Cleveland, OH
Thirty-Two Players with Ohio High School Roots Competed in the MAC Men’s Basketball Tournament
CLEVELAND, OHIO- The Mid-American Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament was held this past week, as the top eight teams in the conference converged on Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
There were seven games over three days – quarterfinals on Thursday, semifinals on Friday and the championship game on Saturday – with Akron taking home the title and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with a 79-76 win over Toledo.
Former Ohio High School Stars Standout on the College Stage
Among the rostered players on the eight teams were 32 players who played their high school basketball in the state of Ohio, led by Akron with nine players and Kent State with eight.
The biggest impact was made former Shaker Heights Raider Shammah Scott, as the MAC Sixth Man of the Year and honorable mention All-MAC selection hit the game-winning 3-pointer for Akron in the championship game with just six seconds left.
Two Ohio high school players were also named to the All-MAC Tournament team – Akron’s Amani Lyles (Beechcroft) and Toledo’s Sean Craig (Northview).
This is how each player fared in the MAC Tournament.
Akron Zips
defeated Buffalo 73-70 in quarterfinals; defeated Kent State 75-68 in semifinals; defeated Toledo 79-76 in championship game.
Zach Halligan (Walsh Jesuit) – Did not score in limited action in the win over Buffalo. Did not score in limited action in the win over Kent State. Scored two points in limited action in the win over Toledo in the championship game.
Bowen Hardman (Princeton) – Scored five points in the win over Buffalo. Had nine points and four rebounds in the win over Kent State. Had 12 points in the win over Toledo in the championship game.
Cody Head (Lutheran East) – Did not play.
Josh Henderson (Westerville Central) – Did not play.
Amani Lyles (Beechcroft) – The first-team All-MAC selection recorded a double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds in the win over Buffalo in the quarterfinals. Had eight points and nine rebounds in the win over Kent State. Had 15 points and 16 rebounds in the win over Toledo in the championship game.
Eric Mahaffey (Archbishop Moeller) – The MAC All-Freshman team selection scored three points in the win over Buffalo in the quarterfinals. Had two points and three rebounds in the win over Kent State. Had eight points and five rebounds in the win over Toledo in the championship game.
Evan Mahaffey (Archbishop Moeller) – The All-MAC honorable mention selection scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the win over Buffalo in the quarterfinals. Had 16 points and seven rebounds in the win over Kent State. Had eight points and six rebounds in the win over Toledo in the championship game.
Tai Perkins (Westerville North) – Did not play.
Shammah Scott (Shaker Heights) – The MAC Sixth Man of the Year and honorable mention All-MAC selection scored 12 points in the win over Buffalo in the quarterfinals. Tied for the team-high with 18 points in the win over Kent State. Hit the game-winning shot in the championship game win over Toledo, scoring 12 points.
Bowling Green Falcons
Lost to Toledo 77-76 in quarterfinals.
Makhi Leach (Whitmer) – Scored one point in limited action in the loss to Toledo.
Mohamed Maxamud (Westerville South) – Did not play.
Sam Towns (Pickerington Central) – Had nine points and nine rebounds in the loss to Toledo.
Kent State Golden Flashes
Defeated Ohio 86-75 in quarterfinals; lost to Akron 75-68 in semifinals.
Rayvon Griffith (Taft) – Scored two points in an 86-75 win over Ohio.
Drew Huffman (Cuyahoga Falls) – Did not play.
Deandre Jones (Garfield Heights) – Did not play.
Dylan Lakatos (North Royalton) – Did not play.
Morgan Safford (Bishop Hartley) – The All-MAC honorable mention selection scored 24 points and pulled down six rebounds in the win over Ohio. Had seven points and five rebounds in the loss to Akron.
Jamal Sumlin (Rhodes) – Did not play.
Landon Vanderwarker (Delaware Hayes) – Did not play.
Quinn Woidke (St. Ignatius) – The MAC All-Freshman team selection scored three points in the win over Ohio in the quarterfinals. Scored 12 points and had seven rebounds in the loss to Akron.
Miami Redhawks
Lost to UMass 87-83 in quarterfinals.
Brady Ganley (Brecksville-Broadview Heights) – Did not play.
Trey Perry (Lakota West) – Scored five points in the loss to UMass.
Luke Skaljac (Brecksville-Broadview Heights) – The third-team All-MAC selection scored 10 points in the loss to UMass.
Antoine Woolfolk (Brush) – The All-MAC honorable mention selection was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field for 14 points and five rebounds in the loss to UMass.
Ohio Bobcats
Lost to Kent State 86-75 in quarterfinals.
Jesse Burris (Delaware Hayes) – Did not score in limited action in the loss to Kent State.
Dior Connors (Pickerington North) – Did not score in limited action in the loss to Kent State.
Jordan Fisher (Reynoldsburg) – Did not play.
Carter Reese (Westerville North) – Did not play.
Ajay Sheldon (Dublin Coffman) – Scored three points in the loss to Kent State.
Javan Simmons (Gahanna Lincoln) – Scored 22 points and had five rebounds in the loss to Kent State.
Toledo Rockets
defeated Bowling Green 77-76 in quarterfinals; defeated UMass 77-67 in semifinals; lost to Akron 79-76 in the championship game.
Sean Craig (Northview) – Scored 10 points in the win over Bowling Green. Had a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds in the win over UMass. Scored 10 points and had six rebounds in the loss to Akron in the championship game.
Troy Nwokolo (Reynoldsburg) – Did not play.
Austin Parks (St. Marys Memorial) – Had 10 points and six rebounds in the win over Bowling Green in the quarterfinals. Had seven points, four rebounds and four assists in the win over UMass. Had 13 points and seven rebounds in the loss to Akron in the championship game.
Larry Ray Duffield, age 51, passed away on May 17, 2026. He was born on May 19, 1974, in Cleveland, Ohio, to his loving parents, James E. and Patty M. Carr. Beloved father of Emily, Victoria, Lauren Rae, and Olivia. Cherished grandfather of Kate, Boston, Frankie Jr., Addison, John, Oliver, Dean, Ezra, Elias, Lovely, Revel III, and Andrew. Dear brother of Keith (Crystal) and Sabrina. Treasured uncle of Brittany, Cameron, Courtney, Jerry, Kyle, Brooke, Jann Jr., Jalani, and Leilani.
Ray was an ASC certified mechanic with a degree in HVAC Heating and Cooling. Gifted with his hands and able to fix just about anything, he was also an excellent painter and proudly lived up to the saying, “Jack of all trades, master of none.” He enjoyed helping others whenever he could and was known for his hardworking nature, quick wit, and ability to make people laugh.
Above all else, Ray’s greatest love in life was his family. He loved them deeply, irrevocably, and unconditionally, and treasured every moment spent with his children and grandchildren. His presence, love, and unforgettable personality will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Family and friends are welcome on Friday, May 22, 2026, from 3 to 7 p.m., at Slone & Co. Funeral Directors 13115 Lorain Ave. Cleveland, OH 44111. A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 2 p.m., at Riverside Cemetery 3607 Pearl Rd. Cleveland, OH 44109 (Please meet at cemetery gates by 1:45 p.m.).
CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) has officially finished their Central Security Checkpoint Expansion Project.
According to a press release from the airport, the project doubles the number of security screening lines and the size of the guest queueing space. They also said it streamlines the CLEAR screening area.
“The Central Checkpoint expansion helps improve the guest experience and reduce congestion at the ticketing level while supporting current passenger needs ahead of future headhouse renovations under CLEvolution, the airport’s long-term vision for modernization, with the Terminal Modernization Development Program (TMDP) serving as its cornerstone,” the release reads.
The airport is also reminding travelers that the airports near the central checkpoint were recently remodeled, opening in November of last year. The price tag for the checkpoint expansion project was $4.8 million, and the restrooms were $1.3 million.
“These improvements are part of our ongoing efforts to modernize the existing terminal while enhancing accessibility, operational efficiency, and the overall passenger experience as we move forward with CLEvolution and the Terminal Modernization Development Program,” said Bryant L. Francis, director of Port Control. “Reconfiguring and expanding the Central Checkpoint allows us to better accommodate passenger demand today while preparing the airport for future growth.”
Ramona Rodriguez Rivera, age 76, passed away on May 17, 2026. She was born on September 25, 1949, in Comerio, Puerto Rico, to her loving parents, the late Ramon Rodriguez and Carmen Rivera.
Beloved mother of Juan Alberto Alejandro, Juan Antonio Alejandro, and Jose Ramon Rivera. Cherished grandmother and great-grandmother. Dear sister, treasured aunt, and loving mother-in-law.
Ramona loved to cook and sing Christian music, bringing joy and comfort to those around her. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Family and friends are welcome on Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 10 a.m. until time of Service at 11:30 a.m., at Slone & Co. Life Celebration Center 3556 W. 130th St. Cleveland, OH 44111. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery.
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