Chad Hodson Memorial Scholarships presented to 3 FHS seniors
Pictured (l-r) are Chad Hodson's sister Holly Burgess and daughter Hannah Hodson; scholarship recipients Zoey Carver, Mya McIntosh and Raymond Gleadle; and Chad Hodson's wife Jana Hodson-Binegar. (Photo courtesy of Fairfield Schools; gallery photos by Caitlin Forsha/The HCP)
LEESBURG — Fairfield High School hosted the fourth annual Chad Hodson Classic Saturday, Jan. 3 in Grandle Gymnasium, with a full day of basketball to honor and celebrate the life of Chad Hodson and his message of having the “ultimate teammate.”
The annual event included six games of high school basketball, featuring all five Highland County boys teams as well as the Fairfield Lady Lions, plus the awarding of three scholarships. Fans from across Highland County and surrounding communities packed the gym all day to enjoy a day of basketball and to remember Hodson, who passed away from cancer Nov. 28, 2019 at the age of 39.
Along with displays in the FHS cafeteria, there were also recorded messages before each game read by Hodson’s daughters Hannah and Landyn that discussed Hodson’s life and legacy. Before the final game of the night — which saw the host Fairfield boys varsity team earn a 34-point win over Western Latham — Hodson’s wife Jana Hodson-Binegar, their daughter Hannah and his sister Holly Burgess presented the Chad Hodson Memorial Scholarships.
Earning scholarships this year are Fairfield seniors Raymond Gleadle, Mya McIntosh and Zoey Carver, as Hodson-Binegar said the committee selected these three from a pool of 14 applicants.
“This is an exceptional group of students whose intelligence, character and ambition made this applicant pool really difficult,” she said. “I’m not just saying that. They are inspiring and an absolute joy to be in their presence.
“This group was really different. We just couldn't get over just their confidence and just how much that this district has impacted them and inspired them.”
Hodson-Binegar also thanked the event’s sponsors and organizers, especially athletic director Jimmy Barnett, superintendent Kesia McCoy and presenting sponsor Merchants National Bank; Alayna McIntosh, for her a cappella performance of the national anthem before the final game; and all of Chad Hodson’s family members and friends who volunteer at the event each year.
The presentation concluded with a prayer led by Hannah Hodson, after which fans were treated to the final game of the evening.
The 2026 Chad Hodson Classic was full of excitement from start to finish, including a one-point win by McClain over Blanchester; a two-point win by Eastern Pike over Lynchburg-Clay; decisive wins by Whiteoak over Paint Valley and by the Lady Lions over East Clinton; a win by Hillsboro over Western Brown that saw HHS junior Jack Howland score his 1,000th career point; and the aforementioned big win for the host Lions over Western Latham.
For articles and photos from all six games, click the links below.
• Tigers earn 3rd consecutive victory; defeat Blanchester by 1 point
• Eastern Eagles swoop in on Mustangs to take away win
• Wildcats trounce Bearcats for 42-point win
• Lady Lions earn 21-point win against East Clinton at Chad Hodson Classic
• Hillsboro’s Jack Howland nets 1,000th career point; Indians win against Broncos
• Lions earn Chad Hodson Classic win over Western Latham
Publisher's note: A free press is critical to having well-informed voters and citizens. While some news organizations opt for paid websites or costly paywalls, The Highland County Press has maintained a free newspaper and website for the last 26 years for our community. If you would like to contribute to this service, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be made to: The Highland County Press, P.O. Box 849, Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Please include "for website" on the memo line.
