Matt Goul
mgoul.bsky.social
Matt Goul
@mgoul.bsky.social
Reporter for cleveland.com and the Plain Dealer, specializing in high school basketball and football. Find me at @mgoul on most social media platforms or email [email protected].
Parity is alive and well in Northeast Ohio, and that is reflected in this week's @clevelanddotcom boys basketball Top 25. No. 1 is on the line Tuesday with Lutheran East at St. Edward, and conference championships will be at stake throughout the week:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
Cleveland.com Boys Basketball Top 25: No. 1 spot should be settled this week
Parity continues with plenty of movement up and down the rankings.
www.cleveland.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Northeast Ohio produced three Super Bowl champions on Sunday. A proud day for @GreenmenFB, @TarblooderFB and @SEHS_FOOTBALL.

Here's a look at how A.J. Barner, Coby Bryant and Montorie Foster Jr. got to that stage with the Seahawks:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
How 3 former Northeast Ohio high school football standouts became Super Bowl champions
Aurora’s A.J. Barner, Glenville’s Coby Bryant and St. Edward’s Montorie Foster Jr. all became Super Bowl champions early in their NFL careers on Sunday night.
www.cleveland.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Guards get the attention for Lutheran East, but play like what Devontey Perkins exhibited Saturday is what pushes @LEFalconsHoops forward. More on @teyp_15's development, which led to him becoming crowned homecoming king with their win at Garfield Heights:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
Guards get the attention, but Devontey Perkins pushes Lutheran East forward
Devontey Perkins is Northeast Ohio's leading rebounder and had his biggest game against his former team.
www.cleveland.com
January 25, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Tatiana Mason didn't want to wait any longer. She called Ohio State on Wednesday to give the Buckeyes her commitment. Read all about @TatiMason_2027's decision and what else is motiving one of the state's Ms. Basketball frontrunners:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
Ohio State dream comes true with Tatiana Mason’s commitment
The Class of 2027 standout has Brush off to a 13-4 start after she finished last season as an Ohio Ms. Basketball finalist.
www.cleveland.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:46 PM
New @clevelanddotcom boys basketball Top 25 and look ahead to what should be a big weekend in NEO:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
‘Challenge accepted:’ Unbeaten Lutheran East remains atop cleveland.com boys basketball Top 25, but will Garfield Heights change that?
Two of Northeast Ohio’s top teams will meet Saturday in Garfield Heights as part of a Scholastic Play By Play Classic.
www.cleveland.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Defending state champion @LEFalconsHoops' road to a potential OHSAA record isn’t easy with one of Ohio’s shortest benches. Read how they've done it:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
Defending state champions’ road to record isn’t easy with one of Ohio’s shortest benches
Lutheran East lost five players to transfers. Intense conditioning has pushed the Falcons to an undefeated start to this boys basketball season.
www.cleveland.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:33 PM
New @clevelanddotcom boys basketball Top 25, but how long will it stay that way? That's because No. 1 vs. No. 2 is Tuesday night:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
Cleveland.com boys basketball Top 25: No. 1 on the line for Lutheran East at St. Ignatius
Northeast Ohio’s top two teams play Tuesday to start the week. Flyin’ to the Hoop near Dayton ends the week.
www.cleveland.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:32 PM
New @clevelanddotcom Top 25 sees Glenville, Norton and Highland jump up the rankings with shakeups after the weekend's Play By Play Classic and St. Ignatius-St. Edward showdown:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
Cleveland.com boys basketball Top 25: Where do St. Ignatius, St. Edward stand after clash?
Showcase season isn’t over yet, either. The ELB Invitational is Saturday at Cleveland Heights.
www.cleveland.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Should Public Hall host #OHSAA basketball tournament games? Cleveland's stage is ready:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
Should Public Hall host OHSAA basketball tournament games? Cleveland’s stage is ready
Home of the Charge drew nearly 4,000 for its first high school game to start 2026.
www.cleveland.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:22 PM
All of the highlights and top performers from Sunday's @PBPCLASSICS. Right here:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
Scholastic Play By Play highlights and top performers from the boys basketball showcase
Watch the highlights and hear from the top players after Sunday’s annual showcase event.
www.cleveland.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:18 PM
A new No. 1 to ring in the new year? Updated @clevelanddotcom boys basketball Top 25 ahead of this weekend's big games, which include the @PBPCLASSICS on Sunday and St. Edward vs. St. Ignatius on Saturday:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
Cleveland.com boys basketball Top 25: Play By Play Classic tips off 2026 on Sunday in Euclid
Before the new year, there is a new No. 1-ranked team.
www.cleveland.com
December 30, 2025 at 5:53 PM
In case you missed the @neoyouthelite Christmas Classic, and even if you didn't, catch up on the highlights from each game and top performers:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
Highlights and top performers from the NEO Youth Elite Christmas Classic
Watch highlights and hear from the top players at the five-game showcase.
www.cleveland.com
December 29, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Glenville's @JCincere8 is the @clevelanddotcom Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season. Meet the all-area team on defense:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
Cleveland.com football all-stars 2025: Meet the best defensive players from Northeast Ohio
Glenville’s Cincere Johnson repeats as the cleveland.com Defensive Player of the Year
www.cleveland.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:22 PM
After record-setting seasons, @WhiteBrandon26 and @hackleman_zach are the @clevelanddotcom co-Offensive Players of the Year. Meet the all-area team on offense:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
Cleveland.com football all-stars 2025: Meet the best offensive players from Northeast Ohio
St. Edward’s Brandon White and Zach Hackleman share cleveland.com Offensive Player of the Year honors.
www.cleveland.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:21 PM
For the second straight year, @avoneagles are the #OHSAA Division II state champions and @coach_elderm is the @clevelanddotcom Coach of the Year:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
Avon’s Mike Elder is the 2025 cleveland.com football Coach of the Year
Avon overcame an early season test, injuries and key losses to graduation to repeat as Division II state champion.
www.cleveland.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Some shakeups for this week's
@clevelanddotcom
boys basketball Top 25.
-A new No. 1.
-Three teams jump into the top 10.
-Cleveland Heights, Keystone and Hudson now in the Top 25.
-Plenty to watch going forward.
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
Cleveland.com boys basketball Top 25: A new No. 1 and more shakeups two weeks into season
Bedford is among three teams that moved into the top 10.
www.cleveland.com
December 15, 2025 at 5:46 PM
How Bedford learned to believe it can play with anybody to beat anybody. A look back on @BedfordBearcats' big early season win with full highlights and reaction from @ajmcguinea5, @kwood__3, @soexclusive3z and @MaineG52:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
How Bedford learned to play with anybody to believe it can beat anybody
The Bearcats applied their double-digit rally vs. St. Ignatius to an early statement victory vs. Warrensville Heights in boys basketball.
www.cleveland.com
December 13, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Glenville's next in line mirrors its outgoing senior class. A look at what that means for the Tarblooders after their third #OHSAA state championship in four years:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
Glenville’s next in line mirrors outgoing senior class after title run
What’s next for the Tarblooders after their third Division IV football state championship?
www.cleveland.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Kirtland’s line pushed it to an eighth #OHSAA state title, and that group could make the Hornets a favorite for No. 9:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
Kirtland’s line pushed it to eighth state title, and that could make it a favorite for No. 9
A majority of Kirtland’s offensive line is slated to return after pushing the way for the Hornets’ skillful seniors.
www.cleveland.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Avon's underclassmen must walk before they can ride. How a little motivation doesn't hurt, and where it can take the Eagles after their #OHSAA Division II state-title defense:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
Avon’s underclassmen must walk before they can ride
What’s next for the Eagles after their second straight Division II football state championship?
www.cleveland.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:58 PM
John Silvestro's four rushing touchdowns tied a Division VI state finals record, while Kirtland's defense was just as dominant vs. Hopewell-Loudon. See how:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
John Silvestro’s four TDs tie Division VI record, while defense rules Kirtland’s state-title win (video)
John Silvestro rushed for 255 yards and four touchdowns to cap the first 2,000-yard season at Kirtland.
www.cleveland.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Kirtland claims its eighth #OHSAA state crown with a dominant performance.

“They got to play together one last time,” coach Tiger LaVerde said of his 11 seniors. “They were on my little Pee-wee team and this is a really cool way for them to finish.”
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
Kirtland claims eighth state title, takes down Hopewell-Loudon 41-6 in Division VI final
The Hornets sought their eighth state championship since 2011.
www.cleveland.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:43 AM
A dislocated toe couldn't keep @Cjayyy3_ and @TarblooderFB from recapturing their #OHSAA state crown. A look back on how he, @_scalesAaron6 and @JCincere8 put the finishing touches on their run at Glenville as part of a historic defensive performance:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
Dislocated toe couldn’t keep C.J. Newell, Glenville from another crown
One of Glenville’s seniors and third-year starters overcame an injury suffered in the state semifinals to propel the Tarblooders vs. Shelby.
www.cleveland.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Glenville rides record-setting defense to its third #OHSAA Division IV state championship. See @TarblooderFB's performance:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
Glenville rides record-setting defense to third state title (video)
No defense has been as stingy in an OHSAA state football championship game as Glenville on Friday morning against Shelby.
www.cleveland.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Glenville allowed only 27 yards to Shelby in the #OHSAA Division IV state championship and claimed its third title in four years.

Read all about it:
www.cleveland.com/highschoolsp...
Glenville football is back on top with third state title in four years, 45-7 over Shelby
Glenville set a state championship game record and shut down Mr. Football finalist Brayden DeVito of Shelby in the OHSAA Division IV title game.
www.cleveland.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:41 AM