West Holmes High School

Make it three straight for West Holmes (4-2, 3-0), as the girls’ basketball team took care of New Philadelphia (1-7, 0-2) and conference rival Wooster (1-6, 1-3) to get on a nice little winning streak.

The New Philadelphia boys’ basketball team recovered from an opening night loss with a pair of wins to get above .500, thanks to a solid week on the court by Colton Slaughter.

Allie McMillen and Briar Cline of West Holmes were exceptional from the free throw line last week, combining for 13-13 to lead the way in a 54-40 win over Ashland in girls’ basketball action.

The West Holmes boys’ basketball team (1-2, 0-1) started off the week solid with a road win over Meadowbrook (0-3, 0-2), but lost a tough battle with Madison Comprehensive (1-2, 1-0) in overtime.

The Division IV and Division V All-Ohio football teams were announced on Dec. 5 and a number athletes in the Mount Vernon News coverage area were included, including eight players from West Holmes.

The West Holmes boys’ basketball team (0-1, 0-0) traveled to River River (1-1, 0-1) for the first game of the season on Dec. 1, but despite holding a four point lead going into the fourth quarter, the Black Bears were able to come back for a 56-52 win.

West Holmes (1-1, 1-0) suffered a tough opening night loss to Dover (2-1, 0-0), but were able to bounce back with a conference win against Lexington (0-3, 0-1).

The West Holmes girls’ basketball team won the Ohio Cardinal Conference (OCC) with a 12-2 record and went 21-5 overall last year, and while the Knights lost their top scorer to graduation, team brings back seven letter winners looking to continue the success this winter.

The Ohio Cardinal Conference released their All-Conference selections and individual awards. The conference consists of high schools from Mount Vernon, Ashland, Lexington, Madison Comprehensive, Mansfield Senior, New Philadelphia, West Holmes and Wooster.

It was a close battle in the first half between No. 1 Perkins (12-0, 4-0) and No. 4 West Holmes (10-3, 6-1), but the Pirates held the Knights scoreless in the second half and took a 38-21 win in the Division IV, Region 14 playoffs. The win sends Perkins to the regional finals against No. 2 Glenville.

No. 4 West Holmes Knights (10-2, 6-1) vs. No. 1 Perkins (11-0, 4-0)

It came down to the wire, and with 29 second on the clock, the tip drills in practice paid off as No. 4 West Holmes (10-2, 6-1) receiver Graham Martin snagged a tipped pass intended for another receiver to win the game 22-19 over the No. 5 Galion Tigers (8-4, 4-3).

It was a slugfest between No. 4 West Holmes (9-2, 6-1) and No. 13 Bryan (5-6, 3-4) in the opening round of the Division IV, Region 14 football tournament, and Morgan Smith threw seven touchdown passes and ran for two in a 70-50 playoff victory for the Knights.

No. 4 West Holmes Knights (9-2, 6-1) vs. No. 5 Galion Tigers (8-3, 4-3)

West Holmes (8-2, 6-1) took it to the Mount Vernon Yellow Jackets (2-9, 1-7) on Friday night, going up 42-0 after one quarter and never looking back in a lopsided 62-0 win to finish the regular season on a six game winning streak.

Lexington High School was well represented at this year’s Ohio Cardinal Conference cross country meet, with both the boys’ and girls’ teams winning conference titles.

Mount Vernon Yellow Jackets (2-7, 1-5) at West Holmes (7-2, 5-1)

West Holmes (7-2, 5-1) has been putting up huge numbers for much of the season, but last week it was a defensive battle to the end against New Philadelphia (6-3, 5-2), with the Knights edging out the Quakers 9-8 on a final second touchdown pass from Morgan Smith to Nate Fair.

West Holmes (6-2, 4-1) has been an offensive juggernaut this season averaging 40 points per game, but last week against Ashland it took strong defense and a consistent running game to take a 20-6 win over the Arrows. (4-4, 2-3).

Dianne L. (Rine) Dunbar, age 71 of Lancaster, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2023, at the Pickering House surrounded by loved ones, after a courageous four-year battle with pancreatic cancer.