MADISON TOWNSHIP — The year’s biggest basketball story took place in the heart of football season.
St. Peter’s three-year starting forward Mason Campbell, a two-time All-Ohioan, enrolled Thursday at Madison and will play his senior year for the Rams, according to high school principal Rob Peterson.
The 6-foot-4 Campbell confirmed Friday night that he began attending classes on Thursday at Madison. As he is a Madison Township resident, he will be immediately eligible when the season begins, according to Ohio High School Athletics Association rules.
“It was a really hard decision,” said Campbell, who was allowed to play football for the Rams this fall because St. Peter’s has no football team. “I played here through the 8th grade. I’ve got a lot of friends on the team.”
In the last two years, Campbell was a crucial part of St. Peter’s back-to-back trips to the Division IV Elite Eight. He figured to form a strong nucleus for Spartans’ coach Joe Jakubick, along with All-Ohioan Jared Jakubick and returning starter Elijah Cobb.
St. Peter’s lost a heartbreaking 44-43 decision to Delphos St. John’s last winter, missing 6 of their final 8 free throws to thwart a season-long state tournament drive.
“It was hard (to leave). I have a lot of respect for Coach Jakubick,” Campbell said. “I told Jared and Elijah. They weren’t happy about it, but they want me to be happy.”
The transfer figures to have a significant impact on two basketball programs. St. Peter’s was considered a state championship contender with Campbell, who cracked 1,000 career points with the blue and white and fueled last year’s run to a No. 2 ranking in the final state poll.
At Madison he will team with 6-4 guard Kyle Jackson to form a dynamic duo for coach Tim Mergel’s squad.
Campbell has played quarterback and defensive end for the Rams this fall. Although the team is 0-9, Campbell said he’s enjoyed reconnecting with his old friends.
“Kyle, we went to kindergarten together,” Campbell said. “I’m focused on (the football team) and this season right now. Football has made me more aggressive. I’m around a lot of my old friends here.”
