News

At the conclusion of a phenomenal 2026 baseball season, the Cincinnati Enquirer high school sports writer, James Weber and Brendan Connelly, rolled up their research sleeves to make thoughtful selections honoring the “best of the best” baseball and softball players across Greater Cincinnati. As expected, the Greater Miami Conference was prominently represented throughout this impressive collection of standouts. Kudos to James Weber and Brendan Connelly for all his efforts and energies in honoring high school athletes this spring!

DIVISION I BASEBALL

Complete listing link: Cincinnati.com Baseball All-City Baseball 2026

GMC Selections:

Co-Player of the Year - Wil Krause - Oak Hills

Co-Pitcher of the Year - Ryan Murphy - Oak Hills

First Team: Gavin Byrd (Lakota West), Sam Davies (Mason), Josh Davis (Princeton), Kameron Gaalaas (Lakota West), Ben Hanley (Mason), Braydon Johnson (Lakota West), Wil Kraus (Oak Hills), Connor Magato (Lakota East), Ethan Moeves (Oak Hills), Ryan Murphy (Oak Hills), Kenny Pope (Princeton), Manny Sanchez Gonzalez (Princeton), Liam Sander (Mason), and Landon Winer (Colerain).

Second Team:  Caleb Binder (Lakota West), Noah Bramble (Mason), Donovan Corbett (Lakota East), Brett Gandert (Mason), Tyler Groff (Mason), Dylan Heimbuch (Mason), Jack Koelling (Mason), Teagan Lucking (Fairfield), Dax Redman (Oak Hills), Aidan Sullivan (Lakota East), and Isaac Vargo (Mason).

DIVISION I SOFTBALL

Complete listing link: Cincinnati.com All-City Softball Selections

Player of the Year: Emili Schappacher - Hamilton

Coach of the Year: Steve Crawford - Lakota East

First Team:  Kaleigh Crawford (Lakota East), Sasha Emmrich (Oak Hills), Peyton Eversole (Hamilton), Kaitlyn Gambaccini (Sycamore), Emili Schappacher (Hamilton), Annaliese Szabo (Oak Hills), Haley Thompson (Lakota East), and Becca Zellner (Mason).

Second Team: Avery Clayton (Mason), Brook Hoffmeier (Oak Hills), Emily Lacock (Oak Hills), Kenndi Legree (Princeton), Bella Lucas (Lakota West), Morgan McBrayer (Mason), Maddie Offner (Lakota East), Kelsie Schueler (Oak Hills), Juliette Sudnik (Lakota East), and Aurora Wallace (Fairfield).

**See the Cincinnati.com link for the honorable mention listing.

Special thanks to Cincinnati.com high sports writers James Weber and Brendan Connelly for their extra efforts in support of high school athletes from all over Greater Cincinnati. You are appreciated!

At the conclusion of the Ohio High Athletic Association (OHSAA) Tournament, the Ohio High School Softball Coaches Association (OHSSCA) announced their 2026 All-Ohio selections. After qualifying three GMC teams for the OHSAA Tournament "Sweet Sixteen", the Greater Miami Conference was again well represented in this state wide recogniton.

First Team 

Emili Schappacher - Hamilton (12) and GMC "Player of the Year"

Annaliese Szabo - Oak Hills (11) and GMC "Pitcher of the Year)

Second Team

Kaleigh Crawford - Lakota East (11) and First Team All-GMC

Honorable Mention

Kaitlynn Gambaccini - Sycamore (12) and First Team All-GMC

Haley Thompson - Lakota East (12) and First Team All-GMC

The Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association has announced its 2026 All-Ohio baseball teams, recognizing the top players from across the state following another outstanding spring season. Greater Miami Conference baseball was again extremely well represented in this state-wide recoginition.

First Team All-Ohio

Wil Krause - Oak Hills (12) Shortstop and "GMC Player of the Year"

Brayden Johnson - Lakota West (12) Catcher and First Team All-GMC

Kenny Pope - Princeton (10) Third Base and  Second Team All-GMC

Second Team All-Ohio

Ryan Murphy - Oak Hills (11) Pitcher and "GMC Pitcher of the Year"

Ben Hanley - Mason (12) Pitcher and First Team All-GMC

Honorable Mention

Sam Davies - Mason and First Team All-GMC

Kameron Gaalaas - Lakota West and First Team All-GMC

Liam Sander - Mason and First Team All-GMC

Congratulations to these outstanding players on their achievement and recogntion.  GMC proud!

Press release from Hamilton Athletic Department:

Steve Heckman announces his retirement After 36 years with the Big Blue softball program, including 34 years as head coach, Steve Heckman has announced his retirement as Head Softball Coach. During his remarkable tenure, Coach Heckman compiled 474 career victories and guided the Big Blue to three Final Four appearances in 2001, 2002, and 2006. He was also recognized as the Greater Miami Conference Coach of the Year on five separate occasions, a testament to the excellence and consistency of his program. Beyond the softball field, Coach Heckman made an equally meaningful impact inside the classroom and throughout the school community.

As a social studies teacher, he educated and inspired countless students. He also served as the school's Dean of Students for two years, led as a department head for many years, and dedicated his time to students through his role as National Honor Society advisor and numerous other advisory groups. There simply are not enough words to express what Coach Heckman has meant to Big Blue. He is deeply respected, genuinely loved, and will be greatly missed. His influence extends far beyond wins and losses, leaving a lasting legacy with the countless athletes, students, families, and colleagues whose lives he has touched.

A special thank you to his wife, Rebecca, for her unwavering support throughout this incredible journey. Coaching demands countless hours, evenings, weekends, and sacrifices, and none of it is possible without the understanding and support of family.

Thank you for sharing Coach Heckman with the Big Blue community and for being such an important part of this remarkable legacy. Thank you, Coach Heckman, for everything you have done for BIG BLUE. Your impact will be felt for generations to come. Enjoy your well earned retirement, Coach. You have certainly earned it.

The Greater Miami Conference (GMC) qualified a total of 52 boys and girls individual entries and 14 relay teams to the OHSAA (Ohio High School Athletic Association) State Track and Field Championships this past weekend in Columbus (June 6-7). When the dust settled on the 2026 OHSAA, conference schools placed 23 in the top 8 for the girls and 6 in the top 8 for the boys. The Mason girls program in addition to bringing home 4 state championships, finished third overall in the team point standings.

For complete results see the OHSAA link: OHSAA Live Scoring State Track and Field Championships

The Greater Miami Conference is proud to claim state titles by:

Azarae Hawkins (Mason) in both the 100 meter dash (11.61) and the 200 meter dash (23.98).

(photo and graphics complements of Mason Student Radio)

Saniya Taylor (Lakota West) brought home gold in the 400 meter dash (55.04).

(photo compliments of Lakota West Athletic Department)

Austin White (Mason) outdistanced the field in the shot with a winning throw of 44'8".

(photo compliments of Mason Student Radio - ESPYS)

The Mason 4 x 100 meter relay team brought home a state championship with a time of 46.78. State Championship relay team members are: Nora Moore, Kate Buckley, Taylor Birdsong and Azarae Hawkins.

Five Division I state titles on the GMC girls side of the track is an incredibly strong showing. Top flight performances were turned all around by the leagues premier athletes.