A Historic Victory
The Massillon Tigers basketball team captured its first state championship on March 22, 2026, ending an 81‑year title drought that had hung over the city since the 1940s.
Facing a 15‑point deficit in the fourth quarter, the Tigers rallied, forcing overtime where they outscored their opponents to seal a dramatic victory.
The team finished the season with a 27‑1 record and a 24‑game winning streak, entering the finals as the top seed and the only unbeaten team in the tournament.
Leadership and Key Performances
Head coach Josh Hose guided the squad with a calm, strategic approach, his game‑plan turning the tide in the final minutes.
Jadyce Thigpen contributed 15 points in the championship game, a performance that will be highlighted in a new exhibit at the Massillon Museum.
The exhibit, curated by the Massillon Museum, showcases memorabilia from the title game, including a jersey worn by Thigpen and other artifacts that trace the team’s historic run.
Community members and alumni gathered at the museum to celebrate, reflecting on the significance of the win for a program that last appeared in a state tournament in 1945.