Boys Best of the Week: Marion Harding's bowlers fare well at kickoff event

Marion Harding's bowlers proved they are going to be in the hunt for a state championship again this season.

After finishing third in Division I two years ago and as the state runners-up last season, the Presidents competed at the Division I State Kickoff at Wayne Webb's Columbus Bowl competing with 25 other top big school teams from around the state.

Harding easily made the 16-team bracketed finals by qualifying as the No. 9 seed. It shot 2,604 in the regular games and a 140-1654 in the two Baker games for a 2,909.

In the first round of the finals, the Prexies beat Central District rival Westerville Central 528-496 in a three-game series, then topped top seed Centerville 528-443. It was the Elks who won last year's D-I state championship, edging the Presidents in the state finals. In the semifinals, Harding was nipped by Cincinnati Elder 534-530. Elder went on to win the tournament with a 543-507 win in the finals over Boardman.

Cameron Rayner led the Presidents with a 200-184-147 531 series for 31st, while Gaven Stoll was right behind in 37th with a 201-170-153 524. Jayden Combs competed in two games, throwing a 276-193 469.

Harding then hosted north central Ohio rival and fellow state power Ashland at Cooper's Bowl with the Arrows taking the victory 2,526-2,378.

Combs led Harding with a 211-214 425, while Jacob Beaschler posted a 223-189 412. Rayner was next at 208-191 399, while Stoll had a 188-195 383, and Gavin Houseworth added a 201-161 362. Harding shot 212-185 in Baker games.

Here are some other highlights to open the winter sports season for the area's boys athletes and teams:

∎ North Union fell to Tecumseh 2,514-1,647 in bowling. Logan Otten led the Wildcats with a 363 series.

∎ Elgin knocked off Northmor 58-51 in boys basketball, knocking down 19 of 24 free throws to Northmor's 3 of 6. Isaac Dillon paced the Comets with 19 points and three steals, while Carson Rife had 17 points, six rebounds and three assists, and Stephen Castillon had 11 points. Darrin Zier contributed six rebounds. For Northmor, Jaxon Wenger scored 18 and Grant Bentley 13.

∎ Ridgedale won its basketball opener over Triad 58-57. Nathan Thiel led with 18 points followed by 13 from Gage Gleespen, 10 from Landon Murphy and eight from Evan Ricketts.

∎ Cardington topped Delaware Christian 47-33. A.J. Grehm paced a balanced Pirates attack with 12 points, while Merek McClure had nine and A.J. Hall and Journey Williamson had eight apiece.

∎ Highland honored its preconsolidation history by wearing uniforms commemorating the Marengo Wildcats and then beating Lakewood 51-39. Tied at 19 at halftime, the Scots outscored their opponents 19-9 in the third quarter to pull away. Freshman Gavin Toombs scored 19 points for Highland and Brock Church added 16.

∎ The state football championships are slated for Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium this weekend in Canton. Kicking it off Thursday at 7 p.m. will be Division II as No. 2 Akron Hoban (14-1) plays No. 5 Toledo Central Catholic (14-1).

Friday's action begins at 10:30 a.m. with No. 1 Ironton (15-0) playing No. 2 Canfield South Range (15-0) in Division V. Division III follows at 3 p.m. with No. 3 Canfield (13-1) facing Bloom-Carroll (14-1). The nightcap is No. 1 Lakewood St. Edward (14-1) playing No. 4 Springfield (13-1) for the Division I title.

Division VI starts Saturday at 10:30 a.m. with No. 1 Maria Stein Marion Lock (15-0) playing No. 2 Kirkland (15-0), while Division VII goes at 3 p.m. with No. 7 New Bremen (12-3) playing No. 1 Warren John F. Kennedy (13-1). The final game will be at 7:30 p.m. with No. 1 Cleveland Glenville (14-0) going against No. 2 Cincinnati Wyoming (15-0).

∎ The following players are finalists for Ohio's Mr. Football honor as voted on by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association:

Darreon Fair, Cleveland Heights, 5-11, 175, sr., QB: The Northeast Lakes District Division I Offensive Player of the Year scored 40 total TDs and led the Tigers to a 9-1 record. He rushed for 1,318 yards and 29 TDs on 116 attempts and threw for 644 yards and 11 TDs on 41-of-75 passing.

CJ Hester, Wyoming, 5-11, 190, SR, RB/DB: Three-time Southwest District Division IV Offensive Player of the Year carried the ball 228 times for 2,081 yards (9.1 yards per carry) and 33 TDs in the regular season as the Cowboys finished undefeated and No. 2 in the final AP Poll. Currently has 2,967 yards and 46 TDs on 331 carries for a top-seeded D-IV state semifinalist. Among the school records he set this year were most rushing yards in a game (351), most rushing TDs in a game (7) and most points scored in a game (42). The Western Michigan recruit has rushed for 6,951 yards in his career and has 110 total TDs.

Diore Hubbard, Gahanna Lincoln, 5-11, 185, jr., RB: Through 14 games the Central District Division I Offensive Player of the Year has rushed for 2,306 yards on 309 carries (7.5 average), has 287 yards receiving on 22 receptions and has 29 total TDs for a top-seeded Division I state semifinalist.

Jordan Marshall, Moeller, 5-11 200, jr., RB: Carried the ball 161 times for 1,290 yards (7.9 yds per carry) and 20 TDs and caught 16 passes for 278 yards and four TDs in the regular season.  Currently has 1,796 yards and 27 TDs on 217 carries for a top-seeded Division I state semifinalist. Named GCL South Player of the Year and Southwest District Division I Offensive Player of the Year. Four-star recruit and one of the country’s Top 10 junior running back prospects according to 247sports.com.

Lamar Sperling, Akron Archbishop Hoban, 5-10, 190, sr., RB: The Northeast Inland District Division II Offensive Player of the Year has logged 339 carries, 3,348 rushing yards and 51 rushing touchdowns in 14 games. The Buffalo recruit ran for 2,934 yards and 41 TDs in 16 games last year.

Connor Walendzak, Perrysburg, 5-11, 195, sr., RB: Toledo recruit and Northwest District Division I Offensive Player of the Year ran 166 times for 1,320 yards and 18 touchdowns in the regular season. Also finished with 102 tackles (14.5 for loss), 3.5 sacks, one interception and three forced fumbles. Was named Northern Lakes League Player of the Year and first team at running back and linebacker. Selected All-Ohio first team running back in 2020 and second team in 2021.

Mason Wolfe, Millersburg West Holmes, 6-3, 190, sr., QB: The East District Division IV Offensive Player of the Year completed 137-of-195 passes (70.3% completion) for 2,511 yards, 34 TDs and only 2 INTs. Added another three rushing TDs for the Knights who finished the regular season 10-0 and ranked No. 3 in Division IV state poll. Directed an offense that averaged 51 ppg.

Coaches and statisticians are encouraged to send their results to the Marion Star's Rob McCurdy at rmccurdy@gannett.com, 419-610-0998, Twitter @McMotorsport and Instagram @rob_mccurdy_star.

VOTE: Marion Star Boys Performer of the Week Poll

∎ Marion Harding bowler Cameron Rayner shot a 531 three-game series to lead the Presidents at the Division I State Kickoff at Wayne Webb's Columbus Bowl.

∎ Elgin basketball's Isaac Dillon scored 17 points with six rebounds and three assists in a win over Northmor.

∎ Ridgedale basketball's Nathan Thiel scored 18 points in a win over Triad.

∎ Highland freshman Gavin Toombs scored 19 points in a basketball win over Lakewood.

∎ Northmor's Jaxon Wenger scored 18 points in a basketball loss to Elgin.

Voting continues at MarionStar.com and its app through early Sunday morning.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Boys Best of the Week: Harding's bowlers fare well at kickoff event