Buckeye Trail and seven other schools are leaving the IVC North to form a new conference. This decision follows a series of successful seasons for the teams involved.
Key points
Buckeye Trail is leaving the IVC North.
Seven other schools are joining Buckeye Trail.
The teams are forming a new conference.
Buckeye Trail's basketball team has a record of 15-2.
The Warriors won their 12th straight game on January 30, 2026.
Buckeye TrailIVC North
Buckeye Trail senior Elian Arick (23) uses his height to reach for the rebound over Newcomerstown's Jaxon Smith (33) during IVC action on Friday, January 30, 2026. The Warriors' collected their 12th straight win to improve to 15-2, 9-1 IVC on the year.
Buckeye Trail's Sammy Brown (0) lets loose with a shot during a 65-59 IVC victory over Newcomerstown on Friday, January 30, 2026. The Warriors collected their 12th straight win to improve to 15-2, 9-1 IVC on the year.
Buckeye Trail's Bucky Johnson (50) takes the ball to the basket for the Warriors during a 65-59 IVC victory in Newcomerstown on Friday, January 30, 2026.
Buckeye Trail's Bucky Johnson reaches for the rebound over Newcomerstown's Braylon Kerr during IVC action on Friday, January 30, 2026 at Newcomerstown High School.
Buckeye Trail senior Kyer Eagon (33) jumps to keep the ball in play for the Warriors' 65-59 IVC victory over Newcomerstown on Friday, January 30, 2026..
Q&A
What schools are leaving the IVC North with Buckeye Trail?
Buckeye Trail is joining seven other schools to exit the IVC North, although specific names of the other schools are not mentioned.
Why are the schools leaving the IVC North to form a new conference?
The schools are forming a new conference likely to enhance competition and opportunities for their athletic programs.
What is the current performance of Buckeye Trail's basketball team?
Buckeye Trail's basketball team has achieved a record of 15-2, with a winning streak of 12 games and a 9-1 record in the IVC.
When did Buckeye Trail achieve their 12th straight win?
Buckeye Trail collected their 12th straight win on January 30, 2026, during a game against Newcomerstown.
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Newcomerstown's Gavin Smith (23) drives to the basket as Buckeye Trail'sĀ Chris Loudin applies defensive pressure during IVC action on Friday, January 30, 2026. The Warriors collected their 12th straight win with a 65-59 victory over the Trojans to improve to 15-2, 9-1 in IVC play.
Newcomerstown's JJ Justice pulls down the rebound during IVC action with visiting Buckeye Trail on Friday, January 30, 2026.
Buckeye Trail senior Sammy Brown's takes the charge on Newcomerstown's Javyn Lafferty (20) drive to the basket during the Warriors' 65-59 victory in IVC action on Friday, January 30, 2026.
J.J Justice (15) takes the ball to the rim for Newcomerstown during Friday's game with visiting Buckeye Trail. The Warriors improved their winning streak to 12th straight with a 65-59 victory in the IVC tussle.
Newcomerstown's Tanner Smith (2) goes up against Buckeye Trail's Kyer Eagon (33) during the Warriors' 65-59 IVC action on Friday, January 30, 2026.
Buckeye Trail's Chris Loudin (1) steals the ball from Newcomerstown's Tanner Smith (2) during the Warriors' 65-59 IVC action on Friday, January 30, 2026.
1 / 11
Warriors slip past Trojans in IVC tussle for 12th straight victory
Buckeye Trail senior Elian Arick (23) uses his height to reach for the rebound over Newcomerstown's Jaxon Smith (33) during IVC action on Friday, January 30, 2026. The Warriors' collected their 12th straight win to improve to 15-2, 9-1 IVC on the year.
1 / 11
Warriors slip past Trojans in IVC tussle for 12th straight victory
Buckeye Trail senior Elian Arick (23) uses his height to reach for the rebound over Newcomerstown's Jaxon Smith (33) during IVC action on Friday, January 30, 2026. The Warriors' collected their 12th straight win to improve to 15-2, 9-1 IVC on the year.
2 / 11
Warriors slip past Trojans in IVC tussle for 12th straight victory
Buckeye Trail's Sammy Brown (0) lets loose with a shot during a 65-59 IVC victory over Newcomerstown on Friday, January 30, 2026. The Warriors collected their 12th straight win to improve to 15-2, 9-1 IVC on the year.
3 / 11
Warriors slip past Trojans in IVC tussle for 12th straight victory
Buckeye Trail's Bucky Johnson (50) takes the ball to the basket for the Warriors during a 65-59 IVC victory in Newcomerstown on Friday, January 30, 2026.
4 / 11
Warriors slip past Trojans in IVC tussle for 12th straight victory
Buckeye Trail's Bucky Johnson reaches for the rebound over Newcomerstown's Braylon Kerr during IVC action on Friday, January 30, 2026 at Newcomerstown High School.
5 / 11
Warriors slip past Trojans in IVC tussle for 12th straight victory
Buckeye Trail senior Kyer Eagon (33) jumps to keep the ball in play for the Warriors' 65-59 IVC victory over Newcomerstown on Friday, January 30, 2026..
6 / 11
Warriors slip past Trojans in IVC tussle for 12th straight victory
Newcomerstown's Gavin Smith (23) drives to the basket as Buckeye Trail'sĀ Chris Loudin applies defensive pressure during IVC action on Friday, January 30, 2026. The Warriors collected their 12th straight win with a 65-59 victory over the Trojans to improve to 15-2, 9-1 in IVC play.
7 / 11
Warriors slip past Trojans in IVC tussle for 12th straight victory
Newcomerstown's JJ Justice pulls down the rebound during IVC action with visiting Buckeye Trail on Friday, January 30, 2026.
8 / 11
Warriors slip past Trojans in IVC tussle for 12th straight victory
Buckeye Trail senior Sammy Brown's takes the charge on Newcomerstown's Javyn Lafferty (20) drive to the basket during the Warriors' 65-59 victory in IVC action on Friday, January 30, 2026.
9 / 11
Warriors slip past Trojans in IVC tussle for 12th straight victory
J.J Justice (15) takes the ball to the rim for Newcomerstown during Friday's game with visiting Buckeye Trail. The Warriors improved their winning streak to 12th straight with a 65-59 victory in the IVC tussle.
10 / 11
Warriors slip past Trojans in IVC tussle for 12th straight victory
Newcomerstown's Tanner Smith (2) goes up against Buckeye Trail's Kyer Eagon (33) during the Warriors' 65-59 IVC action on Friday, January 30, 2026.
11 / 11
Warriors slip past Trojans in IVC tussle for 12th straight victory
Buckeye Trail's Chris Loudin (1) steals the ball from Newcomerstown's Tanner Smith (2) during the Warriors' 65-59 IVC action on Friday, January 30, 2026.
OLD WASHINGTON ā Buckeye Trail High was part of a group of seven school districts in the Inter-Valley Conferenceās North Division which have announced plans to leave the league and form a new athletic conference beginning with the 2028-29 school year.
Trail, which joined the IVC starting with the 2017-2018 season, made the move after evaluating the recent changes in the alignment of the league according to athletic director Craig Taylor.
"When the three schools in the IVC South decided to withdraw earlier this year, it created a situation where each school had to take a look at what was best for their programs, student-athletes and community," Taylor explained. "Although we struggled with the withdrawal because the IVC is such a great conference, we are elated that we get to remain with the schools from the IVC North with whom we have built a strong, competitive relationship."
"The IVC is a wonderful conference, a highly competitive conference and one that generates a lot of money, through mediaĀ fees to broadcast ourĀ games, to give back to our student-athletes via scholarships at the conclusion of each school year," Taylor continued. "The IVC gives between $11,000-$13,000 each year to scholarship winners from each member school. I do not believe any other conference in Ohio gives out that much money to their student-athletes."
But in the end, the East Guernsey School District made the decision with the focus being on what was best for the Warriors' sports program, student-athletes and community.
"Really the biggest factors are safety, competitiveness, and enrollment figures," Taylor said. "We have to do what is in the best interest of our programs, student-athletes and community."
A group decision: staying together
In a joint media release, Brown Local Schools, Conotton Valley Union Local Schools, East Guernsey Local Schools, Newcomerstown Exempted Village Schools, Osnaburg Local Schools, Strasburg-Franklin Local Schools and Tuscarawas Central Catholic said they have mutually agreed to withdraw from the IVC following the conclusion of the 2027-28 academic year.
School representatives said the move came after āthoughtful discussion and careful considerationā and was driven by a shared vision for the long-term future of their athletic programs and student-athletes.
Buckeye Trail's Elian Arick and Caldwell's Alex Sheanshang take off for the 400-meter dash 7during the OVAC Track Championships on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Buckeye Trail's Elian Arick and Caldwell's Alex Sheanshang take off for the 400-meter dash 7during the OVAC Track Championships on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
The announcement comes months after three other IVC member schools ā Sandy Valley, Claymont and Tusky Valley ā revealed plans to leave the conference to join the newly formed Northeast Senate League beginning in the 2028-29 school year. That conference is expected to include Carrollton, Minerva, Marlington, Fairless and Tuslaw.
With the latest departures, the IVC faces a dramatic restructuring, with 10 member schools now slated to exit by the end of the 2027-28 school year.
In the joint statement, the seven schools said they remain committed to fulfilling their obligations to the IVC until their departure.
Hopes are for stronger opportunities
Officials said the decision was centered on improving the overall experience for student-athletes, including maintaining competitive balance, reducing travel demands and creating stronger opportunities for participating schools.
The schools also expressed appreciation for their history within the conference.
āWe are incredibly grateful for the relationships, rivalries, and traditions built within the Inter-Valley Conference,ā the statement said. āThe experiences shared with fellow member schools have had a lasting impact on our student-athletes, coaches, and communities.ā
Buckeye Trailās Jersey Eddy and Strasburgās Ally Miller fight for position at a Inter-Valley Conference basketball game in Old Washington, OH on Saturday December 20th, 2025. Owen Williams Photography/Special for the Daily Jeffersonian
Buckeye Trailās Jersey Eddy and Strasburgās Ally Miller fight for position at a Inter-Valley Conference basketball game in Old Washington, OH on Saturday December 20th, 2025. Owen Williams Photography/Special for the Daily Jeffersonian
Details about the new league, including a name, membership structure and opportunities for additional schools to join, are expected to be announced at a later date.
This story was created by reporter Kevin Sutton, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review,Ā editingĀ and publishing process.Learn more.
