By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Streetsboro Rockets’ baseball team has turned the last four days into a time for history. First, on Saturday, head coach Chris Scisciani won his 200th career game, becoming just the seventh baseball coach in Portage County history to reach the milestone. At the time of this story, […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent Senior James Durham set a Crestwood personal record with a winning 110-meter hurdles time of 15.27 seconds April 12 at the Red Devils’ own Don Faix Invitational, beating two Division II state qualifiers from a year ago in the process. “James is just a hard worker and wants to get better […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent   Two Field throwers — junior Mollie Mathews in the shot put and senior Lauren Schneider in the discus — produced historical marks April 12 in the 15-team Don Faix Invitational at Crestwood. Mathews had a personal-best throw of 36-4.5 in capturing the title, moving her into the top five in […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2025     SOFTBALL WATERLOO 18, WESTERN RESERVE 0 (At Waterloo) WESTERN RESERVE 000-00—0-1-1 WATERLOO 20(14)-2X—18-13-0 Batteries: Western Reserve not reported. Kehrer and English. WP — Kehrer (2-1). Top Hitters: (W) Kristlyn Kehrer, two singles, double, four RBI; Jolean Hampton, single, triple; Brooke May, two singles, triple, two RBI; […]

The 2000 Field High School baseball team were champions of the Portage County League. The Falcons posted a 20-3 overall record and were 11-2 in the PCL. The team was led by First Team All-PCL pitchers Jason McBroom and Drew Nekola. McBroom, a lefty, was 8-0 on the season, with a 0.32 earned-run average and […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Coaches in the Classroom” feature is a weekly series that spotlights and celebrates coaches throughout Portage County, who spend their days in the classrooms and hallways leading today’s student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today’s spotlight is on Mogadore track and field coach Kim Kreiner, who is in […]

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BOWLING 2024-25 ALL-PORTAGE TRAIL CONFERENCE     PLAYER OF THE YEAR Cassie Egli, Rootstown     COACH OF THE YEAR Andy Day, Rootstown     FIRST TEAM Cassie Egli, Rootstown, senior Emma Day, Rootstown, senior Kaitlyn Hammerschmidt, Rootstown, junior Hailie Furry, Rootstown, sophomore Olivia Davies, Rootstown, sophomore     HONORABLE MENTION Autumn […]

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BOWLING 2024-25 ALL-PORTAGE TRAIL CONFERENCE     PLAYERS OF THE YEAR Justin Miller, Rootstown Zeke Conley, Lake Center Christian     COACH OF THE YEAR Thomas Butcher, Rootstown     FIRST TEAM Justin Miller, Rootstown, senior Zeke Conley, Lake Center Christian, junior Nick Moorehead, Rootstown, senior Caleb Stevens, Rootstown, junior Tristan Roberts, […]

HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING 2024-25 ALL-PORTAGE TRAIL CONFERENCE     BOYS WRESTLER OF THE YEAR Brian Youngblood, Rootstown     GIRLS WRESTLER OF THE YEAR Mackenzie Shellenbarger, Mogadore     BOYS FIRST TEAM Brian Youngblood, Rootstown, senior Mason King, Rootstown, junior Alex Ely, Rootstown, junior Nate Marzec, Rootstown, junior Owen Roberts, Mogadore, senior Nick Malek, Rootstown, […]

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL 2024-25 ALL-PORTAGE TRAIL CONFERENCE     PLAYER OF THE YEAR Didi Ryan, Warren JFK     COACH OF THE YEAR Joe Leonard, Rootstown     FIRST TEAM Didi Ryan, Warren JFK, sophomore Nadia Lough, Rootstown, senior Amelia Morris, Mogadore, senior Ari Tompkins, Mogadore, senior Gianna Pompelia, Warren JFK, junior Colbie Curall, […]

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL 2024-25 ALL-PORTAGE TRAIL CONFERENCE     PLAYER OF THE YEAR Nick Ryan, Warren JFK     COACH OF THE YEAR Mark Komlac, Warren JFK     FIRST TEAM Nick Ryan, Warren JFK, senior Brody Zook, Lake Center Christian, sophomore Henry Phillips, Warren JFK, junior Blake Mullaly, Rootstown, sophomore Nick Stephenson, Mogadore, […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   The Northern Ohio PGA teed off the 2025 golfing season with its annual spring Pro-Pro Premier tournament hosted by Firestone Country Club. The popular event welcomed 30 two-professional teams, battling in 36 holes over two days in the one best ball of two format. Monday was relatively calm on […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   They may share a name, but Aurora’s three Sophies all bring something special and unique to a very talented softball lineup. One similarity shared between the three is their shear domination on the diamond. Another is that they have all played for head coach Sam Petrash for a […]

HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL OHIO HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION STATE POLL MONDAY, APRIL 14     DIVISION I School (first-place votes), total points Austintown Fitch (7), 72 Lancaster (1), 61 Delaware Hayes, Perrysburg, 55 — Mason, 46 Olentangy Liberty, 40 Hilliard Bradley, 28 Lebanon, 24 Massillon Jackson, 23 Olentangy Orange, 11 DIVISION II Walsh Jesuit […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2025     SOFTBALL MINERAL RIDGE 6, WATERLOO 1 (At Mineral Ridge) WATERLOO 000-000-1—1-2-1 MINERAL RIDGE 201-012-X—6-12-0 Batteries: Hampton and English. Mineral Ridge not reported. WP — n/a. LP — Hampton. Top Hitters: (W) Jolean Hampton, single, home run, RBI, run.     FIELD 18, RAVENNA 3 (At Ravenna) […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2025   BASEBALL CLOVERLEAF 5, KENT ROOSEVELT 2 (At Kent Roosevelt) CLOVERLEAF 000-500-0—5-3-1 ROOSEVELT 100-100-0—2-3-2 Batteries: Smith, Bowman (6) and Baltic. Roberts, Polcha (5) and Benshoff. WP — Smith. LP — Roberts (0-1). Top Hitters: (C) Knapp, double, RBI, run; Sustersic, single, RBI; Lucky, RBI, run. (KR) Page, single, […]

PORTAGE COUNTY BOWLING SCOREBOARD SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2025     ADULT LEAGUES PERFECT FIT TRIO: Troy Allison 300-957, Ron Elwood Jr. 299-912, Parker Addison 257-941, Bonny Bender 233-739, Zoe Bevilacqua 190-696, Ericka Sweeney 149-528. FUN CLUB: Bonnie Tripplett 141-385 Phyllis Meonske 138-371, Paulette Rivett 138-383. GARDEN SPOT: Jolson French 300-750, Taz Moore 280-782, Jeff Bardoun […]

2025 HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL STATISTICAL LEADERS HITTING BATTING AVERAGE Player, School Average Jack Eye, Windham .722 Aidan Hill, Garfield .688 Austin Hurst, Waterloo .545 Dylan McCune, Windham .512 Aric May, Waterloo .500 Vincent Mori, Waterloo .500 Alex Eye, Windham .468 Brandyn Bogucki, Garfield .467 Bradee Blankenship, Southeast .467 Max Anzells, Aurora .467 Carson Hayn, Rootstown […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The Aurora football program has produced many special players during the 20-year coaching career of Bob Mihalik. Two of the most special, Bubba Arslanian and AJ Barner, are now playing at the professional level. Barner at the highest level, in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks, and recently made […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent Ravenna senior Whitney Holmes nearly threw a perfect game in the Ravens’ season-opening 17-3 rout of Lake Center Christian on April 1 on the road. Holmes retired the first 16 Tigers batters and went the distance. “Whitney threw the ball well, she threw strikes,” head coach Luke Darrah said. “I don’t […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent   A knee injury to Payton Williams last season has resulted in head coach LeRoy Moore being cautious in bringing the Streetsboro junior pitcher along this season. After Williams’ performance on Monday in a 10-0 triumph at Norton, though, in a game called after six innings due to the 10-run rule, […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2025     BOYS TENNIS AURORA 5, TALLMADGE 0 (At Tallmadge) FIRST SINGLES: Chris Cifani (A) def. Ryan Cargould (T) 6-0, 6-1; SECOND SINGLES: Noah Jaskolka (A) def. Owen Belby (T) 6-0, 6-0; THIRD SINGLES: Aidan Eisner (A) def. Evan Jackson (T) 6-0, 6-0. FIRST DOUBLES: Joel Fletcher/Kade Morganroth […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Coaches in the Classroom” feature is a weekly series that spotlights and celebrates coaches throughout Portage County, who spend their days in the classrooms and hallways leading today’s student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today’s spotlight is on baseball coach Chris Scisciani, who is 20th year as a […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Occasional ankle pain for a basketball player is nothing out of the ordinary. Aidan Hill’s pain became something different, though. It remained constant and so persistent that after a few weeks, it was time to get a doctor’s opinion. The diagnosis is not what Hill and his family were […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2025     SOFTBALL ROOTSTOWN 11, WARREN JFK 2 (At Rootstown) WARREN JFK 001-10—2-2-0 ROOTSTOWN 541-10—11-13-1 Batteries: Marlatt, Day (3) and Ridley. Gardner and Giebel. WP — Gardner. LP — Marlatt. Top Hitters: (JFK) Ridley, home run, RBI, run; Meza, single, run. (R) Kamenash, double, single, two RBI, run; […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS The singles state championships, open to high school bowlers in 11th and 12th grade, concluded in Columbus. Portage County had several athletes compete in both the juniors and seniors divisions. In the Senior Division, Justin Miller of Rootstown was the defending champion and finished second when qualifying […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   If you are awake early this morning, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., it is worth turning on the Golf Channel to watch the National Drive, Chip and Putt Championship. Watching the talented junior golfers — 40 girls and 40 boys between the ages of 7 and 15 who qualified […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   The high school boys tennis preview for the 2025 spring season.     AURORA GREENMEN LEAGUE: Suburban League American Conference. COACH: Vincent Cannata. LAST YEAR: 17-4 record. Finished second in the American Division of the Suburban League. RETURNING LETTERMEN: The Aurora Greenmen have six returning lettermen on their roster. […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025     SOFTBALL WATERLOO 6, CAMPBELL MEMORIAL 2 (At Campbell Memorial) WATERLOO 320-001-0—6-7-2 MEMORIAL 000-002-0—2-3-4 Batteries: Hampton and English. Memorial not reported. WP — Hampton (3-1, 12 strikeouts). Top Hitters: (W) Hampton, double, single; Kehrer, single, three RBI.     BASEBALL FIELD 4, CANTON CENTRAL CATHOLIC 3 (At […]

The 1973-74 Windham 8th grade boys basketball team. The team was coached by Jim Rykaceski. If you have name identifications for anyone in this photo, please email tomnader@portagesports.com  

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Portage Sports proudly presented Kent Roosevelt with its Golden Basketball Trophy on Wednesday morning. The Rough Riders were awarded the honor for their school spirit shown throughout the 2024-25 high school basketball season. The trophy is awarded annually in a competition amongst student fan sections throughout the course of […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2025     SOFTBALL SPRINGFIELD 12, STREETSBORO 2 (At Streetsboro) SPRINGFIELD 302-042-1—12-13-2 STREETSBORO 100-100-0—2-7-4 Batteries: Klein and Martin, Cryzter. Rein, Williams (6) and DeToro. WP — Klein. LP — Rein. Top Hitters: (Spr) Ruggiero, double, three singles, three RBI, two runs; Klein, single, two RBI, three runs; Cryzter, triple, […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer Imagine being the only school that sponsors a sport in all of Portage County. That is the story of the Kent Roosevelt High School boys volleyball program. Competing in Division II, the team, coached by Mikayla Pritts, plays a full schedule. To date, the Rough Riders have played in three […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent   It was quite a start to the season for Joe Sharish. The Southeast junior belted a grand slam in the very first inning of the Pirates’ season opener March 29 in a 7-3 home win over Vienna Mathews. Sharish hadn’t even scratched the surface, though. He also singled and doubled […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Coaches in the Classroom” feature is a weekly series that spotlights and celebrates coaches throughout Portage County, who spend their days in the classrooms and hallways leading today’s student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today’s spotlight is on Field softball coach Beth Dyer, who is in her 20th […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Before we get into this week’s column, I would like to propose that everyone pause their reading, pick up their cell phone and share an appreciation message to someone who deserves it. A simple message can be such an uplifting thing. A couple of weeks back, in a text […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   I think I speak for all of Portage County when I say, “Thank you, Rootstown.” The Rovers’ girls basketball team’s run to the Division VI state championship game captured the heart and imagination of fans of all ages and from all corners of the county. Even 16 days […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Ohio High School Bowling sponsored the Ohio State Championships open to boys and girls seventh grade through senior. On Saturday, the tournament featured boys and girls from seventh through 10th grade. Among the 10th grade girls, Joy Justice of Aurora finished in seventh place, tossing a five-game […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   Portage Sports is excited to announce and host the 2nd All-Sports Four-Person Scramble following the success of the initial tournament in 2024. The tournament is scheduled to tee-off at Sunny Hill Golf Course in Brimfield on June 29. Golfers not only compete for prizes and enjoy 18 holes of […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 2025     BASEBALL SCORES Chippewa 3, Ravenna 0 St. Vincent-St. Mary 3, Field 1 Southeast 7, Mathews 3 Garfield 9, Bristol 2 Rootstown 5, Coventry 0   BOX SCORES ST. VINCENT-ST. MARY 3, FIELD 1 (At Field) SVSM 000-210-0—3-5-1 FIELD 100-000-0—1-3-2 Batteries: Slone, Large (5) and Kurkey. Homan, […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   High school girls track and field previews for the 2025 season:     AURORA GREENMEN Head Coach: Greg Cicero, 24th year. Coaching Staff: David Kindall, Alexus Loze, Megan Watt, Jenna Schadle, Mark Dingman, Brendon Gallagher, Tom Nalepa, Chris Radtke. 2024 Record: 2nd at Suburban League Championships; 2nd at […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   High school boys track and field previews for the 2025 season:   AURORA GREENMEN Head Coach: Chris Radtke, 9th year. Coaching Staff: Mark Dingman, throws; Brendan Gallagher, sprints; Dave Kindall, distance; Alexus Loze, pole vault; Tom Nalepa, sprints and jumps; Jenna Schadle, throws; Megan Watt, distance. 2024 Record: […]

It has been gone for a long time now, but hard to forget Mogadore’s old high school basketball gymnasium. It was small, but one of a kind, for sure. It was originally built in 1950 and was considered state of the art for its time. A time when gymnasiums oftentimes had their own hometown uniqueness. […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   BOYS BASKETBALL 2025 ALL-OHIO   COLUMBUS – The 2025 Divisions I, II and III boys basketball All-Ohio teams were announced Thursday by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association. The All-Ohio teams are based on nominations from the seven districts of the OPSMA, which vote on the all-district teams […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor High school softball previews for the 2025 season: AURORA GREENMEN Head Coach: Sam Petrash, 8th year, 109-40 career record. Coaching Staff: Rob Kennedy, Sarah Ross, Glen Galang, Cayla Mazzola, Julie Zidones. 2024 Record: 24-2 overall; 14-0 Suburban League American Division. Returning Letterwinners (11): Julia Miller, sr.; Sophie Petrash, sr.; […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor BOYS BASKETBALL ALL-OHIO TEAMS COLUMBUS – The 2025 Divisions IV, V, VI and VII boys basketball All-Ohio teams were announced Wednesday by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association. The All-Ohio teams are based on nominations from the seven districts of the OPSMA, which vote on the all-district teams from […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor High school baseball previews for the 2025 season: AURORA GREENMEN Head Coach: Trent Dalton, 4th year, 45-29 career record. Coaching Staff: Jake Knapp, John Scott, Alan Krontz, Collin Witherspoon, Scott Williams. 2024 Record: 14-13 overall; 8-6 Suburban League American Division. Returning Lettermen (14): Brady Carlson, Max Anzells, Ben Lukasik, […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   There was plenty to celebrate at the Kent Roosevelt boys and girls swimming postseason banquet. For starters, both teams won the Suburban League championship for the second consecutive season. Not only have they won back-to-back titles, but they have done so in dominating fashion. The Rough Riders have […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2025     SOFTBALL ROOTSTOWN 7, WINDHAM 2 (At Rootstown) WINDHAM 100-010-0—2-5-2 ROOTSTOWN 005-200-X—7-13-0 Batteries: Windham not reported. Sisley, Gardner (5) and Giebel. Top Hitters: (R) Giebel, double, two singles, run; Thomas, double, single, two runs; Gardner, two singles, RBI; Hammerschmidt, double, run, RBI. WP — Sisley. LP — […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   GIRLS BASKETBALL ALL-OHIO TEAMS COLUMBUS – The 2025 Divisions I, II and III girls basketball All-Ohio teams were announced Tuesday by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association. The All-Ohio teams are based on nominations from the seven districts of the OPSMA, which vote on the all-district teams from […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Mogadore Wildcats find themselves in a state of uncertainty. They need a home. After 20 years, the Portage Trail Conference, which began play in the fall of 2005 with 16 member schools, will fold with only five member schools and only two founding members. One of those […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   GIRLS BASKETBALL ALL-OHIO TEAMS COLUMBUS – The 2025 Divisions IV, V, VI and VII girls basketball All-Ohio teams were announced Monday by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association. The All-Ohio teams are based on nominations from the seven districts of the OPSMA, which vote on the all-district teams […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   Steve Parker, PGA of American Board of Director and Kent State University alumnus golfer, has earned his PGA Master Professional designation. Parker is currently a teaching professional at Portage Country Club in Akron. The Master Professional status is the highest education designation a PGA of America Golf Professional may […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS The Portage County USBC Senior Memorial Tournament will roll-off beginning at 10 a.m. at Spins Bowl in Kent. All bowlers must be at least 50 years of age. Registration is welcome through the day of the tournament with a late fee. Forms available at area lanes. Entry […]

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 2024-25 STATISTICAL LEADERS     BOYS BASKETBALL SCORING Player, School Average Preston Gedeon, Garfield 23.4 Carlos Bruton, Windham 22.7 Cohen Richardson, Southeast 20.1 Dekota Johnson, Crestwood 18.7 Jaden Dennison, Kent Roosevelt 16.0 Grady Eader, Field 15.3 Jack Batten, Streetsboro 15.2 Blake Mullaly, Rootstown 14.9 Jordon Smith, Mogadore 14.4 Curtis Ross, Ravenna 13.3 […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   With the longest high school basketball season in Portage County history, it feels strange that the spring sports season officially begins on Saturday. The Rootstown girls basketball team’s run to the Division VI state championship game meant that the Rovers’ season spanned an incredible 141 days. Before we […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BOWLING 2024-25 ALL-MAHONING VALLEY ATHLETIC CONFERENCE     BOWLER OF THE YEAR Joy Justice, Garfield     FIRST TEAM Madison Touart, LaBrae Kara Vanderslice, Brookfield Bria Collins, LaBrae Sierra Foy, Garfield Haley Thompson, Garfield Abigail Broz, Campbell Memorial Meghan Bregar, McDonald Lacie Rodgers, Champion   […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BOWLING 2024-25 ALL-MAHONING VALLEY ATHLETIC CONFERENCE     BOWLER OF THE YEAR Garrett Martin, Champion     FIRST TEAM Garrett Martin, Champion Peyton Mellott, Crestview Nate Morris, LaBrae Zach Bregar, McDonald Travis Laneve, McDonald Mario Humenik, Champion Brody Justice, Garfield Garek Deluga, McDonald Nate Goldner, […]

The 1966 Ravenna Rams Junior Varsity youth football team. The team included: Front row left to right: Kevin Arnette, Guy Bucci, Ronald Rex, Brent Bolyard, I’m Long, Guy Verrona, Doug Waller, Buffey New, Russ Svoboda, Leonard Churilla, Gene Grow. Second row left to right: Wayne Powell, George Vickers, Rick Sheridan, John Harris, Chuck Liston, Bill […]

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL WOMEN’S TRI-COUNTY BASKETBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION 2025 SENIOR ALL-STAR GAMES EAST 71, NORTH 66 (At Norton High School) EAST (71) — Nadia Lough (Rootstown) 3 0-0 8; Addy Germann (Rootstown) 2 0-0 6; Hannah Ward (Crestwood) 0 0-0 0; Kristen Campbell (Southeast) 1 1-2 3; Kayla Grope (Southeast) 6 0-0 13; Naomi […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   After a very long winter that saw very little play at courses that remain open throughout the year, golfers are finally enjoying time on the course, planning tournaments and scramble play and looking forward to the long summer ahead.   PORTAGE COUNTY AMATEURS The Portage County Amateurs for seniors, […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS The Portage County Masters is set to compete April 12-13 at Spins Bowl and Kent Lanes, both in Kent and Sky Lanes in Garrettsville. Based on 72 entries, first place is awarded $1,700. Entry fee is $125. Entry forms are available at all three houses.     […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The boys basketball state semifinal games concluded on Sunday evening at Wright State and Canton to finalize the pairings for the 103rd annual Ohio High School Athletic Association boys basketball state championships, which tip off Friday afternoon at the University of Dayton Arena. All seven state championship games […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor For the first time this season, the Rootstown girls basketball team found themselves inside a difficult predicament. The team’s patented run-and-jump defense that had relentlessly and successfully hounded and plagued the previous 28 opponents was suddenly up against a backcourt prepared to handle it. And for a season that […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   On the back of the Rootstown High School girls basketball team’s warmup shirts reads a very simple message. It’s clear and to the point. NO HEART. NO CHANCE. It requires no explanation. And once the whistle sounds to begin games, the Rovers relentlessly race all over the court […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Crestwood High School’s All-Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division student-athletes from the winter 2024-25 season. BOYS BASKETBALL Player of the Year: Dekota Johnson, senior Coach of the Year: Josh Jakacki. First Team: Dekota Johnson, senior; Brody Durham, sophomore. Second Team: James Durham, senior; Steve Lincoln, senior; Augie Schweickert, senior. Honorable […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent SOUTHEAST The difference between finishing in fifth place and sixth place might not seem that big, but it was to Southeast junior Dominic Kemble in the 126-pound weight class of the Division III state tournament last weekend. Kemble was down 7-0 to Mechanicsburg’s Nolan Fraley entering the second period in the […]

The 2008 Rootstown High School girls basketball team advanced to the Division III regional finals. The team posted a 16-7 overall record and were 8-4 in the Portage Trail Conference County Division. Coached by Tom Deighan, along with assistants Brittany Kidd and Brian Buso, the Rovers opened the tournament with a sectional final victory over […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The Rootstown girls basketball team advancing to the Division VI state championship game has been an absolutely incredible story. Historic. The Rovers’ run has been thrilling, to say the least and it has captured attention and support throughout Portage County. But what if I were to tell you that […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL 2024-25 ALL-SUBURBAN LEAGUE AMERICAN DIVISION PLAYER OF THE YEAR Evelyn McKnight, Copley, junior     COACH OF THE YEAR James Madison, Highland     FIRST TEAM Evelyn McKnight, Copley, junior Addison Witting, Aurora, junior Audrey Parker, Copley, junior Zoey Van Voorhis, Copley, junior Lori […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL 2024-25 ALL-SUBURBAN LEAGUE AMERICAN DIVISION PLAYER OF THE YEAR Walker Kraus, Highland, senior Kaden Davis, Tallmadge, senior     COACH OF THE YEAR Tanner Houska, Highland     FIRST TEAM Walker Kraus, Highland, senior Kaden Davis, Tallmadge, senior De’Arion Holley, Barberton, senior Lincoln Brockmeyer, […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   2025 NORTHEAST INLAND ALL-DISTRICT Division I  FIRST TEAM Olivia Klanac, Medina, 5-9, sr., 23.0; Maddie Lepley, Massillon Jackson, 6-0, jr., 18.9; Mya Taylor, Canton McKinley, 5-7, jr., 21.2. PLAYER OF THE YEAR—Olivia Klanac, Medina. COACH OF THE YEAR—Michael Coon, Massillon Jackson. SECOND TEAM Ava Kouri, Massillon Jackson, 5-7, […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor 2025 NORTHEAST INLAND ALL-DISTRICT Division I  FIRST TEAM Trey Drexler, Brunswick, 6-0, jr., 21.1; Kyle Monterrubio, Massillon Jackson, 6-4, sr., 14.8; Reed Sims Jr., Canton McKinley, 6-5, sr., 14.0; Sean Barnett, Brunswick, 6-4, jr., 17.7. PLAYER OF THE YEAR—Trey Drexler, Brunswick. COACH OF THE YEAR—Sean Weatherspoon, Canton McKinley. SECOND […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING 2024-25 ALL-MAHONING VALLEY ATHLETIC CONFERENCE WRESTLER OF THE YEAR Jayden Scott, Jackson-Milton     COACH OF THE YEAR Brian Waidenthal, Jackson-Milton     FIRST TEAM 106 pounds: Brayden Reed, Brookfield 113: Cameron Dye, Southeast 120: Conovan O’Brien, Brookfield 126: Dominic Kemble, Southeast 132: Jayden Scott, […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL 2024-25 ALL-MAHONING VALLEY ATHLETIC CONFERENCE GRAY DIVISION PLAYER OF THE YEAR Addison Rhodes, Crestview, junior     COACH OF THE YEAR Mandy Rowe, LaBrae     FIRST TEAM Addison Rhodes, Crestview, junior Riley Rowe, LaBrae, sophomore Angel Scruggs, LaBrae, sophomore Marissa Levensky, LaBrae, senior […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL 2024-25 ALL-MAHONING VALLEY ATHLETIC CONFERENCE GRAY DIVISION PLAYER OF THE YEAR Derek Wilson, LaBrae     COACH OF THE YEAR Chad Kiser, LaBrae     FIRST TEAM Derek Wilson, LaBrae, senior Aidan Hill, Garfield, senior Austin Rowe, LaBrae, junior Blake Hammond, Brookfield, freshman Cohen […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Portage Sports is proud to announce its 2nd High School Basketball All-Star Games! When: Friday, April 18, 2025 Time: 5:45 p.m. girls; 7 p.m. boys Where: Ravenna High School Cost: $5 admission (seniors and kids 10 and under are free)     The high school girls All-Star Game […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent   Jarreau “RoRo” Walker did not try to do anything too flashy at the Division II state tournament in the Schottenstein Center on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus. He simply did what he needed to do to capture his first state championship in the 106-pound weight class. It […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   The OHSAA High School Bowling season has concluded with the teams in Division I competing in the championship tournaments on Friday and Saturday, following the Division II teams ending their season in tournament action Feb. 28 and March 1. Three teams celebrated their advancement to the state dance this […]

HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING DIVISION I STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2025 (At Schottenstein Center, Columbus) First Place 106 Loc Webber (Dub. Coffman) tech. fall D.J. Otero (Lorain) tf15-0 113 Rylan Seacrist (Brecksville) dec. Tommy Wurster (Dub. Coffman) 4-3 120 Grey Burnett (Perrysburg) dec. Liston Seibert (Mass. Perry) 5-1 126 Karson Brown (St. Edward) tech. fall […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Call it perfection, call it domination or simply call it a state championship. The 2025 season for Streetsboro sophomore phenom Jarreau “RoRo” Walker is now complete and it also checks every one of those three boxes. A clean record at 34-0. A dominating season in which he still has […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   On Saturday, the Ravenna High School boys bowling team competed in the OHSAA State Bowling Championships, becoming the third Portage County team to advance to the final OHSAA tournaments with the best in the state. The Ravens came out strong at HP Lanes in Columbus, hovering among the top-eight […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS The Portage County Masters is set to compete April 12-13 at Spins Bowl and Kent Lanes, both in Kent and Sky Lanes in Garrettsville. Based on 72 entries, first place is awarded $1,700. Entry fee is $125. Entry forms are available at all three houses.     […]

HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING OHSAA DIVISION I STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY TWO RESULTS SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2025 (At Schottenstein Center, Columbus) Third Consolation 106 Lucas Schulz (Brecksville) dec. Connor Bagdonas (Perrysburg) 5-0 SV Blackburn Savage (Moeller) pin Zac Dodt (Thom. Worthington) 1:15 113 Ayden Dodd (Perrysburg) pin Lincoln Rohr (Mass. Perry) 0:50 Colin Broxterman (Elder) dec. Demarco […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   WRESTLING DIVISION II STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY ONE FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 2025 (At Schottenstein Center, Columbus) First Consolation 106 Collin Bartos (Buckeye) pin Blaine Napier (Franklin) 0:33 Kaden Orndorff (Coventry) tech. fall Cohen Shinault (Heb. Lakewood) tf17-1 Max Holley (Copley) dec. Ethan Saneholtz (Napoleon) 6-1 Hayden Jones (Brookville) pin […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   Portage County teams are enjoying success advancing both individvuals and teams to state in this winter season to the state tournamets. Bowling has joined the party as three varsity teams advanced to the OHSAA final championships, Rootstown girls and boys teams and Ravenna boys. All advanced to the state […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Earlier this week, while preparing for Friday’s Division VI state semifinal, Rootstown girls basketball coach Joe Leonard had a feeling take over him. “I felt it in my bones. I can’t explain it, but I felt it deep,” he said. The feeling? “I just knew that Colbie (Curall) was […]

By Phil Keren Correspondent   Even though they ended up on the short end of a 48-34 score in Friday’s Division VII state semifinal against Waterford, the members of the 2024-25 Mogadore girls basketball team can take pride in the fact that they made history. They were the first team in girls program history to […]

The 1934 Kent Roosevelt High School football team posted a perfect 9-0 record and were crowned champions of the Western Reserve League. The Rough Riders outscored their opponents a staggering 180-12, including seven shutouts. The team’s results included: Week 1: Roosevelt 13, Aurora 0 Week 2: Roosevelt 21, Ellet 0 Week 3: Roosevelt 26, Uhricsville […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BOWLING 2024-25 ALL-METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE BOWLER OF THE YEAR Wade Allen, Coventry, sophomore   COACH OF THE YEAR Aaron Rose, Coventry   FIRST TEAM Wade Allen, Coventry, sophomore Rylan Slusser, Springfield, sophomore Jacob Robison, Norton, senior Connor Stevens, Streetsboro, senior Xavier Moore, Woodridge, sophomore Jeriah […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BOWLING 2024-25 ALL-METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE BOWLER OF THE YEAR Melaena Martin, Springfield, senior   COACH OF THE YEAR Mike Sayre, Norton   FIRST TEAM Melaena Martin, Springfield, senior Jenna Higgins, Norton, junior Madalyn Mullett, Norton, senior Madison Knox, Springfield, junior Aubri Buchwald, Springfield, senior Alaina […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor When watching the Rootstown High School girls basketball team, there are many little things that stand out. In some ways, you would expect that from a team that owns a glowing 26-1 record and regional championship to earn a spot in Ohio’s Final Four in Division VI. In other […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent   Editor’s Notes: The top-four finishers in each weight class at district tournaments qualified for this weekend’s state tournament in the Schottenstein Center on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus. … The state tournament begins Friday at 1 p.m. … The top-eight finishers in each weight division will make the podium […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING 2024-25 ALL-METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE WRESTLER OF THE YEAR Cohen Klimak, Streetsboro, senior COACH OF THE YEAR Dan Staats, Norton FIRST TEAM 106 pounds: Kaden Orndorff, Coventry, junior 113: Jarreau Walker, Streetsboro, sophomore 120: Gavin Genovese, Woodridge, sophomore 126: Anthony Sindelar, Streetsboro, junior 132: Justin Wargo, Streetsboro, […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Streetsboro High School hosted a Student-Athlete Mental Health Summit last week as an initiative to raise awareness to the significant pressures and challenges faced by student-athletes. Cloverleaf, Coventry, Crestwood, Field, Kent Roosevelt, Ravenna, Springfield, Streetsboro, Tallmadge and Woodridge all attended. Streetsboro High School athletic director Randy Tevepaugh, who helped […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL 2024-2025 ALL-METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE     PLAYER OF THE YEAR Naomi Benson, Streetsboro, senior     COACH OF THE YEAR Carl Singer, Streetsboro     FIRST TEAM Naomi Benson, Streetsboro, senior Delilah Rahe, Field, senior Kendall Wilderman, Springfield, senior Evie Barth, Cloverleaf, junior Carlee […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL 2024-2025 ALL-METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE     PLAYER OF THE YEAR Jack Batten, Streetsboro, senior COACH OF THE YEAR Nick Marcini, Streetsboro     FIRST TEAM Jack Batten, Streetsboro, senior Branden Evans, Woodridge, junior Grady Eader, Field, senior Charles Ivory, Streetsboro, senior Kameryn Kennerly, Coventry, […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   GIRLS BASKETBALL OHSAA STATE SEMIFINAL PAIRINGS (Winners advance to the state finals, which will be hosted by the University of Dayton on March 14-15). Note: Home teams are listed first. Division I Rocky River Magnificat (20-5) vs. Pickerington Central (23-3), Sunday, March 9, at Mansfield Senior High School, […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor About the only thing that was missing from Saturday’s regional championship win for the Rootstown girls basketball team was a director yelling: “READY, SET, ACTION!” In scenes made for a movie, the Rovers made history with their first-ever Final Four berth with a series of clutch plays and a […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor A complete list of Portage County’s high school wrestling state qualifiers. DIVISION I AURORA 120 pounds: Johnny Green 157: Drake Brasiel 165: Cole Walton DIVISION II FIELD 157 pounds: Carter White STREETSBORO 106 pounds: Jarreau Walker 165: Cohen Klimak DIVISION III GARFIELD 113 pounds: Cam Lewicki 138: Landon Andel […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Mogadore girls basketball coach Jen Ritch was still trying to process her team’s win. “Did that really happen?” she asked her senior standout Amelia Morris. Yes, it did. The Wildcats knocked off the Danbury Lakers on Saturday, 45-37, to win the Division VII regional championship and advance to Ohio’s […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS The Portage County Masters is set to compete April 12-13 at Spins Bowl and Kent Lanes, both in Kent and Sky Lanes in Garrettsville. Based on 72 entries, first place is awarded $1,700. Entry fee is $125. Entry forms are available at all three houses     […]

By Phil Keren Correspondent   The Streetsboro girls basketball team’s season ended on Saturday with a hard-fought 62-47 loss to Laurel in the Division IV Regional Final at Canton Memorial Field House. The final score is not indicative of how competitive the game was most of the way. As Streetsboro head coach Carl Singer said, […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   The Rootstown boys bowling team traveled to Columbus for the state tournament on Saturday. It was the second day for the Rovers’ bowling teams at the state tournament — as the girls teams finished their state run in seventh place on Friday. On Saturday, for the boys, the Rovers […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2025   GIRLS BASKETBALL DIVISION VI REGIONAL FINAL ROOTSTOWN 37, SMITHVILLE 36 (At Lake High School) ROOTSTOWN (37) — Colbie Curall 0 0-0 0; Addy Germann 1 0-0 3; Elliott Smallfield 0 2-2 2; Sophi Smith 0 0-0 0; Kelsey Bittecuffer 3 1-3 8; Cloe Bengston 1 0-0 2; […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer For the second straight season, the Rootstown girls bowling advanced to the Division II state championship and on Friday, the Rovers placed seventh in Ohio at the event. Rootstown lost to Bryan High School in the Baker Round, 3-1. “Overall, it was a successful season,” said Rootstown coach Andy Day, […]

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 2024-25 STATISTICAL LEADERS BOYS BASKETBALL SCORING Player, School Average Preston Gedeon, Garfield 23.9 Ca Carlos Bruton, Windham 22.7 Cohen Richardson, Southeast 20.1 Dekota Johnson, Crestwood 19.9 Jaden Dennison, Kent Roosevelt 16.3 Jordon Smith, Mogadore 15.6 Grady Eader, Field 15.3 Blake Mullaly, Rootstown 15.1 Jack Batten, Streetsboro 15.0 Curtis Ross, Ravenna 13.4 Brayden […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Ari Tompkins is not ready for the basketball season to end. The Mogadore senior is not ready for her career to end. The finite reality fueled Tompkins to push her determination and competitive spirit to a new level on Thursday night. And what a night for it, with the […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   The focus is on Rootstown and Ravenna as the state high school bowling championships get underway in Columbus to determine the beset in the state. Up first, the Rovers’ girls bowling team, who advanced to the state bowling championships for the second straight season. Rolling for honors at H.P. […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, FEB. 27, 2025     GIRLS BASKETBALL DIVISION VII REGIONAL SEMIFINAL MOGADORE 44, BERLIN CENTER WESTERN RESERVE 27 (At Perry High School) MOGADORE (44) — Julie Tompkins 1 0-0 2; Kasey Bolyard 3 1-2 7; Hayli Clester 2 0-1 4; Amelia Morris 4 1-2 9 ; Eden Cameron 0 0-0 0; […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent   Editor’s Note: The top-four wrestlers in each weight class in all of the sectional tournaments qualified for district tournaments; the top-four wrestlers in each weight division in all of the district tournaments will advance to the state tournament.     AURORA Aurora captured the championship of the 10-team Division I sectional tournament […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent ROOTSTOWN Sophia Byers was Rootstown’s lone individual champion in the 140-pound weight class in the sectional tournament Feb. 23 at Canal Fulton Northwest. “Sophia really wrestled tough,” head coach Nick Sladky said. “She wrestled some really good matches.” The Rovers finished sixth overall in the 29-team tourney. Madison Giebel finished second […]

By Jim Smith Correspondent   The Streetsboro Rockets girls basketball team thrust themselves into a Division IV regional championship matchup against the Shaker Heights Laurel Gators by defeating the Canfield Cardinals, 51-45, at the Canton Memorial Fieldhouse on Wednesday. The same two teams squared off in the regional title in 2024. In the semifinal game […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced on Thursday morning that it has extended its contractual agreement with the Ohio State University through 2027 for the high school wrestling state championships to be hosted at the Schottenstein Center. “There is no other place in Ohio that can do a […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   By the end of Wednesday night’s Division VI regional semifinal, the Rootstown and Canton Central Catholic girls basketball teams were riding two vastly different waves. For the Crusaders, they simply were trying not to get swept into the undertow of the Rovers’ relentless defensive pressure, which is constant […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   For 13 years, the Kent Roosevelt girls basketball team has shared a genuine friendship with Hattie Larlham. The Rough Riders and the center for children with disabilities have partnered on a weekly program, which dates back to 2012, that has transformed from a community-service activity to a loving […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   As usual, Nadia Lough was having a great game. Baseline to baseline. Sideline to sideline. Offense to defense. It was all clicking for the Rootstown senior girls basketball standout during the team’s last game of the last day at the Eastern Ohio Team Camp in Sherrodsville. It only […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   Portage County’s presence at the OHSAA’s bowling state championships will be strong. For the third day in a row, a county team punched their ticket to the state final. On Friday, the Rootstown boys. On Saturday, the Rootstown girls. On Sunday, it was the Ravenna boys’ turn, advancing to […]

HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, FEB. 22, 2025     PINKNEY EAST DIVISION I SECTIONAL TOURNAMENT (At Pinkney East High School) TEAM STANDINGS 1. Aurora 203.5; 2. Elyria 191.5; 3. Mentor 189.0; 4. GlenOak 149.5; 5. Olmsted Falls 131.0; 6. Mayfield 116.5; 7. Eastlake North 91.0; 8. Rhodes 42.0; 9. Garfield Hts. 38.0; 10. John […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   On Friday the Rootstown varsity boys bowling team secure their spot in the Division II State Championship Bowling Tournament. On Saturday, the Rootstown girls did the same, grabbing the fourth and final qualifying spot to advance to the Division II state tournament in Columbus. Battling against the best teams […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   Frank Dixon rolled the only 300 game of the week in the Garden Spot League on his way to a 711 series. Lloyd Ables tossed the high series, a 743 with a high game of 275. The league is packed with outstanding games, including Dave Reynolds 279-728, Nick Williams […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, FEB. 22, 2025     GIRLS BASKETBALL DIVISION IV DISTRICT FINAL STREETSBORO 60, FIELD 48 (At Lordstown High School) FIELD (48) — Nema McAmis 0 0-0 0; Mckayla Miller 3 2-2 9; Audrey Richmond 0 0-0 0; Abby Harlin 3 0-0 6; Delilah Rahe 7 1-6 17; Carlee Fafrak 0 0-0 […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Friday’s win was not as clean as Mogadore and head coach Russ Swartz would have liked, but this is not the time for apologies. It is tournament time. The objective is clear: Find a way to win. Mogadore achieved that, survived and advanced, defeating the visiting Black River […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   The Rootstown Rovers varsity boys bowling team is headed to the OHSAA State Tournament after grabbing the fourth and final qualifying team spot in the Division II district tourney at Roseland Lanes in Oakwood. Rootstown senior Justin Miller led the way, bowling a perfect 300 game to start his […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   Carson Letchworth has made history. The Southeast High School senior is the first swimmer in school history to advance to the OHSAA’s state championships. Letchworth qualified for the state finals in the 100-yard Butterfly on Thursday at the C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton. The senior member of the Pirates […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, FEB. 21, 2025     BOYS BASKETBALL DIVISION IV SECTIONAL FINAL CLOVERLEAF 70, FIELD 68 (At Cloverleaf) FIELD (68) – Grady Eader 3 3-4 11; Trevor Dixon 4 2-4 11; Alec Grimm 2 0-0 4; Landon Wilmoth 5 0-0 14; Brayden Ronowski 6 0-0 17; Joey Conroy 0 2-2 2; Ben […]

The 1968 Crestwood High School Varsity “C” Club, which included multi-sport standout Jack Lambert, who went on to star on the football field for Kent State University and the Pittsburgh Steelers, before being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. Lambert is pictured in the front row, third from the left. The […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   Ella Houk, a Kent Roosevelt senior, began her competition at the OHSAA’s Division I diving championships with one goal: Make the last cut. In her second trip to the state championships, also qualifying last season as a junior, Houk wanted to make it through the semifinals to the final […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The final moments are staring back at a talented group of senior boys basketball players at Streetsboro. A group that has shared many special moments on the court together, but a longer list of special moments together as best friends. The Rockets, newly crowned champions of the Metro […]

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 2024-25 STATISTICAL LEADERS BOYS BASKETBALL SCORING Player, School Average Preston Gedeon, Garfield 23.9 Carlos Bruton, Windham 22.7 Dekota Johnson, Crestwood 19.9 Cohen Richardson, Southeast 18.2 Jaden Dennison, Kent Roosevelt 16.3 Jordon Smith, Mogadore 15.6 Grady Eader, Field 15.5 Blake Mullaly, Rootstown 15.1 Jack Batten, Streetsboro 14.2 Curtis Ross, Ravenna 13.4 Brayden Ronowski, […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent   Mogadore junior Mackenzie Shellenbarger did something Feb. 15 in the Carrollton Girls Invitational that Duane Funk, also the girls head coach, has never seen in 30 years of coaching wrestling. “In the 170-pound championship match she got caught off her feet and was on her back for a minute and […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent   Field senior Carter White pinned his way through the 157-pound weight class to the championship in the Metro Athletic Conference Tournament on Feb. 15 at Woodridge. He finished the season undefeated in the conference. “Carter wrestled an outstanding match in the finals,” head coach Dave Tenney said. Overall, the Falcons […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent   Streetsboro produced three individual champions in the Metro Athletic Conference Tournament on Feb. 15 at Woodridge: Anthony Sindelar in the 126-pound weight class, Justin Wargo at 132 and Cohen Klimak at 165. “Anthony won by pin in the championship match over an opponent from Springfield. He had a great day,” head […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   Kent Roosevelt’s Ella Houk made school history on Wednesday, becoming the first aquatic athlete in 30 years to finish in the top eight at the OHSAA’s state championships. Houk accomplished the feat with her seventh-place finish in the Division I 1-meter diving competition hosted by C.T. Branin Natatorium in […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Coaches have come and gone. Thousands of players have graduated. Leagues have formed, disbanded and re-aligned. Ellen Arena has seen it all. She has been there for it all. Remarkably, the 2024-25 season is Arena’s 54th season keeping the scorebook and stats for the Field Falcons boys and girls […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, FEB. 15, 2025     GIRLS BASKETBALL DIVISION IV DISTRICT SEMIFINAL FIELD 47, NORTHWEST 44 (At Northwest) FIELD (47) — Mckayla Miller 2 1-2 6; Audrey Richmond 2 0-0 6; Abby Harlin 2 1-2 6; Delilah Rahe 7 0-0 14; Maddie Jacobs 3 0-4 7; Ally Harlin 0 0-2 0; Sarah […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   As the OHSAA winter sports season continues, with many athletes ending up in Columbus to crown state champions, the swimming and diving championships are this week in Canton. The C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton is one of the premier swimming facilities in the Midwest and will host four Portage […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Mark Skonieczny has been a wrestling coach for 30 years. He knows the sport. He knows talent. He knows a phenom when he sees one. So it didn’t take long for him to realize that Jarreau Walker was not the average incoming freshman. He could tell almost immediately […]

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL ALL-WOMEN’S TRI-COUNTY BASKETBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION TEAM     DIVISION I-II-III Player of the Year: Caitlin Holmes, Ellet Coaches of the Year: Dennis Lawler, Hudson; James Madison, Highland Underclassmen of the Year: Evelyn McKnight, Copley (junior) FIRST TEAM Caitlin Holmes, Ellet, senior Joi Williams, CVCA, senior Niera Stevens, Hoban, junior Kennedy Morgan, […]

HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS SATURDAY, FEB. 15, 2025 (At Woodridge High School) TEAM STANDINGS  1. Woodridge 149; 2. Norton 140.5; 3. Streetsboro 131.5; 4. Coventry 94; 5. Cloverleaf 86.5; 6. Field 74; 7. Springfield 60; 8. Ravenna 14. INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 106 — Johnny Bollinger (Str) pinned Kaden Orndorff (Cov), 2:39 120 — […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS The Portage County Masters is set to compete April 12-13 at Spins Bowl and Kent Lanes, both in Kent and Sky Lanes in Garrettsville. Based on 72 entries, first place is awarded $1,700. Entry fee is $125. Entry forms are available at all three houses   PORTAGE […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   The tournament trail leading to the OHSAA state tournaments in bowling continues as the Division-I teams competed in the sectional, seeking to earn a spot in the Division I district tournament. The Division I sectional for Portage County was held at Holiday Lanes in Struthers. There were 17 teams […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, FEB. 15, 2025   BOYS BASKETBALL FRIDAY ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 53, LAKE CENTER CHRISTIAN 44 (At Lake Center Christian) ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (53) — Knowles 2 0-0 4; Jo. Thomas 4 1-2 11; Je. Thomas 2 9-10 13; Welch 5 3-5 16; Johnson 4 0-0 8; Simpson 0 1-2 1. Totals […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   For any team’s Senior Night, there are certain boxes a coach hopes to be able to checkmark by night’s end. Celebrate your seniors. Win the game. Have your seniors make meaningful impacts to lead you to victory. Everyone leaves smiling. Falcons boys basketball head coach Alex Blake left […]

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 2024-25 STATISTICAL LEADERS BOYS BASKETBALL SCORING Player, School Average Preston Gedeon, Garfield 23.4 Carlos Bruton, Windham 22.7 Dekota Johnson, Crestwood 20.9 Cohen Richardson, Southeast 20.1 Jaden Dennison, Kent Roosevelt 15.7 Jordon Smith, Mogadore 15.7 Blake Mullaly, Rootstown 15.3 Grady Eader, Field 14.9 Jack Batten, Streetsboro 14.2 Curtis Ross, Ravenna 13.4 Brayden Ronowski, […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Basketball games are emotionally charged environments. The competition is fierce. The coaching is intense. Parents and fans are on edge. It is a mixture of excitement and nerves, with hopes to see student-athletes, who are family and friends, find success and find a love for the game. In […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The “Coaches in the Classroom” feature is a weekly series that spotlights and celebrates coaches throughout Portage County, who spend their days in the classrooms and hallways leading today’s student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today’s spotlight is on Crestwood’s TJ Henderson, who is in seventh year teaching at Crestwood […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent   Despite having only eight wrestlers, Southeast captured the championship of the 10-team Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Tournament on Feb. 8 at Columbiana Crestview by nine points over Garfield. “We had two kids out sick. We didn’t enter kids at 120, 144 and 165, and our 175 didn’t make weight. To take […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent   Garfield was down a couple wrestlers, but the G-Men still managed a second-place finish behind Southeast in the 10-team Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Tournament on Feb. 8 at Columbiana Crestview. “Being down a couple wrestlers probably cost us the championship,” head coach Dan Andel said. Sophomore Landon Andel captured the […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The California wildfires caught the attention of many across the world, including 15 students at Streetsboro who were ready to jump into action. The group is part of Robert Kidd’s Social Problems class, which commonly becomes a forum to discuss current events. “I told my class that if anyone […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, FEB. 11, 2025     BOYS BASKETBALL LAKE CENTER CHRISTIAN 59, MOGADORE 47 (At Mogadore) LAKE CENTER CHRISTIAN (59) — Hernandez 2 0-0 6; Sommers 1 2-2 4; Coblentz 3 0-0 6; Harper 3 1-2 10; Zook 4 0-0 9; Hulse 1 1-2 3; Caudle 1 0-0 2; Lynch 7 5-7 […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   Both the Rootstown and Garfield girls varsity bowling teams had no trouble advancing from the Division II sectional at Spins Bowl on Monday. The pair of teams moves on to the Division II district that will be hosted by Rosalind Lanes, in Oakwood, on Feb. 22. Rootstown earned the […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The OHSAA’s high school boys basketball tournament seeds and first-round parings were announced on Sunday. The 2024-25 tournament will be the state’s first-ever with its new and expanded seven-division format. Here is a look at where all of Portage County’s teams landed:   DIVISION III, REGION 9 Northeast […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   Derrick Simon, bowling in the Garden Spot League, missed a Perfect Game by only three pins, tossing a 297 game on his way to a 755 series. The league also had a trio of 279s rolled by Chris Day, John Brown and Shawn Bolyard — and a 278 game […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   The OHSAA tournament trail leading toward the state tournament got underway on Friday as the Tri-County Sectional for the boys was held, including Portage County Division-II teams including Crestwood, Field, Garfield and Rootstown. It was a successful tournament for several. Both Field and Rootstown advanced as teams to the […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, FEB. 7, 2025     BOYS BASKETBALL STREETSBORO 51, FIELD 33 (At Streetsboro) FIELD (33) — Alec Grimm 0 2-2 2; Landon Wimoth 1 0-0 5; Brayden Ronowski 5 2-2 14; Joey Conroy 1 2-2 5; Ben Stayer 4 1-2 9; Sam Confer 0 0-0 0. Totals 11 7-8 33. STREETSBORO […]

By Jim Smith Correspondent   A shutout performance by Kenston Bombers’ goaltender Logan Linsz eliminated the Kent Roosevelt ice hockey team from the Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League’s (GCHSHL) Baron Cup II tournament in Brooklyn on Thursday. Linsz entered the game with a 92.5 save percentage and a 1.67 goals-against average. The junior netminder […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   The Field Falcons are sincerely on a roll in the bowling lanes of Northeast Ohio. In only the second season for the Falcons hosting a varsity bowling team, and fresh off winning the Metro Athletic Conference postseason tournament, the Field boys won the OHSAA’s Division II Sectional hosted by […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   During the first quarter on Friday, a trap game felt very real to Streetsboro boys basketball head coach Nick Marcini. His Rockets were blitzed by a red-hot Field Falcons team and stared at a 20-6 deficit after the game’s first 8 minutes of play. In that timeframe, the […]

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 2024-25 STATISTICAL LEADERS     BOYS BASKETBALL SCORING Player, School Average Preston Gedeon, Garfield 22.7 Carlos Bruton, Windham 22.7 Dekota Johnson, Crestwood 20.9 Cohen Richardson, Southeast 20.1 Jaden Dennison, Kent Roosevelt 15.7 Jordon Smith, Mogadore 15.7 Grady Eader, Field 14.9 Jack Batten, Streetsboro 14.1 Blake Mullaly, Rootstown 13.9 Curtis Ross, Ravenna 13.4 […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent   STREETSBORO Streetsboro won in dominant fashion in a tri-meet Feb. 4 over host Springfield and Coventry. The Rockets defeated the Spartans 60-15 and beat the Comets 60-17. “We really looked fantastic,” head coach Mark Skonieczny said. “I think we’re getting to a point now where we’re starting to hit our […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5, 2025   GIRLS BASKETBALL ROOTSTOWN 70, MOGADORE 43 (At Rootstown) MOGADORE (43) — Julie Tompkins 2 2-2 8; Kasey  Bolyard 3 0-3 6; Hayli Clester 3 0-2 6; Rylee Clark 0 2-3 2; Ari Tompkins 7 6-13 21. Totals 15 10-23 43. ROOTSTOWN (70) — Colbie Curall 3 6-7 […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Welcome to the “Positive in Portage” sports column. The idea of this new weekly series is to specifically highlight and spotlight all of the positive actions and events by Portage County’s student-athletes, coaches and athletic departments. Items featured will be the stories that seem smaller in comparison to a […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The “Coaches in the Classroom” feature is a weekly series that spotlights and celebrates coaches throughout Portage County, who spend their days in the classrooms and hallways leading today’s student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today’s spotlight is on Streetsboro’s Carl Singer, who is in his 10th year as a […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, FEB. 4, 2025   GIRLS BASKETBALL STREETSBORO 49, FIELD 32 (At Streetsboro) FIELD (32) — Mckayla Miller 1 0-0 3; Audrey Richmond 0 0-0 0; Abby Harlin 4 3-3 11; Delilah Rahe 4 2-3 10; Carlee Fafrak 0 0-0 0; Tia Ulrich 0 0-0 0; Maddie Jacobs 1 2-4 4; Ally […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, FEB. 3, 2025     ICE HOCKEY SUNDAY KENT ROOSEVELT 6, PARMA NORMANDY 2 (At Normandy) ROOSEVELT 2-1-3—6 NORMANDY 1-0-1—2 SCORING SUMMARY FIRST PERIOD N — Becher (Nugent), 11:20 KR — Maccarone, PP, 7:22 KR — Geist, 4:10 SECOND PERIOD KR — Geist, PP (Simms), 0:15.7 THIRD PERIOD KR — Maccarone […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Garfield high School will induct its Hall of Fame Class of 2025 on Friday when the G-Men boys basketball team hosts Brookfield. The group will be recognized before the start of the varsity game. The district’s Hall of Fame status is based off of three criteria, including athletic […]

This photo, believed to be from the early 1940’s, shows the Kent Elks Club amateur baseball team. Portage Sports is seeking information about the team, including player and coach names. If you have any information about this team, please email tomnader@portagesports.com. Thank you!

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The OHSAA’s high school girls basketball tournament seeds and first-round pairings were announced on Sunday. The 2024-25 tournament will be the state’s first with its new and expanded seven-division format. Here is a look at where all of Portage County’s teams landed:   DIVISION III, REGION 9 Northeast […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   The Portage County USBC is busy with several tournaments coming up after the conclusion of the Handicap Singles Tournament. Charles Smith was crowned the champion of the Handicap Singles. Next up is the Senior Memorial Tournament on April 6 at Spins Bowl in Kent and then the Portage County Masters […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   Both the Portage Trail Conference and the Metro Athletic Conference held season-ending conference tournaments on Saturday. The PTC was held at Spins Bowl in Kent, while the MAC invited teams to Spins Bowl in Springfield. The end of each tournament was spectacular, with the Rovers boys and girls both […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, FEB. 1, 2025   BOYS BASKETBALL FRIDAY SOUTHEAST 54, BROOKFIELD 53 (At Brookfield) SOUTHEAST (54) — Nate Rivera 3 0-0 8; Cohen Richardson 4 5-6 17; Braeden Walden 2 0-0 5; Bradley Dillon 1 1-1 3; Zach Keto 5 0-0 13; Devyn Miller 0 0-0 0; Joe Sharish 3 2-4 8; […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   The Field Falcons won the Metro Athletic Conference postseason tournament on Saturday. “It was a phenomenal victory,” said Scott Bower, coach of the Field boys. The Falcons’ title also probably came as a surprise to the other MAC competitors, with Field’s program still relatively new in comparison to established teams […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   It was a clean sweep for the Rootstown Rovers as they won both the girls and the boys Portage Trail Conference Tournament championships on Saturday. Both Rovers’ teams also earned both high games and four of the high-series medals on their way to earning the overall conference titles. It […]

By Phil Keren Correspondent   “You can’t go home with timeouts in your pocket, especially in a game like this.” Crestwood head coach Josh Jakacki made that statement following his team’s 55-54 loss to conference rival Kirtland. Jakacki said he told his players afterward he should’ve called a timeout during the game’s final seconds. On […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, JAN. 31, 2025     BOYS BASKETBALL COVENTRY 62, SPRINGFIELD 34 (At Coventry) SPRINGFIELD (34) — Berger 5 1 12; Lahmann 3 0 7; Keller 1 0 2; Robinson 1 0 2; Bratinov 4 0 9; Bracken 0 2 2. Totals 14 3 34. COVENTRY (62) — Kennerly 2 7 11; […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, JAN. 30, 2025     GIRLS BASKETBALL FIELD 70, CLOVERLEAF 45 (At Field) CLOVERLEAF (45) — Young 1 2-5 4; Foky 1 0-0 2; Barth 5 1-2 13; Hibler 3 5-6 11; M. Seiwerth 2 0-0 6; K. Seiwerth 0 2-4 2; Bayer 0 3-3 3; Crow 0 2-2 2; Shook […]

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 2024-25 STATISTICAL LEADERS   BOYS BASKETBALL SCORING Player, School Average Preston Gedeon, Garfield 22.5 Carlos Bruton, Windham 21.3 Dekota Johnson, Crestwood 20.1 Cohen Richardson, Southeast 20.1 Jaden Dennison, Kent Roosevelt 16.6 Jordon Smith, Mogadore 15.6 Grady Eader, Field 15.0 Blake Mullaly, Rootstown 14.6 Curtis Ross, Ravenna 13.4 Jack Batten, Streetsboro 12.8 Brayden […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent   SOUTHEAST Southeast junior Dominic Kemble finished runner-up in the 126-pound weight class in the Josh Hephner Memorial Tournament on Jan. 24-25 at Austintown Fitch. “Dominic lost a very close match in the finals to Marlington’s Aiden Bean, the third weekend they wrested against each other already this season. It was […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent   Kent Roosevelt had four double-winners in defeating Lakewood 59-28 and host Bay Village 53-40 in a tri-meet Jan. 23. The two-time winners were juniors Ethan Kurtz in the 175- pound weight class and Gavin Edwards at 157 plus freshman Jacob Dunfee at 113 and sophomore Carter Fertig at 120. “I […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, JAN. 29, 2025   GIRLS BASKETBALL JACKSON 51, STREETSBORO 46 (At Jackson) STREETSBORO (46) — Olivia Johnson-Wilson 2 0-0 5; Claire Campbell 1 0-0 3; Sydney Abbuhl 5 0-0 13; Raegan Hendon 2 0-0 6; Naomi Benson 4 2-2 10; Ava Bodovetz 1 0-0 2; Carlee Bedford 3 1-1 7. Totals […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Coaches in the Classroom” feature is a weekly series that spotlights and celebrates coaches throughout Portage County, who spend their days in the classrooms and hallways leading today’s student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today’s spotlight is on Andrew Olesky, who is in his 17th year as a […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, JAN. 27, 2025     GIRLS BASKETBALL MONDAY SOUTHEAST 48, CHAMPION 27 (At Southeast) CHAMPION (27) — Mackenzie Braham 3 0-0 7; Kennedy Coldwell 1 0-0 3; Marley McClung 0 2-2 2; Kennedy McKee 3 0-0 6; Sami Munroe 1 0-2 3; Natalie Yoko 0 0-0 0; Kylie McKee 0 2-2 […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Field High School announced on Tuesday morning the hiring of James Dutched as the football program’s new head coach. Dutched takes over the Falcons for Matt Furino, who recently announced his retirement following three different stints as head coach. Furino coached from 1996 to 2007, 2012 to 2015 […]

The 1956 Rootstown High School wrestling team finished the season with a 5-5 record. The meet-by-meet results included: Rootstown 38, Warren Howland 13 Kent State 40, Rootstown 5 Ravenna Township 29, Rootstown 20 Rootstown 33, Barberton 20 Canton Central Catholic 37, Rootstown 15 Massillon 29, Rootstown 11 Rootstown 27, Burton 25 Crestwood 43, Rootstown 10 […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   It hasn’t always been fair for Cohen Richardson. Southeast boys basketball head coach Matt Dillon admits that. But in order for the Pirates’ sophomore standout to reach his potential as a player, he has accepted the fact that his best path to success will be the hardest earned. […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   As the bowling season rolls its way toward the OHSAA postseason tournaments, there are a few loose ends to tie up both for conferences and out-of-conference events, giving bowlers every opportunity to be ready for the tournament trail ahead.   CONFERENCE TOURNAMENTS The Portage Trail Conference holds the boys […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   As the season heats up for Team USA bowling, local bowlers may want to enjoy cheering for the team since there are three bowlers included in the competition from the local area. Many current bowlers who rolled for their high-school teams will remember: Bryce Oliver, who competed for the […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, JAN. 25, 2025   BOYS BASKETBALL LAKE CENTER CHRISTIAN 46, OPEN DOOR CHRISTIAN 42 (At Open Door Christian) LAKE CENTER CHRISTIAN (46) — Sommers 1 1-2 4; Coblentz 1 0-2 3; Harper 5 0-0 12; Zook 4 0-0 10; Hulse 3 2-2 8; Stokes 0 1-2 1; Lynch 4 0-0 8. […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The wait is over. After weeks of watching his team sputter on offense and struggle to hit shots consistently, Garfield head coach Andrew Olesky finally got to see things differently on Friday. Though, it did take three quarters for it to materialize. But once they got there, the G-Men […]

By Phil Keren Correspondent On Friday, Streetsboro ran into a Woodridge squad that was hungry to avenge a 22-point loss to the Rockets in December. The Bulldogs did exactly that, defeating the Rockets by 22, 63-41. After maintaining a single-digit lead through the first three quarters, Woodridge (10-5) outscored Streetsboro (12-3) 34-15 in the second […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, JAN. 24, 2025   BOYS BASKETBALL AURORA 54, BARBERTON 47 (At Barberton) AURORA (54) — Zach Pannetti 8 3 20; Brock Habbyshaw 1 2 4; Josh Harrell 2 0 5; Rui Goedert 4 0 10; Ryan Dwyer 1 0 3; Johnny Trivisonno 4 0 10; Luke Hilditch 1 0 2. Totals […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   When Curtis Black was hired as the new Kent Roosevelt boys basketball coach in June 2022, he had a blueprint to how he planned to revitalize the program. Of the many key components, one of the most important was to surround himself with a staff of coaches who […]

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 2024-25 STATISTICAL LEADERS BOYS BASKETBALL SCORING Player, School Average Preston Gedeon, Garfield 21.7 Carlos Bruton, Windham 21.3 Dekota Johnson, Crestwood 20.1 Cohen Richardson, Southeast 20.1 Jaden Dennison, Kent Roosevelt 16.6 Jordon Smith, Mogadore 15.6 Grady Eader, Field 15.3 Blake Mullaly, Rootstown 14.0 Curtis Ross, Ravenna 13.3 Jack Batten, Streetsboro 12.8 Brayden Ronowski, […]

The 1936 Mogadore High School football team won the fourth league championship in program history. The Wildcats finished the season with a 4-3-1 overall record. Some interesting facts about the early years of Mogadore football. • The first-ever game for the school was played in 1916. The school played just the one game that season, […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent ROOTSTOWN Despite several athletes being out due to sicknesses and injuries, the Rootstown girls wrestling team tied for 12th out of 39 teams with 46 points at the Orrville Invitational on Jan. 19. Parma Normandy won the championship with 242 points. “We even had a girl break her arm in her […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent ROOTSTOWN The Rootstown boys wrestling team captured the Division III championship of the Bill Dies Memorial Tournament on Jan. 17-18 at Akron Firestone. The Rovers finished sixth overall. Even though they were not able to fill four weight classes due to injuries and sicknesses, head coach Anthony Anderson believed his team should have […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, JAN. 20, 2025 GIRLS BASKETBALL CRESTWOOD 64, CARDINAL 37 (At Crestwood) CARDINAL (37) — Natalie Soltis 1 0-0 2; Ivy Kaminski 5 4-6 15; Emily Pleva 2 0-0 5; Brymley Kitzmiller 0 0-0 0; Camie Kitzmiller 0 0-0 0; Nova Young 2 3-4 8; Adelyn Grant 1 0-0 2; Olivia Krelos […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Red Devils are almost there. Eleven months ago, dejected from being eliminated from the postseason, the Crestwood girls basketball team immediately set program-defining goals for the 2024-25 season. Goal one: Win the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division championship. Goal two: Finish the league season undefeated. The goals […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Coaches in the Classroom” feature is a weekly series that spotlights and celebrates coaches throughout Portage County, who spend their days in the classrooms and hallways leading today’s student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today’s spotlight is on 19-year Kent Roosevelt girls basketball coach Craig Foreman, who is […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Mogadore girls basketball program’s identity changed the moment Amelia Morris and her freshmen teammates walked into the gym. Veteran head coach Jennifer Ritch felt it immediately. It was 2021 and the Wildcats were returning from an 8-14 overall record and lowly 2-10 league record the season before. […]

Susan Jenior Staff Writer For 19 bowling seasons, the Rootstown Rovers have hosted a high school bowling tournament at Spins Bowl in Kent that follows the format of the upcoming OHSAA sectional tournaments. This season saw more than 55 teams in two days compete with Division-I teams on Saturday and Division-II teams on Sunday. The […]

SPRINGFIELD YOUTH GIRLS BASKETBALL LEAGUE SUNDAY, JAN. 19, 2025     SCORES THIRD GRADE Field Red 18, Cloverleaf 8 Waterloo 6, Manchester Red 4 Ravenna Blue 13, Rootstown White 8 Coventry White 14, Field Black 8 Southeast 25, Springfield 8 Rootstown Blue 22, Ravenna 3 Tallmadge 13, Coventry Blue 11 Mogadore 11, Norton 5   […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, JAN. 18, 2025     BOYS BOWLING 19th ROOTSTOWN ROVERS SECTIONAL PREVIEW TOURNAMENT (At Spins Bowl, Kent) TEAM STANDINGS Boardman 4,285; Cuyahoga Falls 4,088; Twinsburg 3,964; GlenOak 3,809; Hoban 3,557; Austintown Fitch 3,542; Kent Roosevelt 3,371; North Canton 3,356; Tallmadge 3,279; Nordonia 3,189; Streetsboro 3,163; North Olmsted 3,162; Stow 3,085; Hudson […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   If the Windham boys basketball team was paying close attention on Friday, they learned that they are capable of finding a way to win even on nights when they are not at their peak. As the season approaches its final weeks and the postseason awaits, it is an […]

By Phil Keren Correspondent A balanced scoring attack combined with an aggressive defense that created turnovers propelled Aurora to a hard-fought 62-59 win over Kent Roosevelt on Friday. Aurora head coach Cody Calhoun was pleased to see his team unite and win a tightly contested game. Though it’s mid-January, the Greenmen leader noted the players […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, JAN. 17, 2025     GIRLS BASKETBALL SOUTHEAST 35, NEWTON FALLS 26 (At Newton Falls) SOUTHEAST (35) — Lylia Lavigna 0 0-0 0; Sarah Craver 0 0-0 0; Claire Dillner 0 0-0 0; Alex Hrkach 0 0-0 0; Kristen Campbell 0 2-4 2; Natalie Campbell 0 0-0 0; Bailey Morris 4 […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced Thursday that its Board of Directors voted unanimously to expand postseason tournament divisions for both track and field and cross country. For track and field, the divisions will expand from three to five. For cross country, the divisions will expand from […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent   STREETSBORO As usual, Streetsboro sophomore Jarreau Walker led the charge for the Rockets on Jan. 9 against Field and Woodridge in a double dual meet that was hosted by Norton. Walker won both of his matches in the 113-pound weight division – by pin over a Field opponent and 1-0 […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent Kent Roosevelt hosted a successful Alumni Night tri-meet Jan. 9 in defeating Cuyahoga Falls 53-18 and Mogadore 44-36. Pacing the Rough Riders were double-winners Michael Hanley, a freshman in the 126-pound weight class, junior Gavin Edwards, a junior at 157, and senior heavyweight Noah Dunlap. “Michael had a really good day,” […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent Aurora head coach Jeremy Johnson’s goal for his team was to win the eight-team American Conference championship in the Suburban League Tournament on Jan. 11 at Medina Highland. The Greenmen finished runner-up, but Johnson will take it. “We were pleased with our team’s overall performance,” he said. “I thought we wrestled […]

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 2024-25 STATISTICAL LEADERS BOYS BASKETBALL SCORING Player, School Average Preston Gedeon, Garfield 23.2 Carlos Bruton, Windham 21.3 Dekota Johnson, Crestwood 20.1 Cohen Richardson, Southeast 20.1 Grady Eader, Field 15.7 Jordon Smith, Mogadore 15.6 Jaden Dennison, Kent Roosevelt 15.6 Blake Mullaly, Rootstown 14.2 Brock Habbyshaw, Aurora 13.5 Curtis Ross, Ravenna 13.3 Jack Batten, […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, JAN. 15, 2025     GIRLS BASKETBALL CRESTWOOD 50, LOUISVILLE 48 (At Crestwood) LOUISVILLE (48) — C. Barwick 8 4-4 20; R. Biery 1 1-1 3; M. Baker 5 2-2- 16; M. Kiko 1 0-0 2; H. Miglich 1 0-0 2; E. Tillet 1 3-5 5; Manko 0 0-0 0. Totals […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent To say that wrestling runs in the Skonieczny family is an understatement.  It’s in the blood. Mark Skonieczny is in his second season as the head coach at Streetsboro, is in his ninth season overall as a head coach and, including as an assistant, has been at it for 30 years. […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Coaches in the Classroom” feature is a weekly series that spotlights and celebrates coaches throughout Portage County, who spend their days in the classrooms and hallways leading today’s student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today’s spotlight is on second-year Aurora High School boys basketball coach Cody Calhoun, who […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, JAN. 14, 2025     BOYS BASKETBALL CANTON CENTRAL CATHOLIC 85, LAKE CENTER CHRISTIAN 56 (At Lake Center Christian) CANTON CENTRAL CATHOLIC (85) — Minnie 1 0-0 3; Bowling 2 1-1 5; Sciarerretti 2 0-0 4; Cook 3 2-2 10; Miller 2 2-2 6; Tabellion 2 0-0 5; Lu. Vlacovsky 14 […]

HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING SUBURBAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS AMERICAN CONFERENCE SATURDAY, JAN. 11, 2025 TEAM STANDINGS  1. Highland 446; 2. Aurora 418; 3. Barberton 264; 4. Revere 227.5; 5. Kent Roosevelt 218; 6. Tallmadge 131; 7. Copley 120; 8. Cuyahoga Falls 90.5.   INDIVIDUAL RESULTS 106 POUNDS 1st Place Match Lucas Schulz (Brecksville-Broadview Heights) 22-7, . over […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The end does not have a date stamped onto it yet. Whenever it does, though, Kelsey Bittecuffer is already convinced that it will not have been long enough. The Rootstown girls basketball standout is playing inside her final weeks of high school basketball. It is a heavy thought for […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, JAN. 13, 2025     GIRLS BASKETBALL CRESTWOOD 52, PAINESVILLE HARVEY 12 (At Crestwood) HARVEY (12) — Kilah Synder 0 0-0 0; Jaz Miller 0 0-0 0; Dede Crawford 1 2-4 4; DeYonna Jackson 1 1-2 3; Haleigh Lewis 1 1-4 3; DeJeira Germany 0 0-0 0; Jayla Holloway 1 0-0 […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SUNDAY, JAN. 12, 2025     BOYS BASKETBALL SATURDAY CRESTWOOD 44, BERKSHIRE 39 (At Crestwood) CRESTWOOD (44) — Brody Durham 2 6-8 11; Augie Schweickert 1 0-0 2; Dekota Johnson 6 3-6 18; James Durham 1 1-2 3; Steven Lincoln 2 0-0 6; Bryce Giel 0 0-0 0; Jake Eyerman 1 0-1 […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   SEEING DOUBLE IN THE GARDEN SPOT LEAGUE What is better than watching a perfect game rolled in league play? Watching two perfect games tossed during the league. That is what happened in the Garden Spot League as Nick Williams and Maximus Madden each tossed the 12 strikes needed for […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer The Streetsboro Rockets welcomed Coventry to Kent Lanes and split a match, with the Streetsboro girls earning a victory and the Rockets’ boys just missing a victory. Streetsboro’s girls finished their match with 1,865 as Coventry put the games and Bakers together for a 1,469 final score. The Rockets were […]

SPRINGFIELD YOUTH GIRLS BASKETBALL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD SUNDAY, JAN. 12, 2025     SCORES THIRD GRADE Ravenna Blue 9, Waterloo 8 Tallmadge 24, Southeast 3 Manchester Red 8, Rootstown Blue 2 Field Red 18, Rootstown White 12 Field Black 19, Cloverleaf 9 Coventry Blue 13, Norton 9 Coventry White 13, Ravenna 6 Mogadore 12, Springfield 7 […]

By Phil Keren Correspondent   Windham converted plenty of turnovers into baskets in an intense, fast-paced 71-68 win over Fairport Harding on Friday. Bombers head coach Cody Apthorpe said he thought the victory over a talented squad will boost his team’s spirits. “For the kind of year that we have had, that was a very […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   It’s difficult to think that a coach in his 36th year would still have some “firsts” that have yet to be check-marked by now. Russ Swartz found one on Friday. After a sluggish start to begin his Wildcats’ Portage Trail Conference matchup with Rootstown, he angrily ripped through […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, JAN. 10, 2025     GIRLS BASKETBALL FIELD 73, RAVENNA 37 (At Ravenna) FIELD (73) — Mckayla Miller 0 2-2 2; Abby Harlin 3 0-0 8; Delilah Rahe 10 1-3 23; Tia Ulrich 1 0-0 3; Maddie Jacobs 8 0-0 22; Ally Harlin 4 1-4 9; Sarah Balzer 2 0-0 4; […]

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 2024-25 STATISTICAL LEADERS     BOYS BASKETBALL SCORING Player, School Average Preston Gedeon, Garfield 22.8 Carlos Bruton, Windham 21.3 Dekota Johnson, Crestwood 20.6 Cohen Richardson, Southeast 20.1 Grady Eader, Field 16.2 Jordon Smith, Mogadore 15.6 Blake Mullaly, Rootstown 14.8 Jaden Dennison, Kent Roosevelt 14.5 Brock Habbyshaw, Aurora 13.5 Aidan Hill, Garfield 13.3 […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent The 11 Portage County boys wrestling teams competed in the Portage County Tournament Jan. 4 at Ravenna High School. The following are the team rankings from 1 through 11 and the highlights for each team. 1. ROOTSTOWN, 182 POINTS Rootstown was dominant all day long. For the most part, the Rovers […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, JAN. 8, 2025   GIRLS BASKETBALL ROOTSTOWN 61, WARREN JFK 43 (At Rootstown) WARREN JFK (43) — Ryley Lawrecne 1 2-2 5; Didi Ryan 4 1-4 10; Gianna Pompelia 2 6-11 10; Aniyah Johnson 1 0-0 2; Addy Odille 5 2-5 12; Hannah Meyers 1 2-6 4. Totals 14 13-28 43. […]

HIGH SCHOO SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, JAN. 7, 2025     GIRLS BASKETBALL SOUTHEAST 47, BROOKFIELD 11 (At Southeast) BROOKFIELD (11) — M. Norris 2 0-0 5; Lilly Randall 0 0-0 0; . Craig 1 0-0 3; M. Fisher 1 0-0 3; A. Ninters 0 0-0 0; A. Lapikas 0 0-0 0; B. Montgomery 0 0-0 0; […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor     The “Coaches in the Classroom” feature is a weekly series that spotlights and celebrates coaches throughout Portage County, who spend their days in the classrooms and hallways leading today’s student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today’s spotlight is on third-year Windham High School boys basketball coach Cody Apthorpe, […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   When it comes to basketball, there never really is an off-season for Sydney Abbuhl. Pick a month and a ball is probably in the hands of the Streetsboro senior shooting guard. Not because of a hyper-structured schedule of games and training sessions, though, like so many coaches feel […]

By George Belden Portage Sports Contributor   The Windham High School Athletic Hall of Fame will induct two new members on Friday night as part of its Class of 2024. The Windham Hall of Fame has inducted new members since 1995, with the Hall of Fame growing to 113 members following the induction of the […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   As bowling teams begin their schedules in January, many may be looking ahead to the OHSAA tournaments with a nod to earning a trip to state. Teams and individuals representing schools in Portage County have done very well at the state level and are looking again to reach the […]

MIDDLE SCHOOL WRESTLING PORTAGE COUNTY TOURNAMENT (At Ravenna High School) TEAM STANDINGS  1. Streetsboro 247; 2. Crestwood 66; 3. Aurora 156; 4. Southeast 108; 5. Field 87.5; 6. Mogadore, Rootstown 67; 8. Ravenna 57; 9. Garfield 53.5; 10. Kent Roosevelt 49; 11. Waterloo 23.   INDIVIDUAL RESULTS 80 POUNDS First place: Huffman, Crestwood, 3-0 Second […]

HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING PORTAGE COUNTY TOURNAMENT (At Ravenna High School) TEAM STANDINGS  1. Rootstown 182; 2. Aurora 158; 3. Streetsboro 148.5; 4. Crestwood 130.5; 5. Kent Roosevelt 122; 6. Garfield 108.5; 7. Southeast 83.5; 8. Field 74; 9. Mogadore 73; 10. Waterloo 54; 11. Ravenna 8.   Photo credits: Shannon Eldreth/Special to Portage Sports   […]

By Susan Jenior Correspondent   The Portage County USBC is hosting the Handicap Singles Tournament at Spins Bowl in Kent on Jan. 26. The tournament begins at 10 a.m. Entry forms are available at all Portage County bowling lanes or may be downloaded or copied on the Portage County USBC’s Facebook page.   THE BEST […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, JAN. 4, 2025     GIRLS BASKETBALL CHIPPEWA 47, STREETSBORO 45 (At Streetsboro) CHIPPEWA (47) — Elena Moyer 4 0-0 8; Lucy Goorich 0 0-0 0; Myra Lewis 1 0-0 2; Bree Regan 3 0-0 8; Aira Regan 5 5-7 19; Delaney Marshall 2 3-3 7; Emme Donnelly 1 0-0 3. […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, JAN. 3, 2025     GIRLS BASKETBALL STREETSBORO 52, FIELD 40 (At Field) STREETSBORO (52) — Olivia Johnson-Wilson 3 0-2 6; Sydney Abbuhl 4 0-0 8; Raegan Hendon 4 0-2 8; Naomi Benson 9 1-2 19; Ava Bodovetz 1 0-0 2; Carlee Bedford 3 1-2 9. Totals 24 2-8 52. FIELD […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Streetsboro Rockets girls basketball team’s road victory at Field on Friday was shared in multiple directions. Individually, it was a historical night for senior Naomi Benson, who became the program’s career scoring leader. As a team, the Rockets improved their strong hold as the front-runner to win […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Basketball games are filled with all kinds of winning plays. The most noticeable are the points scored and while those hold a high level of importance, they are not the only plays that have an impact on wins and losses. There are many, many more. And most have […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, JAN. 2, 2025 ICE HOCKEY KENT ROOSEVELT 5, OLMSTED FALLS 4 (At Olmsted Falls) ROOSEVELT 3-1-1—5 OLMSTED 1-1-2—4 SCORING SUMMARY FIRST PERIOD OF — Simons (Thome), 3:20 KR — Ucadze (Geist), 3:40 KR — Geist (Ucadze, Morelos), 10:41 KR — Stevenson (Catalucci, Simms), 13:35 SECOND PERIOD OF — Labib (Katona), 10:00 […]

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 2024-25 STATISTICAL LEADERS     BOYS BASKETBALL SCORING Player, School Average Preston Gedeon, Garfield 23.7 Dekota Johnson, Crestwood 20.1 Jaden Dennison, Kent Roosevelt 18.0 Jordon Smith, Mogadore 17.2 Blake Mullaly, Rootstown 16.9 Grady Eader, Field 16.9 Jaden Dennison, Kent Roosevelt 15.7 Brock Habbyshaw, Aurora 13.5 Aidan Hill, Garfield 13.0 James Durham, Crestwood […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Basketball games are filled with all kinds of winning plays. The most noticeable are the points scored and while those hold a high level of importance, they are not the only plays that have an impact on wins and losses. There are many, many more. And most have nothing […]

BOYS BASKETBALL UPDATED STANDINGS PORTAGE TRAIL CONFERENCE Warren JFK 5-2, 2-0 Lake Center Christian 6-1, 1-0 St. Thomas Aquinas 1-5, 1-1 Mogadore 3-4, 0-1 Rootstown 2-7, 0-2     METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE Streetsboro 8-3, 6-0 Coventry 9-2, 5-1 Woodridge 4-3, 4-2 Norton 4-5, 4-2 Cloverleaf 6-3, 3-3 Field 3-6, 1-5 Ravenna 2-8, 1-5 Springfield 0-9, […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor It has been about two-and-a-half years since I first introduced Portage Sports. Since the very first day, the amount of support has not only been amazing, but it has continued to grow. So has the audience of readers. Thank you! It continues to be a very special career for […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Coaches in the Classroom” feature is a weekly series designed to spotlight and celebrate coaches throughout Portage County, who spend their days in the classrooms and hallways leading today’s student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today’s spotlight is on 11th year Mogadore High School girls basketball coach Jennifer […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent   Crestwood sophomore wrestler Rocco Wrobel put up a good fight in the 113-pound championship match in the Kenston Invitational Tournament at Kenston High School before falling 9-4 to an opponent from Ontario High School. The tourney was held Dec. 27-28. “The kid Rocco lost to in the finals, I believe, […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   It didn’t take long for Alex Simms to fall in love with hockey. “The moment I stepped onto the ice for the first time, I knew right away that I wanted to play,” the Kent Roosevelt senior forward said. At the time of that memory, Simms was just […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, DEC. 30, 2024     BOYS BASKETBALL CRESTWOOD 78, RAVENNA 44 (At Crestwood) RAVENNA (44) — Sean Jordan 1 0-0 2; Bryant Thompson 0 0-0 0; Curtis Ross 8 0-1 16; Tykwon Ward 3 0-0 8; Nigil Williams 2 0-0 4; Jaxon Kelly 2 2-4 6; Ladarion Askew 0 0-0 0; […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Conner Hunt continues to author a decorated high school track and field career. The latest honor for the Garfield junior came on Dec. 16 when he was named to the annual United States Paralympics Track and Field High School All-American team. Only 46 high school student-athletes in the […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Streetsboro High School girls basketball team made state history on Friday, playing in Ohio’s first-ever game that included a shot clock. The Rockets edged Ellet, 70-68, in the game played at the Canton Memorial Field House, with senior Naomi Benson hitting the game-winning shot with 18 seconds […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   KENT ROOSEVELT The girls and boys bowling teams have enjoyed competition across the Suburban League throughout December. The Riders’ girls are 2-4 in matches, with victories over Copley (1,292-1,287) and Barberton (1,491-1,061). The boys, in their last six matches, boast a 4-2 record. The most recent match against Copley […]

The 1999 Field High School boys track and field 4×800 relay team won the OHSAA’s Division II state championship, as well as winning the Portage County League title. The relay team featured Charlie Walker, Mike Hall, Mike Shriner and Nate Hutchison. The quartet finished the race in 7:57.81 to best the runner-up time of 7:58.08 […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, DEC. 28, 2024     BOYS BASKETBALL LAKE CENTER CHRISTIAN 56, CHIPPEWA 43 (At Chippewa) LAKE CENTER CHRISTIAN (56) — Hernandez 1 0-0 2; Coblentz 1 0-0 2; Harper 2 2-4 6; Zook 10 5-5 29; Hulse 3 1-2 7; Rainieri 1 2-5 4; Stokes 2 0-0 4; Caudle 1 0-0 […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   As bowling lanes look toward celebrating New Year’s Eve with fun events for adults and families, bowling leagues are still in vacation mode with some bowling and a few delayed through the holidays. A few highlights this week in area leagues included: Lisa Osborne leading the women in the […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Small town Portage County basketball is headed to small town Indiana. On Saturday, the Garfield and Waterloo boys basketball teams will play at Hoosiers Gym in Knightstown, Ind., the famous home gym from the 1986 movie “Hoosiers.” “The idea actually crossed our minds about 2 years ago,” Garfield […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   After watching a season of sluggish first halves a year ago, head coach Curtis Black challenged his Kent Roosevelt boys basketball team with new expectations. For 2024-25, the third-year mentor wanted more from his team. He wanted enthusiasm. He wanted energy. He wanted focus. Two days after Christmas, […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, DEC. 27, 2024     BOYS BASKETBALL CRESTWOOD 67, LABRAE 47 (At LaBrae) CRESTWOOD (67) — Brody Durham 0 0-0 0; Augie Schweickert 2 0-0 4; Dekota Johnson 10 1-1 28; James Durham 9 0-0 18; Steven Lincoln 3 0-0 9; Bryce Giel 1 0-0 3; Jake Eyerman 0 0-0 0; […]

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 2024-25 STATISTICAL LEADERS     BOYS BASKETBALL SCORING Player, School Average Preston Gedeon, Garfield 23.7 Dekota Johnson, Crestwood 21.0 Jaden Dennison, Kent Roosevelt 18.0 Jordon Smith, Mogadore 17.2 Blake Mullaly, Rootstown 16.9 Grady Eader, Field 16.9 Jaden Dennison, Kent Roosevelt 15.7 Brock Habbyshaw, Aurora 14.8 Aidan Hill, Garfield 13.0 Brody Durham, Crestwood […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent     The Kent Roosevelt boys wrestling team produced three individual champions Dec. 23 in the Fort Frye Tournament at Fort Frye High School. Freshman Jacob Dunfee and sophomore Carter Fertig each went 3-0 in the 106-pound weight division and at 120, respectively. Junior Gavin Edwards won all five of his matches […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   This is a story I have wanted to write for several years, but honestly, getting a handle on the outstanding accomplishments of Herb Page in one telling is almost impossible. The accomplished player, outstanding coach, popular and successful golf-course manager and owner, Halls of Fame inductee and advisor to […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Coaches in the Classroom” feature is a weekly series designed to spotlight and celebrate coaches throughout Portage County, who spend their days in the classrooms and hallways leading today’s student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today’s spotlight is on second-year Southeast High School girls basketball coach Ashley Callihan, […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, DEC. 23, 2024   BOYS BASKETBALL STREETSBORO 50, KENSTON 41 (At Streetsboro) KENSTON (41) — Sam Rogers 0 1 1; Jackson Allota 2 0 5; Eli Ellis 4 0 11; Braelyn Akins 2 1 5; Chris Collins 0 1 1; Mason Schurr 5 3 16; Luke Stupica 1 0 2. Totals […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   During the week, the Rovers bested Howland 2,419 to 2,097 and then defeated Southington Chalker 2,532 to 1,967. During both matches, Sean Boveington led the way for the Rovers, smashing the pins for a 248 high game and a 475 two-game set against Howland and upping his game against […]

By Jim Smith Correspondent Whenever a sports team is crowned the champion of a tournament, it is an exciting moment. But when a team wins a memorial tournament in which the namesake of the event was a beloved Theodore Roosevelt teacher, community member and hockey enthusiast, the experience becomes incredibly emotional. Such was the scene […]

By Phil Keren Correspondent   Strong shooting and a tenacious defense were key factors in Field’s 76-40 win over previously undefeated Garfield on Saturday afternoon. “Everything absolutely clicked today,” said second-year Field head coach Alex Blake. “Our guys were sitting here, zoned in, locked in and they just came out ready to go.” While the […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   The 2024-25 Kent Roosevelt High School swimming and diving season preview.     Head Coach: Corey Spicer, fourth season for both girls and boys swimming teams. Assistant coaches are Carol Bender, Sarah Cook, Justin Barzellato, Nicholas Spicer and, for diving, Kameron MacLean. Last Year: “Our girls and boys teams […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, DEC. 21, 2024 BOYS BASKETBALL HUDSON 38, STREETSBORO 35 (At Streetsboro) HUDSON (38) — Josh Zaffrann 1 0 2; Louise Castellarin 1 1 3; Caleb Fitz 3 0 7; Fisher Zappone 0 2 2; Jayden Carlton 8 2 19; Max Luker 1 0 2. Totals 14 5 38. STREETSBORO (35) — […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   There weren’t many answers for the Rootstown boys basketball team’s offense on Friday night. The Lake Center Christian Tigers made sure of that. The Tigers put on a defensive showcase that started from the opening tip, fueled a 16-0 first-quarter lead and continually eliminated any chance for the […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, DEC. 20, 2024   BOYS BASKETBALL HIGHLAND 62, AURORA 58 (At Aurora) HIGHLAND (62) — Weber 1 0 3; Dobkowski 1 0 2; Sooy 2 0 5; Radigan 5 3 15; Butcher 8 6 27; Kraus 4 2 10. Totals 2111 62. AURORA (58) — Zach Pannetti 6 1 13; Brock […]

By Phil Keren Correspondent   A strong second quarter propelled Streetsboro to a 63-51 Metro Athletic Conference win over Field on Thursday night in Brimfield. Rockets head coach Nick Marcini said he was glad to earn a victory against a well-coached team in a difficult environment. “Coming down here is a tough place to come in […]

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 2024-25 STATISTICAL LEADERS   BOYS BASKETBALL SCORING Player, School Average Preston Gedeon, Garfield 26.2 Dekota Johnson, Crestwood 21.0 Jordon Smith, Mogadore 18.5 Jaden Dennison, Kent Roosevelt 18.0 Blake Mullaly, Rootstown 17.8 Grady Eader, Field 16.1 Jaden Dennison, Kent Roosevelt 15.7 Aidan Hill, Garfield 13.2 Brock Habbyshaw, Aurora 13.0 Nick Stephenson, Mogadore 12.0 […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, DEC. 19, 2024   BOYS BASKETBALL COVENTRY 74, RAVENNA 42 (At Coventry) RAVENNA (42) — Sean Jordan 1 0 2; Bryant Thompson 1 2 4; Curtis Ross 1 0 2; Jaxxon Kelly 5 0 10; Ladarion Askew 1 1 3; Braylon Burks 3 3 9; Connor Welling 3 0 9; Mark […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent   ROOTSTOWN The Rootstown wrestling team had quite a day Dec. 14 in capturing the team championship of the Cardinal Huskies Russ Ward Memorial at Middlefield Cardinal High School. The Rovers totaled 292.5 points in the 15-team competition. Fairless finished second with 222 points, and Firelands was third with 210 points. […]

The Field Falcons won the 1998 Portage County League championship, with junior pitcher Lisa Betts leading the way as the league’s Player of the Year. The Falcons totaled three players on the All-PCL First Team, with Ashley Ball and Beth Wright joining Betts. Head coach Ray Dickerhoof was named the PCL’s Coach of the Year. […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, DEC. 18, 2024 GIRLS BASKETBALL RAVENNA 40, GARFIELD HEIGHTS 35 (At Ravenna) GARFIELD HEIGHTS (35) — Stacia Mobley 5 1-8 14; Ja’Liah Seats 0 0-0 0; Dream Lowe 0 1-2 1; Logan Price 2 0-0 6; Saniya Koonce 0 0-0 0; Alexandria Roundtree 1 0-4 2; Swinmer Raines 2 0-0 4; […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The basketball train that is currently barreling through Crestwood is now moving at high speeds. That wasn’t always the case, though. At one point, the train was stuck at the depot. That was back in 2021-22. In that season, the Red Devils’ boys basketball team struggled through their […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, DEC. 17, 2024     BOYS BASKETBALL ST. JOHN 71, WINDHAM 66 (At St. John) WINDHAM (66) — Jayquon Smith 1 0-0 2; Dylan McCune 4 1-3 10; Carlos Bruton 9 1-4 25; Brandon Petrich 2 1-4 5; Nick Hopper 2 1-1 5; Dejuan Ramsey 0 0-0 0; Brian King 2 […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, DEC. 16, 2024     GIRLS BASKETBALL KENT ROOSEVELT 58, FIELD 42 (At Field) KENT ROOSEVELT (58) — Grace Schoenberger 6 2-2 19; Mahlia Friedman 0 0-2 0; Danica Banks 0 0-2 0; Ava Elliot 1 0-0 3; Brooklynn Frank 0 2-2 2; Claire VanDamme 8 2-2 18; Julia Nash 6 […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   The season is young for the high-school bowling teams competing across lanes in Northeast Ohio, but many are already showing they are in mid-season form and looking toward the postseason tournaments hosted by the OHSAA.   SOLID START FOR THE ROCKETS The Streetsboro Rockets are off to a hopeful […]

YOUTH GIRLS BASKETBALL SCOREBOARD SPRINGFIELD YOUTH GIRLS BASKETBALL LEAGUE SUNDAY, DEC. 15, 2024 SCORES THIRD GRADE Tallmadge 17, Coventry White 16 Springfield 10, Ravenna 0 Norton 11, Manchester Red 3 Field Red 17, Mogadore 9 Rootstown Blue 21, Cloverleaf 12 Ravenna Blue 11, Coventry Blue 10 Field Black 11, Southeast 11 Rootstown White 14, Waterloo […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, DEC. 14, 2024     BOYS BASKETBALL ARTHUR LOUIS STEEL HOLIDAY SHOWCASE COVENTRY 90, MEDINA CHRISTIAN 72 (At Springfield High School) MEDINA CHRISTIAN (72) — Maletich 2 0 6; Malicoat 7 1 22; Tousley 1 0 3; Bolon 2 0 5; King 3 2 8; Walgate 5 6 17; Dorman 5 […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Leadership roles can always be forever growing. Even for a player like Julia Nash. The Kent Roosevelt senior point guard is already a four-year starter, team captain and school record-holder. On Friday night, though, her coach noticed her take another step forward in her maturation as a player — […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, DEC. 13, 2024     BOYS BASKETBALL SCOREBOARD Kent Roosevelt 59, Aurora 51 (2OT) Windham 69, Chalker 31 Lowellville 64, Waterloo 44 Warren JFK 72, Mogadore 43 St. Thomas Aquinas 61, Rootstown 44   KENT ROOSEVELT 59, AURORA 51 (2OT) (At Kent Roosevelt) AURORA (51) — Zach Pannetti 6 0-0 16; […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   On Military Appreciation Night, and a night when Kent Roosevelt graduate Adam Hamilton was remembered, it was fitting that when Brian Dugan was called into action, he was ready to deliver. The Rough Riders’ senior came off the bench for Friday’s game earlier than expected because of foul […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HEAD COACH John Foster 4th year     THE TEAM Coaching Staff: Bill Jackson, Deagan Foster, Tyler Brown, Rex Fryer. 2023-24 Record: 3rd at Malvern Tournament, 3rd at United Tournament, 5th at Waterloo D3 Classic, 4-5 dual-meet record. Returning Lettermen (6): Dublin Porter, Jeremiah Willis, Hayden Mays, Jack […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HEAD COACH Anthony Anderson 2nd year     THE TEAM Coaching Staff: Alan Marzec, Matt Damsa, Dan Gnabah, Nick Sladky. 2023-24 Record: Portage Trail Conference championship; Ashland Invitational champions; Bill Dies Tournament champions; Division III sectional champions. Returning Lettermen (9): Nick Malek, sr.; Nathan Lee, sr.; Dominic Duvall,s […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor     HEAD COACH Chris Dunfee 2nd year     THE TEAM Coaching Staff: Ryan Fankhauser, David Hollinger. Returning Lettermen (7): Noah Dunlap, sr.; Jeremiah Brumfield, sr.; Tobias Brunner, jr.; Gavin Edwards, jr.; Ethan Kurtz, jr.; Ethan Humbert,jr.; Carter Fertig, soph. Lettermen Lost (1): Nathaniel Cummings.     SEASON […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent   When Jarreau Walker won a Division II district championship in the 106-pound weight class last season as a Streetsboro freshman, he thought he was on his way to the state tournament in Columbus. “He would’ve won state in my opinion,” second-year Rockets head coach Mark Skonieczny said. However, Walker was […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor HEAD COACH Shane Kuberry 3rd year 22-20 career record THE TEAM Coaching Staff: Andy Mesaros, Mike Kemble, Mike Richeson, Barry Sapp, Shelton Morris, Owen Martin. 2023-24 Record: 13-10. 2023-24 Notable Placements: Dominic Kemble, Eastern Ohio Wrestling League champion and state qualifier; Returning district qualifiers: Braeden Martin, Cameron Dye, Dominic […]

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 2024-25 STATISTICAL LEADERS     BOYS BASKETBALL SCORING Player, School Average Preston Gedeon, Garfield 28.0 Dekota Johnson, Crestwood 20.7 Jordon Smith, Mogadore 18.5 Jaden Dennison, Kent Roosevelt 18.0 Brody Durham, Crestwood 13.3 Aidan Hill, Garfield 13.0 Jack Batten, Streetsboro 12.7 Brandyn Bogucki, Garfield 12.3 Nick Stephenson, Mogadore 12.0 Charles Ivory, Streetsboro 11.7 […]

FOOTBALL The Division I football All-Ohio team was announced Thursday by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association. The All-Ohio teams are based on nominations from the seven districts of the OPSMA, which vote on the all-district teams from regular-season accomplishments. DIVISION I ALL-OHIO Offensive Player of the Year: Matt Ponatoski, Cincinnati Moeller Defensive Player of […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, DEC. 12, 2024     BOYS BASKETBALL COVENTRY 64, FIELD 44 (At Coventry) FIELD (44) — Grady Eader 5 0-1 11; Alec Grimm 1 0-0 3; Landon Wilmoth 2 2-4 7; Brayden Ronowski 4 1-2 11; Joey Conroy 0 0-2 0; Be Stayer 2 4-8 8; Sam Confer 2 0-0 4. […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent The High School Wrestling Report is a weekly feature that will catch up with all of the noteworthy performances throughout Portage County from the last week. WATERLOO Waterloo freshman Kayne Smith had quite a day in his first high school wrestling match on Dec. 7 in a tournament at Malvern High […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor THE COACH Eric Kline 3rd year THE TEAM Coaching Staff: Shawn Bonfine, Maddison Davis, Brad Hager, Jeremiah Sanders, Michael Prikryl Jr., Shane Michael, Darshaun Sanders, Michael Prikryl, Sr. 2023-24 Record: 5-11 dual record. Returning Lettermen (6): Jayden Pudder, Deangelo Williams, Bradley Davis, Ryder Denning, Andrew Mladek, Carter Prisby. Lettermen […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, DEC. 11, 2024     BOYS BASKETBALL CRESTWOOD 73, BERKSHIRE 38 (At Crestwood) BERKSHIRE (38) — J. Patterson 0 1-2 1; A. Bowman 0 1-2 1; B. Verbic 3 0-0 7; L. Stute 1 1-1 3; M. Constantin 3 1-2 7; C. Beam 4 4-6 13; C. McGranahan 3 0-0 6; […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   THE COACH Duane Funk 13th year     THE TEAM Coaching Staff: Sherman Benedum, Joe Hancock. Returning Lettermen (11): Matthew Plum, sr.; Owen Roberts, sr.; Braeden Manley, sr.; Blake Hershberger, sr.; Kasey Pruitt, sr.; Troy Myers, sr.; Tyler Youngblood, sr.; Kasey Pruitt, sr.; Dylan Benedum, jr.; Matthew Trusky, […]

FOOTBALL The Division II and III football All-Ohio teams were announced Wednesday by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association. The All-Ohio teams are based on nominations from the seven districts of the OPSMA, which vote on the all-district teams from regular-season accomplishments.   DIVISION II ALL-OHIO Offensive Players of the Year: Keller Moten, Cuyahoga Falls […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, DEC. 10, 2024     BOYS BASKETBALL FIELD 71, SPRINGFIELD 34 (At Field) SPRINGFIELD (34) — Bolyard 0 2-2 2; Mason 1 0-0 2; Berger 4 0-6 9; Squibb 1 0-0 3; Severin 1 1-2 3; Bracken 3 0-0 7; Shrock 1 0-0 2; Leon 2 0-0 6. Totals 13 3-10 […]

FOOTBALL DIVISION IV AND V ALL-OHIO The Division IV and V football All-Ohio teams were announced Tuesday by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association. The All-Ohio teams are based on nominations from the seven districts of the OPSMA, which vote on the all-district teams from regular-season accomplishments.   DIVISION IV Offensive Players of the Year: […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, DEC. 9, 2024   GIRLS BASKETBALL ROOTSTOWN 70, FIELD 48 (At Field) ROOTSTOWN (70) — Colbie Curall 4 2-3 10; Addy Germann 9 0-0 24; Elliot Smallfield 1 3-4 5; Kelsey Bittecuffer 2 5-5 9; Cloe Bengston 4 6-12 15; Sasha Nichols 3 0-0 7; Sophi Smith 0 0-0 0. Totals […]

FOOTBALL DIVISION VI & DIVISION VII ALL-OHIO The Division VI and VII football All-Ohio teams were announced Monday by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association. The All-Ohio teams are based on nominations from the seven districts of the OPSMA, which vote on the all-district teams from regular-season accomplishments.   DIVISION VI ALL-OHIO Offensive Player of […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent   The Field boys wrestling team will try to improve on last year’s 2-5 Metro Athletic Conference record with, in the words of ninth-year head coach Dave Tenney, “a good group of seasoned wrestlers. This group of wrestlers has a go-get-’em attitude. They are dedicated to the sport, have a strong work ethic […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent   Tenth-year Garfield wrestling head coach Dan Andel realizes he has a very young team this season, but that does not mean a complete rebuild for the G-Men. “We’ve won three of the first four Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference tournament titles, including last year,” Andel said. “I feel we have a legitimate […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   KENT ROOSEVELT PREVIEW The Kent Roosevelt girls and boys teams are ready to compete this season with new coaches Al Petrosino (boys) and Eric Hartline (girls) leading the way. The JV team and assistant coaches are Ryan Horn and Cory Hartline. For Petrosino, it is his first season with […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   THE TEAM Head Coach: Dave Wrobel, 24th year, 215-144 career dual-meet record. Coaching Staff: Derek Wrobel, Marco Berquist, Conner Nemec, Phil Wrobel. 2023-24 Record: 7-8 dual meet, 2nd at Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division Tournament; 3rd at sectional tournament; 10th at district tournament. 2023-24 State Qualifiers: JP Wrobel, […]

By Roger Gordon Correspondent   A top-10 finish at the 2025 Division I state tournament is the ultimate goal for this season’s Aurora wrestling team. “Last season we were 16th or 17th,” third-year Greenmen head coach Jeremy Johnson said. “This season, top 10 means a successful season for us.” Four 2024 state tournament qualifiers — […]

SPRINGFIELD YOUTH GIRLS BASKETBALL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD SUNDAY, DEC. 8, 2024     SCORES THIRD GRADE Field Black 16, Ravenna 10 Tallmadge 16, Ravenna Blue 7 Coventry Blue 15, Waterloo 12 Rootstown Blue 17, Mogadore 9 Cloverleaf 19, Springfield 5 Coventry White 20, Southeast 4 Norton 16, Rootstown White 5 Field Red 12, Manchester Red 10 […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   PERFECTION STRIKES AGAIN No doubt, the bowlers in the Garden Spot League at Spins Bowl in Kent are talented. After three 300 games last week, perfection was achieved again this week in the league as Greg Cornell fired the highest game for the week. Cornell rolled the 300 on […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   Golfers were already making tee times for today and Monday at courses open all year as  temperatures were expected to be near 50 degrees. As duffers and low-handicap golfers alike are looking forward to playing golf throughout the winter when available, there are additional recognitions, awards and events happening […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   If the State Kick-Off Tournament is any indication, the Rootstown Rovers are going to have an outstanding season in the bowling lanes across Northeast Ohio and the state. The tournament, competing at HP Lanes in Columbus, is an invitation-only event that features 27 boys teams and 20 girls teams […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, DEC. 7, 2024     BOYS BASKETBALL COVENTRY 58, CANTON SOUTH 38 (At Canton South) COVENTRY (58) — Kennerly 11 1 25; McAfee 3 0 6; Meinen 2 2 7; Pauley 0 1 1; Stephens 3 0 6; Edwards 6 0 13. Totals 23 4 58. CANTON SOUTH (38) — Benison […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, DEC. 5, 2024   BOYS BASKETBALL CRESTWOOD 64, MOGADORE 31 (At Mogadore) CRESTWOOD (64) — Brody Durham 8 0-0 17; Augie Schweickert 0 0-0 0; Dekota Johnson 11 2-2 29; James Durham 5 0-1 10; Bryce Giel 1 0–0 3; Steven Lincoln 1 0-0 3; Jake Eyerman 0 0-0 0; Angelo […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Crestwood boys basketball team has all the chemistry a championship-level team would want, but every team reaches a point during the preseason when the monotony of training against each other starts to settle in. For the Red Devils, prior to Friday’s opener at Mogadore, they had been […]

By Phil Keren Correspondent   The Field girls basketball team battled through a tough, physical contest to edge Norton, 33-31, on Friday night. It was a special victory because the Falcons hadn’t defeated the Panthers on the hardwood in nearly a decade. “We didn’t play our best game, but to come out here and win feels […]

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 2024-25 STATISTICAL LEADERS   BOYS BASKETBALL SCORING Player, School Average Jordon Smith, Mogadore 18.5 Jaden Dennison, Kent Roosevelt 18.0 Charles Ivory, Streetsboro 14.0 Jack Batten, Streetsboro 13.0 Nick Stephenson, Mogadore 12.0 Karson Jaber, Mogadore 11.0 Demetri Blagojevic, Mogadore 11.0 REBOUNDS Player, School Average Nick Stephenson, Mogadore 12.0 Gavin Peeps, Kent Roosevelt 7.5 […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Delaney McMahon will forever be conflicted when she looks back on the 2024 high school girls soccer season. On one side, she experienced memories of a lifetime. Memories she will carry with her as some of the greatest of her athletic career. On the other side, as special […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, DEC. 4, 2024   BOYS BASKETBALL TUESDAY NORTON 61, RAVENNA 60 (At Ravenna) NORTON (61) — Hunter 6 3-6 16; Baker 2 0-1 4; Brown 1 0-2 2; Abernathy 1 1-2 4; Willig 4 9-13 17; Hardy 4 1-2 9; Goff 2 0-1 4; Martell 1 1-2 3; Gabriel 1 0-2 […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The season has yet to start and the Field Falcons have already made some wrestling history. The 2024-25 season will mark the inaugural campaign for the school’s girls wrestling program. The team was voted and approved as a varsity sport on Oct. 18 and head coach Mason Brainard, […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Coaches in the Classroom” feature is a weekly series that is designed to spotlight and celebrate coaches throughout Portage County, who spend their days in the classrooms and hallways leading today’s student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today’s spotlight is on Garfield High School girls basketball coach Aaron […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, DEC. 3, 2024     BOYS BASKETBALL SCOREBOARD Aurora 66, Hudson 62 (OT) Streetsboro 55, Coventry 33 Cloverleaf 70, Springfield 30 Woodridge 70, Field 48 Norton 61, Ravenna 60 Tulsa 54, Rootstown 37 North Royalton 72, Kent Roosevelt 49 Western Reserve 61, Southeast 43     BOX SCORES AURORA 66, HUDSON […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The 2024 high school football season was filled some historic achievements. From players to coaches to teams. Here is a look at some of the special performances and how they rank in Portage County history:   SINGLE-SEASON RUSHING      • Streetsboro’s Cohen Klimak rushed for 1,920 yards […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   In his 19 years as a head coach, Craig Foreman has seen some talented players. None, though, have been quite like Julia Nash. The Kent Roosevelt senior point guard has the ability to impact games in just about every way imaginable, but her most mesmerizing skill comes from […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer The Rootstown Rovers girls and boys teams were featured on Monday as the bowling season gets underway with tournaments and matches. The Rovers share their home lanes, Spins Bowl in Kent with the Ravenna boys and girls teams, as well as the Southeast girls. All three teams competed in the […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, DEC. 2, 2024     BOYS BASKETBALL CHIPPEWA 67, FIELD 50 (At Field) CHIPPEWA (67) — Hughes 3 0-0 8; Becht 3 0-0 6; Teloni 7 0-0 14; Helms 9 2-2 20; Adams 3 0-0 7; Marshall 3 0-0 6; Riggenbach 2 0-0 6. Totals 30 2-2 67. FIELD (50) — […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   Bowling season is finally here and teams in the greater Portage County area are just competing in their first tournaments and beginning matches as the month of December arrives. Portage Sports looks forward to sharing the outstanding results of the student-athletes competing in bowling throughout the season and will […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SUNDAY, DEC. 1, 2024     BOYS BASKETBALL SATURDAY NEWTON FALLS 50, RAVENNA 43 (At Newton Falls) RAVENNA (43) — Sean Jordan 0 0-2 0; Bryant Thompson 1 1-2 3; Curtis Ross 6 2-4 14; Tykwon Ward 0 3-6 3; Nigil Williams 6 1-3 13; Jaxon Kelly 4 2-2 10; Ladarion Askew […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HEAD COACH Cody Apthorpe 3rd year 23-25 career record     THE TEAM League: Northeastern Athletic Conference. Coaching Staff: Jeff Kiser, assistant; Terry Peterson, JV; Dave Apthorpe, freshman. 2023-24 Record: 8-15 overall; 6-6 NAC. Returning Lettermen (6): Carlos Bruton, sr.; Nick Hopper, sr.; Brandon Petrich, sr.; Dylan McCune, […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HEAD COACH Gavin English 1st year 0-0 career record     THE TEAM League: Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Scarlet Division. Coaching Staff: John Herchek, Joe Ganoe, Navarre Alhassan. 2023-24 Record: 15-7 overall; 11-3 MVAC. Returning Lettermen (4): Gage Hawley, Landon McClain, Trevor Simons, Luke Thomas. Lettermen Lost (4): […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HEAD COACH Nick Marcini 14th year 188-132 career record     THE TEAM League: Metro Athletic Conference. Coaching Staff: Bruce Thomas, Phil Starks, Tyler Shank, Stephen Laird, Ron Estes. 2023-24 Record: 15-10 overall; 10-3 MAC. Returning Lettermen (6): Jack Batten, sr.; Charles Ivory, sr.; Jackson Gula, sr.; Trevor […]

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL 2024 STATISTICAL LEADERS OFFENSE RUSHING Player, School Att.-Yards Cohen Klimak, Streetsboro 200-1,920 Nate Blasiole, Crestwood 253-1,871 Jack Eye, Windham 157-1,763 Drexal McAmis, Field 209-1,698 Bryer Pickana, Southeast 183-1,483 Carlos Bruton, Windham 111-1,141 Damien Reuting, Rootstown 185-1,015 Marcus Council, Streetsboro 80-933 Xavier Board, Aurora 123-902 Lucas Manderbach, Aurora 72-802 Brandyn Bogucki, Garfield 69-714 […]

FOOTBALL OHSAA State Championships Pairings Designated home team listed first.  All games at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton. All games live on Spectrum News 1 and OHSAA Radio Network. State Finals Coverage: https://www.ohsaa.org/Sports-Tournaments/Football/Football-2024/2024-OHSAA-Football-Playoffs-Coverage   DIVISION II Thursday, Dec. 5, 7:00 PM – Cincinnati Anderson (15-0) vs. Avon (15-0) DIVISION VII Friday, Dec. 6, […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer PERFECTION TIMES THREE The Garden Spot League has often set the standard for outstanding bowling. The men and women regularly bowl 250-plus games and 700-plus series. This week, the top of the leaderboard was crowded for high game as three perfect games were bowled by league members. Bryan Boveington, Jim […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HEAD COACH Matt Dillon 8th year     THE TEAM League: Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Grey Division. Coaching Staff: Zeddie Pollock, Doug Craver, Nick Dillon, Scott Garret, Terry Callihan. 2023-24 Record: 13-12 overall; 2-8 PTC. Returning Lettermen (4): Zack Keto, sr.; Austin Mejia, sr.; Joe Sharish, jr.; Cohen […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HEAD COACH Bobby Staudt 2nd year 5-18 career record     THE TEAM League: Portage Trail Conference. Coaching Staff: Chuck Palmer, assistant; Lucas Bitong, assistant; Joe Siciliano, JV. 2023-24 Record: 5-18 overall; 1-9 PTC. Returning Lettermen (5): Zach Hays, sr.; Landon Rodstrom, jr.; Blake Mullaly, soph.; Caleb Fillmore, […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HEAD COACH Marlon Jones 5th year 38-52 career record     THE TEAM League: Metro Athletic Conference. Coaching Staff: Davante McKinney, Michael Boltz, Jordan Jones. 2023-24 Record: 4-19 overall, 2-12 MAC. Returning Lettermen (4): Bryant Thompson, sr.; Nigil Willams, sr.; CJ Ross, jr.; Jaxon Kelly, sr. Lettermen Lost […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HEAD COACH Russ Swartz 36th year (16th at Mogadore) 501-319 career record (279-113 at Mogadore)     THE TEAM League: Portage Trail Conference. Coaching Staff: Rod Swartz, JV; Anthony Ricci, assistant. 2023-24 Record: 21-4 overall; 9-1 PTC. Returning Lettermen (3): Nick Stephenson, sr.; Karson Jaber, sr.; Demitri Blagojevic, […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HEAD COACH Curtis Black 3rd year 20-27 career record     THE TEAM League: Suburban League American Conference. Coaching Staff: Rod Moxley Jr., Rich Graves, DJ Hickle, Will Yount. 2023-24 Record: 11-13 overall; 6-8 Suburban League. Returning Lettermen (5): Ryan Slocum, sr.; Carter Foreman, sr.; Jaden Dennison, sr.; […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HEAD COACH Andrew Olesky 14th year 147-159 career record     THE TEAM League: Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Grey Division. Coaching Staff: Matt Hill, assistant; Zack Smith, JV. 2023-24 Record: 8-16 overall; 5-9 Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference. Returning Lettermen (6): Nick Edic, sr.; Aidan Hill, sr.; Cade Rock, […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The worst feeling for a basketball coach is watching their team struggle to find answers to defend a player who suddenly finds themselves in the zone. It is a helpless feeling. Kent Roosevelt boys basketball’s Curtis Black, along with his staff, were living inside that moment on Friday […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor HEAD COACH Alex Blake 2nd year 4-19 career record THE TEAM League: Metro Athletic Conference. Coaching Staff: Nick Pollack, JV; Matt Farley, assistant; Jacob Gartner, assistant. 2023-24 Record: 4-19 overall; 2-12 Metro Athletic Conference. Returning Lettermen (7): Grady Eader, sr.; Ben Stayer, sr.; Landon Wilmoth, sr.; Brayden Ronowski, sr.; […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor HEAD COACH Josh Jakacki 23rd year 305-200 career record THE TEAM League: Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division. Coaching Staff: Bob Lieberth, assistant; Jake Lieberth, JV; David Mayle, assistant; Mason Jakacki, middle school. 2023-24 Record: 19-4 overall, 10-0 Chagrin Valley Conference. Returning Lettermen (10): Dekota Johnson, sr.; Augie Schweickert, sr.; […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HEAD COACH Cody Calhoun 7th year 46-89 career record     THE TEAM League: Suburban League American Conference. Coaching Staff: Austin Nupp, Tim Keyes, Adam Whitcare. 2023-24 Record: 12-11 overall, 6-8 Suburban League. Returning Lettermen (6): Brock Habbyshaw, sr.; Zach Pannetti, sr.; Ben Lukasik, sr.; Josh Harrell, jr.; […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HEAD COACH Jim Collins 7th year 40-133 career record     THE TEAM League: Northeastern Athletic Conference. Coaching Staff: Dougle Hankins, Tyler Collins, Larry Jones. 2023-24 Record: 11-12 overall; 9-4 NAC (league champs). Returning Letterwinners (4): Brielle Jones, jr.; TT McCall, jr; Skyler Bailey, jr.; Makenzi Blockinger, soph. […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HEAD COACH Carl Singer 10th year 124-94 career record     THE TEAM League: Metro Athletic Conference. Coaching Staff: Ira Campbell, Bryan Bedford, Scott Clark. 2023-24 Record: 23-5 overall, 13-1 MAC, district champions, regional runner-up. Returning Letterwinners (7): Naomi Benson, sr.; Sydney Abbuhl, sr.; Raegan Hendon, sr.; Carlee […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor     The other day, I saw one of the basketball players I coach in the hallway of the school during the regular school-day hours. Since they typically see me in the gymnasium during practice time, they were surprised I was there and asked, “Hey, what are you doing […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HEAD COACH Ashley Callihan 2nd year 10-14 career record     THE TEAM League: Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Grey Division. Coaching Staff: Hannah Harnar, Lisa McCann, Dean Dunlavy, Mike Stiles. 2023-24 Record: 10-14 overall; 2-6 PTC. Returning Letterwinners (7): Kristen Campbell, sr.; Claire Dillner, sr.; Kayla Grope, sr.; […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor HEAD COACH Joe Leonard 5th year 52-32 career record THE TEAM League: Portage Trail Conference. Coaching Staff: Brian Layton, assistant; Thano Kapolis, assistant; Angela Gibson, JV; Mike Fillmore, JV. 2023-24 Record: 22-3 overall; 8-0 PTC. Returning Letterwinners (6): Addy Germann, sr.; Kelsey Bittecuffer, sr.; Nadia Lough, sr.; Sasha Nicholas, […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HEAD COACH Courtney O’Donnell 3rd year 9-37 career record     THE TEAM League: Metro Athletic Conference. Coaching Staff: Ryan O’Donnell. 2023-24 Record: 4-19 overall; 1-13 MAC. Returning Letterwinners (5): Kamryn Clark, sr.; Jaylynn Walker, sr.; Miriyha Sandifer, jr.; Lou White, jr.; Jalysia Thompson, jr. Letterwinners Lost (2): […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Games were played during the week beginning November 18.   FIRST DIVISION Aurora vs Bio-Med postponed, new date TBD Round 1 Cloverleaf 270, Rootstown 70 Garfield 170, Southeast 165 Hudson 310, Brunswick 280 Round 2 Cloverleaf 320, Rootstown 140 Garfield 140, Southeast 115 Brunswick 325, Hudson 235     […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, NOV. 26, 2024 GIRLS BASKETBALL SCOREBOARD Field 60, Woodridge 25 Rootstown 70, Columbia 69 Streetsboro 51, Coventry 15 Norton 62, Ravenna 17 BOX SCORES ROOTSTOWN 70, COLUMBIA 69 (At Rootstown) COLUMBIA (69) — Cami Shackelton 1 1-2 3; Alyssa Goebel 6 0-0 14; Natalie Miller 6 2-2 18; Audrey Goebel 0 […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Coaches in the Classroom” feature is a weekly series that is designed to spotlight and celebrate coaches throughout Portage County, who spend their days in the classrooms and hallways leading today’s student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today’s spotlight is on Crestwood High School boys basketball coach Josh […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HEAD COACH Jen Ritch 11th year 113-122 career record     THE TEAM League: Portage Trail Conference. Coaching Staff: Bill Ritch, assistant; Ann Murphy, JV; Mike Murphy, assistant; Ashley Jarvis, middle school; Tom Pollock, middle school. 2023-24 Record: 13-12 overall; 3-5 PTC. Returning Letterwinners (10): Amelia Morris, sr.; […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HEAD COACH Craig Foreman 19th year 179-219 career record     THE TEAM League: Suburban League American Conference. Coaching Staff: Kate Swango, Jaclyn Mahoney, Jeremy Bish, Leah Reeves, Greta Wilker. 2023-24 Record: 11-13 overall, 2-12 Suburban League. Returning Letterwinners (7): Julia Nash, sr.; Danica Banks, sr.; Claire VanDamme, […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HEAD COACH Aaron Gilbert 18th year 242-161 career record     THE TEAM League: Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Grey Division. Coaching Staff: Andy Cardinal, Taylor Smith, Erica Jarvis. 2023-24 Record: 4-19 overall; 3-11 MVAC. Returning Letterwinners (8): Kolby Fresch, sr.; Juliana Genovese, sr.; Mandy Cardinal, jr.; Kaelyn Tasker, […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HEAD COACH John Misenko 9th year 115-76 career record     THE TEAM League: Metro Athletic Conference. Coaching Staff: Mariah Siedler, assistant; Tessa Ludwick, JV. 2023-2024 Record: 12-12 overall; 7-7 Metro Athletic Conference. Returning Letterwinners (10): Sarah Balzer, sr.; Gabby Berlin, sr.; Carlee Fafrak, sr.; Ally Harlin, sr.; […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   HEAD COACH T.J. Henderson 4th year 28-42 career record     THE TEAM League: Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division. Coaching Staff: Tom Henderson, assistant; Ashley Foulkes, JV. 2023-24 Record: 14-11 overall; 6-3 Chagrin Valley Conference. Returning Letterwinners (7): Hannah Ward, sr.; Maddie Dustman, sr.; Abby Guyette, sr.; Becca […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor     HEAD COACH Erika Greenberg 17th year 213-144 career record     THE TEAM League: Suburban League American Conference. Coaching Staff: Matt Witting, assistant; Trent Dalton, JV. 2023-24 Record: 18-7 overall; 8-6 Suburban League. Returning Letterwinners (8): Brooke Manav, sr.; Julia Miller, sr.; Charlotte Hart, sr.; Jenna Zuelch, […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, NOV. 25, 2024     GIRLS BASKETBALL CARDINAL 48, WINDHAM 14 (At Windham) CARDINAL (48) — N. Soltis 2 3-5 8; I. Kaminski 5 1-2 13; E. Pleva 3 0-0 7; B. Kitzmiller 0 1-4 1; N. Young 5 0-0 11; Q. Krebs 2 1-2 5; S. Lehr 1 0-0 3. […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced on Monday morning that high school basketball district and regional level tournament games will be played at Taft Coliseum at the Ohio Expo Center and State Fairgrounds located in Columbus. It has been 10 years since the historic multi-purpose arena has […]

SPRINGFIELD YOUTH GIRLS BASKETBALL SUNDAY, NOV. 24, 2024     SCOREBOARD THIRD GRADE Southeast 10, Ravenna 0 Mogadore 8, Field Black 6 Rootstown Blue 22, Rootstown White 11 Ravenna Blue 16, Norton 14 Coventry White 13, Cloverleaf 7 Field Red 13, Coventry Blue 10 Tallmadge 19, Waterloo 9 Manchester Red 15, Springfield 0     […]

FOOTBALL OHSAA State Semifinal Pairings All games on Friday, November 29, at 7 p.m. Designated home team region listed first. Pairings include regional seed. Winner of the first pairing listed is the designated home team in the state championship game. Division I State Semifinals – November 29 Lakewood St. Edward (9-5) vs. 1. Powell Olentangy […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   Thanksgiving week is here and, with that, some leagues will take the week off due to the holiday. Walk into any of the area lanes and you will also see teams enjoying their own group Thanksgiving event, while bowling with parties on the lanes during league time. It is […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   You might think golf season is over, but wait. Some people play in rain, snow, sleet and bone-chilling cold if the course permits and there are several golf courses that remain open throughout the winter in the greater Portage County area. Golf courses reported players this past week in […]

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, NOV. 22, 2024 GIRLS BASKETBALL SCOREBOARD Rootsotwn 65, Garfield 16 Copley 64, Streetsboro 60 Cloverleaf 52, Barberton 36 Windham 23, Campbell Memorial 19 Warren JFK 54, East 43 West Branch 45, Norton 41 BOX SCORES COPLEY 64, STREETSBORO 60 (At Streetsboro) COPLEY (64) — Evelyn McKnight 9 0-1 22; Audrey Parker […]

By Phil Keren Correspondent   The Rootstown girls basketball team used relentless defensive pressure and an uptempo offense in a dominant 65-16 opening night victory over Garfield on Friday. “The press is something that we work on,” said Rootstown head coach Joe Leonard. “Transition offense is also something we’re working on. It was all clicking.” […]

FOOTBALL The Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association All-Northeast Inland District football teams honor the top high school players from parts of Ashland, Columbiana, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Trumbull and Wayne counties. The teams are selected by a media panel from those areas. Players are listed with their height, weight and year:  Division I FIRST TEAM OFFENSE […]

The 1965 Rootstown High School wrestling team finished the season with a 5-4 record. The meet-by-meet results included: Kent State, 15-18 Marlington, 22-21 Crestwood, 12-28 Garfield, 34-11 Boardman, 18-17 Warren Harding, 35-6 Southeast, 5-44 Aurora, 11-23 Jackson, 23-12 The team, which was coached by John Demko, included: Front row left to right: D. Moulton, D. […]

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS TENNIS 2024 ALL-METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE     PLAYER OF THE YEAR Katarina Jovanovic, Norton COACH OF THE YEAR Ieva Balcus, Woodridge     FIRST TEAM Katarina Jovanovic, Norton, senior Whitney Holmes, Ravenna, senior Isabella Kohn, Woodridge, senior Brenna Carpenter, Cloverleaf, senior Addison Hovey, Woodridge, sophomore Mallory Bohan, Cloverleaf, senior Isabella Smole, Woodridge, […]

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS GOLF 2024 ALL-METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE     PLAYER OF THE YEAR Braden Gunter, Norton COACH OF THE YEAR Bruce Thomas, Streetsboro LEAGUE CHAMPION Norton, Streetsboro     FIRST TEAM Braden Gunter, Norton, freshman Brett Epple, Streetsboro, junior Zane Schreck, Cloverleaf, sophomore Trenton Shrock, Springfield, senior Matthew Fowler, Norton, senior Logan Porter, Springfield, […]

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS GOLF 2024 ALL-METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE   PLAYER OF THE YEAR Quinn Malarkey, Cloverleaf COACH OF THE YEAR Kevin Hanna, Springfield LEAGUE CHAMPION Cloverleaf     FIRST TEAM Quinn Malarkey, Cloverleaf, sophomore Addie Leonard, Cloverleaf, senior Mackenzie Boley, Field, senior Danielle Slack, Woodridge, senior Mackenzie Siewerth, Cloverleaf, senior Gia Regec, Woodridge, senior Brooke […]

By Jim Smith Correspondent   When Kent Roosevelt ice hockey’s Brad Edwards previews the 2024-25 season, his fifth as head coach, he is quick to mention the depth of talent on the roster. “This is by far the deepest bench I’ve ever had. Probably the deepest bench I have had since I was (coach) at […]

By Susan Jenior Staff Writer   The Portage County USBC hosted the annual Junior-Senior Trio Tournament at Sky Lanes, with 23 teams competing. Teams rolled three games and six Baker games. After everyone had competed, the team of Nick Toke, Brian Woodrum and Bradley Woodrum were crowned the champions. The team bowled a total 3,369 […]

HIGH SCHOOL BOWLING SCOREBOARD Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024 The high school bowling season is starting with athletes competing in pre-season tournaments. Both the Metro Athletic and the Suburban Conferences started their seasons on Saturday with athletes recording their first scores of the season. Watch for bowling previews this week in Portage Sports and outstanding scores […]

SPRINGFIELD YOUTH GIRLS BASKETBALL LEAGUE SUNDAY, NOV. 17, 2024     SCOREBOARD THIRD GRADE Cloverleaf 14, Southeast 10 Manchester Red 9, Field Black 4 Norton 15, Waterloo 6 Coventry Blue 16, Rootstown Blue 9 Rootstown White 15, Springfield 10 Field Red 22, Ravenna Blue 9 Coventry White 29, Mogadore 17 Tallmadge 28, Ravenna 3 FOURTH […]

FOOTBALL OHSAA Regional Final Playoff Pairings Pairings shown with regional seed. All games on Friday, November 22, at 7 p.m. Higher seeded team is the designated home team and listed first. Division I Region 1 Mentor (13-0) vs. 7. Lakewood St. Edward (8-5) at Bedford High School Bearcat Stadium Region 2 Centerville (10-3) vs. 8. […]

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Naomi Benson had narrowed it down to three: Illinois, Michigan and Virginia Tech. All that was left was for the Streetsboro senior girls basketball standout to make her official announcement. That reveal was made on Friday at Streetsboro High School in a special event set up in the […]

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FRIDAY, NOV. 15, 2024   OHSAA DIVISION III REGIONAL SEMIFINAL URSULINE 29, AURORA 10 (At North Canton Hoover’s Memorial Stadium) AURORA 0-0-10-0—10 URSULINE 0-6-3-20—29 SCORING SUMMARY FIRST QUARTER No scoring. SECOND QUARTER URS — Javey 20 pass from Ferrell (pass failed), 1:07 THIRD QUARTER AUR — Lukasik 5 pass from Dwyer (Dockman […]

By Phil Keren Correspondent   With many experienced players sidelined with injuries, Aurora faced an uphill battle in its Division III Regional Semifinal game against Youngstown Ursuline on Friday. And while the Greenmen ended up on the short end of a 29-10 score at North Canton Hoover High School Memorial Stadium, Aurora head coach Bob […]