Alright, a lot to cover here, but you have to let me rant for a minute.  As many of you know, I am a West Virginia Mountaineers fan.  I know this team wasn’t good enough to even make it to the Sweet Sixteen, I do.  But man, did they get screwed over by some of the most corrupt decisions in college sports history, as well as Indiana getting the short straw as well.  West Virginia was left out of March Madness, yet North Carolina, Xavier, and Texas somehow found their way in.  Baffling right?  Let’s take a look into the numbers for each of these schools and you tell me if Bubba Cunningham (Athletic Director of North Carolina/Chairman of the Committee) had anything to do with this-he did. He secured a $104,000 bonus for getting the Tarheels in the dance on top of it.  Maybe we should let Peebles High School Athletic Director be the chairman of OHSAA and get Peebles the easiest route in the dance every year, while giving him a bonus for doing so.  Works for Bubba, right?

West Virginia –  111/111 bracketologists had WVU in the dance, Wins over Gonzaga (Neutral court), Arizona (Neutral court), Kansas (at Kansas), and Iowa State, 6 Quad 1 wins, 0 Quad 3 or 4 losses, .500 in the Big 12, Defeated 4 ranked teams, 4 Big 12 road victories, 3 wins against AP Top 10 teams (most in the Big 12), 1 of only 30 teams to have 6 quad 1 victories.  And don’t give me the injury excuse.  Tucker DeVries hasn’t played since December 6^th before conference play.  Give me a break!

North Carolina – 27/111 bracketologists had them in the dance, 1-12 in Quad 1 games (Atrocious), Quad 3 loss, Beat UCLA (Only ranked team they beat), 13-7 in a very poor ACC, 13 losses…But hey, they almost beat Duke

Xavier – 30/111 bracketologists had them in the dance, 1-9 in Quad 1 games, ranked wins over Marquette and Uconn, 13-7 in the Big East. 

Texas – 50/111 bracketologists had them in the dance, 15 losses, 6-12 in conference play (WOOF), Wins over ranked opponent Mississippi State, Texas A&M, UK, Missouri.

Which resume would you want if you wanted to get in the tournament?  Do you think the Athletic Director of North Carolina should be a chair on the selection committee?  I didn’t think so.  Shame on the NCAA. 

Bags Secured for Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins

At last, our beloved duo finally has reached an agreement with Chase and Higgins including: 4 year extension for Chase, $161 million, $112 million guaranteed (Highest paid non-QB in NFL history).  Higgins signed a four year extension for $115 million and becomes the highest WR2 in NFL history.  Never say the Bengals are cheap ever again, as they just forked up the cash and added tax!  However, this shows that they waited too long.  Nail the draft Cincinnati and start paying your stars early, while reaping the benefits later.  Prices don’t go down, Brown Family!  Be happy though Bengals fans, as this is huge.  Hendrickson, you’re next if at all possible.  Defense has some major holes that need filled and I expect the draft to be majorly focused on pass rush and secondary help. 

One Week until Reds Opening Day

With just a week and some change until Reds Opening Day, the excitement is building around Cincinnati.  This city is ready for some baseball and the city desperately needs a contender this year-and I think they will get just that.  However, there are some areas of concern as of late:

• Tyler Stephenson will miss some time with an oblique strain-Massive blow to the lineup
• Jose Trevino is day to day with a thumb injury, leaving us with Wynns should Trevino also miss time
• Spencer Steer will likely miss Opening Day, but Francona is giving him every chance to try and be ready come next week

Outside of this though, the Reds are relatively healthy and look to bounce back from these injuries fast.  Cincinnati is in a much better spot than last season regarding health.  Some notable players that will not be making the Opening Day roster this year include Noelvi Marte and Will Benson.  Both have struggled, although I can see Benson joining the team within a month or so of playing time in AAA, as I think he is a true Major League batter.  If Stephenson and Steer both miss time, I expect Blake Dunn to be given a chance to make an impact quick, with Hurtubise ready to get some major league time as well.  They both have been highly impressive this Spring. 

Reds baseball is nearly here and it is the most magical time of the year!  Well unless you ask my wife, as we visited Dollywood this weekend and she got to see Dolly Parton in the parade.  I guess I owed her for the years of dragging her to RedsFest, Reds Games, and Bengals games! Seeing her happy to see Dolly was worth it and I owed her for the amount of time she has spent in line with me to talk to players season after season!

The post NCAA committee’s controversial decisions: Rant from a WVU fan appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

Contributed

McDonald’s of Greater Ohio and Purcell Marian High School hosted a special jersey presentation ceremony honoring Darianna “Dee” Alexander, who was recently named a 2025 McDonald’s All American.    Before she embarks on her college career as a Cincinnati Bearcat, Alexander was celebrated alongside her teammates and coaches during the jersey presentation on March 4 at Purcell Marian High School, at 2935 Hackberry Street, Cincinnati. The ceremony was during a school-wide assembly in the gymnasium.

Alexander, the No. 8 ranked girls’ basketball player in the nation according to ESPN and the first Purcell Marian Cavalier to earn this honor, will compete alongside the country’s top high school basketball players in the 2025 McDonald’s All American Games on April 1 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Being named a McDonald’s All American adds to a growing list of accolades for Alexander. Her high school career includes back-to-back Ohio Ms. Basketball awards as a sophomore and junior, along with being named the 2024 Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year. She has led Purcell Marian to three OHSAA State Championships and was named to the 2025 Naismith Girls High School Player of the Year Midseason Team. Alexander will also represent the U.S. in the USA Basketball Nike Hoop Summit in April in Portland, Oregon.

The ceremony also featured remarks from McDonald’s Owner/Operator Brian Kilroy, who owns several restaurants in the greater Cincinnati area.

For nearly five decades, the McDonald’s All American Games have been a premier platform for some of basketball’s most elite players. The final group of 24 girls and 24 boys are selected by top analysts, prep scouts, media, and coaches from hundreds of high school athletes. Get in the Game,

The Main Event: Tickets to the 2025 McDonald’s All American Games at Barclays Center on Tuesday, April 1, are now available through ticketmaster.com or by visiting mcdaag.com.

Tune In: Fans can tune in on ESPN and ESPN2. The Sprite Jam Fest will air Monday, March 31 at 7:15 p.m. ET on ESPN2. The 2025 McDonald’s All American Games will start with the Girls Game on Tuesday, April 1 at 6:30 p.m. 

The post McDonald’s awards Dee Alexander an All American jersey appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Ozie Davis III MS, JD Sports Editor

Heading into the first Trotwood game, Aiken was 21-0, having easily swept through the Cincinnati Metropolitan Athletic Conference (CMAC) winning its second championship in successive years! With Player of the Year, Jaiden Arnold and Coach of the Year, Derrell Black both posting repeat performances! To say it was a historic season, win, lose, or draw is an understatement!

Yet, Trotwood 20-1 was on a historic run of their own and this game was built as the biggest in the state in OHSAA Division III, Dayton’s best versus Cincinnati’s best, particularly its Black schools. The game was pure rumble, Trotwood would win, Aiken would not be undefeated. Immediately Cincinnati and Dayton contingents went mad in good ole competitive banter in calling for, hoping for, a rematch in the upcoming State tournament. Aiken would thrash Talawanda and Ross, before being challenged by Bellbrook. Aiken fell behind, but showed their resilience in beating Bellbrook, then it was a LaSalle game in which Aiken was losing for the majority of the game until Jaiden Arnold decided it wouldn’t be so as Aiken turned 19 LaSalle turnovers into 33 points to send the game Lancers home.  The rematch was now a reality, and “Spirit of Sports TV” was with Aiken all the way. Aiken legend, Paul McMillan covered the game for the Herald and his in-game reports can be found on Spirt of Sports TV on Facebook. McMillan also made an appearance on Fox19 Sports as the Falcons pulled away from Trotwood and punched their ticket to the State Final Four. Aiken returns to the Final Four for the first time since 2016.

Athletic Director Paul Brownfield states it best, “so incredibly proud of this team. Great group of young men who have checked their egos for something far greater than themselves. This team knows they’re going out there each game representing not only the Aiken basketball team, but also Aiken High School, College Hill, and Cincinnati Public Schools. Making it back to the Final Four is something we all should celebrate.”

This Aiken team definitely deserves celebrating. Head Coach Derrell Black started this mission at Hughes several years ago prior to taking a detour as a Princeton Assistant before becoming Aiken’s Head Coach three years ago. He brung his junior high coach from Hughes, Orlando Gentry, to join him at Aiken and they put the band back together. See, Jaiden Arnold and James Burnett Jr highlighted that Hughes Jr High team so many years ago. Coach Gentry has been a guiding light to their development.” It’s been a pleasure and an honor to see the growth I have seen out of these two guys has been amazing from 7th grade to now. With ups and downs, hard conversations and through frustrations we stayed family, and they stayed brothers to guards that chose to play together as brothers when the whole city wanted them to be rivals. We need more James and Jaiden’s. They showed we can accomplish more together.

Coach Black has done an exceptional job leading the rebuild at Aiken. “It feels good! We have a great battle tested group who have been through a tough schedule this year. Every night we go into these games knowing that we have a group that can get the job done and as a coach that’s a phenomenal feeling.”  He shows great humility as the leader of this squad.  Brownfield speaks very highly of his character which overflows to his team night in night out. Brownfield said, “we knew during the hiring process that Derrell Black was a special basketball coach but over the last three years it’s been who he is as a man that has had the greatest impact on the program. His character is what has elevated the program back to where we all knew it could be. Great basketball coach, but even better person.”

Burnett, who is my family, thus we’ll call him “Baby J” says the team is focused on the state championship.  “It feels real good man just building up a program that fell off for a couple of years back to its winning ways feel great just want to keep leading my teammates to victory and winning a state championship!

The Falcons will play Sandusky at 3pm on Sunday 3/16 at Wright State. They will then face the winner of the Garfield Heights v Louisville game (played at Canton Memorial 6p Sunday) in the State Championship game 1p Friday 3/21 at UD Arena.

The post Aiken hunts state title appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Spencer Wheelock, wheelock@seyferthpr.com

The McDonald’s All American Games is headed to the basketball mecca of Brooklyn for the first time ever, descending on Barclays Center for a showdown featuring basketball’s future all-stars. McDonald’s announced the final rosters for the game, which includes Purcell Marian High School standout and University of Cincinnati commitment Darianna Alexander who will represent the Girls West Team in this year’s game. University of Cincinnati commit Shon Abaev of Calvary Christian Academy in Florida will join the Boys East Team.

For almost five decades, the McDonald’s All American Games have been a red thread connecting some of the game’s most elite players. The Selection Committee has revealed the next group of 48 athletes to hold the most prestigious honor in high school basketball.

The final group of 24 girls and 24 boys were hand selected by a collection of the game’s top analysts, prep scouts, media and coaches, from hundreds of potential high school players. This next generation of players represent communities from across the nation, each looking to make their own unique mark on the Games’ rich history, continuing a 48-year legacy of impact both on and off the court.

Community has remained a key fixture in the Games’ mission since its founding and this year is no different.       At the 2025 Games, McDonald’s is taking its commitment to community a step further with new and continued investments in neighborhood networks and local organizations, such as Ronald McDonald House. The Games will once again benefit RMHC through its network of local Chapters. There many ways to be part of the action:

Pre-Games Warm-Up: The Sprite Jam Fest, featuring a 3-Point Contest, dunk competition and a knockout game, will be held on Monday, March 31. Ticket information will be provided at a later date.

The Main Event: Tickets to the 2025 McDonald’s All American Games at Barclays Center on Tuesday, April 1 are now available through ticketmaster.com or by visiting mcdaag.com.

Tune In: Fans can tune in on ESPN and ESPN2. The Sprite Jam Fest will air Monday, March 31 at 7:15 p.m. ET on ESPN2. The 2025 McDonald’s All American Games will start with the Girls Game on Tuesday, April 1 at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and the Boys Game will immediately follow on ESPN at 9:00 p.m. ET.

The post Purcell Marian’s Darianna Alexander to play in McDonald’s All American Games appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

Contributed

University of Cincinnati (UC) Women’s Basketball team generously volunteered their time at Queen City Book Bank’s (QCBB) Book Giveaway Day in November, where they made a special connection with Stacey Jones’ middle school class from Gamble Montessori High School. The players helped them select books, read with them, made bookmarks, and invited them to attend one of their games.

In early December, QCBB’s mascot, Wiggles, joined the students at a Cincinnati Bearcats Women’s Basketball game. The students saw an amazing win and even had a locker room visit with the players after the game and private autograph event! Following the game, UC coaching staff asked QCBB to set up a surprise holiday celebration with the players and class at the book bank.

On December 16th, the entire women’s team, along with UC staff and head coach Katrina Merriweather, gathered at QCBB to spend a fun-filled day with this lucky group of students. The players read to the class, enjoyed tasty treats, and had a blast playing games together. The day wrapped up with each student choosing three books from QCBB and receiving tickets to the Cincinnati Zoo’s Festival of Lights, generously donated by HCM Wealth Advisors & CPAs. As a final surprise, the students were also given some amazing UC merchandise from the team.

Queen City Book Bank CEO Michelle Otten Guenther expressed, “This partnership between the players and students is truly something special! A big thank you to the UC Women’s Basketball staff, players, and the exceptional Stacey Jones for making this incredible experience happen. It’s been such a joy to be part of creating this connection and to see the smiles on both the students’ and players’ faces when they meet. I have a feeling this won’t be the last time they get together. It’s a wonderful way to start the holiday season for everyone involved!”

The post UC Women’s Basketball teams up with students at Queen City Book Bank appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Cresta Lewis
cresta@cristofolikeeling.com

Event Details:

Date: Friday, December 27 and Saturday, December 28

Location: Xavier University’s Cintas Center – Cincinnati

Website: https://www.holidayhardwoodclassic.com

Direct Ticket Link: https://goxavier.com/sports/tickets

Phone / Email: 513-236-1352 / neumannrw@gmail.com

Organized by: Neumann & Associates and Xavier University

Event Description:

    Don’t miss Cincinnati’s premier high school basketball showcase, featuring 24 varsity teams from Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Indianapolis and Dayton.

    The 3rd Annual Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine/TriHealth Holiday Hardwood Classic will be held at Xavier University’s Cintas Center on Friday, December 27 and Saturday, December 28. Twenty-four boys and girls high school teams will play six games both days beginning at 12 noon.

     Presented by LaRosa’s, Skyline Chili and Home City Ice, in association with media partners Cincinnati’s ESPN 1530, FOX19 and The Cincinnati Enquirer, the lineup features some of the top high school teams in the region.

    Tickets: Advance daily pass (beginning November 15): $12. Day of event daily pass: $15 at Cintas Center box office; $3 off with a canned or dry good donation to Freestore Foodbank at Cintas Center. Each daily pass grants access to all six games on the same day.

    Parking – Free

Feature Image: File photo

The post Beacon & TriHealth Holiday Hardwood Classic appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Herald Staff

Quincy Olivari began his collegiate journey at Rice University, where he played four seasons. During his tenure, he led the Owls and ranked third in Conference USA in scoring, averaging 18.7 points per game. His impressive performance included 94 three-pointers in a season, the second-most in school history. Seeking new challenges, Olivari transferred to Xavier University for the 2023–2024 season. At Xavier, he started all 34 games, averaging 19.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. He won the hearts of Cincinnatians after delivering an outstanding performance in Xavier’s 84-79 victory over Cincinnati at the 2023 Crosstown Shootout. He scored a game-high 27 points, shooting 6-of-14 from the field, including an impressive 6-of-8 from three-point range. Olivari also contributed defensively, holding Cincinnati’s leading three-point shooter, C.J. Fredrick, scoreless during the game. The performance led to fans giving the city the nickname “Quinncinnati”. His outstanding play earned him Big East Honorable Mention honors and admiration from Dan Hurley, coach of the two-time defending NCAA Champion, UConn Huskies.

Despite going un-drafted in the 2024 NBA Draft, Olivari’s perseverance led him to join the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2024 NBA Summer League. His impressive performances secured him an Exhibit 10 contract with the Lakers on August 14, 2024. Laker Legends like Earvin “Magic” Johnson and teammate Lebron James gave him praise for his work during the summer league. Recognizing his potential, the Lakers converted his contract to a two-way deal on October 19, 2024, allowing him to split time between the NBA and their G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.

Olivari’s G-League debut was nothing short of spectacular. He recorded 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists and is currently averaging 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game.   His consistent performances have drawn praise from teammates and coaches alike. Notably, Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell commented that Olivari might be too talented for the G-League, highlighting his readiness for the NBA stage. Mr. Quincinnati is one to keep an eye on as he prepares to make his much-anticipated jump to the NBA.

The post Xavier alum shines in NBA G-League, eyes future in the NBA appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

Contributed

CINCINNATI, OH — This Summer, Saturday nights will not only be hot but will also be LIVE! Saturday, June 8, Cincinnati Recreation Commission will host the first of their new 10-week Summer Series, Rec @ Nite. 

Through Aug. 10, Lincoln & Hirsch Recreation Centers extend their Saturday hours till 11 p.m. with teen-focused programming and events. Rec @ Nite and CRC’s commitment to opening all 24 pools are two components of the City of Cincinnati’s Summer in Cincy initiative to reduce youth violence.  

“We are incredibly excited to launch this pilot program for teens. Our goal is to create a supportive environment where teenagers can discover their passions, build confidence, and develop the social skills they need for a successful future. Rec at Nite is a testament to our commitment to investing in our city youth. We have collaborated with educators, community leaders, and teens themselves to ensure the program is engaging and impactful.” – CRC Director, Daniel Betts 

Teens 12 to 17 can enjoy both centers every Saturday till 11 p.m. Each center will host amped up themes, scheduled on a rotating basis. On June 8, Lincoln Recreation hosts Silent Disc Glow with a Live DJ, basketball, haircuts, braiding, chill room, food trucks, and open swim. The following week, June 15, Hirsch will host breakout rooms, inflatables, pool party, food, drinks, and live music. Future Rec @ Nite themes include Teen Club 513, dive-in movies, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and a back-to-school event.  

“Once again, CRC is responding to the needs of our community and providing critical safe spaces for our youth this summer. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all staff members who are giving even more of themselves to bring this program to life. I invite all our community members to take advantage of this free opportunity to have fun, relax and build relationships,” said City Manager Sheryl Long. 

For a full list of themes by date and additional information visit: Rec @ Nite.

Stay up to date on important alerts and announcements by following our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, and X

The post Summer series ‘Rec @ Nite’ engages Cincinnati teens appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Rashad Miller | Dallas Weekly Magazine

BET co-founder Robert L. Johnson is often recognized as the first Black majority club owner of a major sports league team when he purchased the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats (now the Charlotte Hornets) in 2002, but the first Black-owned professional team was actually formed almost 80 years prior.

Robert ‘Bob’ Douglas was born in the British West Indies on Nov. 4, 1882. According to Naismith Hall of Famer John Isaacs, Douglas’ first sport was soccer and after playing soccer one day, he was invited to watch a basketball game. That day would not only change Bob’s life, but the game of basketball overall.

Douglas’ passion for basketball manifested itself into him wanting to be involved with the sport in any way possible. He eventually found and managed a team named the Spartan Braves, named after the Spartan Field Club. Bob knew his team would need a venue to play in and that’s when he’d meet with William Roach.

William ‘Willie’ Roach was one of the owners and operators of the Renaissance Ballroom and Casino. The venue was fully owned and operated by the Sarco Realty and Holdings Company, Inc., an all African American company. The ‘Renny’ as it was nicknamed, would open its doors in 1921 at the corner of 138th Street and 7th Avenue in Harlem. The ballroom was the only club open to African Americans, even the famous Cotton Club didn’t hold that distinction due to the Jim Crow laws of the time.

“Black Mecca” would host jazz legends like Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald. It would even host plays, dances, prize fights, film screenings, and organization rallies. The Renaissance Ballroom was the epicenter of the Harlem Renaissance (known then as the New Negro Movement) of the 1920s and 30s.

In October of 1923, the Spartan Braves would become the Renaissance Big R Five or “Rens” for short, after an agreement between Roach and Douglas to use the venue as their home court. That agreement would eventually be the blueprint for the licensing you see in modern professional sports today. They played (and won) their first game on Nov. 3, 1923, against the Collegiate Five, an all-White team.

The Rens’ first rivals were the Original Celtics, not to be confused with the NBA’s Boston Celtics, out of West New York. They would defeat the Original Celtics on Dec. 20, 1925, their first win in five meets. Bob Douglas would eventually start taking the Rens barnstorming, or traveling with the team across the country, for a chance to make more money.

The team traveled sometimes 200 miles to face opponents, Black or White, while sleeping on the bus and eating cold meals due to the lack of facilities that barred them from being occupants due to the discriminatory laws that were in place at the time.      

These obstacles didn’t stop them from being dominant and in their 1932-33 season, they would have a regular season record of 120-8. They also won 88 consecutive games that season, a feat that hasn’t been matched by any professional sports team.

In 1939, the Rens would win their first (and only) professional championship against the all-White Oshkosh All-Star 34-25 in the World Professional Basketball Tournament. The team compiled a record of 2588-529 from their inaugural season in 1923 until their move to Dayton, Ohio, in 1948.

The Dayton Rens would be short-lived as they disbanded in 1949 when the National Basketball League merged with the all-White Basketball Association of America to become the then-segregated National Basketball Association. Many former Renaissance players went to be enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, including Pop Gates, who with William ‘Dolly’ King helped integrate the NBL, the predecessor to the NBA.

The 1932-33 New York Renaissance were collectively inducted to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1963 in recognition of their historic 88-game win streak. Robert Douglas was enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor to the game of basketball on Feb. 5, 1972, the first African American ever to be individually enshrined.

In the 21st century, the team’s history was the subject of the 2011 documentary, On the Shoulders of Giants: The Story of the Greatest Team You Never Heard Of, a film written and produced by six-time NBA champion and legendary center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Rens are also the inspiration behind the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League team of the same name, ensuring that the legacy of what Bob Douglas started 101 years ago inspires generations to come.

The post Uncovering the legacy: The first black-owned professional basketball team appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .

By Michael Mitchell

The Withrow High School 2023 State Champion Rugby Team was honored, at half time of the Withrow vs. Woodward basketball game February 16 at Withrow. The state champs were also given their championship rings before a packed house, who also watched the Woodward Bull Dawgs beat the Withrow Tigers 79-49.

The post Withrow’s Rugby Team honored at basketball game appeared first on The Cincinnati Herald .