LeBron James’ Rise to Stardom: A Local Legacy Against area teams.
WOOSTER — For many in Wayne County, their first encounter with LeBron James wasn’t through NBA highlight reels or national broadcasts. Instead, it was on high school courts, where an up-and-coming star left an indelible mark on local basketball teams like Waynedale and Hillsdale.
In March 2000, James, then a 15-year-old freshman for Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary (SVSM), was just beginning his journey to global basketball superstardom. The undefeated Irish, ranked No. 1 in the state, faced off against Waynedale in the Division III Wooster District finals, a rematch of the Bears’ 1999 loss to the same opponent. For Waynedale, it was a chance at redemption, but James had other plans.
James delivered a dominant performance with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, propelling SVSM to a 73-51 victory in front of a sold-out Wooster High School gymnasium. The game showcased James’ remarkable versatility and potential, which left both fans and opponents in awe. Thunderous dunks and pinpoint passes highlighted his play, as the freshman phenom led the Irish to yet another step toward a state championship.
Despite the loss, Waynedale’s 20-3 season remains a bright spot in the program’s history. Coached by Erich Riebe, the team featured standout players like Brian Zuercher, who scored 12 points against SVSM and drew a foul on James, cementing a personal memory of playing against one of the sport’s all-time greats.
The following year, Hillsdale found itself in a similar position, facing James and SVSM in the regional semifinals at Canton Memorial Field House. Led by All-Ohioan Joey Brightbill and coach Dave Honaker, the Falcons were coming off a historic 20-0 regular season, the last perfect Ashland county regular season in the area to date.
Despite their balanced roster and high hopes, Hillsdale couldn’t overcome James’ dominance. The sophomore tallied 24 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists in a 78-56 victory that dashed the Falcons’ dreams of a state tournament berth. James’ ability to make game-changing plays, including a chase-down block and emphatic dunks, proved to be too much for the Falcons.
Both games were defining moments for the local teams, not only as memorable matchups but as first-hand experiences of witnessing greatness. James went on to win three consecutive state titles with SVSM and was named Ohio’s Mr. Basketball in his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. By the time he was drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, his legend had already begun in small-town gyms across Ohio.
Even as James’ career evolved—from leading the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals to becoming a global icon—the memories of those early games remain vivid for his former high school opponents. For Waynedale and Hillsdale, playing against LeBron James wasn’t just a chapter in their seasons but a part of basketball history they’ll always cherish.