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Top Southwest Ohio junior boys basketball players heading into the 2025-2026 season

Published

4 months ago

November 18, 2025

Top Southwest Ohio junior boys basketball players heading into the 2025-2026 season

It’s almost hoops time in Ohio as the season is just around the corner. Four Southwest Ohio boys teams reached the Final Four of the state tournament across seven divisions last season, and with tons of talent spread across Cincinnati we could be in for a repeat in 2025-2026.

The Enquirer has already broken down the top 25 Southwest Ohio seniors to watch, and so it’s time to turn our attention to the juniors. Though it can be difficult to earn playing time as an underclassman, these players made the cut last year and had a huge impact on their teams.

Continuing The Enquirer’s previews and breakdowns of the year to come, here are the top 10 Southwest Ohio juniors to watch, listed alphabetically, for the 2025-2026 season. Watch for a separate story for Northern Kentucky and Indiana juniors.

Eli Beck, Madeira

A star on the baseball diamond as well, Beck was already the Mustangs’ leading scorer as a sophomore with 12 points per game. His ability to get to the rim for quality shots helped him shoot over 63% from the floor last year. He shoots well from three at over 38%, but he only took 44 threes last year. Beck was selected second-team all-conference in the Cincinnati Hills league in 2024-2025, and should continue to improve this season.

Bryce Curry, Lakota West

One of two sophomores who helped lead Lakota West to the state Final Four last season, Curry uses his length and athleticism to impact the game. At 6-foot-4, his ability to finish above the rim led him to average 11.9 points per game on 52% shooting, also grabbing 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals a game. Curry was named to the all-conference first team in the Greater Miami Conference and an All-Ohio honorable mention. With fellow junior Josh Tyson also returning for the Firebirds, Lakota West will be a threat to make a deep tournament run once again.

Keion Griffin, Taft

Griffin earned first-team All-Ohio honors last season in Division IV after leading the Senators in scoring with 17.9 points per game. His outside shooting and defense make him dangerous as he shot above 35% from deep and averaged 2.2 steals and two blocks a game. Taft returns all five of its leading scorers from last year, with Griffin looking to put up monster numbers yet again.

Jayceon Kibler, Wilmington

Although he missed the back half of last season, Kibler finished as the leading per-game scorer in the Southern Buckeye Academic and Athletic Conference with 19 points per game on 36% three-point shooting. As a freshman Kibler was already a first-team all-conference pick for the American Division in the SBAAC, and as long as he stays healthy he’ll be in the conversation for player of the year in his junior season.

Isaiah Mack-Russell, Winton Woods

Mack-Russell is a high-impact transfer for a Winton Woods team that already brought back a lot of talent from last year’s 23-2 season. The 109th overall player in the 2027 class, according to 247 Sports, he averaged 18.8 points per game at Toledo Central Catholic last year. He has several Division I offers, including Ohio State, Cincinnati and Dayton. Mack-Russell looks poised to be a major weapon in another deep Winton Woods run.

Braylon Settelmayer, Goshen

Settelmayer won Player of the Year in the SBAAC’s American Division last year, averaging 12.5 points, 7.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and two steals per game. He was also an OHSAA Division III all-state honorable mention as he led Goshen to win the American Division with a 9-1 conference record. With the team returning its top three scorers and Settelmayer there to run the offense, expect another strong season from Goshen.

Monsanna Torbert, Taft

The star quarterback for the Senators was also the second-leading scorer on the hardwood last season with 14.7 points per game. Torbert’s 3.5 assists and 2.4 steals a game were also good for second best on the team as he earned first-team all-conference honors in the Cincinnati Metro Conference’s Red Division and was named a Division IV All-Ohio honorable mention.

Josh Tyson, Lakota West

Tyson led the Firebirds’ offense last year en route to a state Final Four appearance, netting himself second-team All-Ohio honors. With 15.5 points per game on lights-out 60% shooting, including 42% from three, Tyson’s offensive firepower also granted him a spot as an all-conference first-teamer. As the team’s leader in assists as well, Tyson is more than capable of burning opponents if they try to force the ball out of his hands.

Chris Washington, Purcell Marian

In his sophomore campaign, Washington torched opposing defenses on his way to 22.1 points per game. Adding 5.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and two steals, he earned his place on the Miami Valley Conference’s all-league first team. In his final regular-season game last season, Washington scored 38 points on 13-of-14 shooting, including 6-of-7 from beyond the arc. If he picks up where he left off, he’ll be at the top of the list for MVC Player of the Year.

Grant Waters, McNicholas

An All-Ohio special mention and first-team all-conference selection out of the Greater Catholic League-Coed, Water used deadeye shooting to lead the league in scoring. Splashing in 90 threes on nearly 41.9% shooting, he averaged 18.2 points per game as a sophomore. With just one other GCL-Coed first-teamer returning for the 2025-2026 season, Waters is primed to make another run at athlete of the year.

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Ohio Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 Midday winning numbers for March 3, 2026

Published

10 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 3, 2026, results for each game:

Mega Millions

Mega Millions drawings take place every week on Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.

07-21-53-54-62, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 3

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 5-4-7

Evening: 5-5-9

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 4

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 0-0-0-4

Evening: 9-4-6-2

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 5

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 0-1-8-0-0

Evening: 8-6-0-3-3

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Rolling Cash 5

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 7:05 p.m.

01-18-27-30-31

Check Rolling Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Millionaire for Life

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 11:15 p.m.

09-10-13-25-54, Bonus: 05

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Enquirer digital news director. You can send feedback using this form.

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Ryan Day explains Arthur Smith’s hiring as Ohio State coordinator

Published

22 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Ryan Day explains Arthur Smith’s hiring as Ohio State coordinator

Ryan Day explained the hiring process that led to former Falcons head coach and NFL assistant Arthur Smith becoming the offensive coordinator of Ohio State football.

Appearing as a guest on “The Jim Rome Show” March 3, Day emphasized the importance of hiring a someone with an extensive body of work to coach the Buckeyes’ offense.

“When Brian [Hartline] moved on to South Florida [we] wanted to go bring in somebody with great experience,” Day said.

Day said the Buckeyes first looked at coaches with collegiate coordinator experience, then the NFL. Smith’s three-year tenure as a head coach in the NFL, along with his extensive time with the Tennessee Titans as an assistant and offensive coordinator, made him stand out as a candidate, Day said.

“…[I] had a chance myself to sit down and talk with him. It was excellent,” Day said. “He’s a great communicator, very intelligent, and really loves the game of college football.  When you hear a story about growing up and how much time he spent around college football, you could just see it in his eyes.”

Day added that the new role has been almost “refreshing” to Smith when given the chance to work with college players and young talent.

Smith has spent the majority of his coaching career in the NFL. He served a year as a graduate assistant at North Carolina, his alma mater, and brief stint with Ole Miss as an administrative assistant.

Smith was then hired by his hometown Titans in 2011 and spent the the rest of the decade with them, rising from quality control coach to assistant offensive line coach to tight ends coach. Promoted to offensive coordinator in 2019, he led Mike Vrabel’s Titans to proficient offensive seasons with running back Derrick Henry.

Day said hiring Smith will allow him to take a back seat on the offense.

“It was great to have Matt [Patricia] on defense, and Brian [Hartline] did a great job as well, but I think this year will allow me to even step back even more and try to do as much as I can from the head coaching seat,” Day said.

After Hartline accepted the South Florida head coaching job, Day stepped in to call plays during the Cotton Bowl against Miami. Ohio State lost 24-14.

Smith joins Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as an Ohio State coordinator hire with previous NFL head coaching experience. Smith went 21-30 as the head coach of the Falcons for three years.

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Woman dies after saving grandchild playing in driveway from out-of-control car, Ohio officials say

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Woman dies after saving grandchild playing in driveway from out-of-control car, Ohio officials say

Updated on: March 2, 2026 / 9:50 PM EST
/ CBS Pittsburgh

A woman in Pickaway County, Ohio, died after moving a child out of the way of an out-of-control car, authorities said.

The Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on Facebook that 52-year-old Laura J. Hammond of Mt. Sterling was fatally struck by the vehicle on Feb. 27 on Walnut Creek Pike in Circleville.

The sheriff’s office said officials were called to the area for a report of a crash around 10 a.m. At the scene, investigators learned that the driver of a Nissan Sentra was headed southbound on Walnut Creek Pike when they went off the west side of the road. The car then careened through two yards before hitting a Chevrolet Equinox parked in the driveway of a home, officials said.

The Nissan, at the same time that it smashed into the Chevrolet, hit Hammond, pinning her between the two vehicles. Before being hit, the sheriff’s office said Hammond moved a child out of the way, which “more than likely saved his life.” CBS affiliate WBNS reported that the young child Hammond saved was her grandson.

“Laura actually picked up the child and tossed him. At the end of the day, it saved his life,” Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office Capt. John Strawser told the news outlet. “And when Laura tossed him, very unfortunately, she took the brunt of the vehicle.”

Hammond was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The young child was taken to a local hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the vehicle was also taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol are investigating the crash. The sheriff’s office did not release any additional information about the crash.

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