News

From Dayton Christian Athletics

Dayton Christian Athletics is pleased to announce the hiring of Caleb South as its next Varsity Boys Basketball Head Coach. Coach South currently serves as the varsity assistant coach at Troy High School, where since 2024 he has helped lead daily operations and was named D9 assistant coach of the year. Prior to Troy, he served as the varsity head coach at Bethel High School from 2021 to 2023, where he led the girls basketball program to its first league title in 40 years. He also gained valuable experience as a varsity assistant coach at Tri-Village High School.

In addition to his high school coaching background, South brings extensive experience in player development. He is the founder of CPS Training and has trained more than 50 Division I and Division II athletes. His work spans multiple platforms, including coaching on both the Adidas and Under Armour AAU circuits, with experience in both boys and girls programs.

Coach South is deeply committed to developing student-athletes both on and off the court. His leadership, passion for the game, and dedication to excellence align with the mission and values of Dayton Christian Athletics.

“We are excited to welcome Caleb South to our coaching staff,” said Kristin Blatz, Interim Athletic Director. “His vision, energy, and commitment to building a Christ-centered program will be a great addition to Dayton Christian. We look forward to the positive direction he will provide for our players and program.”

Dayton Christian Athletics invites families, students, and supporters to a meet-and-greet on May 26 at 5 p.m. to welcome Coach South and begin building relationships ahead of the upcoming season.

Dick’s Sporting Goods recognizes the fine student-athletes of the SWBL. Congratulations to Carlisle’s Elijah Dobbins and Bellbrook’s Landon Vennettilli for being named SWBL Players of the Year. Edgewood senior Carson Downie (Southwestern) and Carlisle senior Isaiah Brady Buckeye) were named SWBL Pitchers of the Year.

Bellbrook coach Jon Venters was named Southwestern Division Coach of the Year, while Oakwood’s Tyler Venters was named Buckeye Division Coach of the Year.

Oakwood (Buckeye) and Bellbrook (Southwestern) won their respective division titles outright during the 2026 regular season.

Click for ALL-LEAGUE TEAMS.

Dick’s Sporting Goods recognizes the fine student-athletes of the SWBL. Congratulations to Eaton’s Ella Statzer and Talawanda’s Maddy Cox for being named SWBL Players of the Year. Ross junior Paige Baker (Southwestern) and Carlisle junior Grace Holt (Buckeye) were named SWBL Pitchers of the Year.

Ross coach Christi Luckett was named Southwestern Division Coach of the Year for a third straight season. Brookville’s Mike Gardner was named Buckeye Division Coach of the Year.

Oakwood (Buckeye) won its sixth consecutive SWBL title, while Ross (Southwestern) won its third straight crown.

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The 2026 Southwestern Buckeye League Boys Tennis Championships took place on Thursday, May 7 at Arthur O. Fisher Park and Franklin Community Park.

Dick’s Sporting Goods recognizes the fine student-athletes of the SWBL. Congratulations to Bellbrook’s Jonah Grismer for being named SWBL Southwestern Division Player of the Year for a third straight year. Oakwood’s Grant Zhou was named SWBL Buckeye Division Player of the Year. Nate Silberstein of Talawanda was named Southwestern Division Coach of the Year, while Tom Joch of Dayton Christian was named Buckeye Division Coach of the Year.

Oakwood (Buckeye) won its fifth consecutive SWBL title, while Bellbrook (Southwestern) won its first crown since 2019.

Click for TOURNAMENT RESULTS and ALL-LEAGUE TEAMS.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Two student-athletes from the Southwestern Buckeye League were among those honored Tuesday night during the annual Penn Station Athlete of the Year ceremony at Day Air Ballpark.

Southwestern Buckeye League standouts Evie Connor of Oakwood High School and Sidney Sprada of Brookville High School were recognized as two of the eight Penn Station Athlete of the Month winners from 2026 during a special inning-break ceremony at the Day Air Ballpark.

The ceremony took place during the Dayton Dragons game against the Lake County Captains, where Penn Station representatives and program partner WDTN announced the overall Athlete of the Year winner and presented the recipient with a $10,000 college scholarship and an engraved bat from the Dragons.

Connor and Sprada joined C.J. Bailey of Tippecanoe, Kaylah Thornton of Fairmont, Nathan Attisano of Legacy Christian Academy, Rowen Arnold of Springboro, Shawn Fishwick of Xenia and Trey Sagester of Tri-Village as this year’s Athlete of the Month honorees. Thornton was announced Athlete of the Year.

Penn Station launched the Athlete of the Month program in 1998 to recognize student-athletes across the Dayton area for athletic achievement, academic success and citizenship. Since its inception, Penn Station East Coast Subs has awarded nearly $200,000 in scholarships and prize money while honoring more than 200 student-athletes.

Each monthly winner automatically became a finalist for the Athlete of the Year scholarship. Schools also received recognition, donations to their athletic departments and additional benefits through the program.