Buckeye Blast teams win titles at Run 4 Roses

The 2027 and 2030 Buckeye Blast teams went 5-0 at Run 4 Roses this past weekend, winning Platinum championships at the massive AAU girls basketball event. Run 4 Roses takes place in Louisville, Kentucky, at the Kentucky Exposition Center. The tournament features more than 1,000 teams and draws college coaches, scouts and recruiters. The 2027 team, coached by Huron athletic director Matt Ayers and Margaretta assistant girls basketball coach Tony Haerr, defeated 740 Thunder 58-54 in the championship game. "The thing I will most likely remember the most is our girls' effort," Haerr said. "We had a few girls who dropped out and we had to fill some spots. We were not our best execution-wise at times, but I can say they played their butts off and went as hard as they could while they were out there. "Our girls and families have a lot to be proud of from that standpoint." Margaretta junior Thea Wybensinger exploded for 25 points in the win while Norwalk senior Emmie Leber had 14 points and eight rebounds. Haerr noted that Margaretta junior Ellaynah Schaefer grabbing five offensive rebounds in the second half was huge. "Super impressed," Ayers said. "I feel like as the year went on, we just got better and better. Combined with the Roses and The Clash, we went 8-1. We also ended our year on a 10-game win streak. The most impressive thing was some of the girls picked up on things that they will take back to their school teams. "Things like help-side defense, boxing out and making strong basket cuts. They all seemed to come together this past weekend." The 2027 group defeated TN Xtreme 53-41 in the semifinals. Leber led the way with 15 points and eight rebounds while Wybensinger added 14 points. Bellevue junior Lexie Easterwood contributed eight points and six steals. Earlier, Buckeye Blast topped Carolina Playmakers (56-39), Capitol City Express (58-42) and HB Elite (52-35) to get to the semifinals. "This can be huge for girls' recruitment," Haerr said. "This is where Cassidy Lane, Ellyse Schaefer and Trinity Lazzara all received offers from because they played well in front of college coaches. Our girls this year received a few offers and I believe more are coming in by the end of this month." Leber had 21 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks against Carolina, 21 points, six rebounds and three blocks against Capitol City and 16 points and six rebounds against HB Elite. Wybensinger added 16 points and five rebounds facing Capitol City. "I told them after the championship game that this is a really fun event and is something they will always remember," Ayers said. "Our championship game was on an old Clemson court. Not many girls can say they've done that. Some of my good friends still are friends that I made through travel basketball." Other area players on the 2027 team were Norwalk seniors Mackenzie Jerousek and Alyssa Gruhlke. "One of the cool things Roses does is they raise a banner of the teams that won from years previously," Haerr said. "So knowing our girls and coaches will hang up in that hallway forever is something that will always be really cool to see. One of the best parts for me personally is winning with kids you've been working with for almost their whole life." The 2030 team, coached by Edison's Chelsey Meagrow, finished 5-0 as well. It defeated FBC Reign 50-40 in the championship game, led by Columbian freshman Kami Beaston's 22 points and 14 rebounds. "I am always impressed with the maturity, chemistry and IQ of this group," Meagrow said. "They aren't doing anything flashy, just fundamental. They continually made plays and competed not just against top-tier teams, but did so on one of the biggest stages in girls' basketball at Run 4 Roses." In the semifinals, Buckeye Blast got past Lady Mambas 43-41. Beaston had 16 points and five rebounds while Bellevue freshman Grace Freitag had 14 points and four steals. Buckeye Blast trailed by 10 points in the second half, but Freitag hit three of her four 3s in the second half to help propel the team to the finals. "This particular event builds confidence for the girls as they compete at a high level, but also shows them what they need to keep working on to get where they want," Meagrow said. "It also brings exposure to the girls who would like to compete at the next level." The 2030 squad opened with a 38-13 win over Cincy Chargers with Beaston contributing 16 points and seven rebounds. Bellevue freshman Anna Christman added five points and nabbed seven steals. Buckeye Blast then defeated College Park Rim Rockers 35-12. Beaston had 13 points while Edison freshman Olivia Meagrow added eight points and four rebounds. They then faced a fellow Buckeye State Blast team, winning 34-25. Beaston led the way with 21 points and six rebounds. Chelsey Meagrow was assisted by Columbian head coach Morgan Harrigan, as well as Brent Christman. Other local players on the team were Margaretta freshman Maddie Gray and Edison freshman Delaney Marshall. The group finished with a record of 28-3 this spring and summer, winning four championships. "On Day 1, we walked under the champions banners in the walkway and the girls said we were going to be up there next year," Meagrow said. "They were right. I am extremely proud of the girls for their commitment to this organization all season long. This group is special. I have been coaching five of them since they were in fourth grade. "They are the most selfless individuals who play for each other." The 2029 team finished 3-1 in Louisville, losing in the semifinals. Coached by Haerr and Harrigan, Buckeye Blast lost to eventual champion Lady Prospects Canada 47-29 in the semifinals. Genoa sophomore Allie Antry had 12 points and five assists in the 2028 team's 37-32 win over Fusion in pool play. Margaretta sophomore Renna Keller added eight points and eight rebounds. Earlier, Buckeye Blast squeaked out a 32-31 win over Chatt Impact. Margaretta sophomore Tessa Lane had eight points and seven steals while classmate Alyssa Reinbolt added four points and 11 rebounds. The 2029 team opened with a 38-27 win over Power5. Keller had 17 points and four rebounds while Columbian sophomore Madi Shriver added eight points. Other locals on the team were Bellevue's Joslyn Turinsky, Huron's Lauren LaCivita and Norwalk's Jo Jackson. "I believe this is huge for their development," Haerr said. "Playing in these types of environments and under pressure just gears them up for their school teams and prepares them for those deep tournament runs that they make. "You will see Emmie Leber, Lexie Easterwood, Ellaynah Schaefer, Allie Antry, Thea Wybensinger and all our other girls on these groups make big plays late February next year because they have been in these moments."