Fulton County Ohio Media

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The Archbold Blue Streaks ran into a Liberty Center Tiger team that was peaking at just the right time and lost the OHSAA Division V District Championship game 44-39 on Saturday night in the “Grand Canyon” at Napoleon High School.  The eight-seeded Tigers won their fifth straight game including tournament victories over ninth-seeded Toledo Emmanuel Christian, first-seeded Defiance Tinora, fourth-seeded Pemberville Eastwood and lastly, over sixth-seeded Archbold to move on to the Reginal 18 Semi-Finals.

Archbold found themselves down 6-0 early on before finally scoring their first points.  However, the deficit continued to grow larger at the end of each of the first three quarters, 9-2 after one, 22-13 after two, and 32-21 after three.  The Streaks rallied quickly in the fourth quarter, going on a 10-2 run, pulling within three points, 34-31, with 4:01 still remaining in the game.  Liberty Center responded by pushing their lead back out to seven, 40-33, with just over two minutes left and sealed the win with several free throws down the stretch.

Tiger senior Gavin Geahlen led all players with 19 points and Ethan Gray added nine.  Blue Streak senior scored 13 points to lead Archbold and Evan Wendt had nine.  With the win, Liberty Center moves over the .500 level with a 13-12 record.  They will next face Columbus Bishop Ready at Mansfield High School on Thursday, March 6^th at 7:00 p.m.  Archbold’s season concludes with a 14-11 record, including a Sectional Championship.

Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Division V District Champions – Liberty Center Tigers

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For almost three quarters of OHSAA D6 District Final basketball game at Defiance High School on Friday night between second-seeded Evergreen and first-seeded and undefeated Patrick Henry, the outcome was very much in doubt with the Vikings trailing the Patriots by just three points late in the third quarter.  Patrick Henry extended its lead to 42-36 entering the fourth quarter then let their 6’6” junior center, Mack Heiber, take control of the game.  Heiber scored 13 of his game-high 29 points in the frame, including three baskets from beyond the arc and an alley-oop slam dunk as the Patriots went on to defeat the scrappy Vikings 61-44.  Troy Manz and William Ruetz both scored 10 points to lead Evergreen.

Despite the loss, the Vikings finished the season with a very respectable 17-8 overall record that included a Sectional Championship, District Runners-Up, and a second-place finish in the NWOAL at 5-2 behind Patrick Henry.  The Patriots now 24-0, will face the Lima Central Catholic Thunderbirds in a Regional Semi-Final game on Tuesday, March 4^th, at Bowling Green State University with a scheduled 8:00 p.m. tipoff.

Evergreen Vikings:  13-10-13-8 = 44    Troy Manz (10), William Ruetz (10), John Herdman (8), Quinton Eisel (8), George Allendorf (7)

Patrick Henry Patriots:  15-10-19-17 = 61     Mack Heiber (29), Lincoln Creager (17), Keifer Holloway (8), Reid Creager (8), Calvin Schroeder (2), Brian Scherdt (2)

Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

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Troy Manz opened the scoring of the OHSAA D6 District Semi game between Evergreen and Van Buren Wednesday evening at Defiance High School with a basket from behind the arc to give his Vikings a 3-0 lead.  From there, they battled back and forth, each using a “run and gun” offense, going on scoring runs, exchanging leads, and putting on a great display of high school basketball for the crowd.  When the final buzzer sounded, it was still just the three-point margin that separated the two teams as the Vikings defeated the Black Knights 72-69 to advance to the finals on Friday night at 6:00 p.m. against Patrick Henry, also at Defiance High School.

George Allendorf scored 13 of his game-high 22 points in the first quarter to stoke Evergreen to a 23-18 advantage.  The Knights held the Viking offense to 12 points in the second quarter while scoring another 18 and went to halftime up 36-35.  Evergreen got hot again in the second half and eventually opened a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter.  Will Ruetz, who would match Allendorf’s 22 points for game-high honors, sank 9 of 10 foul shots as to hold off the fast-charging Black Knights as the Vikings’ lead slowly eroded to the final three-point difference.

The victory was Evergreen’s 17^th of the season against seven losses.  The Vikings will now face fellow NWOAL foe, the Patrick Henry Patriots who enter the contest undefeated at 24-0 after slipping past the Fairview Apaches 46-36 in the earlier game of the night.  The winner will advance to the D6 Regional tournament in Mansfield next week.

Van Buren Black Knights:  18-18-12-21 = 69    Cole Bishop (16), Lucas Harrington (15), Seth Gregory (12), Finn Martin (10), Alex Homan (8), Brady Lance (4), Alec Busey (4)

Evergreen Vikings:  23-12-21-16 = 72    Will Ruetz (22), George Allendorf (22), Troy Manz (14), John Hardman (7), Quinten Eisel (7)

Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Will Ruetz drives inside for a shot

At last evening’s Swanton Village Council meeting, Mayor Neil Toeppe honored long-time Swanton resident and military veteran Billy Chinnis, who passed away at the age of 102 on February 19, 20025.  Below is the tribute read at the meeting by Mr. Toeppe.

I would like to take a moment to honor and celebrate the incredible life of Billy R. Chinnis, a man of service, dedication, and unwavering love for his country, his family, and his community.  Born on September 19, 1922, in Holland, Ohio, Billy graduated from Holland High School in 1940 and soon after answered the call to serve, joining the U.S. Navy in 1942. His career was spent largely at sea, where he served with honor during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. His service took him across the world, from India to China to Italy. His final assignments brought him aboard the USS Toledo and ultimately the USS Oklahoma City.  Fate had a special plan for Billy in 1952 when, in San Diego, he met the love of his life, Theresa—a proud U.S. Marine. It was love at first sight. They married soon after and built a beautiful life together, raising three children—two sons and a daughter. Their love stood the test of time, lasting an incredible 69 years.

After retiring from the Navy as a Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class in 1973, Billy continued to embrace life with energy and joy. Even after turning 100, he could still be found dancing once a week.  And true to his disciplined nature, he made a daily visit to the Swanton American Legion, where he enjoyed just one beer.  Billy and his family made Swanton their home in 1986, where he remained a beloved resident until his passing.  Today, we remember Billy not just for his service, but for the kindness, dedication, and spirit he shared with everyone around him. His legacy lives on through his family, his community, and the many lives he touched.  Thank you, Billy, for your service, your love, and the incredible example you have set for us all. You will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Photo: Billy Chinnis, (seated with blue tie) surrounded by fellow members of the Swanton American Legion during Swanton Local School District’s 2024 Veterans Day Celebration last November

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Today in Swanton High School’s Kevin J. McQuade Gymnasium, six Bulldog student-athletes signed National Letters of Intent to continue their education and athletic careers at the college/university level.

Jessica Finfera will attend Indiana University Columbus to play soccer for the Crimson Pride.  Evan Smigelski will attend Defiance College to play football for the Yellow Jackets.  Drake Harris will attend Adrian College to play baseball for the Bulldogs.  Adam Lemon will attend Lourdes University to play baseball.  Mazin Rukieh will attend Lourdes University to play golf.  Kaiden Bryan will attend Trine University to play football.

Click on the link above to access photos from the signings. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Front Row L to R: Mazin Rukieh, Evan Smigelski, Jessica Finfera, Drake Harris Back Row: Adam Lemon, Kaiden Bryan

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Click on the link to access photos from the halftime cheer leading and boys 7th-grade basketball team recognition. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

At a recent Swanton boys basketball game, the Swanton National Honor Society introduced and recognized Jerry Bodnar for his military service to America.  A short bio was read to the crowd:

Tonight, we would like to introduce you to retired United States Air Force Master Sergeant Jerry Bodnar.  Jerry retired after a distinguished career spanning from 1976 to 1996.  Over the course of two decades, he dedicated himself to active-duty service, notably participating in Operation Desert Storm.  His technical expertise was demonstrated through his work on advanced aircraft, including the SR-71, the U-2 and the KC-135.  Jerry is married to Lisa and is the proud father of two sons.  Thank you, Jerry Bodnar, for being here this evening and for your service.

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The Archbold Blue Streaks took a double-digit lead into the fourth quarter of a Division V Boys Basketball Sectional game against Swanton then held on to defeat the Bulldogs 50-45 on Friday night at Swanton High School.  The lower-seeded Blue Streaks led by as many as 16 points in the second half before the Bulldogs mounted a furious comeback, pulling within three points at 40-37 before running out of steam and allowing Archbold to close out the contest.  Sonny Phillips led the Streaks and all players with 14 points while Morgan Harris scored 12.  Charlie Wood topped Swanton with 12 points and Logan Young added 11.

Archbold improves its record to 13-10 with the victory and moves on to the OHSAA Division V District Semi-Finals.  They will play the Paulding Panthers next Thursday at 7:15 at Napoleon High School.  Swanton concludes their season with a record of 11-12.

Archbold Blue Streaks:  8-16-9-17 = 50    Sonny Phillips (14), Morgan Harris (12), Evan Wendt (8), Isaiahs Garcia (6), Michah Nofziger (5), Broden Piercefield (3), Aranjer Krieger (1), Madden Valentine (1)

Swanton Bulldogs:  6-11-4-24 = 45    Charlie Wood (12), Logan Young (11), Adam Lemon (8), Evan Reinhard (7), Brady O’Shea (3), Brady Haselman (3), Giovanni Ruiz (1)

Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Archbold Blue Streaks – Sectional Champions

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An unprecedented season which saw the Delta Lady Panthers basketball team win a school record 17 straight games to open the season, came to an end in the OHSAA Division V District Semi-Finals Wednesday night at Defiance High School when the Paulding Lady Panthers defeated Delta 46-29.  Paulding opened up a 16-4 first quarter lead and never trailed in the contest to move on to the District Finals against the Ottawa-Glandorf Lady Titans who defeated the Lima Bath Lady Wildcats in the first game of the evening.

Abby Todd and Keagyn Gillen lead Delta with eight points each.  Tori Schlatter scored 16 points for Paulding and Brooklyn Schlatter added 11.  The Delta Lady Panthes finished the 2024-2025 season with an impressive 19-3 record.

Paulding Lady Panthers:  16-7-14-9 = 46    Tori Schlatter (16), Brooklyn Schlatter (11), Addison Pease (8), Kayleigh Dunham (7), Brooklyn Balke (2), Estic Pease (2)

Delta Lady Panther:  4-10-10-5 = 29    Abby Todd (8), Keagyn Gillen (8), Anna Lohman (7), McKenzie Kruger (2), Kendall Sprow (2), Addison Wyse (2)

Click on the link above to access photos from the games. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Senior Kendall Sprow is introduced in her final Lady Panther basketball game