by Canton, Ohio – The Glenville Tarblooders are back-to-back regional champions thanks to a 70-54 win over Cleveland Central Catholic in the OHSAA Division IV regional championship at Canton Memorial Fieldhouse.
It was a rematch of the teams’ previous contest in which CCC prevailed over Glenville, 65-61, on December 21st at Garfield Heights High School.
The two teams traded buckets early on in the first quarter. Junior guards Donovan Driscal and Marquis Foster Jr. each hit a triple, sandwiched around a pair of Glenville buckets, getting out to a 6-4 lead. Glenville would get key contributions from junior forward Gio Ramos as well as Arvell Nelson Jr., taking a 15-12 lead after one.
When the Ironmen are connecting from long range, they are a tough team to beat. Three triples in the opening stanza, plus a couple more from junior guard Marquis Foster Jr., gave CCC their largest lead of the game at 21-18.
On the following possession, Davon Moore countered with a triple of his own to knot the score at 21.
The teams continued to play at a fast pace, trading baskets back and forth. Cleveland Central Catholic would re-take the lead, 27-25, thanks to a Jakarie Christensen basket plus the and one.
Glenville would counter with a 9-0 run to take a 34-27 at halftime. They spread the wealth around in the second quarter, as six players would score at least one field goal. Four connections from long range also helped the Tarblooders jump out in front.
They would continue to maintain a double digit margin throughout the third quarter. Jayden Jordan had a layup to end the third stanza, putting Glenville on top, 51-40, after three. Once again, six different players scored at least one bucket.
The Tarblooders continued to push the pace, adding to their lead before the final buzzer sounded.
Five players finished in double figures, led by senior Arvell Nelson Jr. with 15 points. Senior Theo Castro had 13, followed by junior Gio Ramos and sophomore Davon Moore each with 11. Junior Jahi Hobson added ten.
Junior guard Donovan Driscal led the Ironmen with 21 points, followed by junior guard Marquis Foster Jr. with 14.
Extended highlights below:
Glenville Tarblooders vs. Cleveland Central Catholic Ironmen (OHSAA Div IV Regional Final) (3/14/26)
