🏀✈️ LAST HOME GAME – SENIOR NIGHT! ✈️🏀
The Ayersville Pilots close out the home season tonight as we take on the Montpelier Locomotives!
It’s a special evening in the Hangar as we celebrate:
🎓 Senior Night – Honoring our senior players and their dedication to Pilot basketball and cheerleading
🏅 Hall of Honor Recognition – Recognizing those who have helped build our proud tradition
🌭 Sausage Sandwiches – Courtesy of the amazing Ayersville FFA (while supplies last!)
Let’s PACK THE HANGAR one last time this season and show our seniors the support they deserve!
🕖 JV start time: 6pm
🏀 Varsity to follow
#PilotPride #SeniorNight #LastHomeGame #PackTheHangar
The Ayersville Pilots close out the home season tonight as we take on the Montpelier Locomotives!
It’s a special evening in the Hangar as we celebrate:
🎓 Senior Night – Honoring our senior players and their dedication to Pilot basketball and cheerleading
🏅 Hall of Honor Recognition – Recognizing those who have helped build our proud tradition
🌭 Sausage Sandwiches – Courtesy of the amazing Ayersville FFA (while supplies last!)
Let’s PACK THE HANGAR one last time this season and show our seniors the support they deserve!
🕖 JV start time: 6pm
🏀 Varsity to follow
#PilotPride #SeniorNight #LastHomeGame #PackTheHangar
🏊♂️💙 Good Luck, Swimmers! 💙🏊♀️
Best of luck to our swimmers as they compete at Sectionals today! Your hard work, early mornings, and dedication in the pool have led you to this moment.
Race fast. Turn sharp. Finish strong. 💪🔥
We’re proud of you — represent the Hangar with pride! ✈️💙
#SectionalBound #GoPilots #FinishStrong
Best of luck to our swimmers as they compete at Sectionals today! Your hard work, early mornings, and dedication in the pool have led you to this moment.
Race fast. Turn sharp. Finish strong. 💪🔥
We’re proud of you — represent the Hangar with pride! ✈️💙
#SectionalBound #GoPilots #FinishStrong
🏀💛 Ayersville Hall of Honor Recognition Night – Tomorrow! 🩵🏀
Join us tomorrow evening as we celebrate and honor two outstanding members of the Ayersville community Mrs. Lois Brown & Mrs. Eileen Ramus during halftime of the Varsity Boys Basketball game vs. Montpelier as they are inducted into the Ayersville Hall of Honor
We are proud to recognize these individuals whose dedication, service, and accomplishments have made a lasting impact on Ayersville Local Schools and our community.
📍 2/14/26 Varsity Boys Basketball vs. Montpelier
⏰ Halftime Recognition Ceremony
Come out, pack the stands, and help us celebrate these Hall of Honor inductees for a memorable night in the Hangar! 🩵💛
🏀 GMC Boys Basketball Gameday 🏀
Tonight in The Hangar — come support the Pilots as they take on Edgerton!
🆚 Edgerton
📍 The Hangar
⏰ Tip-off: 6:00 PM
🚪 Doors Open: 5:15 PM
🥔 Baked Potato Bar begins at 5:30 PM (while supplies last!)
Can’t make it tonight? Catch the game LIVE on DCTV!
Let’s pack The Hangar and bring the energy! ✈️
Tonight in The Hangar — come support the Pilots as they take on Edgerton!
🆚 Edgerton
📍 The Hangar
⏰ Tip-off: 6:00 PM
🚪 Doors Open: 5:15 PM
🥔 Baked Potato Bar begins at 5:30 PM (while supplies last!)
Can’t make it tonight? Catch the game LIVE on DCTV!
Let’s pack The Hangar and bring the energy! ✈️
🤼♂️ Match Day at the Hangar! 🤼♂️
The Pilots are back on the mat tonight as we host Lima Perry!
Join us as we recognize our wrestlers and families during Parents Night and Senior Night.
🕔 Parents Night & Senior Night Recognition: 5:50 PM
🕕 First Match: 6:00 PM
📍 The Hangar
Let’s pack the stands and bring the energy as we support our wrestlers!
Go Pilots!
The Pilots are back on the mat tonight as we host Lima Perry!
Join us as we recognize our wrestlers and families during Parents Night and Senior Night.
🕔 Parents Night & Senior Night Recognition: 5:50 PM
🕕 First Match: 6:00 PM
📍 The Hangar
Let’s pack the stands and bring the energy as we support our wrestlers!
Go Pilots!
🏀 Game Day Update — Saturday, Feb. 7 🏀
We were just made aware of a schedule adjustment for tomorrow’s games at Stryker.
Start Time: 1:00 PM
• JV Girls — 2 quarters only
• Varsity Girls
• JV Boys
• Varsity Boys
Good luck to our Pilots as they hit the road! ✈️
🏀 Senior Night in the Hangar 🏀
Join us tonight as we celebrate our Girls Basketball Seniors for their dedication, leadership, and commitment to the Pilots program!
Ayersville vs Antwerp
Ceremony after the game!
🏊♀️🏊♂️ IT’S CHAMPIONSHIP DAY
NWOAC Swimming Championships
🕙 10:00 AM
📍 Fremont Ross High School
Good luck to our swimmers as they hit the pool and compete at the conference level!
Proud of you — Go Pilots! 💙💛
NWOAC Swimming Championships
🕙 10:00 AM
📍 Fremont Ross High School
Good luck to our swimmers as they hit the pool and compete at the conference level!
Proud of you — Go Pilots! 💙💛
FULL MAT SATURDAY 🔥🤼♂️
🟦 HS Boys – Sandusky St. Marys | 9AM
🟨 HS Girls – Iron Maiden (Bellefontaine) | 9AM
🟦 JH Girls – Jr. Iron Maiden (Bellefontaine) | 9AM
🟨 JH Boys – GMC Championships at HOME | 9:30AM
Compete. Fight. Represent. ✈️
🟦 HS Boys – Sandusky St. Marys | 9AM
🟨 HS Girls – Iron Maiden (Bellefontaine) | 9AM
🟦 JH Girls – Jr. Iron Maiden (Bellefontaine) | 9AM
🟨 JH Boys – GMC Championships at HOME | 9:30AM
Compete. Fight. Represent. ✈️
🚨 GAME NIGHT AT THE HANGAR 🚨
✈️ Pilots vs. Rams ✈️
🕓 4:45 PM Start
• Freshman
• 7th Grade
➡️ 8th Grade, JV & Varsity to follow
🏟️ Locations
• JH games – Small Gym
• HS games – Big Gym
🥔 Baked Potato Bar
Brought to you by the International Trip 🌍
🎉 Mini Cheer Night!
💲 Admission
• Adults: $7
• Students: $5
➡️ One ticket gets you into ALL 5 GAMES!
✈️ Pilots vs. Rams ✈️
🕓 4:45 PM Start
• Freshman
• 7th Grade
➡️ 8th Grade, JV & Varsity to follow
🏟️ Locations
• JH games – Small Gym
• HS games – Big Gym
🥔 Baked Potato Bar
Brought to you by the International Trip 🌍
🎉 Mini Cheer Night!
💲 Admission
• Adults: $7
• Students: $5
➡️ One ticket gets you into ALL 5 GAMES!
🔥 Rivalry Night 🔥
Across the river we go — Girls Basketball @ Tinora
🕕 Tip-off at 6 PM
JV (2 qts only) ➡️ Varsity showdown to follow
Across the river we go — Girls Basketball @ Tinora
🕕 Tip-off at 6 PM
JV (2 qts only) ➡️ Varsity showdown to follow
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Two Historic Ayersville Boys Basketball Teams to Be Inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame
The Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame has announced that two Ayersville High School boys basketball teams are included among the 2026 inductees. The 1960-1961 team and the 1961-1962 team will be recognized at the Hall of Fame ceremony on June 6, 2026, at the Polaris Hilton Hotel in Columbus.
The 1960-61 team won the Class A State Championship and finished with a 30-0 record. With about a minute left in the first half of the state semi-final game, the Pilots trailed Proctorville Fairland 31-16. But a tremendous rally in the second half gave Ayersville a 51-49 win. In the championship game, the Pilots overcame Youngstown Liberty’s height advantage of 4 inches per player to win 40-38. Junior forward Dan Neff received First Team All Ohio recognition and Coach Lee Himmeger was named the Associated Press Class A Coach of the Year.
The 1961-62 team won their first 27 games before falling to New Lebanon Dixie in the state semi-finals. Senior Dan Neff was named the Class A Player of the Year, while senior John Bricker received Third Team All Ohio recognition. Coach Himmeger was again named the AP Coach of the Year.
The two teams won 57 consecutive games, including tournament games, which is the second best winning streak in the history of Ohio high school boys basketball. The teams were also part of a 68 game winning streak in regular season games. (The 1959 team won the final 6 regular season game; the 1960 team finished the regular season with a 20-0 record; the 1961 and 1962 teams won all 20 regular season games; and the 1963 team won the first two regular season games.)
The members of the 1960-61 team were seniors Bob Hoellrich, Jim Kile, Rich Martin, Virg Linebrink, Terry Stevens and Jim Zachrich; juniors Lynn Davis, Dan Neff and Jerry Stevens; and sophomores Rod Martin, Dave Ripke and Jim Smith. The coaches were head coach Lee Himmeger and assistant coach Charlie Koch.
The members of the 1961-62 team were seniors Darrell Bowditch, John Bricker, Lynn Davis, Ron Leaders, Dan Neff and Jerry Stevens; juniors Tom Friend, Tod Martin, Dave Ripke and Jim Smith; and sophomores Gene Hoellrich and Alan Hoffman. Lee Himmeger was the varsity coach.
The Hall of Fame class of 2026 also includes these individuals: Bob Beutel, Ray Dieringer, Bill Ek, Bettye Jo Hansbarger, Dan Hegemier, Brittany Hunter, Paul Keels, Charles Oakley, Scott Rogers, Donald Smith, Paul Storey, Mike Stumpf, Dick Walls, and Georgeann Wells. Two other team inductees are the Akron Goodyear Wingfoots and the 2003-04 Mount Notre Dame girls team.
The ceremony will be held on June 6, 2026, at the Polaris Hilton located at 8700 Lyra Dr., Columbus, OH 43240, from 4:00 to 7:30. Ticket information can be found on the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame website.
Two Historic Ayersville Boys Basketball Teams to Be Inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame
The Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame has announced that two Ayersville High School boys basketball teams are included among the 2026 inductees. The 1960-1961 team and the 1961-1962 team will be recognized at the Hall of Fame ceremony on June 6, 2026, at the Polaris Hilton Hotel in Columbus.
The 1960-61 team won the Class A State Championship and finished with a 30-0 record. With about a minute left in the first half of the state semi-final game, the Pilots trailed Proctorville Fairland 31-16. But a tremendous rally in the second half gave Ayersville a 51-49 win. In the championship game, the Pilots overcame Youngstown Liberty’s height advantage of 4 inches per player to win 40-38. Junior forward Dan Neff received First Team All Ohio recognition and Coach Lee Himmeger was named the Associated Press Class A Coach of the Year.
The 1961-62 team won their first 27 games before falling to New Lebanon Dixie in the state semi-finals. Senior Dan Neff was named the Class A Player of the Year, while senior John Bricker received Third Team All Ohio recognition. Coach Himmeger was again named the AP Coach of the Year.
The two teams won 57 consecutive games, including tournament games, which is the second best winning streak in the history of Ohio high school boys basketball. The teams were also part of a 68 game winning streak in regular season games. (The 1959 team won the final 6 regular season game; the 1960 team finished the regular season with a 20-0 record; the 1961 and 1962 teams won all 20 regular season games; and the 1963 team won the first two regular season games.)
The members of the 1960-61 team were seniors Bob Hoellrich, Jim Kile, Rich Martin, Virg Linebrink, Terry Stevens and Jim Zachrich; juniors Lynn Davis, Dan Neff and Jerry Stevens; and sophomores Rod Martin, Dave Ripke and Jim Smith. The coaches were head coach Lee Himmeger and assistant coach Charlie Koch.
The members of the 1961-62 team were seniors Darrell Bowditch, John Bricker, Lynn Davis, Ron Leaders, Dan Neff and Jerry Stevens; juniors Tom Friend, Tod Martin, Dave Ripke and Jim Smith; and sophomores Gene Hoellrich and Alan Hoffman. Lee Himmeger was the varsity coach.
The Hall of Fame class of 2026 also includes these individuals: Bob Beutel, Ray Dieringer, Bill Ek, Bettye Jo Hansbarger, Dan Hegemier, Brittany Hunter, Paul Keels, Charles Oakley, Scott Rogers, Donald Smith, Paul Storey, Mike Stumpf, Dick Walls, and Georgeann Wells. Two other team inductees are the Akron Goodyear Wingfoots and the 2003-04 Mount Notre Dame girls team.
The ceremony will be held on June 6, 2026, at the Polaris Hilton located at 8700 Lyra Dr., Columbus, OH 43240, from 4:00 to 7:30. Ticket information can be found on the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame website.
🚨 Schedule Update
🏀 Tonight’s JH Boys Basketball makeup game vs. Tinora has been postponed for 1/30 at 4:45 in the JH Gym
🎟️ Friday Night Ticket Prices (all HS and JH games):
• Adults: $7
• Students: $5
🏀 Girls Basketball vs. Fort Jennings
Postponed until 2/12/26 at 6:00 PM
🚨 Athletic Update – for tomorrow Monday 1/26 🚨
🏀 JH Girls Basketball
8th Grade GMC Tournament vs. Wayne Trace — Postponed to 1/31
🏀 JH Boys Basketball
@ Holgate — Canceled
Stay tuned for updates.
🏀 Boys Basketball Game Day 🏀
🕓 Start Time: 4:00 PM
📍 @ Delphos Jefferson
🏫 Location: Middle School Stage Gym
🤼♂️ WRESTLING POSTPONED 🤼♂️
The wrestling event scheduled for today Friday Jan. 23rd @ PH has been postponed.
📆 New date will be announced soon (TBA).
Thank you for your understanding.
The wrestling event scheduled for today Friday Jan. 23rd @ PH has been postponed.
📆 New date will be announced soon (TBA).
Thank you for your understanding.
🏀 Tonight’s Games 🏀
🏠 JH Boys Basketball vs PH (Home)
🚍 JH Girls Basketball @ PH
⏱️ 2 quarters – 7th grade only
⭐ GMC Varsity Matchup ⭐
🆚 Hicksville
⏰ 6:00 PM start
❗ Varsity ONLY – No JV contest
Let’s go Pilots! ✈️💙
🏠 JH Boys Basketball vs PH (Home)
🚍 JH Girls Basketball @ PH
⏱️ 2 quarters – 7th grade only
⭐ GMC Varsity Matchup ⭐
🆚 Hicksville
⏰ 6:00 PM start
❗ Varsity ONLY – No JV contest
Let’s go Pilots! ✈️💙
🤼♂️ Wrestling Friday @ PH 🤼♂️
Friday Agenda & Important Information
🚪 Entry:
All parents and fans must enter through the High School Office doors at the south end of the building.
🚗 Parking:
All vehicles must enter campus from State Route 18.
Please do NOT use the Road 7 entrance.
🕒 Schedule:
• Starting line-up introductions: 1:45 PM
• National Anthem
• PH Senior Night Recognition: 1:50 PM (following the National Anthem)
• Wrestling begins at approximately 2:00 PM
Friday Agenda & Important Information
🚪 Entry:
All parents and fans must enter through the High School Office doors at the south end of the building.
🚗 Parking:
All vehicles must enter campus from State Route 18.
Please do NOT use the Road 7 entrance.
🕒 Schedule:
• Starting line-up introductions: 1:45 PM
• National Anthem
• PH Senior Night Recognition: 1:50 PM (following the National Anthem)
• Wrestling begins at approximately 2:00 PM
📣 Athletic Schedule Update | 1/20/26
🏀 JH Girls Basketball @ Antwerp
• ON
• 2 quarters of 7th grade, followed by 8th grade
🏀 JH Boys Basketball vs. Tinora (Home)
• POSTPONED
• Rescheduled for 1/27/26 at 5:00 PM
🏀 HS Girls Basketball @ Kalida
• ON
🏀 JH Girls Basketball @ Antwerp
• ON
• 2 quarters of 7th grade, followed by 8th grade
🏀 JH Boys Basketball vs. Tinora (Home)
• POSTPONED
• Rescheduled for 1/27/26 at 5:00 PM
🏀 HS Girls Basketball @ Kalida
• ON
🚨 Schedule Update 🚨
❌ HS Boys Basketball @ Kalida – Cancelled
➡️ Working on a reschedule date
📅 JH Boys Basketball (H) vs Tinora – Rescheduled
➡️ Now playing tomorrow, 1/20
❌ JH Girls Basketball (H) vs Holgate – Cancelled
➡️ Will not be rescheduled due to the GMC Tournament
We’ll share updates as more information becomes available.
❌ HS Boys Basketball @ Kalida – Cancelled
➡️ Working on a reschedule date
📅 JH Boys Basketball (H) vs Tinora – Rescheduled
➡️ Now playing tomorrow, 1/20
❌ JH Girls Basketball (H) vs Holgate – Cancelled
➡️ Will not be rescheduled due to the GMC Tournament
We’ll share updates as more information becomes available.
