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CHANGE | The SWBL Boys Tennis Tournament has been moved to Thursday, May 7, entirely due to weather. We thank you for your cooperation and patience.

Photo by Monroe Athletics

It was about more than softball on Friday. Monroe’s softball program hosted its 10th annual cancer awareness game on May 1, bringing the community together for a cause that reached far beyond the field. With support from Ross, the two programs combined efforts to turn the evening into a meaningful show of unity and compassion.

Players, coaches and fans took part in honoring those affected by cancer, with tributes woven throughout the night. The atmosphere reflected both the competitive spirit of the game and the deeper purpose behind it.

The biggest win came off the field. Thanks in part to the support from Ross, the teams raised $350 for cancer research — a contribution that underscored the impact local programs can make when they come together.

VIEW PHOTO GALLERY by Adrian Alvis

Release Provided By Oakwood Athletics

Oakwood Schools is pleased to announce that Braxston Campbell has been selected as the next Oakwood High School varsity girls basketball head coach, pending approval by the Oakwood Board of Education at its May meeting. Campbell previously was the boys basketball head coach at Twin Valley South and prior to that was the girls basketball head coach at Dixie High School.

“Coach Campbell will bring energy and passion for basketball to our girls basketball program and will be able to build a positive culture within the program. As a former collegiate basketball player with head coaching experience, Coach Campbell has a wealth of knowledge for basketball” Oakwood Schools Athletic Director Tyler Rhodus said.

“I am thrilled and honored to be named the next head coach of the Girls program. I am excited to lead our terrific student-athletes here and work alongside our families to create a positive environment conducive to learning and competing at a high level,” Coach Campbell stated. “I’m committed to preparing our student-athletes not only on the basketball floor, but also preparing them for life beyond basketball. It is a privilege and honor to lead this storied program, and I look forward to helping build onto that legacy.”

Campbell graduated from Transylvania University, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a Minor in Political Science while playing basketball for the Pioneers. Campbell has additionally earned his masters in Educational Leadership and his Doctor of Education degree from Youngstown State University.

Campbell is currently an Intervention Specialist at Oakwood High School. Coach Campbell will have a brief introduction with students and families in grades 8 - 11 who are interested in playing girls basketball this winter on May 11, 2026 at 6:30pm in the high school auditorium

PHOTO BY SWBL PHOTOGRAPHER LAYTON HARTSOUGH

The formula hasn’t changed for Carlisle High School’s softball team. The names might, the experience level might fluctuate, but the expectation remains the same.

Win the league. Do it together.

And this spring, a young Indians roster is once again playing like a program that knows nothing else.

Grace Holt has helped set the tone in the circle. Earlier this week, the Carlisle junior threw a no-hitter against Waynesville and followed it with the first perfect game of her career against Dayton Christian, surpassing 100 strikeouts on the season in the process.

“It felt like a really big moment for me,” Holt said of the perfect game. “And my teammates made it feel like that as well.”

Holt has anchored Carlisle with an 8-4 record, a 2.25 ERA and 103 strikeouts in 65 1/3 innings. She has also hit .412 with 16 RBIs, giving the Indians a two-way presence as they chase a sixth straight Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division title.

“We’ve kind of been able to put the pieces together with the young talent that we have,” Carlisle coach Donny Ridinger said. “We only have one senior, but we’ve had kids step up across the board. That’s what we knew had to happen for us to be successful.”

Carlisle — which leads the SWBL Buckeye Division with a 9-1 record, 14-7 overall — is hitting .366 as a team with a .443 on-base percentage and 208 runs through 21 games. Mya Howard, the team’s lone senior, is batting .414 with 29 hits, 22 RBIs and two home runs. Sophomore Allisa Shotwell is hitting .431 with three homers, while freshman Ally Conger is batting .469.

“I haven’t been the only one who has had some great games — my teammates are also playing great,” Holt said. “We’ve shown up and have done what we’ve had to do.”

Holt said Carlisle’s success has come from trust, chemistry and a team-first mindset.

“I can’t go out there and pitch perfect every single game, and I can’t hit a home run every at-bat,” Holt said. “It’s all the girls working together. That’s what makes it happen.”

That approach has helped Carlisle overcome its youth. The Indians have one senior, three juniors and a large group of freshmen and sophomores contributing in key roles.

“We’ve known each other for years,” Holt said. “We’re close outside of softball, and that carries onto the field. We know what each other is capable of, and we know how to pick each other up.”

Howard has been part of Carlisle’s recent run of league titles, and Holt said the younger players want to keep that streak alive for her.

“We want to make it special for her,” Holt said. “She’s won league titles every year, and we want to keep that going.”

Ridinger said Holt’s value goes beyond the circle.

“She has great control. She has good speed. She has the best attitude,” Ridinger said. “She can play first base. She can play in the outfield. She’s just a very talented kid that’s very versatile.”

Carlisle’s goals remain clear — win the league, return to the district championship and continue building a program that has become one of the SWBL’s most consistent winners.

“Same thing every game,” Holt said. “Respect everybody, don’t take anything for granted, and trust what we do.”