Middletown native’s NCAA basketball title just the latest Butler County success story: Here are others

He’s the latest local athlete to enjoy success.

Kyle Schwarber, a Middletown High School graduate, signed a $10 million, one-year deal with the Washington Nationals in the offseason after the Chicago Cubs non-tendered his contract in December. While with the Cubs, Schwarber, 27, had two 30-home run seasons and was a key component in the team winning the 2016 World Series.

Luke Kennard, a Franklin High School graduate, signed a four-year, $64 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. In 51 games, Kennard, 24, is averaging 8.3 points for the third-place Clippers.

Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in Judo, attended Middletown schools until she moved to Boston to concentrate on her training. She has switched to the Professional Fighters League (PFL) where she’s undefeated in eight fights.

Harrison, 30, will defend her women’s lightweight title beginning May 6 in hopes of winning the $1 million prize again. She won the 2019 title, but the 2020 season was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

And now Teague is the latest area native to find major success.

Kee Edwards, principal at Miller Ridge Elementary in Middletown, said Teague’s father, Sean, and mother, Barbara (Brooks) Teague, played for the Middies, as did his older brother, Jaihlen, who graduated in 2011.

“It was inevitable he would be a good player,” Edwards said of MaCio’s athletic ability.

Edwards was MaCio’s second-grade teacher at Taft Elementary. He called him “a great student” who skipped first grade.

Edwards watched the championship game and called Teague’s performance “a proud moment” because of all the hard work he has put into his academic and athletic career.

Mark Kerns, a former coach and retired teacher in the Middletown district, said he coached Sean Teague. He never met MaCio, but he has followed his career closely.

“When you look at the big picture, he had a connection to our community,” Kerns said. “So we all take pride in what he’s doing.”

Teague had reached out to the Cincinnati Reds about possibly throwing out a ceremonial first pitch before a game. After the championship game, the Reds tweeted: “Whoa, champ in the house! What do you say? Let’s get you out to GABP to show off that heater!”

Teague attended the Middletown City Schools District until junior high when his family moved to the Princeton School District. He then played at Summit Country Day School in Cincinnati where he averaged 14.2 points as a sophomore.

He then transferred to Walnut Hills High School where he averaged 22.4 points as a junior and 26.4 points as a senior, the highest in Division I in the state that season. He scored 51 points in a 96-48 win over Piqua High School at the Flyin’ to the Hoop Invitational in Kettering.

After high school, he played one season at Montverde Academy in Florida.

He played two seasons at University of North Carolina Ashville where he averaged 15.4 points as a freshman and 16.7 points as a sophomore.

Seeking “a bigger challenge,” Teague transferred to Baylor, Edwards said. He also had offers from Xavier, Louisville and Virginia.

He sat out the following year due to NCAA transfer rules. He averaged 13.9 points and 4.6 rebounds, helping Baylor to a 26–4 record his junior season. He declared for the 2020 NBA draft before withdrawing and returning to Baylor for his senior season.