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Volume 11, No. 9
Friday, April 3, 2026
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CHRONICLE ALAN KORNSPAN/KMG
The Kirtland Hornets won their second consecutive OHSAA Regional Title with a 71-61 victory over Richmond Heights on March 13 at the Canton Memorial Fieldhouse.
Hornets Regional Champions For Second Consecutive Season By Alan Kornspan sports@karlovecmedia.com Before last season, the Kirtland Hornets Boys basketball team had only won one OHSAA Regional Title way back in 1991. However, over the last two seasons under the leadership of Head
Coach Shawn McGregor, the Hornets compiled a 43-14 record, won two OHSAA District Championships, two OHSAA Regional Titles, and also played in two OHSAA Final Fours. Simply a remarkable run for Hornets Boys Basketball! Leading these seasons were seniors Lucas Renfro and Ben DiFran-
co, and 2025 alum Vince Carriero. These players were simply difference makers! The contributions of these three players certainly did not go unnoticed in Northeast Ohio and throughout the state. In fact, for the 2024-2025 season, Vince Carriero was named Div. VI
Second Team All-Ohio after averaging 22.1 points per game. In addition, last season as a junior, Renfro earned Div. IV All-Ohio Honorable Mention. This season, Renfro (averaging 18 points per game) and DiFranco (14.6 points per game) both earned Div. VI Second Team All-Ohio Honors. See Basketball • Page 5
Petric Promoted to Sergeant for Kirtland PD Two New Officers Added to Roster Submitted As part of several recent hirings and promotions within the Kirtland Police Department, Zachary Petric was elevated to the rank of sergeant Jan. 5. Mayor Kevin Potter officially swore him in during the regular Kirtland City Council meeting, with his daughters, Harper and Brook, by his side. “Sgt. Petric is known for his community-first approach. He’s professional, fair and he is service oriented in his daily work,” said then-Police Chief Brian McCallister. “He serves as a field training officer. He has also worked as a detective, including experience supporting the U.S. Marshals Task
Force and brings specialized skills and computer forensics. I’m confident he will serve the department and community well.” The mayor also recently swore in two new officers, Joshua Grigus, who previously worked for the Orwell Police Department, and Seth Jewart. “(Grigus has) got prior experience with the Cleveland Division of Police. He’s also served with the Montville Fire Department since 2017, where he holds a rank of lieutenant,” McCallister said Jan. 5. “Based on his experience, work ethic and references, I recommend his appointment and look forward to him serving the community.” During Kirtland City Council’s March 16 meeting, current Police Chief Jamey Fisher introduced Jewart to the community. See Police • Page 3
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Mayor Kevin Potter officially swears in Sgt. Zachary Petric during a recent Kirtland City Council meeting as then-Chief Brian McCallister looks on. Also pictured are Petric’s daughters, Harper and Brook.
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