High School Basketball Preview 2022

Berkshire Badgers

New Era of Hoops for Boys of Berkshire

By rich kelly

Each season in high school sports brings high expectations and hopes for success. That’s how it is normally for Berkshire Badgers boys basketball, but this season is way above normal.

The Badgers will start a new era in a new building, and it’s all happening with a new head coach leading the way.

Joe Montanaro has led many local teams during his stellar coaching career, most recent ly as an assistant at Mentor. A

getting prepared has been a ma jor concern.

“Getting this job came in a hurry,” he said after a preseason practice. “I got to work with these guys in the Perry summer league a bit; I was able to see a lot of film to get to know their strengths and weaknesses; and as we work to gether, I’ve gained a load of great information about them.

“We’re going to be a young team, but our starting lineup has a lot of varsity experience. That is a great way to learn to play

The starting five is led by se nior forward Joey Czekaj. At 6-1, he knows the importance of com ing together to succeed, which has happened for the fall teams.

“This is just awesome,” he said. “To be part of the program in the new building is both a great starting point and a great point for ending my career here. It’s important for us to establish a new tradition. It’s going to take both working within the rules we get and in our discipline. We know each other, Coach Montan aro is stepping right in to work to make us better, and so far, in this beautiful building, it’s been a load of fun.”

Mason Mendolera is a 5-10 forward. As before, his athleti cism will make him a force inside and outside.

we three sophomores last year learned to play hard as a team and for each other. We have a new coaching staff, and they’ve kept us busy in learning about a winning attitude.”

Junior Miles Miller, at 5-9, is fresh off a great season on the gridiron, and confident about taking that attitude into this hoops season.

“This is really going to be ex citing,” he said. “Playing in this great new gym will give us a big time boost, and it’s been like that for every sport and every player.”

The fifth starter for the Bad gers will be sophomore forward Gavin Hipp, and the way he as similates with the other four will set things up for future growth.

Czekaj

11/25 Fairport 7 p.m.

11/30 @CuyahogaHts. 6:45 p.m.

12/3 Brooklyn 2:15 p.m.

12/10 @Garfield 7 p.m.

12/17 Independence 2:15 p.m.

12/20 @Grand Valley 7 p.m.

12/23 @Kirtland 7 p.m.

12/27 Mogadore 7 p.m.

1/3 @Crestwood 6:45 p.m.

1/7 @Lutheran West 6:30 p.m.

1/10 Wickliffe 6:45 p.m.

1/17 @Chardon 7 p.m.

1/21 @Chalker 2:30 p.m.

1/24 Kirtland 6:45 p.m.

1/27 Trinity 7 p.m.

1/28 Conneaut 6:15 p.m.

1/31 Crestwood 6:45 p.m.

2/7 @Southeast 7 p.m.

2/10 @Wickliffe 7:15 p.m.

2/14 Grand Valley 6:45 p.m.

2/17 @Cardinal 7 p.m.

“I just want to be solid in doing whatever I can to help the team,” Mendolera said. “This is something special for all of us, so we need to just take it one day at a time and build on what we learn as a team. Next year we will have a lot to look back at.”

Junior Jack Hastings, at 6-2, will be the big guy in many ways, but his athletic skills will also be at his forefront.

“I think we will be pretty solid this year,” he said. “We learned a lot last year, that we also have a lot to improve on, but

The rest of the Berkshire var sity team consists of two seniors getting their first taste of varsity court time: 6-2 Apollo Percic and 5-9 Alec Yalanty. They are joined by 6-1 junior Mark Ricci, who will come off the bench with sol id skillsets, using both hands to provide moments of rest for the starters, and 5-10 sophomore Wyatt O’Dell.

The varsity roster is com pleted by a pair of freshmen: 6-0 Cameron Beam and 5-10 Luke Stute.

Positive attitudes and pos itive work ethics can only bring good things.

Berkshire Badgers

Teamwork the Key for This Year’s Badgers

By rich kelly

Settling into a brand new building that has them feeling a sense of wonderment in its to tal newness, the Berkshire girls basketball team will be guided by the experience it has had working together.

Paced by five seniors, one thing Head Coach James Bosley’s Badgers will not have this season is a proven scorer. Lydia Kastor, who has graduated, provided points the last few seasons when needed.

Bosley sees good things for his team regardless.

“We’ve always hung our hats on playing solid defense,” he said during preseason preparations for his fifth year. “On any given night, any of the girls can get a hot hand scoring, so I have no prob lem with that happening. Lydia was a special player, but now it’s time for these girls to form their own identity as a team.”

Those seniors are Caroline Kuchling, Brooke Ruchalski, La nie Wadsworth, Maddy Triskett and Natalie Hering. They have played together and are ready for the task at hand.

“I’ve always been more of a defensive-type player,” Kuch ling said. “I think this group of seniors might be the most knowledgeable as a group that

I’ve been part of. I think my role will be, as always, to play good defense and help keep things together defensively. That’s al ways been my strong point and focus, and I’m just going to look more to contribute on offense.”

Ruchalski know her team can work harder in every situation.

“It’s really important for any of us to take our shots when we get them, to make them, and then drop into our defense quickly,” she said.

Especially in the Chagrin Val ley Conference, it’s competitive, but Wadsworth said she’s look ing forward to the challenge.

“My role is going to just work hard and be a positive motivator any time I’m on the floor,” she said. “I’m not the type to be shooting 3’s like some of the other girls, but I want to be ready to score inside when I get the chance.”

For Triskett, it’s all in the family. Her mom is Kim Triskett, former head coach at Grand Val ley who is part of the Henson family, which has been involved in sports all over the area for generations. The pedigree and focus is there for this Triskett’s success as her senior season be gins, and her positive focus will be huge, as these Badgers are not blessed with a lot of size.

“We have such a great envi

ronment here, especially in this beautiful new building,” she said. “I just need to work to hold the team together when I’m on the floor. Lydia was a great player, so the rest of us will need to be ready to score the points we de pended on her to score for us be fore. Playing as a team will be the key for us, and playing good de fense will be important as well.”

Junior Hayley Stoddard will continue to grow into her role and provide some size and ath leticism, as she has since her freshman season.

“I just want to play as hard

11/23 Chardon 7 p.m.

11/28 @PyValley 7 p.m.

12/2 Cuyahoga Hts. 6:45 p.m.

12/6 Kirtland 6:45 p.m.

12/9 @Independence 6:45 p.m.

12/13 @Crestwood 6:45 p.m.

12/16 Lutheran West 6:45 p.m.

12/20 @Chagrin Falls 6:45 p.m.

12/23 Richmond Hts. 6 p.m.

12/28 Columbiana 6:15 p.m.

12/30 @NDCL 6:30 p.m.

1/3 Grand Valley 6:45 p.m.

1/6 Brooklyn 6:45 p.m.

1/11 @Wickliffe 6 p.m.

1/18 VASJ 6:45 p.m.

1/25 @Kirtland 6:45 p.m.

1/28 Crestwood 2:15 p.m.

1/30 @Trinity 6:45 p.m.

2/1 @Grand Valley 6:45 p.m.

2/4 Wickliffe 2:15 p.m.

2/8 @Garfield 7 p.m.

as I can all the time,” she said. “We will need to fill our spots on the team all the time, but it’s going to be a lot of fun for all of us. We play defense all the time, and when we get the chance to score, it can only help us out.”

Junior Anna Brown and sophomores Meredith Bors, Ol ivia Masink, Jenna Hornak and Elise Tiber round out the varsi ty roster for Bosley.

“I’m hoping to build at least an eight-man rotation,” he said. “If we can stay healthy and avoid injury, it may even develop into a nine-man rotation.”

Hering

cardinal huskies

The Huskies Are Hungry for More

By haley adams

In 2021 it seemed like the Huskies were so close to com peting for a league champion ship. Six games were decided by 10 points or less, and all of them ending in heartbreak for the Huskies.

And they were so close to getting out of the third round of the playoffs, before losing to the second seeded Red Devils of Campbell Memorial.

According to 11th-year Head Coach Jon Cummins, those heartbreaking games were nothing but experience to fuel his matured team this year.

Last year’s Huskies fin ished the season 14-11 overall, and 8-7 in the conference, good for a third place finish.

“Playing in those tight games only makes our team better this year,” Cummins said. “Down the stretch of a game this season, I know we will value the ball more and make better decisions when it counts the most. Experience is the best teacher.”

The Huskies return four three-year varsity starters to their roster this season: se niors Jake Bean, Ethan Det weiler and Paul Gall, and junior guard Troy Domen.

“Our expectations are very high for our program,” Cum mins said. “We have set the bar high, and in order for us to win the conference, we need to play at a high level every night.”

The Huskies return all three of their top scorers in Bean, Domen and Detweiler. Bean led the team offensively

last season with 16.7 points per game, while Domen averaged 15.8 and Detweiler added 6.7. All three players can take over a game when needed.

play the small forward position and can rebound and shoot the three ball, where he aver aged 6.9 rebounds per game and shot 34 percent from be hind the arc. This three-sport standout is looking to lead his team to their first conference championship. He was named co-MVP of the CVC Valley Divi sion last season.

his mark after leading the team last season in field-goal per centage, shooting at 46 per cent. Leading the team at the free-throw line as well, he shot 67 percent while dishing out 3.8 assists per game.

especially for the seniors, is winning the conference,” said Detweiler. “We were really close last year; we were one or two games away, or a mistake away.”

Gall, a 6-3 center who is hoping to earn his fourth varsity letter in his basket ball career, nearly averaged a double-double last season, fin ishing with 9.0 rebounds per game and 6.2 points per game. He was also a team leader in blocks, averaging 1.5, and an earned All-Conference Honor able Mention in 2021.

A three-pointing threat, Ty O’Brien looks to continue a strong showing from behind the line. O’Brien connected on 40 threes last season, leading

Bean

11/23 West Geauga 7 p.m.

11/28 @Brooklyn 7 p.m.

12/1 Fairport 7 p.m.

12/5 Wickliffe 7 p.m.

12/9 NDCL 7 p.m.

12/13 Kirtland 7 p.m.

12/15 @Crestwood 7 p.m.

12/27 @Garfield 7 p.m.

12/29 @PyValley 7 p.m.

1/3 @Chardon 7:30 p.m.

1/6 Mathews 7 p.m.

1/10 Grand Valley 7 p.m.

1/15 @Berkshire 6:30 p.m.

1/20 @Trinity 7 p.m.

1/24 @Wickliffe 7 p.m.

1/27 Cuyahoga Hts. 7 p.m.

1/31 @Kirtland 7 p.m.

2/3 Crestwood 7 p.m.

2/7 Rootstown 7 p.m.

2/10 @Grand Valley 7 p.m.

2/14 @Independence 7 p.m. 2/17 Berkshire 7 p.m.

tion that he displayed on the football field to the basketball court. He is a defensive-minded player who will bring a lot of toughness and provide a spark for his team in close contests, his coach said.

And having posting impres sive numbers as a sophomore, Domen is eager to stay on track. He led the team in assists per game and steals per game last season, averaging 5.4 and 4.3 respectively, both records he is looking to break during his high school career. Last season, Domen tied the single game record with 12 steals in a

Gallagher, and sophomores Cal Ciminello and Dominic Naples should also see minutes of var sity action.

As for the difference be tween this year’s team and oth ers in the past, Bean discussed the athleticism of his team mates and himself.

“We have all five guys on the court that can handle the ball well and shoot the ball,” Bean said. “We are very versatile on the floor. We can do everything on the court: rebound, shoot, dribble, and we are really good at passing the ball and spread ing the floor.”

chagrin Falls Tigers

Experienced Tigers Looking to Compete for CVC Title

By alan kornspan

Dave Bargar returns for his 18th season on the sidelines for Chagrin Falls boys basketball. The coach has consistently put a competitive Tigers basketball team on the floor.

Not only have those years been numerous, but they have been successful.

Bargar took over the pro gram in 2005, and over the past 17 seasons, he has compiled a record of 215-139.

This season, the Tigers

that success with a senior-led team that has a lot of experi ence under its belt.

With only a few players with varsity experience, last year’s Tigers finished in second place with a 10-4 CVC conference record, which Bargar believes “surprised a lot of people.”

“We went into last season with zero experience return ing,” he said. “We had 10 se niors graduate, and five start ers from the prior year.”

Now many of last year’s

son, and there is much to take advantage of considering the vast amount of experience they gained together last year.

“This year’s a little differ ent,” Bargar said. “We are com ing in with three returning start ers, a couple more younger guys that did get some experience last year — so, in that respect, it’s a lot different.

“With that comes more ex pectations. We’re not going to sneak up on anybody this year.”

Offensively, Bargar men tioned that all five of the starters on the floor can score. Addition ally, Chagrin Falls will look to get the ball to senior James Kos mides, who will be looked upon to score in a variety of ways includ ing down low or on the perimeter.

offense this season.

“I think it (the offense) is going to be good,” he said. “We changed a few things up. I think we’re a lengthy team that can run the floor, and that’s definite ly very good.”

Bargar added: “Our point guard, Max Crandall, is unbeliev able at attacking the basket and has really worked hard on his jump shot game over the sum mer. He was our third leading scorer last year. We expect a lot of good things out of him as well.”

“We want to run the floor this year, get James the ball,” said Crandall. “We think he is our best scorer, so we want to get him the ball and just run the floor, move the ball.

Barr

11/29 @Kenston 7:30 p.m.

12/3 Beachwood 2:45 p.m.

12/7 West Geauga 6:30 p.m.

12/10 Perry 5:30 p.m.

12/14 @Orange 6:30 p.m.

12/17 @Lakeside 1:30 p.m.

12/21 Hawken 6:30 p.m.

12/28 Chardon 6 p.m.

1/7 Geneva 5:30 p.m.

1/10 Richmond Hts. 6:45 p.m.

1/13 @Harvey 6:45 p.m.

1/17 @Beachwood 6:30 p.m.

1/20 Edgewood 7 p.m.

1/24 @West Geauga 6:30 p.m.

1/27 Twinsburg 6:30 p.m.

1/31 Orange 6:30 p.m.

2/3 @Hawken 7 p.m.

2/7 NDCL 6:45 p.m.

2/10 @Richmond Hts. 6:45 p.m.

2/11 @Aurora 7:30 p.m.

2/14 @Streetsboro 7 p.m.

2/17 Cuyahoga Hts. 6:45 p.m.

“It’s very exciting to get out there with the guys. (We have) a lot of chemistry,” Kosmides said. “I think we’re very athlet ic at all five positions, so we’re looking forward to pushing the ball and running and playing hard defense and getting easy buckets as a team.”

Bargar said Nick Vinci can score going to the basket and shooting the three-point shot.

“He does a really nice job for us,” he said.

Senior shooting guard Hen ry Barr also commented on what to expect from the Tigers

“We love the people we’re playing with — we’ve got good chemistry — so we just want to work hard.”

Coach Bargar also highlight ed two sophomore players he expects to be in the starting lineup this year: Spencer Kass and Ryan Curtiss.

“Both those guys have the ability to score in different ways,” he said.

On the defensive end of the court, Bargar said his Tigers have always focused on being versatile. But he mentioned that this year’s team will play various styles of defense.

chagrin Falls Tigers

Tigers Stay Focused on Performance Goals for Success

By alan kornspan

Coach Brittany Anderson will lead a talented athletic group of Chagrin Falls Tigers players who finished third in the CVC last year with an 8-4 conference record.

With a commitment to pro cess and performance goals that her athletes can focus on, the Tigers try to view success based on things they can control rath er than wins and losses.

On offense, Coach Ander son emphasized that her Ti gers will focus on playing a fast, up-tempo offense.

Their strong level of cohe siveness — something that can’t be overvalued — and great work ethic are certainly a few rea sons Chagrin Falls will be able to play such an offense.

Striving toward that fastpaced offensive strategy, Coach Anderson discussed which play ers will be leading the Tigers this season.

“Offensively we return our leading scorer, that’s Lilly Stukus,” said Anderson. “She is a tremen dous outside shooter and she has added a lot of skill off the dribble, which is great to see.”

“Jenna Santamaria is anoth er great outside shooter,” Ander son said.

Stukus and Santamaria are

excited about the upcoming season and playing a game that moves quickly and strategically.

“I’m looking forward to get ting back and playing with my team again,” said Stukus. “We don’t have a lot of height this year, but we have a lot of speed, and we’re going to be really good defensively.

“I think we can definitely push the tempo and play really well together.”

“This year we’re going to be playing a lot different than years before,” said Santamaria, “so I am just really excited to see how that plays out.”

Coach Anderson will also look to Kate Bartlett and Nora Hope to provide additional scor ing for the Tigers. They will occu py the forward and guard spots.

“Kate Bartlett and Nora Hope are kind of like swing forwards who can play a guard spot; they can play the forward spot and they can score from anywhere on the floor,” said Coach Anderson.

Bartlett added, “This sea son I’m just excited to be back with everybody. And hopefully we will have a successful year. It does not mean winning every single game, but as long as we try our hardest and put all of our energy into every single game, that’s what we’re all about.”

Coach Anderson will also

have Elana McGinnis and Abby Coy at the point guard position.

“Two point guards, Elana McGinnis and Abby Coy, will handle things out front,” said Coach Anderson. “They’re really good at turning the corner, driv ing or dishing to the open player. So there is a lot of talent there offensively that we’re going to be able to move the ball around. And on any given night, anyone can be the leading scorer.”

McGinnis added, “I’m excit ed to work with this group of girls, build the chemistry and hopefully have a good season.”

11/19 @Mayfield 2 p.m.

11/29 Beachwood 6:45 p.m.

12/2 @Perry 6:45 p.m.

12/6 @West Geauga 6:45 p.m.

12/9 Lakeside 6:45 p.m.

12/13 Orange 6:45 p.m.

12/16 @Geneva 6:45 p.m.

12/20 Berkshire 6:45 p.m.

12/22 @Kirtland 6:45 p.m.

12/27 Chardon 5:45 p.m.

12/30 Crestwood 5:45 p.m.

1/3 Hawken 6:45 p.m.

1/6 Harvey 6:45 p.m.

1/11 Kenston 6:45 p.m.

1/14 @Edgewood 2:15 p.m.

1/19 @Beachwood 6 p.m.

1/21 West Geauga 2:15 p.m.

1/25 @Orange 6:45 p.m.

1/28 @Hawken 12:15 p.m.

2/1 @Lake Catholic 6:45 p.m.

2/4 Streetsboro 2:15 p.m.

2/8 @Cuyahoga Hts. 6:45 p.m.

Defensively, Chagrin Falls will be very focused on utilizing performance goals to motivate the whole team toward defensive success. In particular, Coach Anderson has the team setting goals to hold opponents to fewer than 40 points per game.

“Our average last year, we held them to 39 points, so as a team, our goal is to keep teams to under 10 points per quarter,” she said.

The Tigers lost two out of three with rival West Geauga last season, beating the Wolverines 36- 35 and losing 59-45 in the reg ular season.”

Bartlett

chardon hillToppers

Hilltoppers Lack Size But Look to Take Next Step

By Jamie Ward

Hilltoppers Lack Size But Look to Take Next Step

By Jamie Ward jamie@karlovecmedia.com

Chardon has been through it before.

A long playoff run means a short practice period following Chardon’s full football season.

But Chad Murawski, start ing his seventh season with his assistant coaches, is well pre pared and optimistic after 15 wins last year.

clear they want to compete for a league championship — some thing that hasn’t been done in a while,” Murawski said.

The Hilltoppers football players most likely to get varsi ty time — Alex Henry, Andrew Bruce, Trey Liebhardt and Ca leb Hewitt — will have just one week of practice to get ready.

“They need mentally to get away, and physically time to re cover,” Murawski said.

And yet their coach said they must also be ready to go: “This

catch up and work that much harder so we don’t fall behind other area teams — because at the end of the day, nobody cares. We need to get better.”

There are still plenty of players to be excited about who practiced throughout Novem ber.

Senior Ethan Faber drives both the offense and defense. He is the type of player who will guard the opponent’s best play er every night.

“I think we’re going to sur prise a lot of people. People are counting us out (because we’ve lost guys), but the way I see it, we’ll have the best athletes on the floor all day, and we’ll be more conditioned, running all over,” Faber said.

Senior Dylan Fletcher is a guard that has waited his turn in the rotation, and knows it’s his chance to be a facilitator and playmaker on offense.

“We bring a lot of energy,” Fletcher said. We’re trying to play at a really fast pace this year — really get out and be pes ky on the defensive side. I think we can cause a lot of ruckus that will lead to wins.”

Sammy Sulka is the last of the four Sulka brothers who have each at times dominated Char don basketball in their own way.

“He’s a Sulka for sure,” his coach said. “He’s a gifted player.”

Faber

12/7 @Lakeside 7:30 p.m.

12/9 @Madison 7:30 p.m.

12/16 South 7:30 p.m.

12/23 @North 7:30 p.m.

12/28 @Chagrin Falls 6 p.m.

12/30 @Geneva 6:45 p.m.

1/3 Cardinal 7:30 p.m.

1/6 @Riverside 7:30 p.m.

1/7 Andrews 7:30 p.m.

1/9 @West Geauga 7:30 p.m.

1/13 Mayfield 7:30 p.m.

1/14 @Cornerstone TBA

1/17 Berkshire 7 p.m.

1/20 @Kenston 7:30 p.m.

1/28 @Kirtland 7:30 p.m.

1/31 Madison 7:30 p.m.

2/3 @South 7:30 p.m.

2/7 North 7:30 p.m.

2/10 Riverside 7:30 p.m.

2/14 @Mayfield 7:30 p.m.

2/17 Kenston 7:30 p.m.

2/18 Beachwood 4:30 p.m.

Kyle Palovich is another en ergy player with good size on a team that primarily lacks height.

“He’s got some meat on his bones, and he’ll help us bruise some guys around,” Murawski said.

“I feel great,” Palovich said. “I think we’re going to be ready. We have great chemistry right now, and our chemistry is only going to go up. We’re just work ing hard every day.”

The team may be small on paper, Palovich said, “but it’s more the size of the heart in the lion.”

Senior Noah Gerlica said those in the gym were coming together as a team as they wait ed for their missing teammates. Conditioning, he also said, is key.

“We’re trying to get in shape because we’re going to be play ing really fast,” Gerlica said. “My role: I’m a shooter. I need to shoot.”

Juniors Ryan Grau and Car son Frost will definitely com pete for a lot of varsity minutes.

“We are going to be under sized in every game we play,” Murawski said. “We must out work our opponents in practice and execute at a high level on game days if we want a chance to compete.”

chardon hillToppers

Hilltoppers Will Make Adjustments on the Fly

By haley adams

The Hilltoppers have al ready had to scheme how sec ond-year Head Coach Erik Hoe nigman will overcome these early-season hiccups.

Chardon lost starting point guard Kayla Oriani to an ACL injury in her first soccer game of the season. Leading scorer Emily Noerr has battled an el bow injury to start the season.

This follows a Hilltopper team that finished 9-14 overall and 4-8 in the WRC.

Returning for the Hilltop pers is senior guard Emily No err.

“Emily by far is the better athlete than almost every team we play,” Hoenigman said. “She really grew up last year as she began to trust her teammates. Again, we have a two-year gap of players between the seniors and underclassmen with only one junior playing.

Noerr talked strategy at preseason practice. “We were able to hang in there with some of the best teams in the confer ence, and the improvements were insane,” Noerr said. “This year, we want to bring back that same attitude and build off of that foundation.”

Joining Noerr in the start ing lineup is senior teammate

Julianne Sweet, who will look to play the guard position. Sweet brings a lot of vocal leadership to the young and inexperienced roster.

“As upperclassmen, we have to cheer on the underclassmen, and if they miss a shot or lose the ball, it’s OK — they should keep their heads up and keep playing,” Sweet said.

Senior forward Anna Lan dies will work to provide a spark for her team with her “hard-nosed” basketball mind set. Her coach said he is hope ful that her presence in the paint will eliminate some pres sure for Noerr.

“She has a knack to get the ball,” Hoenigman said. “She is scoring as well as rebounding. If she does what we think she can, she could be a 1st Team All-Conference player. She gives 110 percent effort and has become a leader.”

Junior guard Nicole Krako ra is another threat for oppo nents on the offensive end of the basketball.

Hoenigman described Kra kora as “fast, and a hard worker.”

“She is a really good shoot er, and has the best-looking shot in the area,” he said. “She can score the basketball from deep. What is really impressive is the way she has bought into

defense. She is now a threat to make a big play on defense ev ery time.”

Payton Platz, too, is de scribed as fast by her head coach, as well as “fearless.”

“Payton can defend, re bound and create a defensive mess out there with her fart instincts,” Hoenigman said. “Scoring is coming along, but she will be a good one to watch this year and in the future.”

Freshmen Cami Gerlica and Lilli Dillworth will both see varsity minutes as well. Dill worth will fight with Platz for the point guard position early

11/23 @Berkshire 7 p.m.

12/1 @Struthers 7 p.m.

12/7 @Madison 7:30 p.m.

12/14 South 7:30 p.m.

12/21 @North 7:30 p.m.

12/27 @Chagrin Falls 6 p.m.

12/29 @South Range 3:30 p.m.

¼ @Riverside 7:30 p.m.

1/7 Kenston 2 p.m.

1/11 Mayfield 7:30 p.m.

1/14 Aurora 2 p.m.

1/18 @Kenston 7 p.m.

1/19 Edgewood 7:30 p.m.

1/23 NDCL 7 p.m.

1/25 Madison 7:30 p.m.

1/28 @South 2 p.m.

1/30 @Geneva 7 p.m.

2/1 North 7:30 p.m.

2/4 Riverside 2 p.m.

2/8 @Mayfield 7:30 p.m.

in the season.

“Cami is a fearless shoot er, a good rebounder, and has really good court awareness,” Hoenigman said.

On the other hand, Dill worth will contribute on the de fensive end with her physicality and quickness.

“Lilli is a great defender and goes and gets the ball for rebounds and loose basket balls. Offensively, if you for get about her, she will make a jump shot and is really good at getting to the basket. She is a big-time player in the making,” said Hoenigman.

McDevitt

kensTon BomBers

Kenston Boys Striving to Defend Title

By haley adams

The Bombers look to de fend their Western Reserve Conference title from a season ago. The course they are on, though, will be a little bit more difficult.

After a 10-2 WRC record last year, Head Coach Derek DeJarnette, who was selected WRC Coach of the Year, lost seven seniors to graduation.

He must now rebuild his

“My biggest problem with the new guys is experience,” DeJarnette said. “None of them had major varsity min utes last year — just two are coming back. So it’s kind of, to everyone, a rebuild phase. But we are learning on the job.”

The team also has been forced to deal with a delayed start to its practice schedule due to the football team’s two playoff wins before an eventual Nov. 11 loss to rival Chardon.

ference will be balanced this season with eight teams in the conference.

DeJarnette believes any of those teams are capable of vy ing for a conference title.

The Bombers scored a lot of points last season with some slick shooting from the outside.

Kenston scored more than 70 points seven times.

But Kenston also had strong defensive efforts, like when the Bombers forced 17 turnovers against West Geau ga in a 68-37 blowout victory in January, a time when Kenston started to reach its stride in the second half of the season on its way to 15 wins.

Sophomore Chris Collins will make the jump from JV to varsity this season.

“Our main goal is getting into the WRC championship and winning it,” Collins said. “We accomplish that by work ing together as a team, com municating, and playing good defense.”

Braelyn Akins is a soph omore that will play point guard. Akins was a Kenston football player.

Jack Jacobs, Jeremy Hajdu, Spencer Brownfield, Xander Meyer, Aiden Doyle and Ethan Gaskins will all fight for roles early in the season.

Collins

11/26 @Holy Name 1 p.m.

11/29 Chagrin Falls 7:30 p.m.

12/6 Twinsburg 7:30 p.m.

12/9 @South 7:30 p.m.

12/13 @Madison 7:30 p.m.

12/16 @Riverside 7:30 p.m.

12/20 Mayfield 7:30 p.m.

12/23 @Lake Catholic 7:30 p.m.

12/30 @West Geauga 7:30 p.m.

1/3 Berea Midpark 7:30 p.m.

1/6 North 7:30 p.m.

1/14 @Perry 6 p.m.

1/17 Aurora 7:30 p.m.

1/20 Chardon 7:30 p.m.

1/24 @NDCL 7 p.m.

1/27 Madison 7:30 p.m.

1/31 South 7:30 p.m.

2/3 Riverside 7:30 p.m.

2/7 @Mayfield 7:30 p.m.

2/10 @North 7:30 p.m.

2/14 Andrews Osborne 7:30 p.m.

2/17 @Chardon 7:30 p.m.

Senior forward Max Mar ra, a 6-3 wing player who can shoot and post up, will work hard to lead this young team to success.

“With this new team, we have to play together and ex ecute the little things in all these games,” Marra said.

The Bombers also return shooting guard Arthur Migh ton, another standout Kenston baseball player, who played varsity minutes last winter as a junior. Mighton is a 5-11 guard.

Transfer junior Brychon Streeter should see plenty of varsity time.

Fans will see the Bomb ers transitioning into a faster paced team because there isn’t much size in the front court. But without definitive scoring early on, the team will have to focus on defense.

“We’re going to rely on that defense and then also be more patient.” DeJarnette said. “We’ll pick and choose when it’s time to run and when it’s not time to run. And then soon these guys will figure out the varsity thing.”

kensTon BomBers

Balanced Bombers Looking to Break Barriers

By haley adams

As a familiar face returning to the sidelines, Kevin Hinkle finds himself walking the hall ways of Kenston High School once again, a long-time basket ball coach taking back the reins.

In his arsenal are four start ers and nine letter-winners from a season ago.

“I have known these girls (especially the seniors) since they were in the travel program, when I was the head coach,” Hinkle said. “This was the first time I got to see them grow up and develop, and it was just a great opportunity to jump back in with this group.”

The Bombers finished last season 19-6 overall, and 9-3 in the Western Reserve Conference, falling short against conference champions Eastlake North Rang ers. They went three rounds in the playoffs before losing a close contest to Salem.

Looking to lead the Bombers this season are All-Conference honorees Ramsey Smith, Brooke Pagan and Samantha Bergansky.

Ramsey Smith, a 5-8 for ward, averaged 9.7 points per game last winter. She led the Bombers in rebounding with 6.6 and blocks with 1.5.

In almost every other cat egory, Smith finished second

behind Catara Dejarnette.

Hinkle was excited to return Smith.

“Ramsey is our leading re turning scorer and a very ver satile player who can score, defend and run the court very well,” her coach said.

Brooke Pagan is another senior who should provide lead ership and experience to her team. The 5-3 guard finished the season shooting 35 percent from the field and 59 percent from the free-throw line. She av eraged 6.0 points per game and pulled down 2.7 rebounds.

“Brooke is a quick point guard who takes a lot of pride in her defensive ability and can push the ball in transition,” Hin kle said.

Samantha Bergansky, a stats leader with her three-point percentage, connected on 32 3-pointers last season. She paced herself with 3.9 rebounds, 1.6 as sists and 1.6 steals per game.

“Sam is a nice athlete who can shoot, handle the ball, and defend,” Hinkle said.

Hanna Busby stands 5-6 and averaged 0.6 blocks, good for second on the team behind Smith. She added 3.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in her ju nior season.

Said her coach: “She is a very solid player who is willing

to do all the little things and can shoot and defend very well.”

And rounding out Hinkle’s starting five is Emily Kratzert. The senior guard averaged 4.8 points per game last winter and pulled down 2.6 rebounds.

“Emily can do a little bit of everything and can be a very ef fective shooter,” Hinkle said.

Coming off the bench, Car oline Neimes is a 5-8 forward who contributed last season with 2.8 points, grabbed 2.4 re bounds, dished out 0.8 assists, and added 0.4 steals on defense.

According to Hinkle, “Car

11/18 @Aurora 7 p.m.

11/22 Hudson 7 p.m.

11/30 @NDCL 7 p.m.

12/5 Nordonia 7 p.m.

12/7 @South 7:30 p.m.

12/10 @Madison 2 p.m.

12/12 Twinsburg 7 p.m.

12/14 @Riverside 7:30 p.m.

12/17 Buchtel 5:30 p.m.

¼ North 7 p.m.

1/7 @Chardon 2 p.m.

1/11 @Chagrin Falls 6:45 p.m.

1/14 @Mayfield 2 p.m.

1/18 Chardon 7 p.m.

1/21 Madison 2 p.m.

1/25 South 7 p.m.

1/28 Riverside 2 p.m.

1/30 @Rocky River 6:15 p.m.

2/1 Mayfield 7 p.m.

2/4 @North 2 p.m.

2/6 Orange 7 p.m.

2/8 @Mentor 7 p.m.

oline is a solid rebounder and defender who does a nice job of playing undersized in the post.”

“One of our biggest obstacles is definitely our height,” Smith said. “We aren’t the tallest team in the world, and boxing-out used to be one of our issues, but we’ve been working on that a lot.”

“As always, our first goal as a coaching staff is to develop a cul ture in the program that helps develop our girls as both players and people,” Hinkle said. “We want them to use everything they learn in basketball as an ex tension to the real world.

Busby

noTre dame caThedral laTin lions

Lions Begin New Era Under New Coach

By Jason BaxTer

Pat Vuyancih takes the reins of the NDCL program.

He is best known for being a member of legendary Cleveland State teams in the late-1980’s.

That is until last spring, when Vuyancih found his way to Auburn Road ready to embark on rebuilding a Lions program that went 7-32 the past two seasons.

“The kids have been great and

they’re going through a grind; we’re asking them to go hard in practice every day, building a con sistent approach and mindset.”

Senior Noah Rogers dis cussed the excitement that is palpable around the program.

“With our new coach, we have established a new culture here at NDCL,” Rogers said. “I’m really excited for what this team brings to the table. We believe we can

three-pointers while averaging 18 points per game.

Dugger agreed that the changes that have taken place since Vuyancih’s arrival have been positive ones.

“Since (Vuyancih) has taken over, you have seen an immedi ate culture change,” Dugger said. “Guys have been in the weight room, on the court. Everyone seems more together, energetic, more intense when we’re there.”

On his growth heading into his junior season, Dugger added, “Coach Pat has been showing me the path to becoming a better play er. I want to play at the college level. I just want to be a better all-around player, rebounding and defense.”

Roger and fellow senior Bran don Smul will complement Dugger offensively. Rogers was also the team’s leading rebounder last sea son. Junior Jaxon Mangeluzzi will start at point guard for the Lions.

Smul and Rogers were both All-Conference last season. He scored seven points per game last season and will be counted on to score, plus serve as an imposing defensive presence in the Lions up-tempo, trapping defense.

Vuyancih spoke highly of his returning starters.

“They have bought in,” he said. “Evan has worked hard not only on the offensive end, but defensively, in order to become

a better all-around player.”

“Smul is a smart kid, most versatile, has speed and pen etration, along with his ability to pressure people on defense. Noah, he has been a great lead er in the summer league. He is also versatile; his excellent re bounding will lead to scoring.”

“Defense and rebounding will win games,” Vuyancih said. “It’s one thing you can control. We have smart kids. When we’re having an off night on offense, we can always scout for defense and, with our effort, stay in games.”

Underclassmen to watch for include Connor Hernan (a 6-4 forward and starter), Brayden Buell, Will Jacobson and Bren dan Sawitke. This group of soph omores made the leap to varsity after a successful run with the freshman team last season.

As many as eight guys, in cluding upperclassman, will be seeing their first varsity action. But although he expects an in consistent first half of the sea son due to some inexperience, Vuyancih said he believes the Lions will be a team to avoid during the tournament draw.

Seniors Hayden Dixon, Jack Kruschke and Nick Santoro will add depth along with juniors Holden Kajfasz and Lou Mus catello, key pieces on the junior varsity team last season.

noTre dame caThedral laTin lions

Experienced Lions Prepare for Season

By Jason BaxTer

The Lions enter the 2022 season with an experienced ros ter coming off an 11-11 season.

And with eight seniors and four starters returning, experience and chemistry will now be key.

Said Head Coach John Kam kutis, “You hope their leader ship and experience steps up and takes over in certain parts of the game.”

Kamkutis enters his sec ond season at the helm for the Lions, but has been around the program now for four years, originally coming to Munson Township as the junior varsity coach.

The Lions will be led by se nior guards Melissa Brownlee and Emily Foley. Brownlee, an All-District Honorable-Mention in 2022, is the leading return ing scorer having averaged 10 points per game. She also led the team in steals and assists.

Foley will be the starting point guard.

“She is the calm,” Kamku tis said. “She keeps everyone grounded and where they need to be. She helps us run our offense.”

Foley and Brownlee will also serve as captains for the Lions.

“We have a tighter bunch than in the past,” Foley said of her eight-senior squad. “We’ve been

together longer, and learned how each other have played. It has brought us a lot closer, and we can play together better as a team.”

Senior Maddie Martin Kosi er, junior Olivia White, and sophomore Lexie Simon will provide depth at the guard po sition. Simon was a key contrib utor on the junior varsity team last year, and the Lions will lean on her ability to score heading into her first varsity season.

“We have been trying to grow as a team and to go as far as we can as a team,” Brownlee said. “We’re not trying to be selfish, we’re playing as a team the best we can and building off our chemistry from past years.”

The Lions will look to the front court as a focal point for their success. Ava Baeslach, Bree Hills and Alex Znidarsic will lead a group of post players. Tarah Popik and Sophia Rowan will provide depth in the key.

Baeslach is a returning start er, earning All-Conference and All-District honors last season. She led the team with nearly eight rebounds per game, and three-pointers with 14.

Kamkutis spoke highly of the St. Vincent College-bound post, saying, “She is a post player that can get on the glass and get put-backs. She can also shoot pretty well.”

NDCL ended last season win ning five of six games, including a tournament win over Struthers, before falling in the sectional fi nal to Kenston, 68-56.

These Lions are driven to get back to the district tourna ment round and beyond.

“I think showing up working hard every day is what’s going to keep us going, us motivating each other,” Hills said. “Our chemistry is allowing us to push each other harder than we have in the past, I think keeping the drive going so we can go far in the season.”

The Lions added games this

@Cleveland Hts. 7 p.m.

Gilmour 7 p.m. Kenston 7 p.m. Walsh 1 p.m.

@Riverside 7 p.m.

12/10 Beaumont 1 p.m.

12/21 @Elyria Cath. 7 p.m.

1/4 Padua 7 p.m.

1/7 @Lake Catholic 1 p.m.

1/9 Hawken 7 p.m.

1/15 Aurora (@Berkshire)12:30 p.m.

1/18 @Walsh 7 p.m.

1/21 Beaumont 1 p.m.

1/25 @Gilmour 7 p.m.

1/30 CVCA 7 p.m.

2/3 @Padua 7 p.m.

2/6 Boardman 7 p.m.

2/8 Lake Catholic 7 p.m.

1/11 @Salem 1:15 p.m.

season with Salem and Char don, while also keeping the likes of Gilmour, Hawken, CVCA, Kenston and Elyria Catholic in the rotation to round out a trademark competitive non-con ference schedule.

Last season they finished second behind Crown Confer ence Walsh Jesuit. This will be their second season in the con ference.

“It gets you ready for the tournament. It’s a very compet itive schedule,” Kamkutis said. “It will help when the tourna ment starts, and that is where it will come out.”

WesT geauga Wolverines

Young Returns to Lead Wolverines Basketball

By alan kornspan

Taking over this year as head coach of the West Geau ga boys basketball program is former Wolverines point guard Micah Young.

Young was chosen as one of the best 10 players in Geauga County his senior season.

After graduating in 2017, Young previously served as a freshman and JV head coach, and varsity assistant, for the program, so the Wolverines should benefit from the fact

with many returning players he has previously coached.

“We return basically every one from our varsity team last year, except two guys,” said Young. “We got a lot of experi ence coming back, a lot of guys that have played varsity minutes. We got some good younger guys coming up in the program, too. I am excited, a great group of kids, a lot of energy, very coachable.”

Coach Young said he is feel ing optimistic about the many strengths of his offense and de

sively, the Wolverines look to cap italize on their size down low and their excellent outside shooting.

The Wolverines will con sistently look to get the ball to their 6-6 all-CVC senior center, Jerry Kline-Ruminski.

“We want to get the ball inside to Jerry,” Young said. “He’s got great post moves. And obvious ly even if he doesn’t shoot it, it’s going to open up the offense for everybody else on the perimeter.”

Kline-Ruminski said he is pumped up about his senior sea son and contributing to the suc cess of his fellow Wolverines.

“I feel like we came togeth er more as a team this year,” Lear agreed. “We practice a lit tle bit harder, just more intense in practice.”

Also, on the perimeter, the Wolverines will return Andrew Prexta.

“I am really excited for the season,” Prexta said. “I am a senior this year. Just going to try to make the best of it.”

Overall, Coach Young has some goals the West Geauga boys will strive for offensively and defensively.

11/23 @Cardinal 6:45 p.m.

12/3 Hawken 6:30 p.m.

12/7 @Chagrin Falls 6:30 p.m.

12/10 Geneva 6:30 p.m.

12/14 Beachwood 6:45 p.m.

12/17 @Harvey 2 p.m.

12/21 Richmond Hts. 6:45 p.m.

12/27 North 7 p.m.

12/29 Kirtland 7 p.m.

12/30 Kenston 7 p.m.

1/4 @North 7 p.m.

1/7 Edgewood 7 p.m.

1/9 Chardon 7 p.m.

1/10 @Orange 7 p.m.

1/17 @Hawken 7 p.m.

1/20 Perry 7 p.m.

1/24 Chagrin Falls 7 p.m.

1/27 @Lakeside 7 p.m.

1/31 @Beachwood 6:15 p.m.

2/3 Richmond Hts. 6:45 p.m.

2/7 @Ellet 7 p.m.

2/10 Orange 7 p.m.

“We have had a couple rough seasons for the past two years, but we really got it together, and I think we are go ing to have a great season and shock a lot of people,” he said. “This is a comeback season for sure. I think we all really worked hard, and the team’s going to expect more out of us, so I am pretty excited.”

On the outside, offensive ly, Young mentioned that we should watch for sophomore Landon Lear.

“He’s a sophomore, played varsity for us as a freshman last year — he can shoot the lights out,” Young said.

Likewise, Lear also feels excited to get started and see some success.

“The key for us is (on of fense) spacing and playing with pace,” he said. “(But) no mat ter how good or bad we are on offense, we’ve got to be a great defensive team.

“Good defense leads to good offense. If you can’t defend any body, you can’t beat anybody. It’s a very simple recipe to win basketball games. You defend, take care of the basketball, and you rebound the basketball. If you can do those three things well, you are good.”

As a former point guard, Coach Young’s strength will be teaching the Wolverines to be shooters.

He was hired by former West Geauga Coach Jeff Javorek, who had a long successful run as a varsity coach.

Kline-Ruminski

WesT geauga Wolverines

Wolverines Look to Play Fast, Run Toward Title

By alan kornspan

Athletic Director Brandon Stewart returns to the sidelines for his second season as the West Geauga girls basketball coach this year — and if Stewart’s first year is an indicator of what we should expect this season, fans of Wolverines basketball are in store for fun, fast-paced and exciting games ahead.

Last year after starting the season 5-6, the Wolverines put to gether a 14-game winning streak which culminated in an appear ance at the OHSAA district finals.

As the Wolverines focus on making another deep run into the playoffs, their leading athlete will definitely be NCAA Division I commit Alexa Hocev ar. The senior recently signed with Indiana University–Pur due University Indianapolis.

After averaging 16.5 points per game and being named AllOhio last year, Hocevar is very excited about her senior season.

“We have a good team com ing (back); we’ve got great chem istry,” she said.

Hocevar emphasized the importance of the mentality the Wolverines will bring to the floor each night.

“We’re just going to be very, very aggressive, and it’s very much a transition (offense), and we’re

running up and down (fast),” she said. “Our goal is to be faster than our opponent, so we’re going to be running a lot, running a lot of quick offenses, and quick shots.”

Coach Stewart also discussed the excitement, enthusiasm, mindset and pace of play that should define his team as it starts the 2022-23 basketball season.

“We’re really excited after last year when the team made a run to the district champion ship game,” said Stewart. “We have a lot of leadership coming back within our starting five. They have worked really hard this off season.

“The depth that we have coming off the bench has been a pleasant surprise for us. Now the goal is to go 1-0 and win that first game against Madi son. There is really a one-gameat-a-time thing for us.

“Last year we didn’t get off to the best of starts, with a new coaching staff, and this year we are hoping to have a little more continuity and get off to a better start at the beginning of the year.”

Stewart also discussed what we should watch for on the offensive side of the court for the Wolverines.

“Offensively our starting five, it starts with Alexa,” he said. “Alexa has been great for us. Now that she has the re

cruiting process done and she is going to a great program at IUPUI, I think we are going to see a different player out of her. It starts at the top with her.

“And then with Ashlyn (Dray er), Haley (Ottman), Grace (Last er) and Maggie (Furst), that first unit, they do a really great job.

“I think we want to play fast offensively, and defensively we just want to hound the ball and pressure everybody as much as we can without fouling.”

Added Haley, “We want to be the best defensive team we can, whether that’s not doing stupid fouls, staying in front of the ball, rebounding — we are a

11/18 Madison 6 p.m.

11/22 Howland 6:30 p.m.

11/29 Hawken 7 p.m.

12/2 @Geneva 6:45 p.m.

12/6 Chagrin Falls 6:45 p.m.

12/9 Harvey 6:45 p.m.

12/13 @Beachwood 6 p.m.

12/16 @Edgewood 6:45 p.m.

12/20 @Kirtland 6:45 p.m.

12/28 Streetsboro 6 p.m.

12/30 @Aurora 7 p.m.

¼ Mentor 6:45 p.m.

1/6 Perry 6:45 p.m.

1/9 @Magnificat 7 p.m.

1/11 Orange 6:45 p.m.

1/16 @Lakeside 6:15 p.m.

1/18 @Hawken 6:45 p.m.

1/21 @Chagrin Falls 2:15 p.m.

1/25 Beachwood 6 p.m.

2/1 @Orange 6:45 p.m.

tall team, we just (have to) stick to the fundamentals.”

Drayer also weighed in.

“We have new players com ing in which will bring speed and length to the team,” she said. “Because we have fast play ers coming in, getting a lot of breakaways (will be a priority).”

West Geauga beat rival Chagrin Falls two out of three times this season.

After an opening loss in the regular season 36-35, the Wolver ines won the next two, including a sectional finals game. West Geau ga went on to beat Perry in a 14 game winning streak to end its season before falling to Salem.

Drayer

Geauga County High School