmouth High School’s Hadsell Track played host to the Ohio Valley Conference’s Track and Field Championship meet for 2024.

However, there was no home advantage for the Trojans — as the teams placed eighth out of eight teams.

On the women’s side, Coal Grove took home first place with 173 points, 41 more than second-place South Point (132).

The Trojans totaled 30 points as a team.

For the men, first-place honors went to Rock Hill, which had 141 points against the next closest — South Point a dozen back at 129.

Portsmouth ended with 39 points.

Senior Jermya Powell had one of the top finishes out of any female Trojan, placing third in the girls shot put event.

In the finals, she threw 34 feet and seven and one-half inches.

Portsmouth senior Jermya Powell

Courtesy of Randy and Joann Waugh

Powell also placed seventh in the discus throw, going for 87 feet and 11 inches in the final.

In the girls long jump, freshman Bry Shannon impressed with a fifth-place showing, second among freshmen who competed.

Portsmouth freshman Bry Shannon

Courtesy of Randy and Joann Waugh

Shannon also finished third in the 300-meter hurdles with a blazing 53.17 seconds time.

Kingston Littlefield was the top finisher for the men, going for 20 feet and five inches in the long jump.

In the event, Rock Hill’s Izaak Cox broke the OVC record with a 23-foot, two and one-half inch leap.

As a team, the Trojans finished third in the boys 4x100m relay and fourth in the 4x200m relay.

Juniors Zion Froe, Lukas Bradley and Chase Heiland teamed with sophomore Kayleb Johnson for this event.

Portsmouth junior Zion Froe

Courtesy of Randy and Joann Waugh

Other performances of note included Portsmouth’s Chase Heiland, who placed fifth in the boys 100-meter dash with a time of 11.40 seconds.

Portsmouth freshman Reid Click

Courtesy of Randy and Joann Waugh

Freshman Reid Click ran a two-minute 13.29-second time in the 800-meter run, good for seventh-place.

Portsmouth senior My’Shawn Williams

Courtesy of Randy and Joann Waugh

Senior My’Shawn Williams placed sixth of nine in the 110-meter hurdles with a 19.11-second finish.

Williams also ran in the 300-meter hurdles, placing fifth among 13 runners in 44.90 seconds.

* * *

Ohio Valley Conference

2024 Track & Field Meet

Girls Team Results

1. Coal Grove 173; 2. South Point 132; 3. Gallia Acdemy 99; 4. Fairland 79; Ironton 65; 6. Chesapeake 50; 7. Rock Hill 31; 8. Portsmouth 30

Field Events

Discus: 1. Savannah Perego (SP) 124-11, Isabella Wynn (CG) 108-2; 3. Olivia Newman (CG) 98-8; 4. Avery Byers (Fa) 94-9; 5. Tashawna Young (Ir) 89-7; 6. Hannah Taylor (Fa) 88-6; 7. Jermya Powell (Po) 87-11; 8. Madison Hanshaw (RH) 84-10

High Jump: 1. Sophia Sola (Ga) 4-10; 2. Laney Dressel (Ir) 4-10; 3. Rylie Myers (CG) 4-10; 4. Kylee Bruce (Fa) 4-8; 5. Abigail Clark (Ga) 4-6; 6. Amelia Laney (CG) 4-4; 7. Aubrey Wentz (Ch) 4-4; 8. Bindi Staley (SP) 4-2

Long Jump: 1. Molly Dunlap (Fa) 15-8.5; 2. Samiya Blackburn (SP) 15-4; 3. Lauren Pater (Ch) 15-1.5; 4. Makayla Bryant (CG) 14-10; 5. Bry Shannon (Po) 14-6; 6. Sophia Sola (Ga) 14-0; 8. Bridgette Stapleton (RH) 13-8

Shot Put: 1. Kaegan Henderson (Ir) 36-4.50; 2. Savannah Perego (SP) 35-1.25; 3. Jermya Powell (Po) 34-7.50; 4. Klara Klaiber (CG) 31-4.5; 5. Olivia Newman (CG) 31-2.5; 6. Avery Byers (Fa) 30-5; 7. Hannah Taylor (Fa) 29-6.25; 8. Abigail Payne (RH) 29-1

Pole Vault: 1. Bindi Staley (SP) 8-6; 2. Allison Stallard (CG) 8-6; 3. Katie Stitt (Fa) 8-0; 4. McKenzie Williams (SP) 8-0; 5. Violet Gilcher (Ch) 8-0; 6. Averiana Arbaugh (Ch) 7-0; 7. Jenna Henry (Ga) 7-0

Running Events

100M Hurdles: Leila Hall (SP 15.67, 2. Madison McDaniel (CG) 16.70; 3. Molly Dunlap (Fa) 17.63; 4. Abbey Isaacs (Ch) 17.95; 5. Allison Rogers (RH) 18:58; 6. Raleigh Adkins (Ga) 18:62; 7. Bry Shannon (Po) 18.65; 8. McKenzie Williams (SP) 19:72

100M: 1. Emma Layne (SP) 12.5224; 2. Madison McDaniel (CG) 12.5228; 3. Leila Hall (SP) 13.0; 4. Olivia Kingrey (CG) 13.08; 5. Gracyn Clark (Ga) 13.57; 6. Brynna Kellogg (RH) 13.88; 7. Kylee Dixon (Po) 13.91; 8. Lauren Prater (Ch) 14.02

200M: 1. Emma Layne (SP) 25.36 (new meet record); 2. Madison McDaniel (CG) 25.93; 3. Olivia Kingrey (CG) 26.83; 4. Camille Hall (SP) 26.98; 5. Gracyn Clark (Ga) 28.17; 6. Kylee Dixon (Po) 28.96; 7. Tiyeh Brown (Ir) 28.97; 8. Katie Stitt (Fa) 29.00

300 Hurdles: 1. Madison McDaniel (CG) 48.11; 2. Molly Dunlap (Fa) 50.45; 3. Bry Shannon (Po) 53.17; 4. Gracyn Clark (Ga) 54.05; 5. Peyton Deer (Ir) 55.13; 6. Abbey Isaacs (Ch) 56.06; 7. Violet Gilcher (Ch) 56.76; 8. Miranda Howard (RH) 58.27

400M: 1. Samiya Bradburn (SP) 59.38; 2. Kylie Montgomery (CG) 1:01.62; 3. Olivia Kingrey (CG) 1:01.82’ 4. Layla Wentz (Ch)1:02.60; 5. Camille Hall (SP) 1:02.97; 6. Katie Stitt (Fa) 1:07.25; 7. Kate Evans (Ga) 1:08.62; 8. Bree Allen (Fa) 1:09.22

800M: 1. Laura Hamm (CG) 2:35.17; 2. Laila Wentz (Ch) 2:39.13; 3. Kennedy Smith (Ga) 2:41.71; 4. Ryen Nunn (Ga) 2:46.42; 5. Kalli Vanderhoof (CG) 2:52.27; 6. Olivia Wood (Fa) 2:55.85; 7. Samiya Bradburn (SP) 2:58.52; 8. Addison Neal (Ir) 2:58.66

1600M: 1. Laura Hamm (C) 5:25.79; 2. Marlena McCown (Ir) 5:29.53; 3. Molly Dunlap (Fa) 5:42.62; 4. Elizabeth Hout (Ga) 6:04.72. Elizabeth Clagg (Ga) 6:05.35; 6. Kylie Gilmore (RH) 6:25.90; 7. Brinkley Spears (Fa) 6:36.12; 8. Regan Jiles (CG) 6:46.24

3200M: 2. Laura Hamm (CG) 12:27.73; 2. Marlena McCown (Ir) 12:35.26; 3. Madison Clagg (Ga) 13:44.11; 4. Kylie Gilmore (RH) 14:08.77; 5. Jill Montgomery (Ga) 14:11.94; 6. Allana Pemberton (CG) 14:20.59; 7. Jocelyn Skeens (SP) 15:14. 82; 8. Leah Gorby (Ga) 16:20.03

Relays

4x100M: 1. South Point (Molly Adams, Leila Hall, Bindi Staley, Emma Layne) 51.04 (new meet record); 2. Coal Grove (Alyssa Thibodaux, Klara Klaiber, Alivia Noel Kylie Montgomery) 52.89; 3. Gallia Academy (Makayla Bryant, Alexis Carter, Ariah Sinclair, Gracyn Clark) 53.05; 4. Rock Hill (J’lynn Risner, Autumn Blankenship, Destiny Bledsoe, Miranda Howard) 55.10; 5. Ironton (Emerson White, Hannah Leith, Libby Presston, Tiyeh Brown) 55.32; 6. Chesapeake (Jaden Roberts, Abbey Isaacs, Clairynn Romans, Lauren Prater) 56.00; 7. Portsmouth (KK Mays, Bry Shannon, Chloe Spriggs, Kylee Dixon) 56.33; 8. Fairland (Jade D’Angelo, Bree Allen, Kylee Bruce, Addi Waddell) 57.39

4x200M: 1. Coal Grove (Alyssa Thibodaux, Lara Roach, Alivia Noel, Kylie Montgomery) 1:53.25; 2. South Point (Anna Fahey, Samiya Blackburn, Molly Adams, Camille Hall) 1:54.31; 3. Gallia Academy (Ariah Sinclair, Alexis Carter, Kendra Davis, Cloey McCarty) 1:56.81; 4. Ironton (Peyton Deer, Libby Preston, , Hannah Leith, Tiyeh Brown) 1:57.19; 5. Rock Hill (J’lynn Risner, Autumn Blankenship, Destiny Bledsoe, Allison Rogers) 1:57.47; 6. Chesapeake (Violet Gilcher, Jaden Roberts, Lauren Pater, Laila Wentz) 1:59.75; 7. Portsmouth (KK Mays, Tayland Edwards, Chloe Spriggs, Kylee Dixon) 2:04.97; 8. Fairland (Jade D’Angelo, Isabelle Swindler, Dani Fitzpatrick, Addi Waddell) 2:12.56

4x400M: 1. Coal Grove (Alyssa Thibodaux, Olivia Kingrey, Kylie Montgomery, Laura Hamm) 4:02.94 (new meet record); 2. South Point (Leila Hall, Molly Adams, Emma Layne, Camille Hall) 4:05.89; 3. Ironton (Hannah Leith, Rachel Leith, Emerson White, Peyton Deer) 4:32.00; 4. Gallia Academy (Kate Evans, Brittyn Snedaker, Elizabeth Hout, Kennedy Smith) 4:36.66; 5. Fairland (Olivia Wood, Bree Allen, Kylee Bruce, Dani Fitzpatrick) 4:43.00; 6. Chesapeake (Viloet Gilcher, Kate Ball, Abbey Isaacs, Laila Wentz) 4:55.80

4x800M: 1. Gallia Academy (Elizabeth Hout, Brittyn Snedaker, Kennedy Smith, Ryen Nunn) 11:09.09; 2. Coal Grove (Kalli Vanderhoof, Regan Jiles, Allana Pemberton, Amelia Laney) 11:28.84; 3. Fairland (Olivia Wood, Kadence Ulrich, Gracie Rogers, Brinkley Spears) 11:56.30; 4. Ironton (Lexi Cochran, Alli Davis, Addison Neal, Rachel Leith) 12:04.02; 5. South Point (Jocelyn Skeens, Tiara Liston, Kamia Howard, Bella Sarabia) 12:58.33; 6. Rock Hill (Kylie Gilmore, Emma Scott, Kayleigh Sisler, Shelbi Wigandt) 12:58.58; 7. Chesapeake (Clairynn Romans, Kate Ball, Brooklyn Webb, Jaden Roberts) 13:57.39; 8. Portsmouth (Lisek Esqivel-Beltran, Lexie Potts, Andrea Lott, Joanna Li) 14:19.25

* * *

Boys Team Results

1. Rock Hill 141; 2. South Point 129; 3. Gallia Academy 102.5; 4. Fairland 73.5; 5. Ironton 62.5; 6. Coal Grove 56.5; 7. Chesapeake 55; 8. Portsmouth 39

Field Events

Discus: 1. Derrick Taylor (SP) 141-3; 2. Will Callicoat (Fa) 138-6; 3. Cory Mock (Ga) 138-0; 4. Owen Fredrick (SP) 136-5; 5. Tristan Dailey (Fa) 131.8; 6. Morgan Gleichauf (Ir) 130-5; 7. Tanner King (Ga) 126.4; 8. Eli Smith (RH) 120-0

High Jump: 1. Izaak Cox (RH) 6-2; 2. Tyler Carmon (Ir) 6-1; 3. Cade Mock (Ga) 6-0; 4. Carter Smith (SP) 5-10; 5. Jacob Spitler (Ch) 5-8; 6. Alex Blair (Ga) 5-6; 7. Maddix Markel (Ir) 5-6; 8. Landon Roberts (CG) 5-6

Long Jump: 1. Isaac Cox (RH) 23.2.5 (new meet record); 2. Josiah Swann (Ga) 21-0; 3. Kingston Littlefield (Po) 20-5; 4. Carter Smith (SP) 20-3.50; 5. Elijah Wilburn (SP) 20-0; 6. Max Canaday (Ga) 19-7.50; 7. Connor Lowe (Ir) 19-5.50; 8. Rylan Barker (RH) 19-3

Shot Put: 1. Derrick Taylor (SP) 54-7; 2. Tristan Dailey (Fa) 45-11; 3. Will Callicoat (Fa) 41-1; 4. Daniel Medinger (RH) 40-80; 5. Andrew Bryant (CG) 40-8; 6. Chris Calderon (Ch) 38-9.50; 7. Owen Fredrick (SP) 38-9.50; 8. Tanner King (Ga) 38.6

Pole Valut: 1. Carter Smith (SP) 14-7 (new meet record); 2. Sam Rusk (RH) 12-6; 3. Conner Black (Fa) 12-0; 4. Enoch Patterson (Ga) 11-6; 5. Logan Roberts (CG) 11-0; 6. Landon Thomas (Ir) 11-0; 7. (Tie) Jack Lambert (Ir), Nathaniel Hackworth (RH) , Gavin Ballard (Fa) 10-0

Running Events

110M Hurdles: 1. Cameron Burgess (Ch)14.81; 2. Kamren Miller (SP) 17.78; 3 AaronWorkman (RH) 18.37; 4. Cody Estep (Ir) 18.55; 5. Jeremiah Fizer (F) 19:05; 6. My’Shawn Williams (Po) 19.11; 7. Skylar Francis (Ga) 19:26; 8. Lucas Long (Ga) 19:65

100M: 1. Wade Hankins (RH) 11.14; 2. Izaak Cox (RH) 11.23; 3. Elijah Wilburn (SP) 11.23; 4. Kamren Miller (SP) 11.34; 5. Chase Heiland (Po) 11.40; 6. Hunter Shamblin (Ga) 11.43; 7. Hudson Shamblin (Ga) 11.53; 8. Kayden Edwards (Ir) 11.56

200M: 1. Joey Bloebaum (SP) 22.20; 2. Izaak Cox (RH) 22.26; 3. Hudson Shamblin (Ga) 22.98; 4. Hunter Shamblin (Ga) 23.10; 5. Elijah Wilburn (SP) 23.16; 6. Camron Shockley (Ch) 23.35; 7. Wade Hankins (RH) 23.46; 8. Jack Hayden (Fa) 23.74

300M Hurdles: 1. Cameron Burgess (Ch) 39.05; 2. Deshawn Garred (SP) 43.72; 3. Gavin Gipson (CG) 44.68; 4. Jermiah Fizer (Fa) 44.78; 5. My’Shawn Williams (Po) 44.90; 6. Aaron Workman (RH) 46.03; 7. Jonathon Nida (Fa) 46.24; 8. Cody Estep (Ir) 46.67

400M: 1. Joey Bloebaum (SP) 52.10; 2. Camron Shockley (Ch) 52.96; 3. Wade Hankins (RH) 53.28; 4. Lyndon Jackson (SP) 54.59; 5. Weston Goff (Fa) 54.63; 6. Kingston Littlefield (Po) 54.98; 7. Tatum Moore (Ir) 55.41; 8. Jackson Milam (Fa) 55.84.

800M: 1. Seth Hamm (CG) 2:02.29; 2. Nixon Snavely (RH) 2:05.84; 3. Lane Shaffer (Ga) 2:06.56; 4. Zane Dressel (Ir) 2:07.26; 5. Ben Simpson (H) 2:09.30; 6. Owen Johnson (CG) 2:12.33; 7. Reid Click (Po) 2:13.29; 8. Wesley Saunders (Ga) 2:16.13

1600M: 1. Nixon Snavely (RH) 4:31.05; 2. Lane Shaffer (Ga) 4:43.15; 3. Dakotah Sanders (RH) 4:46.48; 4. Kaiden Harris (Ch) 4:49.92; 5. Reid Click (Po) 4:54.92; 6. Lucien Heaberlin (SP) 5:01.06; 7. Dalton Griffing (Fa) 5:04.16; 8. Wesley Saunders (Ga) 5:07.94.

3200M: 1. Nixon Snavely (RH) 9:59.23; 2. Seth Hamm (CG) 10:13.62; 3. Lane Shaffer (Ga) 10:40.91; 4. Kaiden Harris (Ch) 10:45.08; 5. Dakotah Sanders (RH) 10:51.52; 6. Waylon Michael (Fa) 11:33.23; 7. Anthony Bell (Ir) 11:49.08; 8. Austin Rykowski (Ga) 12:08.60

Relays

4x100M: 1. Ironton (Kayden Edwards, Maddix Markel, Connor Lowe, Tatum Moore) 44.20; 2. Gallia Academy (Parker Burris, Braydn Simmons, Max Canaday, Hudson Shamblin) 44.50; 3. Portsmouth (Zion Froe, Kayleb Johnson, Lukas Bradley, Chase Heiland) 45.40; 4. Fairland (Jack Hayden, Xander Collins, Conner Black, Tristan Daily) 46.2; 5. Coal Grove (Kamryn Hall, Rylan Smith, Landon Roberts, Kaden Murphy) 46.74; 6. Rock Hill (Rylan Barker, Aaron Workman, Cameron Stevens, Dylan Griffith) 47.15; 7. Chesapeake (Marquis Branch, Liam Hunt, Mikey Rose, Kyler Sexton) 51.55

4x200M: 1. South Point (Davin Heckard, Joey Bloebaum, Deshawn Garred, Elijah Wilburn) 1;31.21; 2. Ironton (Jack Whaley, Maddix Markel, Connor Lowe, Tatum Moore) 1:33.30; 3. Gallia Academy (Parker Burris, Braydn Simmons, Max Canaday, Hunter Shamblin) 1:34.00; 4. Portsmouth (Zion Froe, Kayleb Johnson, Lukas Bradley, Chase Heiland) 1:34.24; 5. Fairland (JackHayden, Xander Collins, Weston Goff, Jeremiah Fizer) 1:36.83; 6. Coal Grove (Owen Johnson, Kamryn Hall, Landon Roberts, Kaden Murphy) 1:37.19; 7. Rock Hill (Cameron Stevens, Aaron Workman, Rylan Barker, Dylan Griffith) 1:38.69; 8. Chesapeake (Noah Preston, Mikey Rose, Marquis Branch, Liam Hunt) 1:47.13

4x400M: 1. Gallia Academy (Braydn Simmons, Wesley Saunders, Hudson Shamblin, Hunter Shamblin) 3:34.89; 2. South Point (Deshawn Garred, Lyndon Jackson, Uriah Gardner, Kamren Miller) 3:36.51; 3. Coal Grove (Kaden Murphy, Rylan Smith, Gavin Gipson, Owen Johnson) 3:37.62; 4. Rock Hill (Ben Simpson, Dylan Griffith, Connor Blag, Wade Hankins) 3:38.85; 5. Fairland (Conner Black, Dalton Griffing, Weston Goff, Jonathon Nida) 3:41.00; 6. Ironton (Zane Dressel, Bryce Martins, Wyatt Baumgardner, Tatum Moore) 3:45.00

4x800M: 1. Rock Hill (Ben Simpson, Wyatt Knipp, Colin Hannon, Dakotah Sanders) 8:39.62; 2. Coal Grove (Owen Johnson, Jayden Malone, Gavin Gipson, Seth Hamm) 8:45.43; 3. Ironton (Zne Dressel, Ethaniel Helfer, Anthony Bell, Bryce Martins) 9:10.90; 4. Fairland (Dalton Griffing, Mitchell Dunlap, Jonathon Nida, Jackson Milam) 9:15.81; 5. Chesapeake (Kaiden Harris, Logan Diamond, Julius Preston, Jonas Washington) 9:37.07; 6. Gallia Academy (Wyatt Webb, Enock Patterson, Austin Rykowski, Nathan Hout) 9:46.40; 7. Portsmouth (Kaden Wood, Brody Morraga, Gavin Stillwell, William Dunn) 10:48.19; 8. South Point (Jonah Fitzpatrick, Jayshon Pratt, Nate Williams, Caiden Tram) 10:48.52

2024 Baseball Tournament Scores and Schedule

Saturday, May 11

Division IV Sectional Semifinals

(17) Pike Eastern 5, (16) Clay 4

(13) South Gallia 9, (20) Federal Hocking 2

(12) Paint Valley 10, (21) Western 0

(15) Waterford 14, (18) East 0

(19) Nelsonville-York at (14) Miller, ppd. to May 13

(11) Notre Dame 10, (22) New Boston 0, 5 innings

Monday, May 13

Division II Sectional Semifinals

(17) Piketon at (16) Fairfield Union, 5 p.m.

(20) River Valley at (13) Marietta, 5 p.m.

(18) Vinton County at (15) McClain, 5 p.m.

(19) Hillsboro at (14) Logan Elm, 5 p.m.

Division IV Sectional Semifinals

(19) Nelsonville-York at (14) Miller, 5 p.m.

Tuesday, May 14

Division III Sectional Semifinals

(25) Crooksville at (24) Peebles, 5 p.m.

(26) Coal Grove at (23) Chesapeake, 5 p.m.

(27) West Union at (22) Belpre, 5 p.m.

Division IV Sectional Finals

(17) Pike Eastern at (1) Fairfield, 5 p.m.

(9) Symmes Valley at (8) Ironton St. Joseph, 5 p.m.

(13) South Gallia at (4) Green, 5 p.m.

(12) Paint Valley at (5) Southern, 5 p.m.

(15) Waterford at (2) Whiteoak, 5 p.m.

(10) South Webster at (7) Manchester, 5 p.m.

Nelsonville-York-Miller winner at (3) Meigs Eastern, 5 p.m.

(11) Notre Dame at (6) Trimble, 5 p.m.

Thursday, May 16

Division III Sectional Finals

Crooksville-Peebles winner at (1) Wheelersburg, 5 p.m.

(13) West at (12) Wellston, 5 p.m.

(19) North Adams at (6) Minford, 5 p.m.

(18) Westfall at (7) South Point, 5 p.m.

Coal Grove-Chesapeake winner at (2) Zane Trace, 5 p.m.

(14) Rock Hill at (11) Fairland, 5 p.m.

(20) Northwest at (5) Huntington, 5 p.m.

(17) Adena at (8) Ironton, 5 p.m.

West Union-Belpre winner at (3) Portsmouth, 5 p.m.

(15) Oak Hill at (10) Southeastern, 5 p.m.

(21) Alexander at (4) Eastern Brown, 5 p.m.

(16) Valley at (9) Lynchburg-Clay, 5 p.m.

COLUMBUS — The Ohio High School Athletic Association has announced the preliminary divisional breakdowns and regional tournament representation for the 2024-25 winter sports postseason tournaments.

The OHSAA Board of Directors approved the new divisions and tournament representation for all winter sports except wrestling at its April board meeting, which included the previously announced fall sports divisions.

Wrestling will be announced on June 10 pending board approval.

The divisional assignments and regional tournament representation should be considered preliminary, as OHSAA member schools may opt to move up to Division I — if Referendum Issue 1B passes this spring.

Results of the referendum voting will be announced on May 16.

Any changes to divisional assignments or tournament representation as a result of schools opting up to Division I will be announced by the OHSAA at a later date.

As announced last February, girls and boys basketball will expand to seven divisions next season, with the largest 64 schools placed in Division I, the next 64 largest schools placed in Division II, and the remaining schools divided as equally as possible into the other divisions.

Earlier this spring, the OHSAA received base enrollment data — comprised of students in grades 9, 10 and 11 as of October 2023 — from the Ohio Department of Education to use for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years.

During the winter season, girls and boys basketball utilizes competitive balance data from the previous season to create a new adjusted enrollment count.

Details of the competitive balance process are available at: https://www.ohsaa.org/School-Resources/Competitive-Balance-Resource-Center.

2024-25 Girls Basketball

Seven divisions, with 16 regional qualifiers in each division. Girls basketball utilizes competitive balance roster data.

Division I — 64 Schools, 582 and higher adjusted enrollment count Division I School List

Division I Regional Qualifiers by District: Central 6, Northeast 4, Northwest 1, Southwest 5

Division II — 64 Schools, 418 to 581 adjusted enrollment count – Division II School List

Division II Regional Qualifiers by District: Central 4, Northeast 7, Northwest 2, Southwest 3

Division III — 127 Schools, 271 to 417 adjusted enrollment count – Division III School List

Division III Regional Qualifiers by District: Central 2, Northeast 6, Northwest 3, Southeast 1, Southwest 4

Division IV — 129 Schools, 192 to 270 adjusted enrollment count – Division IV School List

Division IV Regional Qualifiers by District: Central 1, East 2, Northeast 6, Northwest 2, Southeast 1, Southwest 4

Division V — 128 Schools, 135 to 191 adjusted enrollment count – Division V School List

Division V Regional Qualifiers by District: Central 2, East 2, Northeast 3, Northwest 3, Southeast 3, Southwest 3

Division VI — 131 Schools, 93 to 134 adjusted enrollment count – Division VI School List

Division V Regional Qualifiers by District: Central 2, East 1, Northeast 4, Northwest 5, Southeast 2, Southwest 2

Division VII — 129 Schools, 92 and fewer adjusted enrollment count – Division VII School List

Division VII Regional Qualifiers by District: Central 2, East 1, Northeast 3, Northwest 5, Southeast 2, Southwest 3

Scioto County teams: Wheelersburg (Division V), Portsmouth (Division V), Minford (Division V), Northwest (Division V), West (Division VI), Valley (Division VI), South Webster (Division VII), Notre Dame (Division VII), Clay (Division VII), Green (Division VII), East (Division VII), New Boston (Division VII)

2024-25 Boys Basketball

Seven divisions, with 16 regional qualifiers in each division. Boys basketball utilizes competitive balance roster data.

Division I — 64 Schools, 625 and higher adjusted enrollment count – Division I School List

Division I Regional Qualifiers by District: Central 6, Northeast 4, Southwest 6

Division II — 64 Schools, 448 to 624 adjusted enrollment count – Division II School List

Division II Regional Qualifiers by District: Central 5, Northeast 6, Northwest 2, Southwest 3

Division III — 134 Schools, 277 to 447 adjusted enrollment count – Division III School List

Division III Regional Qualifiers by District: Central 2, Northeast 6, Northwest 3, Southeast 1, Southwest 4

Division IV — 134 Schools, 198 to 276 adjusted enrollment count – Division IV School List

Division IV Regional Qualifiers by District: Central 2, East 1, Northeast 5, Northwest 2, Southeast 2, Southwest 4

Division V — 134 Schools, 146 to 197 adjusted enrollment count – Division V School List

Division V Regional Qualifiers by District: Central 2, East 2, Northeast 4, Northwest 2, Southeast 2, Southwest 4

Division VI — 134 Schools, 98 to 145 adjusted enrollment count – Division VI School List

Division VI Regional Qualifiers by District: Central 1, East 1, Northeast 4, Northwest 5, Southeast 2, Southwest 3

Division VII — 134 Schools, 97 and fewer adjusted enrollment count – Division VII School List

Division VII Regional Qualifiers by District: Central 2, East 1, Northeast 3, Northwest 5, Southeast 2, Southwest 3

Scioto County teams: Wheelersburg (Division V), Portsmouth (Division V), Minford (Division V), Northwest (Division V), West (Division VI), Valley (Division VI), Clay (Division VI), South Webster (Division VII), Notre Dame (Division VII), Green (Division VII), East (Division VII), New Boston (Division VII)

2024-25 and 2025-26 Swimming and Diving

Two divisions and no competitive balance

Girls Division I — 157 schools, base enrollment 304 and more girls

Girls Division II — 158 schools, base enrollment 303 and fewer girls

Boys Division I — 133 schools, base enrollment 353 and more boys

Boys Division II — 135 schools, base enrollment 352 and fewer boys

SPORTS SCOREBOARD — May 7-May 9

Wednesday, May 8

Baseball

OVC

Ironton 9, Fairland 1

Others

Wheelersburg 5, Zane Trace 0

West 14, Western 1

Unioto 5, Valley 4

Piketon 6, South Webster 3

Northwest 5, Chesapeake 2

Notre Dame 4, Eastern 3

Ironton St. Joseph 8, South Gallia 7

Symmes Valley 9, River Valley 3

Waverly 11, Wellston 0

Thursday, May 9

Baseball

SOC I

Green 8, Ironton St. Joseph 0

Others

Minford 2, Portsmouth 0

Valley 11, Clay 0

Wheelersburg 4, Ironton 3

Notre Dame 11, Ripley 1

Rock Hill 9, Symmes Valley 3

Meigs 7, Oak Hill 3

Gallia Academy 7, Wellston 0

Lewis County (Ky.) 4, South Point 2

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — A new definition and subsequent warning for faking being fouled (flopping) has been added to the NFHS Basketball Rules Book for the 2024-25 season.

This revision to high school basketball rules was one of 12 changes approved by the NFHS Basketball Rules Committee at its April 9-11 meeting in Indianapolis.

All recommended changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

“The committee approved changes addressing a variety of different areas,” said Lindsey Atkinson, NFHS Director of Sports. “Maintaining a focus on player safety, fairness, balance and rules that officials can effectively adjudicate continue to be the focus of the committee.”

Faking being fouled is defined in Rule 4-49-1 as when a player simulates being fouled or makes theatrical or exaggerated movements when there is no illegal contact.

Examples include, but are not limited to, embellishing the impact of incidental contact on block/charge plays or field goal attempts, using a “head bob” to simulate illegal contact and using any tactic to create an opinion of being fouled to gain an advantage.

The new language also establishes a procedure for officials to issue a team warning on the first instance of faking being fouled.

The warning is recorded in the scorebook and reported to the head coach.

Any additional instances will result in a team technical foul and not a player technical foul, which was previously the case.

“(The committee) is hoping to get those dishonest acts out of the game,” said Billy Strickland, the executive director of the Alaska School Activities Association and chair of the Basketball Rules Committee.

A change to Rule 3-4-4a removes the restriction of only lettering being allowed on the front of the jersey. If a logo or mascot is displayed on the front, it must be centered directly above the number in place of identifying names. This change does not require schools to purchase new uniforms and may allow some schools to wear current uniforms that were previously not permitted.

A new note to Rule 9-10-1a and edit to Rule 4-10 allows states that utilize a 35-second shot clock to choose to eliminate the five-second closely-guarded provision while a player dribbles the ball. The closely guarded rules remain in effect while a player holds the ball regardless of whether or not a state utilizes a shot clock.

Other rules changes approved by the committee include the following.

Rule 1-19 clarifies that the use of electronic devices during the game must be limited to recording and tracking stats, reviewing plays or similar contest-related functions. The use of electronic devices for voice or video recording is prohibited.

Rule 2-11-11 notes that if multiple scorers are at the scorer’s bench, the scorer(s) that is not official is responsible for comparing records with the official scorer, who then would notify a referee immediately of a discrepancy. This allows the official scorer to remain focused on game play and places the responsibility of comparing scoring information on auxiliary scorers.

Rule 3-3-6 states that if bench personnel are beckoned to attend to an injured player, whether they enter the court or not, the player is subject to removal from the game unless the coach requests a timeout.

If a player is bleeding or has blood on the uniform, Rule 3-3-7 now allows the player to remain in the game if the issue can be resolved in 20 seconds.

A new exception to Rule 4-6-1 involving basket interference allows for the net to be contacted and play continue if the official determines the contact to not affect the try for a goal.

A collection of changes to rules 4-47-5, 10-2-1g and 10-4-5 allows officials to issue a team warning for delay of game when a ball is not immediately passed to an official when a whistle sounds. Any subsequent violations now result in a team technical instead of a player technical.

Rule 7-1-1 establishes that a player cannot be assisted by a team member or bench personnel outside the boundary line to remain inbounds.

Pregame violations were addressed in a series of changes in Rule 10. If both teams violate provisions listed in Rules 10-1-1, 10-1-2 and 10-2-7 in equal numbers, the penalties offset, and no free throws are awarded. Additionally, the head coach would not lose the privilege of the coaching box. Similarly, the penalty for dunking or attempting to dunk a dead ball in Rule 10-2-7 no longer requires the coach to lose coaching box privileges and no personal foul is awarded as it is now a team technical and not a bench technical.

A complete listing of the basketball rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org.

Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Basketball.”

According to the 2022-23 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, basketball is the third-most popular sport for boys with 537,438 participants in 18,369 schools, and the fourth-most popular sport for girls with 373,366 participants in 17,881 schools.