Ohio
Ohio State lands in-state four-star OT Max Riley
Ohio State landed a very important piece to the 2026 recruiting class on Monday. That’s because four-star offensive tackle Max Riley announced his commitment to the team.
The in-state standout from Avon Lake picked the Buckeyes over Clemson. The top-100 prospect held close to 25 scholarship offers from around the country. Riley is the fifth commitment in the class for the Buckeyes and the second Ohio native joining wide receiver Jaeden Ricketts.
WHAT RILEY MEANS TO OHIO STATE
This is an enormous win for Ohio State on the recruiting trail. The Buckeyes are in such a tricky position when it comes to recruiting. The team recruits at an elite level every single year. But there is a real perception out there that the team does not do enough to recruit in-state talent. So, keeping the in-state product home is enormous.
Riley also plays a position of need for the Buckeyes. The team will look to take multiple offensive linemen in this cycle. With him in the class, the team can now focus it’s efforts on five-stars Jackson Cantwell and Felix Ojo. The Buckeyes will also try to keep four-star Sam Greer inside the state too.
WHAT RILEY BRINGS TO THE BUCKEYES
Riley (6-5, 280) is a highly-rated prospect that will give the program a lot of versatility. At this stage in his development he’s probably best suited for guard. He can win in a phone booth and is agile enough to be an effective puller too. If Riley continues to get taller than he could give the Buckeyes some snaps at tackle as well.
But at his current size Riley could be a player that could plug in anywhere along the line. That type of player is extremely valuable especially since we know the Buckeyes routinely play deep into the season and need depth.
Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on Rivals.com, the leader in college football and basketball recruiting coverage. Be the first to know and follow your teams by signing up here.
Ohio
Columbus schools closed Monday, Dec. 15 after snowfall, cold
Snow hits downtown Columbus
Snow falls outside the Ohio Theatre as downtown Columbus turns into a winter wonderland.
Columbus City Schools is closing Monday, Dec. 15, after a weekend winter storm dumped more than 5.4 inches of snow on the region and cold temperatures descended.
Following the weekend snowfall, a cold weather advisory was issued for the area, to remain in affect across central Ohio through 11 a.m. Dec. 15.
It was 4 degrees at John Glenn Columbus International Airport at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 14, with a wind chill of 16 degrees below zero.
Late on Dec. 14, CCS posted it would close Dec. 15 “due to inclement weather.” See more school closings at NBC 4 or check back with the Dispatch throughout the morning.
This list will be updated as additional information becomes available. School districts are encouraged to send an email with any delays or closures to newsroom@dispatch.com.
Ohio
Single-digit temps, below-zero wind chills hit central Ohio after snow
Snow hits downtown Columbus
Snow falls outside the Ohio Theatre as downtown Columbus turns into a winter wonderland.
Now comes the cold.
After nearly 5½ inches of snow fell Dec. 13 in some parts of central Ohio, the National Weather Service says bitterly cold temperatures moving into the region will mean highs in just the single digits.
A cold weather advisory is in affect across central Ohio through 11 a.m. Dec. 15. It was 4 degrees at John Glenn Columbus International Airport at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 14, with a wind chill of 16 degrees below zero.
Temperatures to the west and south are even colder: 1 degree in Springfield, minus-1 in Dayton and minus-3 in Indianapolis. Those temperatures are not expected in the Columbus area, though. The forecast calls for slightly warmer temperatures by evening and highs in the low 20s Dec. 15.
The record cold expected for Dec. 14 — until now, the coldest high temperature in Columbus for this date was 16 degrees in 1917 — follows a day of record snow. The weather service recorded 5.4 inches of snowfall on Dec. 13 at John Glenn Columbus International Airport, topping the prior Dec. 13 record, which was 3.6 inches in 1945.
Level 2 snow emergencies, which means roads are hazardous and people should drive only if they think it’s necessary, remained in effect in Fairfield and Licking counties.
Level 1 snow emergencies are in effect in Delaware, Franklin, Madison, Union and Pickaway counties.
Bob Vitale can be reached at rvitale@dispatch.com.
Ohio
Ohio State men’s basketball fights back in 89-88 double OT win over West Virginia
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Ohio State’s game-winning play over West Virginia in the second overtime period Saturday night was simple: give the ball to Bruce Thornton and get out of his way.
The result was an 89-88 double overtime win in the Cleveland Hoops Showdown at Rocket Arena.
It took so much to get to this moment.
The Buckeyes did all they could in regulation to overcome a 14-point deficit, while awaiting their top player in Thornton to come through.
His teammates did the dirty work to keep them in the game. From their defense creating transition points, matching the Mountaineers’ physical brand of ball.
Once extra time came after the first 40 minutes expired, Thornton took care of the rest in the two overtime periods.
He delivered bucket after another.
None more important than the final one.
A tightly covered Thornton took it down to the top of the key before finding a mismatch and looking to take it to the hole. A defender cut off his path, however, forcing Thornton to operate elsewhere in the paint.
Thornton used his pivot foot wisely before finding an opening for a fadeaway jumper and knocking it down.
Twelve of his 21 points came in the overtime periods.
Ohio State fought to the end and earned a win over a hard-nosed Big 12 opponent.
Center Christoph Tilly did his best to limit the Mountaineers’ big men, while adding 14 points and 11 boards of his own.
Freshman big man Amare Bynum was a pivotal spark off the bench with 17 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
Point guard John Mobley Jr. finished with 17 points and delivered the 3-point shot in the final seconds of the second half to give them their first lead since the 9:00 mark of the first half.
This story will be updated.
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