Richland 200: Breakout years rewarded to athletes at Nos. 121-130

MANSFIELD — Every high school athlete has to have a breakout year at some point in his or her career.

Fortunately for most of those ranked Nos. 121-130 in this year's Richland 200, those breakout years came early.

Let's meet our next batch of athletes.

121. Landon Ball, Clear Fork

Ball saved his best golf for last at the end of his sophomore season last year. He shot a 41-34—75 during the Division II district tournament carding the top score of any Richland County player in the tournament as he finished tied for fourth overall but missed out on a state berth by one stroke. At the sectional tournament, he shot a 40-39—779 to take the final individual qualifying spot and using that momentum for his district score. Just a junior this year, he has to be considered one of the best returning golfers and one that could make some noise again in the postseason.

122. Griffin Hughes, Lexington

As a sophomore golfer last year, Hughes emerged as one of the top in Richland County. In the Division I sectional tournament, he shot the top score for the Minutemen (45-37—782) to help them advance to the district tournament as a team. At districts, he shot a 46-43—89 to finish tied for 32nd overall, but it was the valuable experience he gained on one of the biggest stages that will help him during his junior year.

123. Nicholas Maglott, Madison

Rounding out our trio of golfers, Maglott had quite an exciting end to his sophomore season. First, he had to compete in a two-hole playoff at the Division I sectional tournament in order to qualify for districts and did so by shooting a 40-42—82 and taking third in a five-player playoff. At districts, he didn't play his best shooting a 50-44—94 tying for 47th overall, but like Hughes, the experience of playing in the district tournament was what he really needed. Back for his junior year, he will be the leader of a Madison squad.

124. D’Andre Martin, Mansfield Christian

Martin had a breakout year as a freshman for the Flames boys basketball team earning honorable mention All-Northwest District, honorable mention All-District 6 and second team All-Mid-Buckeye Conference after averaging 10.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists. He helped the Flames put up a historic season with 20 wins, just the third time they eclipsed the 20-win mark in program history. He will be back for his sophomore year, and the Flames could be the cream of the crop for the 2024-25 season.

125. Paradise Jeru, Ontario

As a sophomore girls basketball player for the Warriors last year, Jeru earned honorable mention All-Northwest District and honorable mention All-District 6 honors after averaging 7.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and an outstanding 3.4 blocks per game. At 6-feet tall, Jeru is going to be a matchup problem every single night. With her defensive instincts already at a high level, when her offense catches up, she could be one of the best in Richland County.

126. Joshua Malone, Mansfield Senior

Malone had a solid baseball season for the Tygers earning honorable mention All-District 9 and honorable mention All-Ohio Cardinal Conference honors. He hit .258 with 17 hits, six doubles, a triple, 17 RBIs and 12 runs scored, but where he made the biggest difference was on the mound where he tossed 22 innings allowing his 18 earned runs with 36 strikeouts. The Tygers won six games last year and with Malone coming back, they expect to see that win total continue to climb.

127. Bobby Grover, Lucas

Grover earned honorable mention All-District 9 and honorable mention All-Mid-Buckeye Conference during the 2024 baseball season when he hit .232 with 16 hits, five RBIs and 12 runs scored while holding things down defensively at shortstop. Grover is a three-sport athlete for the Cubs who is expected to see a major jump in production in football and basketball before returning to the baseball diamond where he has seen the majority of his success in his career.

128. Natalie Kennard, Shelby

Kennard had a great sophomore softball season for the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference champion Whippets. She hit .421 with 40 hits, three doubles, a triple, a home run, 22 RBIs and 43 runs scored. She earned honorable mention All-Northwest District and second team All-MOAC honors for her efforts as she played a lockdown centerfield. Kennard will see a bigger role in basketball before walking into a leadership role in softball next season and with her talent, she will fill those spots well.

129. Eden Howard, Ontario

Howard's junior softball season went very well as she hit .360 with 31 hits, seven doubles, two triples, four home runs, 25 RBIs and 22 runs scored earning her first team All-MOAC honors. She was also a pretty good basketball player averaging seven points, and she made 37% of her 3-point attempts. Heading into her senior year, Howard will be looking to make the most of every opportunity in both softball and hoops.

130. Ryder Hensley, Ontario

Hensley was a key two-way lineman for the Warriors football team last year. He stood out defensively with 37 tackles, seven for a loss, two sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He was also part of a veteran offensive line that helped the Warriors put up historic numbers and a 10-win season. He was honorable mention All-Northwest District and second team All-MOAC as a junior and will be looking for more during his senior season.

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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland 200: Breakout years rewarded to athletes at Nos. 121-130