Senior forward John Horn helped the Raiders win a District Championship March 1, scoring seven points and grabbing five rebounds.
The Raiders finished the regular season 9-15, ultimately losing 57-43 to the Perry Panthers in the Division II regional final game March 8 at the University of Akron’s James A. Rhodes Arena. Horn recorded eight points and a steal in his final high school game.
Horn transferred from Benedictine High School this year. Head coach Danny Young said Horn’s leadership throughout the season has improved. “We were having a hard time scoring early in the season, he really stepped up on the court.”
According to Maxpreps, Horn ranks third in the Greater Cleveland Conference for three-point shots made, scoring 43.
Young said he gave Horn the responsibility of giving the pregame and postgame talks to the team. “He has done a very good job. He leads the speeches almost exactly how I would,” Young said. “The best locker room wins and he’s been doing a great job.”
Horn said he works hard to be a leader. “I help by lifting my teammates up and always motivating them,” he said. “Never bringing them down and always making sure they are going hard—during games or in practice.”
Horn’s best scoring performance came Feb. 4 in a 57-51 victory over the Bedford Bearcats. He tallied 21 points.
Young said he loves Horn’s attitude. “He’s intuitive. He’s a team guy and comes from a great family,” he said.
Horn emphasized the importance of keeping emotions in check. “I can’t get too high or low. I find a steady headspace during each game,” he said.
Senior forward Miles Shelton said he respects Horn’s leadership. “He consistently tries to motivate the team and get us ready before games,” Shelton said. After the third quarter of the Dec. 8 game, Shelton said, Horn gathered the team and shared encouragement that helped leading them to victory.
Young said Horn, who is headed for college, has straight A’s. Said Young, “John is a good leader. He’s coachable and he’s been a great addition to the team.”
A version of this article appears in print on page 7 of Volume 95, Issue 4, published March 21, 2025.
