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Basketball: New Rovers coach invites entire community to be part of rebuild

Tom Nader June 6, 2023

Baseball: 2023 All-Metro Athletic Conference

Tom Nader June 6, 2023

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Retirement calls for Mogadore’s Brumbaugh after 34 years

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor It was a two-week-old newspaper article that originally connected Rich Brumbaugh to Mogadore. The article announced the retirement of a business teacher in the district, which prompted Brumbaugh to pick up the phone and make a call to see if the position had been filled yet. “Can you come […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Tuesday, June 6, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 2023 COACH PITCH 2 SUFFIELD SLUGGERS 23, RAVENNA DESTROYERS 7 Top Hitters: (S) Ricky Emore, home run, double and two singles; Owen Geiger, two triples and two doubles; Killian Miller, three singles; Tucker Duma, three singles; Hunter Llewellyn, three singles; Easton Barton, two doubles; Brock Duma, two singles; Jacob […]

Basketball: New Rovers coach invites entire community to be part of rebuild

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Shortly after being named the new boys basketball coach at Rootstown High School, Bobby Staudt sat at his computer and put his emotions into words. What he crafted was a full-page letter to the township that outlined his excitement, his hope to connect with the community and his hope […]

Baseball: 2023 All-Metro Athletic Conference

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The All-Metro Athletic Conference baseball team for the 2023 season. The teams are selected through a process conducted by the league’s coaches. PLAYER OF THE YEAR Will Heisler, Woodridge     PITCHERS OF THE YEAR Brayden Clark, Coventry Mark Stewart, Cloverleaf     COACH OF THE YEAR Erik […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Monday, June 5, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2023 9U DIVISION SUFFIELD CHARGERS 16, LAKE BOMBERS 6 Top Hitters: (S) Jace Bachus, two singles and three RBI; Emerson Kisamore, two singles and two RBI. Top Pitchers: (S) Luka Royer, Jace Bachus.   10U DIVISION ROOTSTOWN RATTLERS 16, WINDHAM 5 Top Hitters: (R) Benjamin Bell, triple and two […]

Youth Softball Scoreboard: Monday, June 5, 2023

YOUTH SOFTBALL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, JUNE 5, 2023 COACH PITCH 2 SUFFIELD FALCONS 10, RAVENNA 5 Top Hitters: (S) Annabelle Nienhius, triple, single, three RBI and run; Aria Meyers, two singles, RBI and two runs; Kazssidy Bey, two singles and two runs; Carly Nader, three singles and run; Lilly Holzapfel, double, two singles and four RBI; […]

Boys Tennis: 2023 All-Metro Athletic Conference

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The All-Metro Athletic Conference boys tennis team for the 2023 season. The teams are selected through a process conducted by the league’s coaches. PLAYER OF THE YEAR Lucas Foote, Norton COACH OF THE YEAR Phil Seenes, Norton FIRST TEAM Lucas Foote, Norton, first singles, sophomore Ivan Vasich, Coventry, first […]

Track and Field: State Championships Scoreboard

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   A look at the final results of Portage County’s state qualifiers as the 115th OHSAA State Championships from Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus.   BOYS TRACK AND FIELD DIVISION I DIVISION II SHOT PUT 3. Jesse Grace, Garfield, 56 feet, 11 inches     110 HURDLES 5. […]

Garfield freshman Conner Hunt wins three seated state titles

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   It was 3-for-3 for Conner Hunt on Saturday. The Garfield freshman was perfect and the reward was large: Three state championships. Hunt bested the field in Division II in the seated 100, 400 and 800 meters at the Ohio High School Athletic Association state championships at Jesse Owens […]

Streetsboro’s Sobie wins seated shot put state championship

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The Streetsboro Rockets have a new champion. A state champion. Junior Milena Sobie won the seated shot put title on Friday’s first day of the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s state championships at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus. Sobie muscled a throw of 17 feet, 2 1/4 inches […]

Charles Auto Family’s Getting to Know: Ravenna athletic director Jim Lunardi

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Getting to Know” series was created for readers to learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today, we get to know Ravenna High School athletic director Jim Lunardi, who is in his eighth year as the […]

Girls Track and Field: 2023 All-Metro Athletic Conference

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The All-Metro Athletic Conference girls track and field team for the 2023 season. The teams are selected through a process conducted by the league’s coaches. TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Anna Rorrer, Woodridge   FIELD EVENT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Morgan Hallett, Norton   COACH OF THE YEAR […]

Boys Track and Field: 2023 All-Metro Athletic Conference

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The All-Metro Athletic Conference boys track and field team for the 2023 season. The teams are selected through a process conducted by the league’s coaches. TRACK ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Micah Schuster, Streetsboro   FIELD EVENT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Oliver Mayer, Woodridge   COACH OF THE YEAR […]

Softball: 2023 All-Metro Athletic Conference

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The All-Metro Athletic Conference baseball team for the 2023 season. The teams are selected through a process conducted by the league’s coaches.   PLAYER OF THE YEAR Madison Burkhart, Coventry   PITCHER OF THE YEAR Sydney Hillyard, Springfield   COACH OF THE YEAR Shane Curry, Springfield Wilmer Caraballo, […]

Youth Softball Scoreboard: Thursday, June 1, 2023

YOUTH SOFTBALL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2023 10U DIVISION KENT RIDERS 10, CHAGRIN FALLS 5 Top Hitters: (KR) Lily Ciolek, two singles; Sophie Manis, two singles; Lauren Moser, single; Shea Duncan, single; Evelyn Szygenda, single; Audrey Storley, single; Clara Reyes, single; Hali Rogers, single. Top Pitchers: (KR) Sophie Manis, six strikeouts; Lily Ciolek, nine strikeouts. […]

Youth Softball Scoreboard: Wednesday, May 30, 2023

YOUTH SOFTBALL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2023 COACH PITCH 2 ROOTSTOWN YUNBELIEVABLE SMILES 16, SUFFIELD RED HOTS 2 Top Hitters: (S) Emerson Trainer, home run; Raelyn Lambert, three singles; Ellie Peters, double and single; Camille Bowe, two singles; Taibor Appleby, single and run; Avery Bowman, single; Katelynn Boilanger, single; Lettie Lambert, single; Bella DiGeronimo, single. […]

Geddes earns POY honors to spotlight G-Men, Vikes on All-MVAC teams

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Garfield junior Eric Geddes was named the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Grey Division Player of the Year after a superb 2023 season. Geddes’ final numbers included a .406 batting average, 41 hits, 15 doubles, 34 RBI, 18 stolen bases and 29 runs scored. On the mound, Geddes was […]

Crestwood well represented on spring All-CVC teams

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Crestwood Red Devils recently celebrated 11 student-athletes that were named First Team All-Chagrin Valley Conference this spring for softball and boys and girls track and field. Girls track led the way for the Red Devils, with six different runners earning top league honors, including seniors Reagan Mory […]

Eye brothers highlight All-NAC for Windham baseball, softball

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Windham sophomore Jack Eye highlighted the spring All-Northeastern Athletic Conference team for the Bombers. Between the baseball and softball All-NAC teams, Jack Eye was the only First-Team selection from Windham. Eye finished the season with a .538 batting average, 23 hits, five doubles, 1 home run, 23 RBI, […]

G-Men boys, girls race toward another track and field title

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Entering the 2023 track and field season, there were plenty of questions for the Garfield G-Men. “After losing so many great athletes last year, you never truly know how your team will respond the following season,” coach Jim Pfleger said. That was the thought in February. By the […]

Youth Softball Scoreboard: Tuesday, May 30, 2023

YOUTH SOFTBALL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, MAY 30, 2023 COACH PITCH 2 ROOTSTOWN THUNDERDOGS 16, SUFFIELD BOWMAN 2 Top Hitters: (R) Reese Hensley, triple and two singles; Kennedy Spaulding, triple and two singles; Nora Kinter, double and two singles; Avery Miller, four singles and four runs.   12U DIVISION ROOTSTOWN BLUE CRUSH 11, JACKSON-MILTON DESALVO 0 Top […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Tuesday, May 30, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, MAY 30, 2023 COACH PITCH 1 GARRETTSVILLE GOLDEN EAGLES 9, BRIMFIELD SMITH 8 Top Hitters: (G) Collin Parker, three singles; Oliver Monroe, three singles; Paxton Christopher, double, two singles and two RBI; Zane Broadwater, four singles and two RBI; Patrick Murphy, three singles and two RBI; Grayson Allen, three singles and […]

1956 Rootstown High School wrestling

The 1956 Rootstown High School wrestling team posted an overall record of 5-5. The Rovers’ results were: 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 Rootstown […]

8th annual Bailey Simons Memorial Alumni Basketball Tournament set for June 17

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The eighth annual Bailey Simons Memorial Alumni Basketball Tournament will be held at Rootstown High School and Middle School on Saturday, June 17. The tournament is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. and will feature eight different teams. Two-time reigning champions Crestwood return for its quest at a […]

Track and Field: 2023 OHSAA State Championship Qualifiers

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor State qualifiers for the OHSAA State Championships that will be hosted at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus on June 2 and 3. The top-four placers advance to the state championships. DIVISION I YOUNGSTOWN REGIONAL • 100 Hurdles Lea Parham, Kent Roosevelt, placed third in 15.11 DIVISION II YOUNGSTOWN REGIONAL […]

Crestwood coach D’Amato, AD Spiker spark CVC’s football showcase

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The excited minds of Jack D’Amato and Troy Spiker helped spark the Chagrin Valley Conference’s first-ever college showcase. The event, which will hosted at Painesville Harvey’s Jack Britt Stadium, will be on Tuesday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. And it likely would not have materialized without Crestwood football […]

Youth Softball Scoreboard: Friday, May 26, 2023

YOUTH SOFTBALL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, MAY 26, 2023 COACH PITCH 1 SUFFIELD 4, BRIMFIELD 2 Top Hitters: (S) Radie Dunlap, two singles and double; Addison Rufener, three singles; Joslynn Alexander, two singles; Wilson, single; Mia Stutzman, single; Swigart, single.   SUFFIELD 8, GARRETTSVILLE 7 Top Hitters: (S) Joslynn Alexander, three singles; Addison Rufener, three singles; Radie […]

Youth Softball Scoreboard: Thursday, May 25, 2023

YOUTH SOFTBALL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 10U DIVISION ROOTSTOWN SCHLAUBACH INSURANCE 12, MARLINGTON 5 Top Hitters: (R) Addison Pinkney, double and two home runs (one being a grand slam). Top Pitchers: (R) Ryan Waesch, seven strikeouts; Reese Begue, six strikeouts; Addison Pinkney, two strikeouts.   12U DIVISION ROOTSTOWN BLUE CRUSH 21, KENT 2 Top […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Thursday, May 25, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 COACH PITCH 1 GARRETTSVILLE GOLDEN EAGLES 5, BRIMFIELD SCREAMING GOATS 1 Top Hitters: (G) Zane Broadwater, four singles; Collin Parker, three singles; Paxton Christopher, two singles; Patrick Murphy, two singles and RBI; Oliver Monroe, three singles and two RBI; Logan Holcomb, single and RBI; Grayson Allen, RBI.   […]

1989 Field High School boys soccer

The 1989 Field High School boys soccer team.

Charles Auto Family’s Getting to Know: Crestwood T&F coach Karlie Poole

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Getting to Know” series was created for readers to learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today, we get to know Crestwood High School girls track and field and cross country head coach Karlie Poole, who […]

May Promotion: Win a Jim Thome signed baseball

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The Portage Sports subscription promotion for May includes the opportunity to win a signed baseball by Cleveland Indians Hall of Famer Jim Thome. All new subscriptions in May, earn raffle tickets for the chance to win the ball signed by Thome. Annual subscriptions unlock 20 tickets for the raffle, […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Wednesday, May 24, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 2023 COACH PITCH 2 SUFFIELD SLUGGERS 15, RAVENNA DESTROYERS 7 Top Hitters: (S) Ricky Emore, two doubles, single and two RBI; Owen Geiger, two doubles, single and three RBI; Jacob King, three singles and two RBI; Tucker Duma, two singles, double and two RBI; Hunter Llewellyn, two singles and […]

Youth Softball Scoreboard: Wednesday, May 24, 2023

YOUTH SOFTBALL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 2023 COACH PITCH 2 ROOTSTOWN FIREHOUSE GRILLE AND PUB 23, WESTERN RESERVE HOLBEN 8 Top Hitters: (R) Izzy Battaglia, triple, double and two singles; Alexis Baglia, two triples and single; Chloe Davis, home run and two triples; Sylvia Harvey, home run, triple and single; Olivia Woolard, home run, triple […]

Callihan aligns passions by coaching basketball at Southeast

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The path to becoming a coach is different for everyone. For Ashley Callihan, it took an unfortunate injury for her to realize her passion for coaching. As a senior playing for Marietta College, Callihan tore her ACL and lateral meniscus during practice the night before her first game of […]

Youth Softball Scoreboard: Tuesday, May 23, 2023

YOUTH SOFTBALL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2023 COACH PITCH 1 WATERLOO 15, SUFFIELD 2 Top Hitters: (S) Radie Dunlap, two singles; Joslynn Alexander, two singles; Addison Rufener, two singles; Harper Thornburg, two singles; Mia Stutzman, single; Harper Ilg, single.   10U DIVISION KENT RIDERS 6, HUDSON CAROLINA 5 Top Hitters: (KR) Lily Ciolek, single and […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Tuesday, May 23, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, MAY 23, 2023 9U DIVISION SUFFIELD CHARGERS 12, JACKSON-MILTON BROWNS BACKERS 4 Top Hitters: (S) David Paul Duma, home run; Brooks Schumacher, triple and three singles; Emerson Kisamore, double, three singles and two RBI; Ben Dussel, triple, two singles and four RBI; Luka Royer, triple. Top Pitchers: (S) David Paul Duma, […]

OHSAA announces divisions for fall 2023 sports

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced its divisional breakdowns for all remaining fall sports on Tuesday. The football alignments were announced on May 3. On Tuesday, the lists for golf, girls, tennis, field hockey, cross country, soccer and volleyball were all released. The OHSAA uses enrollment data, […]

Bonsky Heating and Cooling Athlete of the Week: Roosevelt baseball’s Peyton Singer

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Peyton Singer has left more than his share of batters completely perplexed this season. That lonely place for a hitter when they strike out and their walk back to the dugout includes a blank stare down at the ground and their head shaking back and forth. Without an […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Monday, May 22, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD SUNDAY, MAY 20, 2023 8U DIVISION BRIMFIELD FALCONS 14, SPRINGFIELD SPARTANS 4 Top Hitters: (B) Mason Garey, home run and single; Jesse Petrowski, home run and single; Mikey Prochaska, double. Top Pitchers: (B) Jerry Hoffman, five strikeouts; Mason Garey, strikeout.   9U DIVISION SUFFIELD CHARGERS 20, LAKE VIPERS 7 Top Hitters: (S) […]

Southeast’s Canale sets new middle-school 800 record

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Southeast Middle School track and field standout Jenna Canale recently competed in the Middle School State Championships hosted Hilliard Darby High School. Canale, an eighth-grader, placed ninth overall in the 800 meters at the state-level event and her time of 2:26.71 set a new middle-school record. The record […]

Track and Field: District Meets Scoreboard

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2023 BOYS TRACK AND FIELD LAKEVIEW DIVISION II DISTRICT RUNNING EVENTS (Top four qualify for regional — Portage County qualifiers only) 100 Meters (10.83) — 4. Omari Steve, Streetsboro, 11.33. 200 Meters (22.47) — 2. Micah Schuster, Streetsboro, 22.48. 400 Meters (49.10) — 1. Micah Schuster, Streetsboro. 800 Meters […]

Southeast hires Callihan as new girls basketball coach

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Southeast High School has announced Ashley Callihan as its new high school girls basketball coach. Callihan replaces Craig Nettleton, who announced his resignation at the end of the 2022-23 season after spending five seasons as the Pirates’ coach, guiding the program to three titles. Callihan has been an assistant […]

Track and Field: All-time best times, distances in Portage County history

BOYS TRACK AND FIELD ALL-TIME PORTAGE COUNTY RUNNING EVENTS 110 HURDLES G. Heffner, Field, 14.0 (1975) John Oliver, Garfield, 14.05 (1999) Olaun Simmons, Kent Roosevelt, 14.3 (1999) Rob Licursi, Crestwood, 14.4 (1987) Roger Dietz, Rootstown, 14.5 Joe Divoky, Southeast, 14.6 (2002) John Eskridge, Rootstown, 14.70 Denoah Wright, Ravenna, 14.73 (2018) L. McIntosh, Field (1981); R. […]

Regal night in Ravenna: 8th annual ESPYs award-winners announced

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Ravenna High School hosted its 8th annual ESPYs athletic-awards ceremony on Wednesday. The event was initiated by Ravenna social studies teacher and boys soccer coach Matt Wunderle in 2016 as a regal and exciting replacement to the school’s annual Letterwinner’s Dinner. Wednesday’s prestigious and formal-dress event captured that for […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Thursday, May 18, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 COACH PITCH 1 SUFFIELD 15, SPRINGFIELD 0 Top Hitters: (Suff) Leland Zappie, three doubles and three runs; Timmy Schlarb, double, two singles and three runs; Johnny Meyers, three singles and three runs; Nickson Sexton, three singles and run; Easton Knapp, three singles and run.   BRIMFIELD DEF. CRESTWOOD […]

Youth Softball Scoreboard: Thursday, May 18, 2023

YOUTH SOFTBALL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2023 COACH PITCH 2 WESTERN RESERVE MORALES 8, SUFFIELD BOWMAN 6 Top Hitters: (S) Emerson Trainer, three singles and run; Avery Bowman, two singles and two runs; Ellie Peters, two singles and run; Raelyn Lambert, two singles and run; Camille Bowe, two singles and run; Zoey Wilcox, two singles; […]

Charles Auto Family’s Getting to Know: Streetsboro baseball coach Chris Scisciani

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Getting to Know” series was created to learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today, we get to know Streetsboro High School baseball head coach Chris Scisciani, who is in his 19th season leading the Rockets’ […]

Track and Field: Updated events leaderboard (May 18)

2023 HIGH SCHOOL BOYS TRACK AND FIELD PORTAGE COUNTY LEADERS   RUNNING EVENTS 4×800 RELAY Streetsboro (Ivory, Puleo, E. Tiller, Vales), 8:14.65 Field (B. Silk, S. Silk, Pruszynski, Hottensmith), 8:33.0 Crestwood (Seibold, Byers, A. Schweickert, Hoover), 8:34.22 Mogadore (Carter, Keren, Roman, Navarette), 8:35.08 Rootstown (Cutright, Kreitzburg, Burrell, Fillmore), 9:06.22   110 HURDLES Aiden Rodstrom, Rootstown, […]

Baseball and Softball: Updated statistical leaders (May 18)

2023 HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL STATISTICAL LEADERS HITTING BATTING AVERAGE Tony Karp, Rootstown .621 Bradyn Bogucki, Garfield .571 Jack Eye, Windham .538 Aric May, Waterloo .508 Chase Eye, Windham .489 Mason  Williams, Mogadore .472 Brian King, Windham .429 Jayden Coffie, Streetsboro .429 Jackson Sommer, Garfield .426 Dylan McCune, Windham .426 Noah Hughes, Waterloo .423 Logan West, […]

Track and Field: Youth All-County meet set for Saturday at Field

The Portage Youth Track and Field program, which is coordinated through the Kent Parks and Recreation Department, will host an All-County Meet on Saturday (May 20) for any interested participants in grades three through six. Walkups will be welcome and there will be separate divisions for boys and girls. The meet will be held at […]

Youth Softball Scoreboard: Wednesday, May 17, 2023

YOUTH SOFTBALL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023 COACH PITCH 2 SUFFIELD FALCONS 10, BRIMFIELD 2 Top Hitters: (S) Aria Meyers, three singles and three runs; Kassidy Bey, double, single and two runs; Lilly Holzapfel, double, single, RBI and two runs; Julionna Blake, double, two singles, two runs and two RBI; Abi West, three singles, three […]

High School Scoreboard: Wednesday, May 17, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023 BASEBALL TOURNAMENT STRUTHERS DIVISION II SECTIONAL FINAL GARFIELD 4, CARDINAL MOONEY 2 (At Garfield) MOONEY 000-001-1—2 7 2 GARFIELD 003-001-X—4 5 0 Batteries: (CM) Ferencak, Brenner (4) and Brenner. (G) Geddes and Pesicek. WP — Geddes (9 strikeouts). LP — Ferencak. Top Hitters: (G) A. Hill, two singles […]

Rootstown softball celebrates three-peat championship

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Rootstown softball program is in the midst of its greatest period in school history. The Rovers won their fifth-ever league championship on May 8 with a 4-0 victory over Mogadore, and three of those titles have come in the last three years. The other two crowns were […]

Driven by chemistry, Aurora softball celebrates league championship

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Today’s Aurora softball championship was built yesterday. Well, actually, a lot of yesterdays. “The commitment we gave to each other started approximately 10 years ago,” said head coach Sam Petrash, whose roster features 10 players that began playing together that long ago. Those player commitments also featured family […]

High School Scoreboard: Tuesday, May 16, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023 SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT MACEDONIA DIVISISION II DISTRICT SEMIFINAL FIELD 7, HOWLAND 3 (At Field) HOWLAND 011-010-0—3 8 3 FIELD 211-030-X—7 6 0 Batteries: (H) A. Spangler, B. Tater (4) and K. Campbell. (F) O. Bey and B. Evans. WP — Bey. LP — Spangler. Top Hitters: (F): Ulrich, triple; […]

OHSAA members vote to pass 12-of-13 referendums

Ohio High School Athletic Association member schools passed 12-of-13 proposed revisions to the OHSAA Constitution and Bylaws, Executive Director Doug Ute announced Tuesday. The OHSAA’s annual referendum voting period ended at 4 p.m. Monday. Each member school has one vote on each item, which is cast by the high school principal. Once again, nearly every […]

Youth Softball Scoreboard: Tuesday, May 16, 2023

YOUTH SOFTBALL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023 10U DIVISION PALMYRA 24, SUFFIELD FALCONS 4 Top Hitters: (S) Sophia Uminski, triple and single; Nellie Dunlap, home run.   12U DIVISION ROOTSTOWN RIPTIDE 14, SUFFIELD 6 Top Hitters: (R) Paisley Day, three singles; Jordan Trego, two singles and double. Top Pitcher: (R) Alison Church, 10 strikeouts.   […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Tuesday, May 16, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023 COACH PITCH 1 FIERCE FALCONS 10, ROOTSTOWN GEMS 3 Top Hitters: (FF) Rhett Apple, three singles and run; Leland Zappie, double, three singles and run; Easton Knapp, two singles and two runs; Zach Peters, single and two runs; Leo Moore, three singles and three runs.   BRIMFIELD 8, […]

1995 Ravenna High School wrestling

The 1995 Ravenna High School wrestling team finished as runners-up in Division II at the OHSAA state championships hosted at Wright State University’s Ervin J. Nutter Center. The event was held March 9-11, 1995. The Ravens, coached by Steve Reedy, finished with 68.5 team points, which fell just short of Clyde’s 77.5 title-winning point total. […]

Bonsky Heating and Cooling Athlete of the Week: Field softball’s Megan Schmidt

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Any athlete attempting to recover and return from a serious injury is always waiting for that one special moment that proves to themselves that they are truly back. For Megan Schmidt, who tore the ACL in her left knee just days after the Falcons’ district-championship softball game in […]

Waterloo running toward track and field resurgence

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Things are moving a good direction for the Waterloo track and field programs. Just one season removed from a roster of only 12, participation numbers and results are on the upswing once again for a Vikings program that historically has been viewed in high regard throughout Portage County […]

High School Scoreboard: Monday, May 15, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, MAY 15, 2023 BASEBALL DIVISION III STRUTHERS SECTIONAL SEMIFINAL PERRY 3, SOUTHEAST 0 (At Perry) SOUTHEAST 000-000-0—0 4 5 PERRY 000-111-X—3 3 2 Batteries: (SE) Muncy and West. (P) Pentek and McKoon. WP — Pentek. LP — Muncy. Top Hitters: (SE) Muncy, double; Carter, single; Miller, single; Sharish, single. (P) McKoon, […]

Youth Softball Scoreboard: Sunday, May 14, 2023

YOUTH SOFTBALL SCOREBOARD SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2023 COACH PITCH 2 SUFFIELD RED HOTS 15, WESTERN RESERVE MORALES 15 Top Hitters: (S) Avery Bowman, three singles and three runs; Emerson Trainer, four singles and three runs; Ellie Peters, three singles and two runs; Raelyn Lambert, three singles and two runs; Bayleigh Green, three singles and run; […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Sunday, May 14, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2023 COACH PITCH 1 SUFFIELD LIL SLUGGERS 17, ROOTSTOWN TIMBERWOLVES 14 Top Hitters: (S) Owen Geiger, three singles and four RBI; Easton Barton, three singles and three RBI; Tucker Duma, three singles and three RBI; Killian Murphy, two singles; Brock Summa, three singles and RBI; Ricky More, three singles […]

Middle School Track and Field: MVAC Championships Scoreboard

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SUNDAY, MAY 14, 2023 GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD MAHONING VALLEY ATHLETIC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS (At Newton Falls) SCARLET DIVISION TEAM STANDINGS  1. Mineral Ridge 178; 2. McDonald 127; 3. Waterloo 59; 4. Springfield 54; 5. Western Reserve 53; 6. Jackson-Milton 37; 7. Lowellville 35; 8. Sebring McKinley 10. RUNNING EVENTS Top 8 Finishes […]

Track and Field: PTC Championships Scoreboard

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2023 GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD FRIDAY PORTAGE TRAIL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS (At Mogadore) TEAM STANDINGS  1. Rootstown 157; 2. Mogadore 135; 3. Lake Center Christian 90.5; 4. Southeast 49.5; 5. St. Thomas Aquinas 34; 6. Warren JFK 29. RUNNING EVENTS 100 Meters (12.57) — 1. (STA) Ky’Ara Ross; 2. (R) […]

Calhoun sets eyes on stability, vision of excellence for Aurora basketball

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Cody Calhoun knows that his players have been through a lot. For many of them, he will be their third head coach in the last six months. “That can’t be easy for high-school kids,” Calhoun said. But the new Aurora boys basketball head coach, pending approval by the […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Thursday, May 11, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2023 8U DIVISION SUFFIELD SURGE 8, LAKE BLUE JAYS 5 Top Hitters: (S) Harrison Waldeck, double and two RBI; Corbin Logsdon, single and run; Tucker Oberlin, home run and double. Top Pitchers: (S) Tucker Oberlin, six strikeouts; Luca Pennino, six strikeouts.   9U DIVISION SUFFIELD CHARGERS 15, ALLIANCE LIONS […]

High School Scoreboard: Thursday, May 11, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2023 SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT DIVISION II SECTIONAL FINAL AURORA 10, WEST GEAUGA 0 (At Aurora) WEST GEAUGA 000-000—0 1 7 AURORA 140-023—10 10 0 Batteries: (WG) Percassi and Platt. (A) Metzger and M. Dalessandro. WP — Metzger. LP — Percassi. Top Hitters: (A) Metzger, three singles and RBI; Schechterman, two […]

Charles Auto Family’s Getting to Know: Rootstown girls T&F coach Kyle Rodstrom

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today, we get to know Rootstown High School girls track and field coach Kyle Rodstrom, who is in his […]

Track and Field: Updated Event Leaderboard (May 11)

2023 HIGH SCHOOL BOYS TRACK AND FIELD PORTAGE COUNTY LEADERS RUNNING EVENTS 4×800 RELAY Streetsboro (Ivory, Puleo, E. Tiller, Vales), 8:14.65 Field (B. Silk, S. Silk, Pruszynski, Hottensmith), 8:33.0 Crestwood (Seibold, Byers, A. Schweickert, Hoover), 8:34.22 Mogadore (Carter, Keren, Roman, Navarette), 8:39.96 Rootstown (Cutright, Kreitzburg, Burrell, Fillmore), 9:06.22 110 HURDLES Aiden Rodstrom, Rootstown, 15.9 Pavel […]

Baseball and Softball: Updated Statistical Leaders (May 11)

2023 HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL STATISTICAL LEADERS   HITTING BATTING AVERAGE Tony Karp, Rootstown .621 Bradyn Bogucki, Garfield .571 Aric May, Waterloo .508 Mason  Williams, Mogadore .472 Jack Eye, Windham .450 Brian King, Windham .429 Jayden Coffie, Streetsboro .429 Jackson Sommer, Garfield .426 Noah Hughes, Waterloo .423 Logan West, Southeast .423 Dylan McCune, Windham .421 Chase […]

High School Scoreboard: Wednesday, May 10, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2023 BASEBALL FIELD 12, COVENTRY 7 (At Field) COVENTRY 040-030-0—7 4 2 FIELD 613-002-X—12 14 2 Batteries: (Cov) Clemente, Hogue (2), Phillips (6) and Holderbaum. (F) Gartner, McAmis (3), Kolesar (6) and Little. WP — McAmis. LP — Clemente. Top Hitters: (C) Futrell, single and two RBI; (F) Baumberger, […]

Youth Softball Scoreboard: Wednesday, May 10, 2023

YOUTH SOFTBALL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2023 COACH PITCH 1 PALMYRA 6, SUFFIELD LADY FALCONS 2 Top Hitters: (S) Radie Dunlap, three singles; Joslynn Alexander, two singles; Addie Rufener, two singles; Mia Stutzman, single; Harper Ilg, single; Dakota Swigart, single.   COACH PITCH 2 CRESTWOOD MORRIS 18, SUFFIELD RED HOTS 8 Top Hitters: (S) Zoey […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Wednesday, May 10, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2023 8U DIVISION EDINBURG 11, WESTERN RESERVE 3 Top Hitters: (E) Camden Jackson, two singles; Greyson Mergy, triple and single; Braxton Sharish, triple, double and single; Dominik Novak, double and single; Aiden Bishop, two singles; Ryan Gallina, two singles; Caleb Gear, two singles. Top Pitchers: (E) Braxton Sharish, three […]

Crestwood dedicates baseball field to Bob Corbett

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Legendary Crestwood educator and coach Bob Corbett was immortalized last week when the district officially dedicated the baseball field in Corbett’s name. The home of the Red Devils will forever be know as “Bob Corbett Field.” Crestwood athletic director Troy Spiker led a presentation to the Corbett family last […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Tuesday, May 9, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2023 COACH PITCH 1 FIERCE FALCONS 12, ROOTSTOWN GEMS 9 Top Hitters: (FF) Leland Zappie, two triples, double, two singles and three runs; Tristan Herndon, double, two singles and two runs; Zach Peters, two doubles, two singles and two runs.   FIERCE FALCONS 12, JACKSON POLAR BEARS 0 Top […]

Youth Softball Scoreboard: Tuesday, May 9, 2023

YOUTH SOFTBALL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2023 COACH PITCH 1 SUFFIELD 0, MOGADORE 0 Top Hitters: Radie Dunlap, two singles; Joslynn Alexander, single; Paige Lewis, single.   10U DIVISION SUFFIELD 18, WINDHAM 6 Top Hitters: (S) Nellie Dunlap, two doubles and four RBI. Top Pitchers: (S) Sophia Uminski, Cassidy Walker.   PALMYRA 19, SUFFIELD 0 […]

High School Scoreboard: Tuesday, May 9, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2023 BASEBALL GARFIELD 14, LIBERTY 0 (At Garfield) LIBERTY 000-00—0 0 0 GARFIELD 930-2X—14 12 1 Batteries: (L) B. Terlecki and C. Bratton. (G) V. Grandizio, A. Hill (4), B. Pesicek (5) and T. Lutz. WP — Grandizio. LP — Terlecki. Top Hitters: (G) Bogucki, four singles, three RBI […]

Bonsky Heating and Cooling Athlete of the Week: Field baseball’s Caleb Gartner

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Most see senior Caleb Gartner as the 6-foot-2 lefty ace on the mound for the Field Falcons. Those that look closer, though, don’t just see a pitcher, they see an artist. It was not always that way, though. As a sophomore, Gartner struggled with pitch location consistency, especially […]

Youth Softball Scoreboard: Monday, May 8, 2023

YOUTH SOFTBALL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, MAY 8, 2023 COACH PITCH 2 ROOTSTOWN FIREHOUSE GRILLE AND PUB 10, ROOTSTOWN YUNBELIEVABLE SMILES 6 Top Hitters: (R) Sylvia Harvey, single and double; Alexis Baglia, home run and two singles; Izzy Battaglia, two singles; Vivian Simkanin, three singles; Avery Marik, two singles; Maggie Karp, two singles.   SUFFIELD FALCONS 15, […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Monday, May 8, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, MAY 8, 2023 COACH PITCH 1 BRIMFIELD 12, GARRETTSVILLE 6 Top Hitters: (B) Levi Lucky, triple, double and two singles; Harrison Biller, double and three singles; Jagger Marchette, three doubles and single; Micah Graham, four singles. (G) Isiah, three singles; Oakley, three singles; Tyler, three singles; Brantley, three singles; Connor, three […]

High School Scoreboard: Monday, May 8, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, MAY 8, 2023 BASEBALL SPRINGFIELD 6, RAVENNA 3 (At Ravenna) SPRINGFIELD 010-203-0—6 4 3 RAVENNA 111-000-0—3 4 3 Batteries: (S) Rodgers and Bartholomew. (R) Joslyn, J. Miller (5) and Skilton. WP — Rodgers. LP — J. Miller. Top Hitters: (S) Stevens, double and three RBI. (R) E. Miller single, RBI and […]

Baseball: OHSAA tournament pairings announced

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   First-round matchups for Portage County’s high school baseball teams.   DIVISION I NORTHEAST 2 May 18: No. 3 Aurora vs. No. 14 Painesville Riverside-No. 23 Mayfield winner, 5 p.m. May 18: No. 11 Kent Roosevelt vs. No. 13 Hudson-No. 31 Lyndhurst winner, 5 p.m.   DIVISION II NORTHEAST […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Sunday, May 7, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD SUNDAY, MAY 7, 2023 COACH PITCH 1 BRIMFIELD SMITH 12, BRIMFIELD HOLLIS 1 Top Hitters: (Smith) Harrison Biller, four singles and double; Everett Uhler, three singles, two doubles and five RBI. (Hollis) Colsen, two doubles; Eli S., two singles.   10U DIVISION GARFIELD G-MEN 13, WINDHAM BOMBERS 3 Top Hitters: (G) C. […]

Field Diamond Boys win Tallmadge Early Bird Tournament championship

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Field Diamond Boys 12U baseball team won its second tournament championship of the spring this weekend. The team captured title in the Tallmadge Early Bird Tournament, championship-game triumph over the Boys of Summer 12U Blue team. To get to the title game, the Diamond Boys defeated Norton […]

Column: Teacher Appreciation Week

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Friday marked the final day of Teacher Appreciation Week. As you grow up, you oftentimes spend just as much time, if not more, with your teachers as you do with your own family. Their impact on your development socially, emotionally, academically, and more, plays an enormous role in […]

High School Scoreboard: Saturday, May 6, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2023 BASEBALL MOGADORE 12, ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 0 (At Mogadore) ST. THOMAS 000-00—0 00 MOGADORE 432-3X—12 10 0 Batteries: (STA) Taschwer and Vaughn. (M) Reese, Youngblood (4) and Pendergast. WP — Reese. LP — Taschner. Top Hitters: (M) Buso, double, single, four RBI and two runs; Westfall, single and […]

Youth Softball Scoreboard: Saturday, May 6, 2023

YOUTH SOFTBALL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2023 COACH PITCH 1 GARRETTSVILLE WOLFPACK 3, BRIMFIELD 1 Top Hitters: (G) Charlotte Kontur, double, two singles and run; Caliana Christopher, three singles and two RBI; Adalynn Cunningham, three singles and RBI; Makenna Lawless, two singles and two RBI. (B) Charlotte, two singles and run; Jaelynn, two singles; Kayleigh, […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Saturday, May 6, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2023 8U DIVISION EDINBURG 11, ALLIANCE HEGGYS 1 Top Hitters: (E) Liam Peddle, double and two singles; Camden Jackson, double; Greyson Mergy, triple and single; Braxton Sharish, triple and single; Aiden Bishop, double; Ryan Gallina, double. Top Pitchers: (E) Greyson Mergy, five strikeouts; Braxton Sharish, three strikeouts.   10U […]

Youth Softball Scoreboard: Friday, May 5, 2023

YOUTH SOFTBALL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2023 COACH PITCH 2 GARRETTSVILLE VENOM 24, SUFFIELD RED HOTS 2 Top Hitters: (S) Emerson Trainer, three singles; Avery Bowman, two singles; Ellie Peters, two singles; Raelyn Lambert, two singles; Lettie Lambert, two singles.   SUFFIELD RED HOTS 10, EDINBURG 6 Top Hitters: (S) Ellie Peters, triple; Camille Bowe, […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Friday, May 5, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY MAY 5, 2023 COACH PITCH 1 GARRETTSVILLE GOLDEN EAGLES 10, RAVENNA LIL RAVENS 4 Top Hitters: (G) Zane Broadwater, three singles and two runs; Grayson Allen, four singles, three runs and RBI; Paxton Christopher, two singles; Patrick Murphy, three singles, run and RBI; Collin Parker, two singles, two doubles, three RBI […]

High School Scoreboard: Friday, May 5, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2023 BASEBALL AURORA 4, BARBERTON 3 (At Barberton) AURORA 100-120-0—4 BARBERTON 020-010-0—3 Batteries: (Aur) Alex Harrell, Nolan Just (4) and Ben Schechterman. WP — Just. Top Hitters: (Aur) D. Trivisonno, double, two singles, RBI, run; J. Embrescia, RBI and run; ; S. Retton, single, RBI and run.   WINDHAM […]

Middle School Track and Field Scoreboard: Metro Athletic Conference Championships

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2023 GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM SCORES  1. Streetsboro 153.5; 2. Woodridge 110; 3. Field 83.5; 4. Cloverleaf 69; 5. Springfield 46; 6. Norton 43; 7. Coventry 39; 8. Ravenna 25. INDIVIDUAL RESULTS RUNNING FINALS 100 Hurdles (17.7) — 1. (R) A’Shalai Treadway; 2. (Str) […]

Windham’s Hanshaw returns to diamond from serious football knee injury

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   When a coach genuinely cares about their players, they ride the same rollercoaster of emotions that their student-athletes do. They celebrate with them in the moments of success. They sympathize and empathize in the moments of despair. For Windham football coach Jake Eye, the night of Aug. 19, […]

Field softball wins historic 700th game

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Thursday was already going to be special for the Field softball team, with Senior Night scheduled to celebrate Anna Harlin, Megan Schmidt and Bailey Evans. It turned out that Thursday would be historical, too. With the Falcons’ 11-1 Metro Athletic Conference victory over Woodridge, the Field softball program […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Thursday, May 4, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2023 COACH PITCH 1 GARRETTSVILLE GOLDEN EAGLES 4, GARRETTSVILLE G-MEN 1 Top Hitters: (GE) Zane Broadwater, four singles and run; Grayson Allen, three singles and run; Patrick Murphy, three singles, RBI and run; Paxton Christopher, three singles; Collin Parker, two singles, RBI and run; Dean Krill, two singles and […]

High School Scoreboard: Thursday, May 4, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2023 SOFTBALL FIELD 11, WOODRIDGE 1 (At Field) WOODRIDGE 100-000—1 1 4 FIELD 531-101—11 12 1 Batteries: (W) S. Rathbun and J. Staats. (F) Olivia Bey and Bailey Evans. WP — Bey (9 strikeouts). Top Hitters — (F) Maddie Burge, two singles; Tia Ulrich, single and double; Bailey Evans, […]

Football: OHSAA announces divisional alignments for 2023 season

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The OHSAA announced its divisional alignments on Wednesday for the 2023 season. The 2023-24 school year marks the second year of a two-year base-enrollment cycle of data that each school provided through the Ohio Department of Education. Those enrollment numbers are used to help classify teams in a […]

Ravenna Gridiron Club awarded $5,000 grant

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Ravenna Gridiron Club was awarded the 2023 Leo Murphy Field and Equipment grant on Tuesday. The grant is named after the longtime Cleveland Browns trainer and is awarded annually to youth football programs in the Greater Cleveland area to assist programs with securing proper equipment and resources […]

Sway to coach both boys and girls soccer at Crestwood

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Crestwood High School announced the hiring of Eric Sway as the new head coach for the Red Devils’ varsity girls soccer program. Sway, who is also the head coach of Crestwood’s boys soccer team, will also remain in that role. Sway will serve as the head coach for […]

Track and Field: Updated events leaderboard (May 4)

2023 HIGH SCHOOL BOYS TRACK AND FIELD PORTAGE COUNTY LEADERS   RUNNING EVENTS 4×800 RELAY Streetsboro (Ivory, Puleo, E. Tiller, Vales), 8:14.65 Field (B. Silk, S. Silk, Pruszynski, Hottensmith), 8:33.0 Mogadore (Carter, Keren, Roman, Navarette), 8:39.96 Crestwood (Seibold, Byers, A. Schweickert, Hoover), 8:56.09 Rootstown (Cutright, Kreitzburg, Burrell, Fillmore), 9:06.22   110 HURDLES Aiden Rodstrom, Rootstown, […]

Baseball and Softball: Updated statistical leaders (May 4)

2023 HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL STATISTICAL LEADERS   HITTING BATTING AVERAGE Tony Karp, Rootstown .621 Bradyn Bogucki, Garfield .571 Aric May, Waterloo .531 Jack Eye, Windham .450 Noah Hughes, Waterloo .439 Mason  Williams, Mogadore .435 Brian King, Windham .429 Jayden Coffie, Streetsboro .429 Jackson Sommer, Garfield .426 Logan West, Southeast .423 Dylan McCune, Windham .421 Chase […]

Throwing the spotlight on Jim Pfleger and his longtime dominant G-Men throwers

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Inside Jim Pfleger’s office at Garfield High School is a wall filled with pictures of throwers that achieved podium finishes at the OHSAA state-championship meet in Columbus. As the school’s athletic director and assistant principal, days can be a blur. They can be stressful and filled with checklists […]

Charles Auto Family’s Getting to Know: Field baseball’s Joe Peterson

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today, we get to know Field High School baseball head coach Joe Peterson, who is in his 12th season […]

Garfield G-Men quizbowl team places fourth nationally in prestigious event

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Garfield G-Men placed fourth overall — and third place in the very small school division — at the National Academic Quizbowl Tournament national championships last weekend. In the traditional public school division, the G-Men’s fourth-place finish came out of 77 entire teams in the event hosted in […]

1995 Ravenna High School football

The 1995 Ravenna High School football team and their team photo prior to the start of the season. The Ravens finished 4-6 in 1995. The team’s schedule included: Week 1: Crestwood, 35-21 Field, 22-0 West Geauga, 27-7 Southeast, 19-18 (OT) St. Thomas Aquinas, 7-28 Cuyahoga Falls, 0-34 Kent Roosevelt, 0-21 Stow, 13-34 Barberton, 14-28 Lake, […]

Bonsky Heating and Cooling Athlete of the Week: Mogadore softball’s Katie Gardner

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Sometimes you just know. Mogadore softball head coach Jeff Fankhauser certainly did. From the moment Katie Gardner joined his Wildcats program as a freshman, Fankhauser recognized that there was something special about Gardner. Her work ethic, enthusiasm and attitude quickly set her apart. As a freshman pitcher, Gardner […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Monday, May 1, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, MAY 1, 2023 COACH PITCH 1 WINDHAM LITTLE JOKERS 1, GARRETTSVILLE G-MEN 1 Top Hitters: (W) Malachi Jones, two doubles, five RBI and two runs; Rowan Sane, three singles and three RBI; Mason Kacenski, three singles and two RBI; Brogan Hammonds, three singles and three runs; Carson Erwin, three singles and […]

Roosevelt baseball set to host 16th annual David Starkey Memorial Classic

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Kent Roosevelt baseball team is set to host the 16th annual David Starkey Memorial High School Baseball Classic this week. Games will be played on Friday and Saturday, including matchups between Cuyahoga Falls, Field, Highland, Kent Roosevelt, Lake, Norton, Ravenna, Stow and Woodridge. The longstanding classic is […]

Softball: OHSAA tournament pairings announced

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   First-round matchups for Portage County’s high school softball teams.   DIVISION I Youngstown Region 1 Northeast 3 May 8: No. 33 Kent Roosevelt at No. 9 North Canton Hoover, 5 p.m.   DIVISION II Macedonia Region 5 Northeast 1 May 9: No. 15 Crestwood at No. 8 Edgewood, […]

Rootstown seeks new boys basketball head coach

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Rootstown High School announced on Friday morning that it is seeking qualified candidates for its boys basketball head coaching position. The Rovers’ program had been led by Cody Calhoun for the previous five seasons and posted a record of 34-77. “I want to thank our players, parents, administration […]

Thursday proved to be a perfect day for Metzger and Aurora softball

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Thursday turned out to be a perfect day for Aurora’s McKennah Mezger. The junior right-handed pitcher authored a perfect game in the Greenmen’s 10-0 victory over Copley, which entered Thursday’s league matchup with an 8-3 record. It was a day when everything was working, which has been the […]

Middle School Scoreboard: Thursday, April 27, 2023

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2023 GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD FIELD 80, CLOVERLEAF 53, COVENTRY 20 (At Field) RUNNING EVENTS 4×800 Relay (12:01) — 1. Field (Banks, Leuthold, Miller, Brugler). 100 Hurdles (18.2) — 1. Cloverleaf; 2. (F) Keegan Wyszynki; 3. (F) Allison Barto. 100 Meters (13.6) — 1. (F) Brielle Sclimenti; 2. Coventry; […]

1991-92 Rootstown High School boys basketball

The 1991-92 Rootstown High School boys basketball team were champions of the Portage County League. The team included (front row left to right): Gary McColloch, Jason Cutright, Adam Stall, Jeff Shenal, Jared Collins, Ryan Eskridge and Tom Eskridge. Back row (left to right): Head coach Jack Greynolds Jr., Jason Burrell, Ricky Craig, Kevin Stefancik, Scott […]

Softball: 7th annual Gold Glove award winners

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   An elite defensive player in the field is one of the most invaluable commodities a team can dream to have. There is no way to effectively quantify the amount of runs saved, abbreviated base-running advancements or rallies thwarted that a defensive gem protects. Int he word of analytics […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Thursday, April 27, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2023 8U DIVISION SUFFIELD SURGE 6, WATERLOO 5 Top Hitters: (S) Johnny Walker, home run; Tucker Oberlin, home run and two RBI; Ryker MacLean, single. Top Pitchers: (S) Broderick Kline, five strikeouts; Tucker Oberlin, four strikeouts; Luka Pennino, three strikeouts.   9U DIVISION SUFFIELD CHARGERS 12, MOGADORE DIRT DOGS […]

High School Scoreboard: Thursday, April 27, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2023 BASEBALL HIGHLAND 3, KENT ROOSEVELT 1 (At Kent Roosevelt) HIGHLAND 000-003-0—3 5 2 ROOSEVELT 100-000-0—1 2 2 Batteries: (High) H. Winston, P. Ganda (6) and J. Toth. (KR) L. Poole, T. Page (7) and R. Schromm. WP — Winston. LP — Poole. Top Hitters: (High) Q. Marquis, triple, […]

Baseball: 7th annual Gold Glove award winners

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   An elite defensive player in the field is one of the most invaluable commodities a team can dream to have. There is no way to effectively quantify the amount of runs saved, abbreviated base-running advancements or rallies thwarted that a defensive gem protects. Int he word of analytics […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Wednesday, April 26, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2023 COACH PITCH 1 RAVENNA 4, BRIMFIELD 3 Top Hitters: (B) Levi Luckie, three singles; Everett Uhler, three singles; Miles Smith, three singles. (R) AJ Bennett, three singles; Levi Summers, three singles; Cooper Byers, three singles.   8U DIVISION EDINBURG DJ TRUCKING 14, ALLIANCE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS 4 Top […]

High School Scoreboard: Wednesday, April 26, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2023 SOFTBALL CLOVERLEAF 7, RAVENNA 3 (At Ravenna) CLOVERLEAF 141-001-0—7 10 1 RAVENNA 030-000-0—3 6 4 Batteries: (Clo) names not provided. (Rav) Madison Artz and Morgan Decker. Top Hitters: (Rav) Decker, two singles; Artz, two singles.   ROOTSTOWN 12, LAKE CENTER CHRISTIAN 0 (At Rootstown) LAKE CENTER 000-00—0 3 […]

High School Roundup (April 26): Trio of homers lift Aurora softball to big win

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   SOFTBALL ROOTSTOWN 12, LAKE CENTER CHRISTIAN 0 The bats of Natalie Hammerschmidt and Grace Luli helped power the Rovers to a Portage Trail Conference home victory over the Tigers on Wednesday. Hammerschmidt had a double and single to drive in four runs, while Luli had a pair of […]

Track and Field: Updated event leaderboard (April 27)

2023 HIGH SCHOOL BOYS TRACK AND FIELD PORTAGE COUNTY LEADERS RUNNING EVENTS 4×800 RELAY Field (B. Silk, S. Silk, Pruszynski, Hottensmith), 8:33.0 Mogadore (Carter, Keren, Roman, Navarette), 8:39.96 Streetsboro, 8:45.6 Crestwood (Seibold, Byers, A. Schweickert, Hoover), 8:56.09 Rootstown (Cutright, Kreitzburg, Burrell, Fillmore), 9:06.22   110 HURDLES Aiden Rodstrom, Rootstown, 15.9 Pavel Henderson, Ravenna, 15.10 Lucas […]

Baseball and Softball: Updated statistical leaders (April 27)

2023 HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL STATISTICAL LEADERS   HITTING BATTING AVERAGE Tony Karp, Rootstown .621 Bradyn Bogucki, Garfield .571 Aric May, Waterloo .524 Tyler Pendergast, Mogadore .462 Jack Eye, Windham .450 Brian King, Windham .429 Jayden Coffie, Streetsboro .429 Jackson Sommer, Garfield .426 Logan West, Southeast .423 Dylan McCune, Windham .421 Noah Hughes, Waterloo .417 Chase […]

Charles Auto Family’s Getting to Know: Southeast track and field’s Melinda Furr

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today, we get to know Southeast High School girls track and field her coach Melinda Furr, who is in […]

Field Diamond Boys win 12U tournament championship

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The Field Diamond Boys 12U team recently won the Mogadore Early Bird Tournament championship to begin their 2023 season. After playing strongly during pool play, the Diamond Boys earned the No. 1 overall seeded going into bracket play. Field reached the title game with victories over the Lake Express […]

High School Roundup (April 25): Garfield baseball wins 10-inning thriller

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   BASEBALL GARFIELD 3, CRESTVIEW 1 The G-Men won a marathon thriller on Tuesday in 10 innings over the Rebels. Garfield and Crestview battled to a 1-1 deadlock through nine innings before plating a pair of runs in the top of the 10th to pull out the victory. Junior […]

High School Scoreboard: Tuesday, April 25, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2023 BASEBALL GARFIELD 3, CRESTVIEW 1 (At Crestview) GARFIELD 000-100-000-2—3 10 2 CRESTVIEW 100-000-000-0—1 5 4 Batteries: (Gar) E. Geddes, V. Grandizio (10) and B. Pescek and L. Grandizio (10). (Cre) Z. Davis, D. Dattilio (6) and C. Hancox, L. Julian (6). WP — V. Grandizio. LP — Dattilio.   […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Tuesday, April 25, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2023 COACH PITCH 2 JACKSON-MILTON BACRON 9, WINDHAM LITTLE JOKERS 7 Top Hitters: (W) Aiden C., three singles; Easton K., three singles; Kameron, three singles.   9U DIVISION SUFFIELD CHARGERS 14, LAKE THUNDER 0 Top Hitters: (S) Ben Dussel, triple; Emerson Kisamore, double; Hunter Lackey, double, single and three […]

Bonsky Heating and Cooling Athlete of the Week: Crestwood track and field’s Hunter Yoder

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   What started as an experiment for Hunter Yoder has turned into something spectacular. And it has placed him right where he belongs. The Crestwood High School senior spent his eighth grade track and field season rotating between a variety of events to find his best fit. Already a […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Monday, April 24, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2023 COACH PITCH 1 BRIMFIELD 6, GARRETTSVILLE GOLDEN EAGLES 5 Top Hitters: (G) Zane Broadwater, five singles; Grayson Allen, four singles and RBI; Collin Parker, four singles and two RBI; Paxton Christopher, RBI; Patrick Murphy, RBI. (B) Jagger Marchette, four singles; Harrison Bixler, four singles.   9U DIVISION ROOTSTOWN […]

High School Roundup (April 24): Streetsboro’s Newman throws no-hitter

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor BASEBALL STREETSBORO 12, SPRINGFIELD 0 Rockets pitcher Noah Newman crafted a no-hitter in the Rockets’ Metro Athletic Conference triumph over the Spartans on Monday in Akron. Newman went the full six innings and struck out 11 of the 21 batters he faced. He threw 84 pitches and 52 were […]

High School Scoreboard: Monday, April 24, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2023 BASEBALL FIELD 4, NORTON 2 (At Field) NORTON 200-000-0—2 5 2 FIELD 021-001-X—4 7 1 Batteries: (Nor) G. Antal, P. Mattei (6) and J. Fuller. (Fie) C. Gartner and Little. WP — Gartner. LP — Antal.   CRESTVIEW 9, GARFIELD 4 (At Garfield) CRESTVIEW 201-410-1—9 8 0 GARFIELD […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Sunday, April 23, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 2023 8U DIVISION EDINBURG DJ TRUCKING 8, WESTERN RESERVE 0 Top Hitters: (Edin) Dominik Novak, home run and single; Ryan Gallina, double; Liam Peddle, single; Braxton Sharish, double and single; Andrew Daugherty, single. Winning Pitcher: Greyson Merry, five strikeouts.   11U DIVISION WINDHAM SPRING 3, CRESTWOOD DIABLO’S 2 Top […]

2022-23 Winter Scholar-Athletes

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Portage County’s list high school 2022-23 winter scholar-athletes. To be recognized as a scholar-athlete, a studnet-athlete must earn a varsity letter and also earn a grade-point average of at least 3.4. CRESTWOOD Boys Basketball: Josh Eyerman, Fransesco Gasparini, Jimmy Peters, Charlie Schweickert, James Durham, Bryce Giel, Dekota Johnson, Steven […]

Field graduate Stopp coaches Notre Dame softball to history

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Notre Dame College softball team, which is coached by Field High School graduate Kelsey (Coleman) Stopp made history this week. For the first time in program history, the Falcons were included in the NCAA’s Division II regional rankings. The Falcons are among 10 teams that were named […]

High School Roundup (April 21): Mogadore’s Gardner throws third no-hitter

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   SOFTBALL MOGADORE 10, RAVENNA 0 For the second time this week and third time this season, Mogadore starting pitcher Katie Gardner threw a no-hitter. Friday’s highlighted the Cats’ 10-0 victory over Ravenna. Mogadore jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the first inning, then ballooned the advantage out […]

High School Scoreboard: Friday, April 21, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2023 BASEBALL GARFIELD 8, NEWTON FALLS 2 (At Newton Falls) GARFIELD 203-012-0—8 9 0 NEWTON FALLS 020-000-0—2 7 0 Batteries: (Gar) E. Geddes and B. Pesicek. (NF) C. Huff, H. Hanzel (7) and E. Powell. WP — Geddes. LP — Huff.   BOYS TENNIS NOTRE DAME-CATHEDRAL LATIN 3, RAVENNA […]

Nettleton’s basketball life runs through Field, Southeast — and now Hoover

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Goodbyes are tough when you are a coach like Craig Nettleton. A coach who places a higher priority on the relationships than on the pressures of winning. Never be mistaken, nobody enjoys winning more than Nettleton, but he also absorbs a full understanding that his role as a […]

Crestwood spotlights eight seniors with special college-signing event

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Eight Crestwood seniors signed their letters of intent on Friday in a special event hosted inside the high school’s library and attended by family, friends and coaches. The spotlight was given to Noah Baker, Kelsey Downs, Elaine Guyette, Jayden Julian, Bella Leister Zeleznik, Emily Linamen, Reagan Mory and […]

Youth Baseball Scoreboard: Thursday, April 20, 2023

YOUTH BASEBALL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023 8U DIVISION SUFFIELD SURGE 8, LAKE BLUE JAYS 0 Top Hitters: (Suff) Harrison Waldeck, single, three RBI, run; Tucker Oberlin, two singles, two RBI; Luka Pennino, single. Top Pitchers: (Suff) Luka Pennino, six strikeouts; Mason Few, two strikeouts. 13U/14U DIVISION JACKSON-MILTON 11, ROOTSTOWN 10 Top Hitters: (Root) Carson […]

High School Scoreboard: Thursday, April 20, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023 BASEBALL NORTON 5, STREETSBORO 2 (At Norton) STREETSBORO 020-000-0—2 7 2 NORTON 010-0310-X5 9 2 Batteries: (Str) J. Batten and Liddle. (Nor) D. Hopkins and J. Fuller. WP — Hopkins. LP — Batten.   MOGADORE 4, SOUTHEAST 3 (At Mogadore) SOUTHEAST 000-300-0—3 8 2 MOGADORE 101-110-X—4 8 1 […]

Track and Field: Updated event leaderboard (April 20)

2023 HIGH SCHOOL BOYS TRACK AND FIELD PORTAGE COUNTY LEADERS RUNNING EVENTS 4×800 RELAY Mogadore (Carter, Keren, Roman, Navarette), 8:39.96 Streetsboro, 8:45.6 Crestwood (Seibold, Byers, A. Schweickert, Hoover), 8:56.09 Rootstown (Cutright, Kreitzburg, Burrell, Fillmore), 9:06.22 110 HURDLES Pavel Henderson, Ravenna, 15.1 Aiden Rodstrom, Rootstown, 16.3 Ethan Bittence, Garfield, 16.50 James Durham, Crestwood, 16.56 Dylan Furry, […]

Baseball and Softball: Updated statistical leaders (April 20)

2023 HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL STATISTICAL LEADERS HITTING BATTING AVERAGE Tony Karp, Rootstown .667 Dylan McCune, Windham .615 Bradyn Bogucki, Garfield .560 Chase Eye, Windham .500 Kayden Smith, Field .485 Aric May, Waterloo .484 Jack Eye, Windham .467 Tyler Pendergast, Mogadore .462 Brian King, Windham .429 Jayden Coffie, Streetsboro .429 Eric Geddes, Garfield .425 Logan West, […]

High School Scoreboard: Wednesday, April 19, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2023 SOFTBALL WATERLOO 15, SEBRING McKINLEY 0 (At Sebring) WATERLOO 356-10—15 14 1 SEBRING 000-00—0 0 3 Batteries: (Wat) Jewel Lilley and Bayley English. WP — Lilley (4-5).   MOGADORE 11, WARREN JFK 0 (At Warren JFK) MOGADORE 533-00—11 19 0 WARREN JFK 000-00—0 0 2 Batteries: (Mog) Katie […]

High School Roundup (April 19): Mogadore’s Gardner, Waterloo’s Lilley throw no-hitters; Field softball moves into first place

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   SOFTBALL MOGADORE 11, WARREN JFK 0 Wildcats pitcher Katie Gardner threw a five-inning no-hitter to lead the Cats to a league victory on Wednesday. Gardner struck out 13 and was just two walks away from a perfect game. Meanwhile, the Wildcats offense was impressive, smashing 19 hits as […]

Charles Auto Family’s Getting to Know: Windham baseball/football coach Jake Eye

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today, we get to know Windham High School football and baseball coach Jake Eye, who is in his third […]

High School Scoreboard: Tuesday, April 18, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2023 SOFTBALL RAVENNA 3, STREETSBORO 2 (At Ravenna) STREETSBORO 000-011-0—2 8 3 RAVENNA 100-002-X—3 3 3 Batteries: (Str) N. Roman and H. Miller. (Rav) M. Artz and M. Decker. WP — Artz. LP — Roman.   GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD FIELD 73, RAVENNA 57 (At Ravenna) RUNNING EVENTS 4×800 […]

High School Roundup (April 18): Ravenna softball wins first league game since 2017

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   SOFTBALL RAVENNA 3, STREETSBORO 2 The win for the Ravens was the program’s first league victory since 2017. Ravenna scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to go from trailing 2-1 to leading 3-2, then pitcher Madison Artz closed it out with a […]

Bonsky Heating and Cooling Athlete of the Week: Waterloo softball’s Jewel Lilley

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Even when everything points to Jewel Lilley, she repeatedly points to everyone else. If she is going to fall inside the spotlight, then she is going to make sure her teammates are standing right alongside her. Even after blasting two grand slams in a single week. Even when […]

Softball: Updated standings (April 17)

HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL STANDINGS UPDATE APRIL 17, 2023 PORTAGE TRAIL CONFERENCE Rootstown 4-4, 3-0 Southeast 3-2, 3-1 Mogadore 9-3, 2-1 Lake Center Christian 3-3, 1-2 St. Thomas Aquinas 0-3, 0-3 METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE Springfield 11-2, 5-0 Field 8-2, 4-1 Coventry 7-2, 4-1 Norton 3-5, 3-2 Cloverleaf 5-9, 2-3 Woodridge 4-5, 2-3 Streetsboro 1-7, 1-5 Ravenna […]

Baseball: Updated standings (April 17)

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL UPDATED STANDINGS APRIL 17, 2023 PORTAGE TRAIL CONFERENCE Warren JFK 7-0, 2-0 Lake Center Christian 8-1, 2-0 Rootstown 5-3, 2-0 Mogadore 1-4, 0-2 Southeast 1-5, 0-2 St. Thomas Aquinas 0-5, 0-2   METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE Cloverleaf 5-3, 4-0 Streetsboro 6-2, 4-1 Coventry 5-2, 2-1 Field 6-2, 3-2 Woodridge 5-3, 2-2 Norton 4-4, […]

Softball: Ohio High School Softball Coaches Association State Poll

HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION STATE POLL MONDAY, APRIL 17, 2023   Note: Teams are ranked in order, with first-place votes in parenthesis and total vote points.   DIVISION I Watkins Memorial (6) 99 Anthony Wayne (2) 93 Holland Springfield (3) 74 Austintown Fitch 67 Gahanna Lincoln 64 Cincinnati Oak Hills 47 Marysville 37 Teays […]

Middle School Scoreboard: Sunday, April 16, 2023

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SUNDAY, APRIL 16, 2023 BOYS TRACK AND FIELD FIELD 93, STREETSBORO 48, NORTON 11 (At Field) RUNNING EVENTS (Field results only) 4×800 Relay: Manno, Flores-Soler, Fiorilli, Hottensmith 10:27. 110 Hurdles: Casey Tate 17.2; Logan Border 18.1. 100 Meters: Nathan Fulks 12.3; Andrew Phillip 13.2; Tysen Paynther 13.2. 4×200 Relay: K. Wilson, Flores-Soler, […]

Mogadore track coach Kreiner spreads positivity with post-it notes

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor “You got this!” “Dig deep!” “Get after it!” With some simple creativity, Mogadore track and field coach Kim Kreiner delivers positivity to her student-athletes. And she uses post-it notes to do it. As part of an extension to the Wildcats’ core foundational beliefs, Kreiner’s simple, short, but uplifting messages […]

High School Scoreboard: Thursday, April 13, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2023 SOFTBALL WOODRIDGE 8, RAVENNA 6 (At Woodridge) RAVENNA 301-20-0—6 11 6 WOODRIDGE 022-400-X—8 9 1 Batteries: Names not provided.   ROOTSTOWN 16, CRESTVIEW 4 (At Rootstown) CRESTVIEW 000-31—4 7 4 ROOTSTOWN 662-2X—16 18 2 Batteries: (Cre) E. Ricketts, C. Stoops (2) and B. Figley. S. Krieger, C. Gardner […]

1950 Rootstown High School football

The 1950 Rootstown High School football team, which were champions of the Portage County League with an undefeated record.

Mogadore’s Lexie Handley follows softball dreams to Japan

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The Japanese city of Anjo is 8,412 miles from Mogadore. When you are chasing a dream, though, there is no distance that is too large. Just ask Lexie Handley. The proud Mogadore native is living in Anjo, which has a population around 190,000, halfway around the world for the […]

Track and Field: Updated event leaderboard (April 13)

2023 HIGH SCHOOL BOYS TRACK AND FIELD PORTAGE COUNTY LEADERS RUNNING EVENTS 4×800 RELAY Streetsboro, 8:45.6 Crestwood (Seibold, Byers, A. Schweickert, Hoover), 8:56.09 Rootstown (Cutright, Kreitzburg, Burrell, Fillmore), 9:06.22 Mogadore (Carter, Keren, Roman, Navarette), 9:24 110 HURDLES Pavel Henderson, Ravenna, 15.1 Aiden Rodstrom, Rootstown, 16.3 James Durham, Crestwood, 16.56 Dylan Furry, Rootstown, 17.7 Simon Halaszi, […]

Baseball and Softball: Updated statistical leaders (April 13)

2023 HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL STATISTICAL LEADERS HITTING BATTING AVERAGE Tyler Bortz, Garfield .667 Dylan McCune, Windham .615 Aric May, Waterloo .522 Chase Eye, Windham .500 Jack Eye, Windham .467 Braden Craft, Streetsboro .462 Bradyn Bogucki, Garfield .444 Vinnie Grandizio, Garfield .444 Caden Kolesar, Field .435 Brian King, Windham .429 Logan West, Southeast .429 Jayden Coffie, […]

High School Scoreboard: Wednesday, April 12, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2023 SOFTBALL SOUTHEAST 13, RAVENNA 3 (At Southeast) RAVENNA 101-100—3 6 11 SOUTHEAST 320-107—13 9 3 Batteries: (Rav) M. Artz and M. Decker. (SE) L. Bragg and A. Stephens. WP — Bragg. LP — Artz.   AURORA 10, HIGHLAND 5 (At Aurora) HIGHLAND 003-010-1—5 8 3 AURORA 002-044-X—10 10 […]

Photo Gallery: Rootstown softball knocks off Mogadore

All photos by Shannon Eldreth.

Charles Auto Family’s Getting to Know: Ravenna baseball’s Lee Lovejoy

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today, we get to know Ravenna High School baseball coach Lee Lovejoy, who recently began his first season leading the […]

High School Roundup (April 11): Southeast’s Muncy, Aurora’s Metzger and Retton, throw no-hitters

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   SOFTBALL SOUTHEAST 19, WARREN JFK 0 Pirates pitcher Morgan Muncy celebrated a tremendous game in a dominating victory on Tuesday in Warren. Muncy tossed a five-inning no-hitter, striking out 13 Eagles batters. At the plate, Muncy was a perfect 3-for-3 with a home run. In total, the Pirates […]

High School Scoreboard: Tuesday, April 11, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2023 SOFTBALL NEW MIDDLETOWN SPRINGFIELD 9, WATERLOO 5 (At Springfield Local) WATERLOO 001-201-10—5 9 X SPRINGFIELD 120-200-04—9 13 X Batteries: (Wat) Jewel Lilley and Bayley English. (Spr) Names not provided. WP — n/a. LP — Lilley.   FIELD 14, WOODRIDGE 0 (At Woodridge) FIELD 153-41—14 15 3 WOODRIDGE 000-00—0 […]

Bonsky Heating and Cooling Athlete of the Week: Garfield baseball’s Eric Geddes

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   There isn’t anything about baseball that Eric Geddes doesn’t like. It starts with simply being outside for the Garfield G-Men junior standout. Once there, the game guides him to a perfect blend of intensity and relaxation. It didn’t always used to be that way, though. As an underclassmen, […]

High School Roundup (April 10): Aurora baseball wins walk-off thriller

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor BASEBALL AURORA 3, TALLMADGE 2 (10 innings) The Greenmen won in thrilling walk-off fashion on Monday, scoring a run in the bottom of the 10th inning to earn an impressive Suburban League American Division victory over the visiting Blue Devils. Tallmadge held a 1-0 into the fifth inning after […]

High School Scoreboard: Monday, April 10, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, APRIL 10, 2023 BOYS TRACK AND FIELD SATURDAY 15th DON FAIX INVITATIONAL (At Crestwood High School, Jack Lambert Stadium) TEAM SCORES  1. St. Vincent-St. Mary 104; 2. West Geauga 70; T3. Orange 67; T3. Kent Roosevelt 67; T5. Field 59; T5. Crestwood 59; 7. Harvey 45; 8. Wickliffe 42; 9. Ravenna […]

Boys Tennis: 2023 Ravenna Ravens season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The boys tennis preview for the Ravenna Ravens’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Brittney Kohanski, 7th year. Coaching Staff: Ryan O’Donnell. 2022 Record: 6-7 overall; 5-5 Metro Athletic Conference. Returning Lettermen (5): Dylan Phelps, Ben Rainone, Parker Addison, Lily Schofield, Derick Skilton. Lettermen Lost (1): Blake […]

High School Scoreboard: Saturday, April 8, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2023 BASEBALL RAVENNA 17, JOHN HAY 3 (At John Hay) RAVENNA 3(11)0-12—17 8 1 JOHN HAY 210-00—3 3 5 Batteries: (Rav) J. Miller, Welling (3) and Fuller. (JH) Kirts, Walker (3), Vallot (5) and Tyler. WP — J. Miller (1-0). LP — Kirts.   FIELD 11, FIRESTONE 1 (At […]

Baseball: 2023 Garfield G-Men season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The baseball preview for the Garfield G-Men 2023 season: THE TEAM Head Coach: Mike Paes, 8th year, 85-85. Coaching Staff: Kyle Workman, Scott Eberly, Randy Ward. 2022 Record: 17-7 overall; 12-2 Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference. Returning Lettermen (5): Eric Geddes, jr.; Vinny Grandizio, sr.; Carter Bates, sr.; Jackson Sommer, […]

High School Scoreboard: Thursday, April 6, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2023 SOFTBALL AURORA 11, KENT ROOSEVELT 0 (At Kent Roosevelt) AURORA 160-310—11 14 0 ROOSEVELT 000-000—0 2 4 Batteries: (Aur) Metzger and M. Dalessandro. (KR) Legg and Ellsworth. WP — Metzger. LP — Legg.   WATERLOO 13, STREETSBORO 3 (At Streetsboro) WATERLOO 109-201—13 14 1 STREETSBORO 103-000—3 6 2 […]

Track and Field: Updated event leaders (April 6)

2023 HIGH SCHOOL BOYS TRACK AND FIELD COUNTY LEADERS RUNNING EVENTS 4×800 RELAY Streetsboro, 8:45.6 Crestwood (Seibold, Byers, A. Schweickert, Hoover), 8:56.09 Rootstown (Cutright, Kreitzburg, Burrell, Fillmore), 9:06.22 Mogadore (Carter, Keren, Roman, Navarette), 9:24 110 HURDLES Pavel Henderson, Ravenna, 15.1 Aiden Rodstrom, Rootstown, 16.43 James Durham, Crestwood, 16.56 Halaszi, Rootstown, 17.96 Anthony Schwind, Mogadore, 18.16 […]

Baseball and Softball: Updated statistical leaders (April 6)

2023 HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL STATISTICAL LEADERS   HITTING BATTING AVERAGE Tyler Bortz, Garfield .667 Braden Craft, Streetsboro .462 Caden Kolesar, Field .462 Bradyn Bogucki, Garfield .444 Vinnie Grandizio, Garfield .444 Logan West, Southeast .429 Jayden Coffie, Streetsboro .417 Leo Grandizio, Garfield .400 Cole Reese, Mogadore .400 Noah Newman, Streetsboro .385 Devin Graham, Mogadore .364   […]

Charles Auto Family’s Getting to Know: Waterloo softball’s Brenda Flarida

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today, we get to know Waterloo High School softball coach Brenda Flarida, who recently began her 24th season leading […]

Baseball: 2023 Rootstown Rovers season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The baseball preview for the Rootstown Rovers’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Keith Waesch, 11th year, 168-71 record. Coaching Staff: Matt Collins, Matt Just, Jim Gerren, John Gerren. 2022 Record: 14-7 overall, 5-5 Portage Trail Conference. Returning Lettermen (4): Carson Flowers, sr.; Austin Biggin, jr.; Tony […]

High School Roundup (April 4): Field baseball wins another close one over Woodridge

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   BASEBALL FIELD 3, WOODRIDGE 2 For the second night in a row, the Falcons edged the Bulldogs in Metro Athletic Conference play. On Tuesday, it was a bit of late-game magic for the Falcons, who scored all three of their runs in the top of the sixth inning. […]

High School Scoreboard: Tuesday, April 4, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2023 SOFTBALL MINERAL RIDGE 9, WATERLOO 4 (At Mineral Ridge) WATERLOO 003-001-0—4 7 2 MINERAL RIDGE 004-302-X—9 12 1 Batteries: (Wat) Jewel Lilley and Bayley English. (MR) Names not reported. LP — Lilley (2-1).   MOGADORE 8, SPENCER COUNTY 3 (At The Ripken Experience, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.) MOGADORE 123-002-0—8 […]

Bonsky Heating and Cooling Athlete of the Week: Rootstown softball’s Shelbie Krieger

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   When Shelbie Krieger talks about softball, there is a smile that instantly lands on her face. A genuine smile. “I love playing, and I love playing with my teammates,” Krieger said. “Softball is my safe place.” Her opposition has never felt the same way. The right-handed hurler, as […]

Softball: 2023 Garfield G-Men season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The softball preview for the Garfield G-Men 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Tina Faulhaber, 14th year, 182-101 career record. Coaching Staff: Katie Synnestvedt. 2022 Record: 8-8 overall; 7-5 Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference. Returning Letterwinners (3): Kyndall Hahn, sr.; Lizzy Moore, jr.; Kolby French, soph. Letterwinners Lost […]

Girls Track and Field: 2023 Ravenna Ravens season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The girls track and field preview for the Ravenna Ravens’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Laddie Fair, 1st year at Ravenna (11th overall; 67-32 career record). Coaching Staff: Dominic Jones, Xavier McShan, Devin Machetes, Demonte Powell, Alex Huff. 2022 Record: 7th at Metro Athletic Conference Championships. […]

High School Roundup (April 3): Burge, Bey combine for no-hitter in Field softball win

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   SOFTBALL FIELD 17, RAVENNA 0 Pitchers Maddie Burge and Olivia Bey combined to throw a five-inning no-hitter to highlight the Falcons’ Metro Athletic Conference victory. The win improves Field to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the MAC. Sophomore Delilah Rahe had three singles, a double and drove in […]

High School Scoreboard: Monday, April 3, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2023 BASEBALL KENT ROOSEVELT 5, BRUSH 1 (At Kent Roosevelt) BRUSH 001-000-0—1 6 1 ROOSEVELT 012-110-X—5 6 0 Batteries: (Bru) Stubblefield, Thompson (4), Carter (5) and Farrell. (KR) Page, Sanders (5) and Schromm. WP — Page (1-0). LP — Stubblefield. SV–Sanders (2).   FIELD 3, WOODRIDGE 1 (At  Field) […]

Baseball: 2023 Crestwood Red Devils season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The baseball preview for the Crestwood Red Devils’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Chris Stanley, 2nd year, 7-10 career record. Coaching Staff: Scott Craig, Don Jones, Brandon Baldwin, John Baldwin, Rob Roe. 2022 Record: 7-10 overall; 6-6 Chagrin Valley Conference. Returning Lettermen (7): Jonas Honeycutt, sr.; […]

Boys Track and Field: 2023 Garfield G-Men season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The boys track and field preview for the Garfield G-Men 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Matt Pfleger, 2nd year. Coaching Staff: Jim Pfleger, Kelliann Collins, Colin Lysiak. 2022 Record: Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference champions. State Qualifier: Jesse Grace. Returning Lettermen (14): Jesse Grace, sr.; Kyle Schaefer, […]

Girls Track and Field: 2023 Garfield G-Men season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The girls track and field preview for the Garfield G-Men 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Matt Pfleger, 2nd year. Coaching Staff: Jim Pfleger, Kelliann Collins, Colin Lysiak. 2022 Record: Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference champions. State Qualifiers: None. Returning Letterwinners (15): Megan Schaefer, sr.; Aubrey Stonestreet, sr.; […]

Portage Sports awards Mogadore its “Golden Basketball Trophy”

Portage Sports Publisher Tom Nader presented Mogadore High School with the first-ever Golden Basketball Trophy on Friday afternoon in a pep rally presentation coordinated by the Wildcats. The presentation was made in front of the entire Mogadore High School and Junior High student body, with the Wildcats’ cheerleading squad accepting the award for the school. […]

Baseball: 2023 Windham Bombers season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The baseball preview for the Windham Bombers’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Jake Eye, 2nd year, 10-6 career record. Coaching Staff: Eliot Pennel, Mike Walters, Eliot Thompson. 2022 Record: 10-6 overall, 10-5 Northeastern Athletic Conference. Returning Lettermen (8): Chase Eye, sr.; Wyatt Hanshaw, sr.; Lucas Churchill, […]

Softball: 2023 Windham Bombers season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The softball preview for the Windham Bombers’ 2023 season: THE TEAM Head Coach: Tom VanKirk, 1st year at Windham (3rd year overall), 36-15 career record. Coaching Staff: Becky VanKirk, Sondra Brown, Madi VanKirk, Colleen Coughlin, Micaela Minner, Larry Jones, Dan Patterson. 2022 Record: 4-13 overall. Returning Letterwinners (4): Quinn […]

High School Roundup (March 30): Newman’s no-hitter leads Rockets to win

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   BASEBALL STREETSBORO 8, NORTON 0 Noah Newman was unhittable on Thursday, leading the Rockets to a Metro Athletic Conference victory at home over the Norton Panthers. Newman went the distance and delivered a no-hitter that included 14 strikeouts. “Noah was brilliant on the hill,” Streetsboro head coach Chris […]

High School Scoreboard: Thursday, March 30, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2023 SOFTBALL GARFIELD 9, LABRAE 8 (At LaBrae) GARFIELD 000-250-2—9 LABRAE 200-033-X—8 Batteries: (Gar) Lizzy Moore, Juliana Genovese (7) and Kolby Fresch. (LaB) V. Allen and R. McDonough. WP — Moore. LP —  Allen.   FIELD 12, ST. VINCENT-ST. MARY 2 (At Field) SVSM 011-00—2 6 4 FIELD 202-08—12 […]

Softball: 2023 Waterloo Vikings season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The softball preview for the Waterloo Vikings’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Brenda Flarida, 25th year, 308-205 career record. Coaching Staff: Justine Baker. 2022 Record: 7-10 overall; 6-7 Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference. Returning Letterwinners (6): Jewel Lilley, sr.; Morgan Sweitzer, jr.; Savannah Francis, jr.; Miranda Long, […]

Baseball: 2023 Waterloo Vikings season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The baseball preview for the Waterloo Vikings’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Jeremy Randles, 1st year. Coaching Staff: Dennis Gump, Cody Wittensoldner, Tyler Dudley. 2022 Record: 8-9 overall record; 7-5 Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference. Returning Lettermen (9): Noah Hughes, sr.; Anthony Podojil, sr.; Drew Flarida, jr.; […]

Track and Field: 2023 Waterloo Vikings season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The track and field preview for the Waterloo Vikings’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Jeff Sharkey, 1st year at Waterloo (10th overall). Coaching Staff: Mike Devies. 2022 Record: Boys—8th place at Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Championships; girls—6th at MVAC Championships. State Qualifiers: None. Returning Letterwinners (9): […]

High School Scoreboard: Wednesday, March 29, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023 BASEBALL WINDHAM 9, BADGER 3 (At Windham) BADGER 000-12—3 2 1 WINDHAM 072-0X—9 3 1 Batteries: (Bad) J. Springer, T. Davis (2) and Tato. (Win) J. Eye, J. Smithberger (5) and McCune. WP — J. Eye (1-0). LP — Springer.   SOFTBALL RAVENNA 9, YOUNGSTOWN EAST 0 (At […]

Charles Auto Family’s Getting to Know: Roosevelt baseball’s Mike Haney

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today, we get to know Kent Roosevelt High School baseball coach Mike Haney, who recently began his 23rd season […]

Softball: 2023 Streetsboro Rockets season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The baseball preview for the Streetsboro Rockets’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Matthew Helm, 3rd year, 15-29 career record. Coaching Staff: Katie Hurst, Mike Sweet, Jeff Fetas. 2022 Record: 8-14 overall, 5-9 Metro Athletic Conference. Returning Letterwinners (8): Lacy Campbell, sr.; Reanna Barzal, sr.; Samantha Gadus, […]

Baseball: 2023 Streetsboro Rockets season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The baseball preview for the Streetsboro Rockets’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Chris Scisciani, 18th year, 174-205-1 career record. Coaching Staff: Ira Campbell, Kevin Kukla, Ricky Delambo, Brady Marlow, Jared Tuma. 2022 Record: 13-9 overall, 8-6 Metro Athletic Conference, sectional championship. Returning Lettermen (7): Colby Benjamin, […]

Girls Track and Field: 2023 Streetsboro Rockets season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The girls track and field preview for the Streetsboro Rockets’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Rob Kidd, 5th year (24th year coaching track at Streetsboro). Coaching Staff: Coaching Staff: Phil Starks (sprints), Mark Bindus (distance), Isabella Wagner (high jump and hurdles), Autumn Zitkewicz (throws). 2022 Record: […]

Boys Track and Field: 2023 Streetsboro Rockets season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The boys track and field preview for the Streetsboro Rockets’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Rob Kidd, 5th year (24th year coaching track at Streetsboro). Coaching Staff: Phil Starks (sprints), Mark Bindus (distance), Isabella Wagner (high jump and hurdles), Autumn Zitkewicz (throws). 2022 Record: 5-2 Metro […]

High School Roundup (March 28): Opening Day magic! Hughes throws no-hitter; Falcons win on walk-off

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   BASEBALL WATERLOO 21, SEBRING McKINLEY 0 Senior Noah Hughes struck out 12 in his four-inning no-hitter on Opening Day for the Vikings. The offense provided plenty of support, too, with a 16-run second inning highlighting the dominating performance. Landon McClain delivered two hits and three RBI, while Drew […]

High School Scoreboard: Tuesday, March 28, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2023 BASEBALL FIELD 4, BARBERTON 3 (At Field) BARBERTON 002-020-0—3 6 2 FIELD 000-200-2—4 5 4 Batteries: (Bar) Watson, Macko (4), Silva (7) and Vessels. (Fie) Gartner, McAmis (5), Kolesar (7) and Rinehart. WP — Kolesar (1-0). LP — Silva.   WATERLOO 21, SEBRING McKINLEY 0 (At Waterloo) McKINLEY […]

Baseball: 2023 Southeast Pirates season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The baseball preview for the Southeast Pirates’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Mitchell Ray, 1st year. Coaching Staff: Nick Dillon, Dan Miller, Ronnie Reed. 2022 Record: 8-10 overall; 4-6 Portage Trail Conference. Returning Lettermen (7): Evan Riffle, sr.; Ian Carter, sr.; Nate Muncy, jr.; Kyle Booher, […]

Girls Track and Field: 2023 Southeast Pirates season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The girls track and field preview for the Southeast Pirates’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Melinda Furr, 4th year. Coaching Staff: Becky Dunn, Christian Kainrad. 2022 Record: 2-3 Portage Trail Conference; 4th at PTC Championships. State Qualifiers: None. Returning Letterwinners (12): Aaliyah Braddy-Bardelli, sr.; Kate Campbell, […]

Softball: 2023 Southeast Pirates season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The softball preview for the Southeast Pirates’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Erin Muncy, 6th year, 33-45 career record. Coaching Staff: Ben Kobus, Heather Lindsay. 2022 Record: 8-8 overall, 6-4 Portage Trail Conference. Returning Letterwinners (8): Mack Foor, sr.; Jade Whitely, sr.; Lexi Morris, jr.; Mya […]

Girls Track and Field: 2023 Rootstown Rovers season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The girls track and field preview for the Rootstown Rovers’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Kyle Rodstrom, 16th year, 76-38-1 career dual-meet record. Coaching Staff: Joe Mackle, Denny Pickens. 2022 Record: 10-0 overall, 5-0 Portage Trail Conference; 1st at districts; 4th at regionals. History: League champions […]

Boys Track and Field: 2023 Rootstown Rovers season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The boys track and field preview for the Rootstown Rovers’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Larry Bailey, 39th year, 217-150-6 career record. Coaching Staff: Joe Mackle. 2022 Record: 7-2-1 overall; 5-0 Portage Trail Conference. Returning Lettermen (16): Trent Gierke, sr.; Caleb Cutright, sr.; Dylan Furry, sr.; […]

1985 Rootstown High School volleyball

The 1985 Rootstown High School volleyball team was crowned the champions of the Portage County League. The team included: Front row left to right: Denise Huth, Lori Harsh, Kim Moss, Margaret McClure, Diane Marva. Back row left to right: Head coach Kathy Baker, Stephanie Haines, Marianne Kurtz, Kris Halliwell, Jennifer Beasley, Ellen Ringstad, Angie Parrish.

Girls Basketball: 2022-23 Northeast Inland All-District

2022-23 OPSWA All-Northeast Inland District Basketball Teams The Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association All-Northeast Inland District basketball teams honor the top players from parts of Stark, Summit, Portage, Medina, Wayne, Trumbull, Columbiana, Mahoning and Ashland counties. The teams are selected by a media panel from those areas.   DIVISION I FIRST TEAM Paris Stokes, Canton McKinley, 5-6, sr., 18.5; Leena Patibandla, […]

Boys Basketball: 2022-23 Northeast Inland All-District

2022-23 OPSWA All-Northeast Inland District Basketball Teams The Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association All-Northeast Inland District basketball teams honor the top players from parts of Stark, Summit, Portage, Medina, Wayne, Trumbull, Columbiana, Mahoning and Ashland counties. The teams are selected by a media panel from those areas. DIVISION I FIRST TEAM Jonas Nichols, Hoban, 6-foot-3, junior, 16.0 points […]

Softball: 2023 Rootstown Rovers season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The softball preview for the Rootstown Rovers’ 2023 season: THE TEAM Head Coach: Paige Byers, 3rd year, 33-12 career record. Coaching Staff: Taylor Shepherd, Emily Pierson, Sheena Raab. 2022 Record: 16-4 overall, 9-1 Portage Trail Conference. Returning Letterwinners (8): Jessica Hahn, sr.; Zoe Noel, sr.; Maddie Wise, sr.; Shelbie […]

Girls Track and Field: 2023 Aurora Greenmen season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The high school girls track and field preview for the Aurora Greenmen’s 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Greg Cicero, 1st year at Aurora (16th overall). Coaching Staff: David Kindall, Megan Watt, Mark Dingman, Tom Nalepa, Jenna Schadle, Brendan Gallagher, Chris Radtke. 2022 Record: Suburban League American […]

Boys Track and Field: 2023 Aurora Greenmen season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The high school boys track and field preview for the Aurora Greenmen’s 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Chris Radtke, 9th year. Coaching Staff: Greg Cicero, Mark Dingman, Brendan Gallagher, Dave Kindall, Tom Nalepa, Jenna Schadle, Megan Watt. 2022 Record: 5-1 Suburban League American Division, 2nd at […]

Baseball: 2023 Ravenna Ravens season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The high school baseball preview for the Ravenna Ravens’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Lee Lovejoy, 5th year overall (1st at Ravenna). Coaching Staff: Matt Byers, Garrett Hickle, Jared Horner. 2022 Record: 3-13 overall, 0-11 Metro Athletic Conference. Returning Lettermen (5): Emmanuel Miller, sr.; Nate Joslyn, […]

Baseball: 2023 Kent Roosevelt Rough Riders season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The high school baseball preview for the Kent Roosevelt Rough Riders’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Mike Haney, 21st year, 265-227 career record. Coaching Staff: Ron Spears, Jesse Michel, Jason Preising, Zach Lewis, Alonzo Spears. 2022 Record: 16-8 overall; 7-7 Suburban League American Division. Returning Lettermen […]

Girls Track and Field: 2023 Mogadore Wildcats season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The high school girls track and field preview for the Mogadore Wildcats’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Kim Kreiner. Coaching Staff: Ann Murphy, Nick Page, Jimmy Woods. 2022 Record: Perry Division III regional champions. State Qualifers: 4×100 relay (Katie Lane, Amber Morris, Brooklyn McIntyre, Julie Tompkins). […]

Boys Track and Field: 2023 Mogadore Wildcats season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The high school boys track and field preview for the Mogadore Wildcats’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Mike Murphy. Coaching Staff: Nick Page, Ann Murphy, Jimmy Woods. State Qualifiers: Mason Murphy, high jump. Returning Lettermen (20): Nathan Archibald, sr.; Seth Baglia, sr.; Daniel Carter, sr.; Jonathan […]

Boys Basketball: Division I, Division II All-Ohio

COLUMBUS — The Division I and II boys basketball All-Ohio teams were announced Thursday by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association. ALL-OHIO DIVISION I Player of the Year: Devin Royal, Pickerington Central Coach of the Year: Shan Trusley, Westerville North First Team: Devin Royal, Pickerington Central, 6-6, sr., 19.2 (points per game); Cade Norris, Hilliard Bradley, 6-4, […]

Softball: 2023 Mogadore Wildcats season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The high school softball preview for the Mogadore Wildcats’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Jeff Fankhauser, 5th year, 54-16 career record. Coaching Staff: Tom Pollock. 2022 Record: 14-5 overall. Returning Letterwinners (8): McKenna Whitehead, sr.; Katie Gardner, jr.; Olivia Kidd, jr.; Savannah Thomas, jr.; Bri McQuain, […]

Baseball: 2023 Mogadore Wildcats season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The high school baseball preview for the Mogadore Wildcats’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Matt Dillon, 2nd year, 14-5 career record. Coaching Staff: Austin Williams, Chris Williams. 2022 Record: 14-5 overall record, 8-2 Portage Trail Conference. Returning Lettermen (9): Mason Williams, sr.; Bo Lanham, jr.; Austin […]

Softball: 2023 Field Falcons season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The high school softball preview for the Field Falcons’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Beth Dyer, 17th year, 308-90 career record. Coaching Staff: Bob Bauer, Dan Battaglia, Ashley Mack. 2022 Record: 23-4 overall record; 14-0 Metro Athletic Conference. Returning Letterwinners (7): Megan Schmidt, sr.; Bailey Evans, […]

Baseball: 2023 Field Falcons season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The high school baseball preview for the Field Falcons’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Joe Peterson, 11 years, 172-84 career record. Coaching Staff: Keith Bowers, Tim Contant, Matt Furino, Dru Pifel, Darren Shackleford, Bill Noveske, Josh Boarman, Evan Tutak, Levi Lowden. 2022 Record: 21-7 overall record; […]

Boys Track and Field: 2023 Field Falcons season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The high school boys track and field preview for the Field Falcons’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Ed Conroy. Coaching Staff: James Dutched, Levi Miller, George Wetzel. 2022 Record: 4th place in Metro Athletic Conference; 10th at Salem District. State Qualifiers: 4×800 Relay (Sean Silk, Owen […]

Girls Track and Field: 2023 Field Falcons season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The high school girls track and field preview for the Field Falcons’ 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Ed Conroy, 13th year. Coaching Staff: James Dutched, Levi Miller, George Wetzel. 2022 Record: 6-1 dual meets; 2nd place Metro Athletic Conference; 6th at Salem District. State Qualifiers: Emma […]

Boys Basketball: All-Ohio Division III, Division IV

COLUMBUS — The Division III and IV boys basketball All-Ohio teams were announced Wednesday by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association. The Division I and II All-Ohio teams will be announced Thursday. DIVISION III ALL-OHIO  Player of the Year: Dailyn Swain, Columbus Africentric Coach of the Year: Travis Wise, South Point First Team: Denali Jackson, Martins Ferry, […]

Girls Track and Field: 2023 Crestwood Red Devils season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The high school girls track and field preview for the Crestwood Red Devils for their upcoming 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Karlie Poole, 5th year. Coaching Staff: Josh Jakacki (sprints, hurdles, long jump); Jim Schweickert (high jump), Jake Lieberth (throws), Jack Blasiole (sprints, relays). 2022 Record: […]

Boys Track and Field: 2023 Crestwood Red Devils season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The high school boys track and field preview for the Crestwood Red Devils for their upcoming 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Josh Jakacki, 7th year. Coaching Staff: Karlie Lieberth (distance), Jack Blasiole (sprints, blocks), Jake Lieberth (shot put and discus), Jim Schweickert (high jump). 2022 Record: […]

Softball: 2023 Crestwood Red Devils season preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The high school softball preview for the Crestwood Red Devils and their upcoming 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: LeRoy Moore, 11th year, 169-66 career record. Coaching Staff: Eric Davis, Jenna Creque, Jenna Horschler, Jeremy Hunter. 2022 Record: 11-5 overall, 9-1 Chagrin Valley Conference. Returning Letterwinners (8): […]

Girls Basketball: All-Ohio Division I, Division II

COLUMBUS — The Division I and II girls basketball All-Ohio teams were announced Tuesday by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association. The Division III and IV All-Ohio were announced Monday. The boys basketball All-Ohio teams will be announced on Wednesday and Thursday. DIVISION I ALL-OHIO Player of the Year: Sole Williams, Cincinnati Princeton Coach of the Year: […]

Colts maintain lead in Metro Athletic Conference’s All-Sports Trophy standings

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Cloverleaf remains in the lead in the Metro Athletic Conference’s All-Sports Trophy standings. Following a tremendously strong fall season, which included four league championships (football, boys soccer, girls soccer and girls golf), the Colts maintained a balanced winter season and now sit in first place in the standings […]

Softball: 2023 Aurora Greenmen preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor High school softball preview for the Aurora Greenmen’s upcoming 2023 season: THE TEAM Head Coach: Sam Petrash, 6th season, 61-33 career record. Coaching Staff: Sarah Ross, Curtis Barker, Gregg Unverferth, Jerry Gattozzi. 2022 Record: 15-8 overall; 11-3 Suburban League American Division. Returning Letterwinners (9): Maggie McVicker, sr.; McKennah Metzger, […]

Baseball: 2023 Aurora Greenmen preview

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   High school baseball preview for the Aurora Greenmen’s upcoming 2023 season:   THE TEAM Head Coach: Trent Dalton. Coaching Staff: Robbie McKinney, John Scott, Victor Torres, Jake Knapp, Collin Witherspoon, Andrew Knapp, Derek Knapp. 2022 Record: 14-7 overall, 11-3 Suburban League. Returning Lettermen (13): Ben Schechterman, sr.; Nathan […]

Girls Basketball: Division III, Division IV All-Ohio

COLUMBUS — The Division III and IV girls basketball All-Ohio teams were announced Monday by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association. The Division I and II All-Ohio teams will be announced Tuesday, followed by the boys basketball All-Ohio teams on Wednesday and Thursday. DIVISION III ALL-OHIO Player of the Year: Corri Vermilya, Loudonville Coach of the Year: […]

Wrestling: All-time career wins list

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor An updated list for high school wrestling career wins in Portage County following the conclusion of the 2022-2023 season. A lot of research has gone into creating this list, however, I know that I may be missing a standout performer. Please know that it was not intentional, and I […]

2022-23 All-Portage Quizbowl League

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Portage Quizbowl League recently announced its All-League team for the 2022-2023 season. The league, which consisted of 18 different school districts split into three divisions, presented its all-league honors at an awards ceremony hosted at Garfield High School on Feb. 7.   PLAYER OF THE YEAR Jack […]

Youth basketball teams celebrate championship seasons

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor A group of youth boys and girls basketball teams recently completed their 2022-23 seasons with championships, competing in the Portage Youth League coordinated by the Kent Parks and Recreation Department. All teams played a regular season, then a tournament that concluded in finals that were played on March 11 […]

From Windham to Washington D.C.: A basketball life for Caitlyn Isler

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   For many, March Madness thrusts basketball to the heights of excitement. Imagine, though, if every month delivered that same enthusiasm. Or if you could immerse yourself in it every day. Caitlyn Isler does not have to imagine. She lives it. And she almost can’t believe it. Isler, who […]

OHSAA announces partnership extension with Rawlings

The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced on Thursday that it extended its partnership with Rawlings to continue to serve as the official basketball, baseball and softball of the organization. The agreement was extended for five more years through the 2027-28 school year as part of a partnership that officially began in 1999. “We place […]

Rado leads Garfield quizbowl team to state championship

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Garfield, Rootstown and Southeast quizbowl teams all attended the NAQT Ohio Small School State Championship. Garfield, which were champions of the Portage Quizbowl League, won the Very Small School state championship. The G-Men trailed the entire match, including 250-115 at halftime, and did not take the lead for […]

1984 Southeast High School baseball

The 1984 Southeast High School baseball team were champions of the Portage County League. The team included: Front row left to right: S. Sigworth, M. Richeson, S. Nichols, B. Baldasare, D. Stull, H. Hoover, M. Woodford. Second row left to right: Coach Dave Clegg, M. Rohal, B. Hawkins, J. Jordan, J. Hartman, B. Bragg, C. […]

Garfield G-Men celebrate 14 All-MVAC standouts

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Garfield G-Men celebrated 14 student-athletes that were recently named to the All-Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Grey Division teams. Leading the way is the G-Men wrestling team, which placed seven standouts on the All-MVAC teams. Keegan Sell was named the league’s Most Valuable Player, while Hunter Andel, Joseph […]

Nine Waterloo basketball players land on All-MVAC team

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Nine Waterloo High School boys and girls basketball players were recently named to the 2022-23 All-Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Scarlet Division team. For the Vikings’ girls basketball program, which finished the season with a 9-3 division record to place second behind undefeated Sebring McKinley, five players were recognized. […]

Girls Bowling: 2022-23 All-Portage Trail Conference

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The All-Portage Trail Conference boys bowling team for the 2022-23 season. The teams are selected through a process conducted by the league’s coaches.   BOWLER OF THE YEAR Payton Curall, Rootstown, junior   COACH OF THE YEAR Andy Day, Rootstown   FIRST TEAM Payton Curall, Rootstown, junior Maggie […]

Boys Bowling: 2022-23 All-Portage Trail Conference

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The All-Portage Trail Conference boys bowling team for the 2022-23 season. The teams are selected through a process conducted by the league’s coaches.   BOWLER OF THE YEAR Justin Miller, Rootstown, sophomore   COACHES OF THE YEAR Lyle Misener, Lake Center Christian Thom Butcher, Rootstown Brian Martinko, Warren […]

Wrestling: 2022-23 All-Portage Trail Conference

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The All-Portage Trail Conference wrestling team for the 2022-23 season. The teams are selected through a process conducted by the league’s coaches.   WRESTLER OF THE YEAR Cody Coontz, Rootstown, senior   COACH OF THE YEAR Craig Wise, Rootstown   FIRST TEAM 106 — Mason King, Mogadore, freshman […]

Wrestling Photo Gallery: State championship finals

All photos by Shannon Eldreth.

Garfield’s Andel, Sell make history with state-championship victories

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Sunday. March 12, 2023. What a day to be a G-Man. In the matter of minutes, senior Hunter Andel and junior Keegan Sell became the school’s first-ever wrestling state champions. Andel captured the honors first, winning his 165-pound showdown with Rootstown senior Cody Coontz by a 3-0 decision. Sell’s […]

Mogadore senior Shellenbarger wins state championship

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Mogadore senior Tyler Shellenbarger entered Sunday’s state finals ready to live in the moment and be ready for whatever his opponent had for him. What may seem like a calm approach, was just that, but not without a relentless aggressiveness to strike when the opportunity presented itself. The formula […]

Six from Portage to play in GABCA All-Star Game; Windham’s Hill to be induced into HOF

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Greater Akron Basketball Coaches Association will host its annual All-Star Game on Tuesday at Medina Highland High School. The night includes a pair of games, with the Underclassmen All-Star Game scheduled for 6 p.m. and the Senior Game scheduled to follow. In the Underclassmen Game, Portage County […]

Five Portage County standouts to wrestle for state championships

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Sunday’s final day of the OHSAA wrestling state championships will be a special one for Portage County. Five standout wrestlers will vie for a state title, including an all Portage County final in Division III at 165 pounds between Garfield senior Hunter Andel and Rootstown senior Cody Coontz. Joining […]

Wrestling Photo Gallery: State championship day one

Photo credits: Shannon Eldreth of Eldreth Photography  

Every record and milestone from the 2022-23 winter season

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The 2022-2023 winter sports season was filled with memorable moments. So much so that you could classify the season as historical. Complete with career records. Individual records. Milestones. And long-awaited championships, among other accomplishments and achievements. Each received their respective spotlight of Portage Sports coverage at the time, […]

Basketball: Learning the story of Rootstown’s Richard Sheffield

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   It is stories like these that make me love my job more than I already do. Last week, I posted a team photo of the 1949-50 Rootstown High School boys basketball team in the History section of the Portage Sports website. Within a few hours, I received a […]

Girls Basketball: 2022-23 All-Portage Trail Conference

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The All-Portage Trail Conference boys basketball team for the 2022-2023 season. The teams are selected through a process conducted by the league’s coaches.   PLAYER OF THE YEAR Brooklyn McIntyre, Mogadore, junior   COACH OF THE YEAR Joe Leonard, Rootstown   FIRST TEAM Brooklyn McIntyre, Mogadore, junior McKenna […]

Boys Basketball: 2022-23 All-Portage Trail Conference

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The All-Portage Trail Conference boys basketball team for the 2022-2023 season. The teams are selected through a process conducted by the league’s coaches.   PLAYER OF THE YEAR Michael Condoleon, Warren JFK, junior   COACH OF THE YEAR Scott Giammarco, St. Thomas Aquinas   FIRST TEAM Michael Condoleon, […]

Gymnastics: Aurora’s Salgado places fourth at state meet to complete historic season

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Senior Hannah Salgado took the Aurora High School gymnastics program back to where it had not been in 18 years: The state championships. Salgado qualified for the state competition out of the Northeast District hosted at Hudson High School to become the first Greenmen gymnast to accomplish the […]

Charles Auto Family’s Getting to Know: Crestwood girls basketball coach TJ Henderson

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today, we get to know Crestwood High School girls basketball head coach TJ Henderson, who recently completed his second […]

Portage Quizbowl teams earn invitations for national tournament

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The National Academic Quiz Tournament has invited a collection of Portage Quizbowl League members to its national tournament that will be hosted this spring, which will include more than 350 high schools of various enrollment sizes. The tournament will be held in Atlanta, Ga., on May 26-28. Schools […]

Field hires Kevin Sisak to be new boys soccer head coach

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Kevin Sisak was not exactly sure when he would return to coaching soccer, but he was confident it would happen. After two seasons off, Sisak has returned. And with the same school. After resigning from his position as the Field High School girls coach following the 2020 season […]

The legend of the 1977-78 Windham Bombers boys basketball team

By George Belden Special to Portage Sports   The phone chimed. It was 7:54 a.m. I’m 73 years old. Nobody calls me at 7:54 in the morning, except doctors and funeral homes. The Caller ID said Zack Burns, principal at Windham High School. As soon as I picked it up, Zack said, “George, I have […]

Six Windham basketball players named All-Northeastern Athletic Conference

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Windham Bombers boys and girls basketball teams placed six players on the All-Northeastern Athletic Conference teams for the 2022-23 season. Leading the way were seniors Chase Eye and Mariah Woods, who both earned First-Team status in the league. Eye helped lead the Bombers to a co-league championship. […]

Group of Red Devils standouts earn All-Chagrin Valley Conference honors

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Crestwood High School had 14 student-athletes that earned All-Chagrin Valley Conference honors following the 2022-23 winter season. A quintet led the way with First-Team honors. That group included sophomore Dekota Johnson in boys basketball, sophomore Hannah Ward in girls basketball, juniors JP Wrobel and Drake Rennecker and freshman […]

Do It For James Foundation plans to donate shoes to area track athletes

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Do It For James Foundation is seeking five high school track and field athletes in need of shoes for the upcoming season. The foundation has set out a plan to donate five pairs of shoes to those in need. The foundation asks for a brief email be […]

Wrestling: Complete list of state qualifiers

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   A complete list of Portage County wrestlers that qualified for next weekend’s state championship.   DIVISION I AURORA 106 — Luke Green 113 — Johnny Green   DIVISION II STREETSBORO 120 — Anthony Perez 132 — Donovan Paes 150 — Cohen Klimak   DIVISION III CRESTWOOD 126 — […]

High School Scoreboard: Saturday, March 4, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 2023 WRESTLING HOOVER DIVISION I DISTRICT TEAM RESULTS  1. Brecksville 264.0; 2. Wadsworth 220.5; 3. Mass. Perry 204.0; 4. Nordonia 113.0; 5. Mentor 93.5; 6. Walsh Jesuit 91.0; 7. Med Highland 69.0; 8. Aurora 67.0; 9. Stow-Munroe Falls 65.0; 10. Mayfield 52.5; 11. Medina 48.0; 12. Austintown-Fitch 39.0; 13. Uniont. […]

Season ends for Cats in valiant loss to No. 1 seed Richmond Heights

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Historically, Mogadore is not a group that will search for wins in losses. If they are, though, they should find solace in the fact that it has taken the state’s absolute best to eliminate them from the football and boys basketball tournaments this year. Just three short months […]

Southeast announces exit from PTC, accepts invitation from MVAC

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Southeast High School and the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference formally announced on Friday an agreement for the Pirates to join the league at the start of the 2024-25 school year. The new partnership was announced by a press release by MVAC commissioner John Mang on Friday afternoon. It […]

Swimming: Roosevelt’s Bailey, D’Sidocky and Medley Relay show well at state meet

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   There were moments throughout the Kent Roosevelt High School boys swimming and diving team’s season that head coach Corey Spicer saw glimpses of something beyond the regular season. Navigating through the postseason can be tricky, though, and his Rough Riders would have to be prepared to elevate their […]

Girls Bowling: 2022-23 All-Metro Athletic Conference

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The All-Metro Athletic Conference girls bowling team for the 2022-23 season. The teams are selected through a process conducted by the league’s coaches.   BOWLER OF THE YEAR Delayna Harvey, Cloverleaf, senior   COACHES OF THE YEAR Haley Boatwright, Ravenna Dennis Huffman, Cloverleaf   FIRST TEAM Delayna Harvey, […]

Boys Bowling: 2022-23 All-Metro Athletic Conference

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The All-Metro Athletic Conference boys bowling team for the 2022-23 season. The teams are selected through a process conducted by the league’s coaches.   BOWLER OF THE YEAR Parker Addison, Ravenna, senior   COACHES OF THE YEAR Kelly Champ, Ravenna Mike Sayre, Norton   FIRST TEAM Parker Addison, […]

1949-50 Rootstown High School boys basketball

The 1949-50 Rootstown High School boys basketball team. The team included: Front row left to right: Manager Russ Riemenschneider, John Kropac, Roger Ward, Bill Hensley, manager Roland Miller. Back row left to right: Bill Kline, Paul Ward, Wendall Hall, Bill Cheatwood, Paul Long, Carl Conley, Richard Sheffield, coach Clifford Foust. A special thank you to […]

Laurel ends historic season for Garfield girls basketball

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The winningest season in Garfield girls basketball history came to an end on Wednesday night. Not before a valiant effort. In a game that head coach Aaron Gilbert admitted his team was outmatched in practically every way, the G-Men trailed by just two at halftime and hung within striking […]

Wrestling: 2022-23 All-Metro Athletic Conference

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The All-Metro Athletic Conference wrestling team for the 2022-23 season. The teams are selected through a process conducted by the league’s coaches.   WRESTLER OF THE YEAR Donovan Paes, Streetsboro, senior   COACH OF THE YEAR Josh Zupancic, Streetsboro   FIRST TEAM 106 — Aidan Carone, Streetsboro, junior […]

Girls Basketball: 2022-23 All-Metro Athletic Conference

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The All-Metro Athletic Conference girls basketball team for the 2022-23 season. The teams are selected by the league’s coaches.   PLAYER OF THE YEAR Bailey Acord, Norton, senior   COACH OF THE YEAR Brian Miller, Norton   FIRST TEAM Bailey Acord, Norton, senior Naomi Benson, Streetsboro, sophomore Delilah […]

Boys Basketball: 2022-23 All-Metro Athletic Conference

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The All-Metro Athletic Conference boys basketball team for the 2022-23 season. The teams are selected by the league’s coaches.   PLAYERS OF THE YEAR Mason Ross, Ravenna, senior Evan Duve, Woodridge, junior   COACHES OF THE YEAR Marlon Jones, Ravenna Ric Blevins, Woodridge   FIRST TEAM Mason Ross, […]

Charles Auto Family’s Getting to Know: Windham girls basketball coach Jimie Collins

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today, we get to know Windham High School girls basketball head coach Jimie Collins, who is in his sixth […]

Unsung Heroes: Coaches shine deserved spotlight on basketball assistants

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The curtain is falling on the 2022-23 high school boys and girls basketball season. The basketball season is one of the longest in all of high school sports, with tryouts being held in October and, for some, a season that runs into late February and early March. Any […]

League Update: Youth boys and girls basketball

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The youth basketball leagues hosted by the Kent Parks and Recreation Department continue to work through their seasons. Updated standings are listed below: 1st-2nd Grade Boys (Black Division) Kent (Lemmon) 5-0 Field (Peterson) 4-1 Field (Goad) 3-1 Field (Clear) 3-2 Field (Oravec) 3-2 Kent (Boyd) 1-4 Kent (Bradley) […]

Youth track and youth lacrosse leagues announced

YOUTH TRACK AND FIELD LEAGUE The Kent Parks and Recreation Department is currently accepting registrations for its Portage Youth Track and Field program, which will be split into two different divisions. One will be for third and fourth grades, with another set up for fifth and sixth grades. Events for both age groups will include […]

JFK’s third-quarter scoring barrage drops curtain on Bombers season

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Windham head coach Cody Apthorpe knew it could be lurking around any corner. His Bombers pushed it down throughout a valiant first half. Then, the third quarter. It emerged. Warren JFK’s offensive barrage cascaded into the Struthers High School gymnasium like an inescapable avalanche. In an absolute blur, […]

Tournament time proves to be special time for Garfield girls basketball

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Garfield girls basketball head coach Aaron Gilbert describes tournament time as a time when anything can happen. And while he is absolutely right, the only thing that has been happening over the last decade for the G-Men is winning. It proved true again on Saturday, with the G-Men […]

1991 Southeast High School volleyball

The 1991 Southeast High School volleyball team were champions of the Portage County League. The team was coached by Mary Tarka. The team included: Front row left to right: Jackie Lewis, Shellie Hamrick, Jennifer Woolard, Tesse Finnie, Jackie Kowal, Tracy Lash, Lisa Lash. Middle row left to right: Becky Clark, Tina Romito, Ellen Bradley, Erin […]

Wrestling: Complete list of district qualifiers

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   A list of district quallifiers from this past weekend’s sectional tournaments. For clarification, the top-four placers from each weight class advanced to the district tournament.   DIVISION I AURORA Luke Green, 106 pounds Jonny Green, 113 Michael Kennedy, 126 Reese Sesny, 132 Kyle Bizjak, 144 Cole Walton, 150 […]

Garfield girls basketball captures third straight district title

Nova was the videoly that we all wanted to read in the Sixties because every issue brought something new and relevant to our lives: extraordinary fashion by Molly Parkin; innovative layouts and photographs by Harri Peccinotti; articles about the Pill and our new sexual freedom and a different take on beauty, fashion and celebrity – for one incredibly complicated story, we revamped the Queen. Our editor, Dennis Hackett, always thought outside the box a

High School Scoreboard: Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, FEB . 25, 2023 WRESTLING WADSWORTH DIVISION I SECTIONAL TEAM RESULTS  1. Wadsworth 333; 2. Aurora 176; 3. Stow 169; 4. Hoover 141; 5. Massillon Washington 140; 6. Chardon 97.5; 7. Dover 65; 8. Firestone 63; 9. Green 59; 10. Willoughby South 37. CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS PORTAGE COUNTY ONLY 106 — Luke […]

High School Scoreboard: Friday, Feb. 24, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, FEB. 24, 2023 BOYS BASKETBALL DIVISION IV SECTIONAL FINAL WINDHAM 66, WELLSVILLE 64 (At Wellsville) WINDHAM (66) — Lucas Churchill 7 1-2 16; Carlos Bruton 7 2-2 17; Jack Eye 2 0-1 4; Chase Eye 3 4-6 11; Zack Turk 9 0-0 18. Totals 28 7-11 66. WELLSVILLE (64) — Ed […]

Cats overcome slow start to win 12th sectional title in last 15 years

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Mogadore’s first-quarter shooting woes would doom many teams and set the stage for an uphill climb that may never be reversed. Mogadore is not like many teams, though. Not at all. The Wildcats pressed on with the same formula that has guided them to success throughout the entire […]

Vikings win fourth sectional title in five years in low-scoring battle over Newton Falls

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Waterloo Vikings boys basketball team prevailed over Newton Falls on Friday in a low-scoring dogfight. Waterloo, which used scoring advantages in the second and fourth quarters to gain the slight advantage, earned the 33-31 victory to win a Division III sectional championship. The 13th-seeded Vikings advance to […]

Bombers earn sectional championship victory at Wellsville

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The Windham Bombers rode the wave of a strong first quarter to a 66-64 Division IV sectional championship victory over Wellsville on Friday night. The Bombers, on the road, put up 22 first-quarter points, in a game that went back and forth the entire way. Senior Zack Turk came […]

Basketball: Updated statistical leaders (Feb. 23)

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 2022-23 STATISTICAL LEADERS BOYS BASKETBALL Player, School Average Garrett Sprutte, Southeast 21.3 Dekota Johnson, Crestwood 20.3 Chase Eye, Windham 20.2 Preston Gedeon, Garfield 18.3 Navarre Alhassan, Waterloo 17.7 Layne Miller, Mogadore 15.2 Joe Crawford, Field 14.0 Michael Phillips, Southeast 13.3 Charlie Schweickert, Crestwood 13.2 Nick Coffman, Mogadore 12.7 Carlos Bruton, Windham 12.1 […]

OHSAA removes Toledo Central Catholic from tourney because of recruiting infractions

News release submitted by the Ohio High School Athletic Association Executive Director Doug Ute   COLUMBUS — The Ohio High School Athletic Association has removed Toledo Central Catholic High School from the girls basketball tournament, OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute announced Wednesday evening, after it was learned that the girls basketball program has committed a third […]

High School Scoreboard: Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22, 2023 GIRLS BASKETBALL DIVISION II BARBERTON REGION  |  NORTHEAST 2 DISTRICT SEMIFINAL PERRY 45, STREETSBORO 43 (At Perry) STREETSBORO (43) — Olivia Johnson-Wilson 1 1-2 3; Sydney Abbuhl 2 2-4 7; Carlee Bedford 3 0-4 7; Naomi Benson 4 5-8 13; Ella Kassan 4 0-1 9; Madelyn Hajec 1 […]

Roosevelt names Kardell Jackson as new football coach

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Another Kent Roosevelt Rough Rider is coming home. Kardell Jackson was officially announced as the Kent Roosevelt football head coach on Tuesday. Jackson graduated from Kent Roosevelt in 2014 and played football through his junior season under legendary John Nemec. Jackson, who attended Ashland University, missed his senior […]

Charles Auto Family’s Getting to Know: Southeast wrestling’s Shane Kuberry

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today, we get to know Southeast High School wrestling coach Shane Kuberry, who is in his first season leading […]

High School Roundup (Feb. 21): Rockets, G-Men, Pirates, Bombers all win opening tourney matchups

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   BOYS BASKETBALL DIVISION II SECTIONAL SEMIFINAL STREETSBORO 63, PAINESVILLE HARVEY 58 The Rockets were led by a 23-point effort from sophomore Jackson Gula in a game that had to withstand a 26-point fourth quarter from Harvey to secure the win. Streetsboro was leading 48-32 going into the final […]

High School Scoreboard: Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, FEB. 21, 2023 BOYS BASKETBALL DIVISION II CANTON REGION  |  NORTHEAST 2 SECTIONAL SEMIFINAL STREETSBORO 63, PAINESVILLE HARVEY 58 (At Streetsboro) PAINESVILLE HARVEY (58) — Thomas 4 1-2 9; Haffa 0 3-6 3; Konya 1 0-0 3; Bailey 4 2-3 10; Hall 4 1-1 10; Goines 3 0-0 6; Ware 7 […]

Ravenna graduate Damien Fortson at Michigan State

2000 Ravenna High School graduate Damien Fortson earned a scholarship to continue his academic and athletic careers at Michigan State University as a defensive back. Fortson, pictured as No. 38, threw for 1,873 yards during his senior season with the Ravens. That 1999 group qualified for the playoffs before being eliminated by Buchtel. The 1,873 […]

High School Wrestling Report: Second season is now for area programs

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Tournament time is officially here. For Portage County’s wrestling programs, it opens this weekend with sectional tournaments and the district tournaments will take place next weekend. The state championships will be hosted in Columbus at the Schottenstein Center on March 10, 11 and 12. Here is a snapshot […]

Women’s Tri-County Basketball Coaches Association announces All-Star teams

WOMEN’S TRI-COUNTY BASKETBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION 2022-23 ALL-STAR SELECTIONS Note: All-Star Game will be played on March 29 at Barberton High School.   DIVISION I FIRST TEAM Player of the Year: Megan Taraba, Walsh Jesuit, sr. Underclassmen of the Year: Caitlyn Holmes, Ellet, soph.   Mackenzie Kramer, Cuyahoga Falls, sr. Emma Rasmussen, Hoban, sr. Olivia Klanac, […]

Photo Gallery: Ravenna boys basketball’s seniors through the years

The Ravenna High School boys basketball seniors have spent years playing together, dating back to their days as youth players. Here are some team photos of the Ravens’ seniors that were provided by families.

The story of how Ravenna’s nine basketball seniors became champions

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The historic championship for the Ravenna High School boys basketball program is a classic example of the iceberg illusion. Everyone sees the championship today, but it is everything they did not see over a four-year period that made the celebration possible. A postgame celebration, complete with emotional tears […]

Photo Gallery: Metro Athletic Conference wrestling tournament

High School Scoreboard: Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, FEB. 18, 2023 WRESTLING METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS (At Woodridge) TEAM SCORES  1. Streetsboro 189.5; 2. Cloverleaf 163; 3. Field 99; 4. Springfield 97; 5. Woodridge 94; 6. Norton 87.5; 7. Coventry 63; 8. Ravenna 51.5. CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS 106 pounds — Aidan Carone (Str) dec. over Kaden Orndorf (Nov), 7-0 113 […]

Streetsboro wrestling captures MAC wrestling championship

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Streetsboro Rockets won the Metro Athletic Conference wrestling tournament on Saturday. The event, which was hosted at Woodridge High School, featured five individual champions for the Rockets, along with senior Donovan Paes being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler. Individual titles for Streetsboro were won by Aidan […]

High School Scoreboard: Friday, Feb. 17, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, FEB. 17, 2023 BOYS BASKETBALL SCORES Cuyahoga Falls 57, Kent Roosevelt 39 Southeast 96, Rootstown 69 Woodridge 61, Field 48 Mogadore 56, St. Thomas Aquinas 49 Revere 70, Aurora 53 West Branch 63, Waterloo 33 Newton Falls 66, Windham 64 Coventry 64, Streetsboro 58 Norton 63, Ravenna 49   SOUTHEAST 96, […]

Dominant Pirates roar to Senior Night victory over Rovers

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The Southeast boys basketball team had envisioned that the 2022-23 season would have more nights like Friday. Then again, what team wouldn’t. In their most complete game of the season, the Pirates roared to a memorable 96-69 Senior Night victory over the Rootstown Rovers. “I can’t think of a […]

OHSAA announces expanded summer coaching opportunities, earlier fall start date

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced Thursday to expand the summer coaching period, as well as moving the start of the summer period to May 15 instead of June 1, as well as moving fall sports practices forward by one day. The announcement was made by the […]

Column: Congratulations, Ravenna

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   I have been fortunate to cover a lot of games that have championships on the line. It is exciting and the atmosphere is always heightened. The crowds are larger and arrive earlier. The student sections are engaged and invested. The cheerleaders and pep bands are louder and more […]

Basketball: Updated statistical leaders (Feb. 16)

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 2022-23 STATISTICAL LEADERS   BOYS BASKETBALL Player, School Average Dekota Johnson, Crestwood 21.0 Garrett Sprutte, Southeast 20.6 Chase Eye, Windham 19.6 Preston Gedeon, Garfield 18.5 Navarre Alhassan, Waterloo 17.7 Layne Miller, Mogadore 15.2 Joe Crawford, Field 14.6 Michael Phillips, Southeast 13.5 Charlie Schweickert, Crestwood 13.2 Nick Coffman, Mogadore 12.7 Lucas Churchill, Windham […]

High School Scoreboard: Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, FEB. 15, 2023 GIRLS BASKETBALL BARBERTON DIVISION II REGION NORTHEAST 2 SECTIONAL SEMIFINAL STREETSBORO 42, HARVEY 21 (At Streetsboro) HARVEY (21) — Dionjane Crawford 1 0-0 2; De’yonna Jackson 1 0-0 3; Zharia McMullen 1 2-2 4; Sana Hicks 2 0-0 4; Lola Thomas 1 0-0 2; Janel Montgomery 1 0-0 […]

Mogadore junior McIntyre scores 1,000th point

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Mogadore High School junior girls basketball standout Brook McIntyre reached the 1,000-point milestone on Wednesday during the Wildcats’ dominating 81-15 Division IV sectional semifinal victory over Lake Ridge Academy. McIntyre totaled 26 points in the game to become the program’s 14th player in history to reach the scoring […]

Basketball: Complete standings update (Feb. 15)

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   BOYS BASKETBALL PORTAGE TRAIL CONFERENCE Team: Overall, League St. Thomas Aquinas 14-6, 8-1 Warren JFK 16-5, 7-2 Mogadore 15-5, 5-3 Lake Center Christian 13-8, 5-4 Southeast 5-15, 1-7 Rootstown 4-17, 0-9   METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE Team: Overall, League Ravenna 17-4, 10-2 Woodridge 10-11, 10-3 Norton 10-10, 8-5 Coventry […]

Charles Auto Family’s Getting to Know: Windham boys basketball’s Cody Apthorpe

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today, we get to know Windham High School boys basketball coach Cody Apthorpe, who is a Bombers graduate and […]

Cheerleading: Field hosts Metro Athletic Conference competition

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Field High School hosted the Metro Athletic Conference Cheer Competition last weekend. Competing teams in the high-school division included Coventry, Cloverleaf, Field, Norton, Springfield, Streetsboro and Woodridge. At the middle-school level, competing teams included Coventry, Field, Norton, Springfield, Streetsboro and Woodridge. In the high-school competition, the Woodridge Bulldogs […]

Associated Press boys and girls basketball state polls (Feb. 13)

BOYS BASKETBALL The Top 10 teams in the boys Associated Press Ohio high school basketball polls of the 2022-2023 season with first-place votes in parentheses, won-loss record, total points and position last week at right. Division I 1. Centerville (4) 19-3, 107, 1 2. Lakewood St. Edward (8) 17-1, 105, 2 3. Stow-Munroe Falls 18-2, […]

Bonsky Heating and Cooling Athlete of the Week: Rootstown wrestling’s Tristen McKibben

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   For decades, Rootstown wrestling lived in the shadows of Ravenna and Southeast — the two powerhouse programs in Portage County. There was no shame in it for the Rovers, because everybody else was competing underneath the same casted shadow. By the late 2000’s, though, the Rovers began to […]

1966 Ravenna Rams Junior Varsity youth football

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

Youth basketball leagues in full swing

The area’s youth boys and girls basketball leagues are in full swing, with action taking place this past weekend at various locations, including the Kent Parks and Recreation Building and the Kent State University Student Recreation and Wellness Center. All photos are by Kent Parks and Recreation Department photographer Oliver Wuensch.

High School Scoreboard: Friday, Feb. 10, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, FEB. 10, 2023 BOYS BASKETBALL LAKE CENTER CHRISTIAN 62, ROOTSTOWN 38 (At Rootstown) LAKE CENTER CHRISTIAN (62) — Warder 11 1-2 24; Underwood 2 0-0 6; Hulse 1 0-0 2; Norman 5 0-0 12; Stokes 6 0-2 12; Gingerich 1 0-0 2; Lynch 1 2-2 4. Totals 27 3-6 62. ROOTSTOWN […]

Ravenna boys basketball wins historic league championship

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The tears were real. The smiles were glowing. The memories will last forever. And it all belongs to the Ravenna High School boys basketball team. Ravenna's Pavel Henderson rises for a first-quarter dunk.Paisley Nader/Portage Sports For the first time since 1978-79 and only the second time in school [...]

1980 Mogadore High School football

The 1980 Mogadore High School football team finished the regular season with a perfect 10-0 record and captured the program’s 16th league championship. The Wildcats advanced to the state semifinal after a 21-20 regional championship victory over Lorain Clearview. The Cats lost in the state semifinal, 6-0, to Tiffin Calvert. Mogadore’s regular season results included: […]

Portage Quiz Bowl All-League team announced

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Portage Quiz Bowl All-League team was announced on Wednesday night. Here is the group:   PLAYER OF THE YEAR Jack Rado, Garfield   FIRST TEAM Jack Rado, Garfield, 201.25 points per game Anthony Yin, Rootstown, 130.00 ppg Philip Yao, Aurora, 78.50 ppg Mikeia Little, Bedford, 74.17 ppg […]

Leslie brothers inject energy to Roosevelt basketball team

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Before his Rough Riders took the court for the second time against Medina Highland on Jan. 27, first-year boys basketball head coach Curtis Black was faced with a difficult decision. He needed some enthusiasm injected into his second unit and one of the best solutions was actually to […]

Basketball: Updated statistical leaders (Feb. 9)

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 2022-23 STATISTICAL LEADERS BOYS BASKETBALL Player, School Average Garrett Sprutte, Southeast 20.6 Dekota Johnson, Crestwood 20.3 Chase Eye, Windham 19.6 Preston Gedeon, Garfield 19.0 Navarre Alhassan, Waterloo 17.7 Layne Miller, Mogadore 14.8 Joe Crawford, Field 14.5 Michael Phillips, Southeast 13.5 Charlie Schweickert, Crestwood 13.2 Nick Coffman, Mogadore 12.7 Lucas Churchill, Windham 12.1 […]

High School Roundup (Feb. 8): Rootstown girls basketball wins outright PTC title

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   GIRLS BASKETBALL ROOTSTOWN 55, SOUTHEAST 30 The Rovers simply were not interested in sharing. Playing for the opportunity for the outright Portage Trail Conference title and undefeated league record, Rootstown dominated the host Pirates for the 25-point victory in Palmyra on Wednesday night. A win for the Pirates […]

High School Scoreboard: Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8, 2023 GIRLS BASKETBALL ROOTSTOWN 55, SOUTHEAST 30 (At Southeast) ROOTSTOWN (55) — Colbie Curall 1 0-0 2; Kylie McColloch 2 0-0 5; Abby White 3 0-2 8; Lindsay  Smith 1 2-2 5; Aubrey Kline 2 0-0 5; Porter Smith 3 0-0 8; Brooklynn McIntyre 3 0-2 6; Sasha Nichols […]

Charles Auto Family’s Getting to Know: Southeast girls basketball coach Craig Nettleton

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today, we get to know Southeast High School girls basketball coach and Southeast Middle School Principal Craig Nettleton, who […]

Thank you, Mom and Dad — as told by Portage County’s wrestling coaches

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Signs of appreciation seem to peak for parents when their children are in school. When they are competing across multiple sports, filling up daily schedules with games, practices, training sessions and more. And, rightfully so. Especially when their children are too young to be their own mode of […]

Crestwood middle school student-athletes celebrate title after title

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   It has been a championship year for a number of Crestwood Middle School student-athletes. A group of Red Devils have captured titles in baseball, football, soccer and basketball. It all started over the summer with the Crestwood Mudcats 12U team. Coached by Tim Sommer, the Mudcats found momentum […]

High School Roundup (Feb. 7): Sprutte’s 30 lead Pirates to non-league win

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   BOYS BASKETBALL SOUTHEAST 56, BERKSHIRE 46 The Pirates scored a home victory over the Badgers on Tuesday, with Garrett Sprutte leading the way with 30 points. Michael Phillips also scored in double figures with 15 points for the Pirates, who took a 26-23 lead at halftime, then were […]

High School Scoreboard: Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, FEB. 7, 2023 BOYS BASKETBALL LAKE CENTER CHRISTIAN 54, FIELD 44 (At Lake Center Christian) FIELD (44) — Braxton Baumberger 3 1-1 8; Makai People 2 0-0 4; Grady Eader 1 0-0 3; Drexal McAmis 2 0-0 4; Manny Smith 1 0-0 2; Trevor Dixon 1 1-2 3; Brayden Ronowski 2 […]

Basketball: Associated Press state poll (Feb. 6)

BOYS BASKETBALL ASSOCIATED PRESS STATE POLL The Top 10 teams in the boys Associated Press Ohio high school basketball polls of the 2022-23 season, with first-place votes in parentheses, won-loss record, total points and last week’s ranking: DIVISION I Rank, Team Record Points LW 1. Centerville (5) 17-2 117 2 2. Lakewood St. Edward (8) […]

Bonsky Heating and Cooling Athlete of the Week: Garfield wrestling’s Hunter Andel

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The start of Hunter Andel’s wrestling career is a distant memory. For most anyway, but he remembers it quite well. And not for the reasons you may think. “I did not win a single match for two years,” said Andel, who started wrestling at the age of 5. […]

High School Roundup (Feb. 3): Streetsboro girls win 8th straight to end regular season

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   GIRLS BASKETBALL STREETSBORO 65, COVENTRY 40 A balanced Rockets offense was highlighted by Ella Kassan’s 15 points and Naomi Benson’s 14 points in the team’s eighth straight victory to close out the regular season. Streetsboro’s last loss came on Jan. 16 to Toledo Central Catholic at the Classic […]

High School Scoreboard: Monday, Feb. 6, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, FEB. 6, 2023 GIRLS BASKETBALL MOGADORE 54, AKRON NORTH 11 (At Mogadore) AKRON NORTH (11) — Frozen Azimi 1 0-0 2; Rachel Masezerano 1 0-0 2; Leah Mohseni 2 0-0 5; Aayusha Subba 1 0-0 2. Totals 4 0-0 11. MOGADORE (54) — McKenna Whitehead 5 2-4 12; Katie Holler 2 […]

Rootstown wrestler Cody Coontz wins historic 150th match

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Rootstown High School senior wrestling standout Cody Coontz recently reached another career milestone. Coontz is now one of just 22 wrestlers in Portage County history to win at least 150 wins. And counting for Coontz, who is working toward the opportunity for a deep tournament run in February […]

Ravenna boys bowling capture MAC championship

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Ravenna High School boys bowling team captured the Metro Athletic Conference championship on Saturday hosted at Stonehedge Entertainment. The boys team finished second place at the tournament, which combined with their first-place finish in league competition, pushed the Ravens to the title. The boys team is coached […]

Waterloo youth baseball and softball signups

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The registration for the spring 2023 Waterloo youth baseball and softball signups is currently open. The deadline to register is Friday. All registrations can be done here. The baseball organization offers divisions for T-ball (4 and 5 year olds), coach pitch one (6U), coach pitch two (7U), farm […]

High School Scoreboard: Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SUNDAY, FEB. 5, 2023 BOYS BASKETBALL SATURDAY BRISTOL 74, WINDHAM 66 (At Bristol) WINDHAM (66) — Lucas Churchill 4 2-2 12; Carolos Bruton 4 3-4 11; Jack Eye 5 1-4 15; Chase Eye 4 4-4 12; Dylan McCune 1 0-0 3; Zack Turk 6 1-1 13. Totals 24 11-15 66. BRISTOL (74) […]

Boys Basketball: OHSAA Tournament first-round matchups

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   A look at the tournament matchups for high school boys basketball   DIVISION I Kent/Toledo Region 1 Northeast 2 District      • No. 37 Aurora vs. No. 1 Stow/No. 36 Lakeside winner, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m.   Northeast 3 District      • No. 30 Kent […]

High School Scoreboard: Friday, Feb. 3, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, FEB. 3, 2023 BOYS BASKETBALL COVENTRY 48, FIELD 46 (At Field) COVENTRY (48) — Juersevich 1 0-0 3; Austin 4 2-2 10; Keenan 0 0-2 0; Clark 9 0-0 20; Futrell 1 0-0 3; Wilcox 1 0-0 2; Edwards 5 0-6 10. Totals 21 2-10 48. FIELD (46) — Braxton Baumberger […]

Ultra-rare 7-point possession catapults Roosevelt over Aurora

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Kent Roosevelt head coach Curtis Black saw something brand new on Friday night. A seven-point play. There was no better time for it, either. Black’s Riders were struggling to find any kind of offensive rhythm in the second half of their road game at Aurora, then, boom, seven […]

Special week for Windham’s Chase Eye ends with 1,000-point milestone

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   It has been a special week for Windham High School boys basketball senior Chase Eye. On Tuesday, Eye posted the first triple-double of his career. In the victory over Lordstown, Eye scored 28 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and dished out 10 assists. On Friday night, though in […]

Kent Roosevelt graduate Riley Larkin joins Ohio State football staff

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Riley Larkin is officially living a dream come true. The Kent Roosevelt graduate and former Rough Riders football standout can now call himself an Ohio State Buckeye. Larkin was hired by head coach Ryan Day to be an offensive assistant, with the intention to hyper-focus on the Buckeyes’ running […]

Rootstown girls basketball captures second straight PTC title

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Thursday became a night for champions for the Rootstown Rovers girls basketball team. With the program’s 55-24 victory over St. Thomas Aquinas, the Rovers captured their second consecutive Portage Trail Conference title. Thursday’s triumph clinched at a least share of the crown for Rootstown, which travels to Southeast […]

1964 Randolph High School football

The 1964 Randolph High School football team posted a record of 6-2-1 and were runners-up in the Portage County League — in one of the last seasons before merging with Atwater to form Waterloo High School. The Tigers, whose school colors were black and yellow, results were: Week 1: North Lima, 6-8 Week 2: Kent […]

National Signing Day across Portage County

Nova was the videoly that we all wanted to read in the Sixties because every issue brought something new and relevant to our lives: extraordinary fashion by Molly Parkin; innovative layouts and photographs by Harri Peccinotti; articles about the Pill and our new sexual freedom and a different take on beauty, fashion and celebrity – for one incredibly complicated story, we revamped the Queen. Our editor, Dennis Hackett, always thought outside the box a

High School Scoreboard: Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, FEB. 1, 2023 BOYS BASKETBALL TUESDAY TALLMADGE 72, FIELD 45 (At Field) TALLMADGE (72) — Hurst 4 0-0 9; Davis 6 2-2 15; Riefsnyder 4 1-2 10; Murray 1 0-1 2; Vanko 2 0-0 5; Jascoe 3 2-2 9; Eisaman 2 0-0 5; Rusinko 2 1-2 6; Ewers 2 0-0 4; […]

Girls Basketball: OHSAA Tournament first-round matchups

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   A look at the tournament matchups for high school girls basketball.   DIVISION I Medina Region 1 Northeast 2 District No. 28 Kent Roosevelt at No. 6 Hoban, Feb. 11 at 1 p.m.   DIVISION II Barberton Region 5 Northeast 1 District      • No. 23 Ravenna […]

Crestwood junior wrestler JP Wrobel joins 100-win club

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Celebrating milestones with his wrestlers never gets old for Crestwood High School wrestling coach David Wrobel. Last week’s milestone had a little extra special feeling, though, as he watched his son JP reach the 100-win milestone in his junior season. “I have witnessed JP’s hard work throughout high […]

Basketball: Updated statistical leaders (Feb. 1)

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 2022-23 STATISTICAL LEADERS BOYS BASKETBALL Player, School Average Garrett Sprutte, Southeast 20.6 Chase Eye, Windham 20.1 Dekota Johnson, Crestwood 20.0 Preston Gedeon, Garfield 19.2 Joe Crawford, Field 14.9 Layne Miller, Mogadore 14.8 Charlie Schweickert, Crestwood 13.7 Michael Phillips, Southeast 13.5 Anthony Podojil, Waterloo 12.7 Nick Coffman, Mogadore 12.7 Braxton Baumberger, Field 12.3 […]

Charles Auto Family’s Getting to Know: Waterloo boys basketball coach Jason Wise

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today, we get to know Waterloo High School boys basketball head coach Jason Wise, who is in his 10th […]

Middle School Scoreboard: Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, JAN. 31, 2023 BOYS BASKETBALL 8TH GRADE STREETSBORO 41, COVENTRY 30 (At Streetsboro) COVENTRY (30) — Not reported. STREETSBORO (41) — P.J. Robinson 5 8-9 19; Adian Monroe 4 0-0 8; Colton Cox 0 0-1 0; Brady Long 3 0-0 6; Brennan James 1 0-0 2; Kyle Giacomo 1 4-6 6. […]

Bonsky Heating and Cooling Athlete of the Week: Mogadore boys basketball’s Nick Coffman

  By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   There are competitors, then there is Nick Coffman. A player addicted — in a healthy way — to competition so much that he never wants to lose. Ever. In anything. At any time. “Even in practice, you see it. Nick is going as hard as he can, […]

High School Scoreboard: Monday, Jan. 30, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, JAN. 30, 2023 GIRLS BASKETBALL STREETSBORO 59, SPRINGFIELD 19 (At Streetsboro) SPRINGFIELD (19) — Bre Ruggiero 0 2-2 2; Rhion Kendall 0 1-2 1; Kayla Gaspar 2 2-2 7; Kendall Wilderman 1 0-0 3; Sydney HIllyard 1 1-2 4; Kendall Crytzer 0 2-6 2. Totals 4 8-14 19. STREETSBORO (59) — […]

Eastern Ohio Wrestling League championship results

HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING SATURDAY, JAN. 28, 2023 EASTERN OHIO WRESTLING LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS   TEAM SCORES  1. Austintown Fitch 183.5; 2. Canfield 154.5; 3. Louisville 148; 4. Howland 142.5; 5. Beaver Local 139; 6. South Range 130.5; 7. Salem 122; 8. Garfield 118.5; 9. Marlington 108; 10. Boardman 103; 11. West Branch 87; 12. Conneaut 86; […]

High School Scoreboard: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, JAN. 28, 2023 GIRLS BASKETBALL HIGHLAND 57, KENT ROOSEVELT 51 (At Kent Roosevelt) HIGHLAND (57) — K. Morgan 10 4-6 27; Vankirk 2 0-0 4; Weber 1 1-2 3; Miller 3 3-3 10; Shondel 2 2-6 7; Madison 1 4-6 6. Totals 19 14-23 57. KENT ROOSEVELT (51) — Stewart 0 […]

High School Roundup (Jan. 27): Ellington hits game-winning 3 to lift Riders to win

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   BOYS BASKETBALL KENT ROOSEVELT 55, HIGHLAND 53 Tyrel Ellington hit the game-winning 3-pointer from the top of the key, then a defensive stand in the game’s closing seconds gave the Rough Riders a thrilling victory over Highland on Friday in Kent. Ellington’s heroics were set up by him […]

High School Scoreboard: Friday, Jan. 27, 2023

Nova was the videoly that we all wanted to read in the Sixties because every issue brought something new and relevant to our lives: extraordinary fashion by Molly Parkin; innovative layouts and photographs by Harri Peccinotti; articles about the Pill and our new sexual freedom and a different take on beauty, fashion and celebrity – for one incredibly complicated story, we revamped the Queen. Our editor, Dennis Hackett, always thought outside the box a

Tigers knock off state-ranked Wildcats in thrilling PTC battle

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   This is a week that had been building for the Lake Center Christian Tigers boys basketball team. The young goup, which features no seniors on its roster, has been growing up on the job this season and Friday may have been the jumping point for the next step. […]

1964 Rootstown High School football

The 1964 Rootstown High School football team finished the Portage County League season with a 4-4-1 record. The Rovers’ slate and results included: Week 1: Minerva, 14-14 Week 2: Streetsboro, 30-8 Week 3: Kent State, 22-8 Week 4: Field, 14-6 Week 5: Crestwood, 8-14 Week 6: Randolph, 8-14 Week 7: Windham, 8-20 Week 8: Southeast, […]

High School Scoreboard: Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, JAN. 26, 2023 GIRLS BASKETBALL NORTON 53, FIELD 51 (At Norton) FIELD (51) — Mckayla Miller 4 0 11; Abby Harlin 2 0 4; Delilah Rahe 12 4 30; Mollie Matthews 0 1 1; Ally Harlin 1 0 3; Maddie Jacobs 0 1 1; Anna Harlin 0 1 1. Totals 19 […]

Streetsboro’s Anthony Perez becomes latest to reach 100-win milestone

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   For the second time in as many weeks, the Streetsboro wrestling program celebrated a 100-win performer. Just after senior Donovan Paes reached the milestone, fellow Rockets senior Anthony Perez joined the club by earning the 100th victory of his career while the team competed at Twinsburg last Friday. […]

Roosevelt’s ice hockey team seeks momentum heading toward Baron Cup

By Jim Smith Portage Sports Correspondent   “Play hard, play smart and stay out of the penalty box,” is the message Kent Roosevelt ice hockey head coach Brad Edwards has been sharing with his team as they skate toward the finish of their regular season. The Rough Riders will attempt to extend their two-game winning […]

Basketball: Updated statistical leaders (Jan. 26)

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 2022-23 STATISTICAL LEADERS   BOYS BASKETBALL Player, School Average Dekota Johnson, Crestwood 20.0 Chase Eye, Windham 19.9 Garrett Sprutte, Southeast 19.7 Preston Gedeon, Garfield 18.6 Joe Crawford, Field 15.6 Layne Miller, Mogadore 15.1 Michael Phillips, Southeast 13.9 Charlie Schweickert, Crestwood 13.7 Anthony Podojil, Waterloo 12.7 Carlos Bruton, Windham 12.6 Braxton Baumberger, Field […]

Thank you, Mom and Dad — as told by Portage County’s basketball coaches

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Signs of appreciation seem to peak for parents when their children are in school. When they are competing across multiple sports, filling up daily schedules with games, practices, training sessions and more. And, rightfully so. Especially when their children are too young to be their own mode of […]

Portage Quiz Bowl scoreboard, update and championship scenarios

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   PORTAGE QUIZ BOWL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, JAN. 24, 2023   SECOND DIVISION—NORTH ROUND SEVEN Rootstown 2395, Streetsboro 135 ROUND EIGHT Rootstown 225, Streetsboro 75 CURRENT STANDINGS Bedford 8-0 Rootstown 8-0 Bio-Med 3-5 Kenston 3-5 Ravenna 2-6 Streetsboro 0-8   UPCOMING SCHEDULE AND CHAMPIONSHIP SCENARIOS Tuesday, Feb. 7 All matches […]

Charles Auto Family’s Getting to Know: Roosevelt athletic director Ben Dunlap

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today, we get to know Kent Roosevelt High School athletic director Ben Dunlap. Q: What schools did you attend growing […]

Mogadore boys basketball use 3-pointer to top rival Field

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   BOYS BASKETBALL MOGADORE 73, FIELD 58 The Wildcats caught fire from long distance, burying 11 3-pointers on their way to a double-digit non-league road victory over the Falcons. Will Butler, Layne Miller and Dillon Pendergast all hit a trio of 3s each, while Nick Coffman canned the other […]

Bonsky Heating and Cooling Athlete of the Week: Garfield girls basketball’s Mandy Cardinal

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Being identified as a player that blends in is not necessarily what anyone would seemingly want to hear. For a freshman, though, it actually can come as a compliment. At least, that is exactly how veteran Garfield girls basketball coach Aaron Gilbert meant it when talking about freshman Mandy […]

Basketball: Associated Press state polls (Jan. 23)

BOYS BASKETBALL ASSOCIATED PRESS STATE POLL The Top 10 teams in the boys Associated Press Ohio high school basketball polls of the 2022-23 season, with first-place votes in parentheses, won-loss record and total points: DIVISION I  1. Lakewood St. Edward (14), 13-0, 166 2. Centerville (5), 14-2, 147 3. Brecksville-Broadview Heights, 13-1, 127 4. St. […]

High School Scoreboard: Monday, Jan. 23, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD MONDAY, JAN. 23, 2023 GIRLS BASKETBALL WEST BRANCH 50, ROOTSTOWN 28 (At West Branch) ROOTSTOWN (28) — Colbie Curall 1 1-2 3; Kylie McColloch 1 0-0 2; Lindsay  Smith 2 0-0 6; Melanie Plecko 1 2-4 4; Aubrey Kline 3 0-0 7; Porter Smith 1 0-0 2; Sasha Nichols 2 0-0 4. […]

Basketball: Complete standings update (Jan. 23)

BOYS BASKETBALL PORTAGE TRAIL CONFERENCE Team Overall, League Mogadore 11-2, 5-1 Warren JFK 10-2, 5-1 St. Thomas Aquinas 10-4, 5-1 Lake Center Christian 6-8, 2-4 Southeast 4-10, 1-5 Rootstown 3-13, 0-6   METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE Team Overall, League Ravenna 12-3, 9-2 Woodridge 7-8, 7-2 Norton 7-7, 6-4 Coventry 7-9, 6-5 Streetsboro 5-10, 5-5 Cloverleaf 5-8, […]

Roosevelt boys swim and dive team captures Suburban League title

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   There is never a better day to post a personal best than on championship day. When nearly your entire team does it, you celebrate in a big way. The Kent Roosevelt High School boys swim and dive team got to live that celebration, capturing the Suburban League championship […]

Free gifts for new subscribers in January!

Thank you for all of the support that everyone continues to give Portage Sports! I couldn’t do it without all of you! If you have enjoyed our coverage, consider becoming a subscriber before the month is over to unlock these great items as a sign of my appreciation to you! www.portagesports.com/subscription

Girls Basketball: Falcons, Rockets earn victories

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   GIRLS BASKETBALL STREETSBORO 51, ROOTSTOWN 36 A top team from the Metro Athletic Conference, in the Rockets, travelled to face the top team in the Portage Trail Conference, in the Rovers, on Saturday in Rootstown. Streetsboro (11-5) rode the momentum from a big first quarter throughout the game […]

High School Scoreboard: Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SATURDAY, JAN. 21, 2023 GIRLS BASKETBALL STREETSBORO 51, ROOTSTOWN 36 (At Rootstown) STREETSBORO (51) — Olivia Wilson-Johnson 2 1-3 6; Carra Tiller 1 0-1 2; Maiya Taylor 1 0-0 2; Sydney Abbuhl 1 0-1 2; Carlee Bedford 3 2-2 11; Naomi Benson 7 2-3 16; Ella Kassan 1 0-2 2; Reanne Barzal […]

High School Roundup (Jan. 20): Eye brothers lift Bombers to road victory

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   BOYS BASKETBALL WINDHAM 51, MAPLEWOOD 39 The Bombers overcame a sluggish third quarter to pick up a double-digit Northeastern Athletic Conference victory over Maplewood on the road on Friday. Chase Eye once again paced the Bombers with 16 points, with his younger brother Jack Eye joining him in […]

High School Scoreboard: Friday, Jan. 20, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, JAN. 20, 2023 BOYS BASKETBALL ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 77, LAKE CENTER CHRISTIAN 68 (At Lake Center Christian) ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (77) — Leishman 10 13-17 31; Card-Tarver 9 5-7 24; Kimbrough 3 0-0 6; Jeter 2 1-2 6; Kelley 2 2-2 6; Grogan 1 0-0 2; Freeman 1 0-0 2. Totals […]

Ross leads balanced Ravens to big victory over Falcons

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor Field High School’s gymnasium is a good place for Ravenna’s Mason Ross. Two years ago, then a sophomore playing on the JV team, Ross shot incredibly well to lead his team to a win, which earned him some of his first meaningful varsity minutes of his career in the […]

Portage Quizbowl League: Round Seven and Eight Results

Portage Quizbowl League Round Seven First Division Garfield 640, Aurora 265 Hudson 375, Cloverleaf 355 Brunswick 390, Western Reserve Academy 175 Second Division — North Bedford 715, Kenston 90 Bio-Med 410, Ravenna 120 Second Division — South Lake Center Christian 245, Field 235 Waterloo 325, Southeast 270 Mogadore 435, Windham 85 Round Eight First Division […]

High School Scoreboard: Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, JAN. 19, 2023 GIRLS BASKETBALL KENT ROOSEVELT 45, FIELD 33 (At Field) KENT ROOSEVELT (45) — Katie Keller 0 5-6 5; Julia Nash 1 0-0 2; Ari Crockett 5 3-4 15; Maddie VanDamme 1 0-0 2; Taylor Dunlap 3 0-4 6; Claire VanDamme 2 1-2 5; Saniya Motley 1 0-2 2; […]

Girls Basketball: Rovers, acting coach Joe Leonard, step up to all challenges

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Joe Leonard saw everything he needed to see this summer to know that the Rootstown girls basketball team was comprised of tough players that loved the game. Playing at the Eastern Ohio Camp during the off-season, the Rovers played a handful of games outdoors in sweltering and unforgiving […]

Basketball: Updated statistical leaders (Jan. 19)

Nova was the videoly that we all wanted to read in the Sixties because every issue brought something new and relevant to our lives: extraordinary fashion by Molly Parkin; innovative layouts and photographs by Harri Peccinotti; articles about the Pill and our new sexual freedom and a different take on beauty, fashion and celebrity – for one incredibly complicated story, we revamped the Queen. Our editor, Dennis Hackett, always thought outside the box a

High School Scoreboard: Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, JAN. 18, 2023 BOYS BASKETBALL TUESDAY MARLINGTON 72, SOUTHEAST 52 (At Marlington) SOUTHEAST (52) — Garrett Sprutte 9 6-8 25; Matt Donovan 1 0-2 2; Ian Carter 2 0-1 4; Michael Phillips 4 2-3 10; Carson Dunn 2 0-0 6; Evan Riffle 1 0-0 2; Brady Corley 1 1-1 3. Totals […]

Middle School Scoreboard: Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, JAN. 18, 2023 BOYS BASKETBALL 7TH GRADE STREETSBORO 42, FIELD 17 (At Field) STREETSBORO (42) — Anderson 0 1-2 1; Morris 3 1-6 8; Whitmayer 2 0-0 4; Brown 1 0-0 2; Gill 1 0-0 2; Hodge 7 1-2 15; Podboy 4 0-0 8; Dixon 1 0-0 2. Totals 19 3-10 […]

1903 Ravenna High School football

Unfortunately, the only information I have on this photo is that it is of the 1903 Ravenna High School football team. Player identifications, coaches, season results, etc., are all pieces of information I am missing. If you have any information on this team, please email me at tomnader@portagesports.com.

Charles Auto Family’s Getting to Know: Ravenna basketball coach Marlon Jones

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today, we get to know Ravenna High School boys basketball head coach Marlon Jones, who is in his fourth […]

High School Scoreboard: Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD TUESDAY, JAN. 17, 2023 GIRLS BASKETBALL STREETSBORO 66, CLOVERLEAF 14 (At Streetsboro) CLOVERLEAF (14) — Saige Foky 0 1-2 1; Julia Armogida 0 0-2 0; Emma Hibler 2 0-2 4; Meghan Cavey 1 0-1 2; Mackenzie Seiwerth 1 0-0 3; Emma Malinowski 1 0-0 2; Alyson Croft 0 2-2 2. Totals 5 […]

OHSAA announces support for Esports state tournament

Press release submitted by the Ohio High School Athletic Association   COLUMBUS — The Ohio High School Athletic Association has announced a partnership with nonprofit organization Esports Ohio and to support and promote its annual state tournament in May. There are currently 250 schools that have teams affiliated with Esports Ohio. Esports Ohio was created by […]

Bonsky Heating and Cooling Athlete of the Week: Ravenna basketball’s Maykai O’Neal

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Maykai O’Neal is talented enough to be the leading scorer on a team. The focal-point player. The spotlight would be bright, but it would only shine on him. And that is not what he is about. Nor is the rest of his team as head coach Marlon Jones […]

Springfield Youth Girls Basketball League: Tournament pairings

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The regular season is over and its on to tournament time for the Springfield Youth Girls Basketball League. Below are the first-round tournament pairings, which include a separate consolation and championship bracket for each age division.   THIRD/FOURTH GRADE CONSOLATION No. 18 Springfield Red vs. No. 17 field, […]

Rootstown wrestling makes history at Bill Dies Memorial

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Rootwstown High School wrestling program made history on Saturday. In the 35 years of the Bill Dies Memorial Wrestling Tournament, no Division III team had ever ascended to the very top of the standings and won the championship. Until now. The Rovers accomplished the feat by scoring […]

Basketball: Associated Press state polls (Jan. 16)

BOYS BASKETBALL The top 10 teams in the Boys Associated Press Ohio High School Basketball Poll for the week of Jan. 16, 2023. First-place votes are in parenthesis, followed by win-loss record and total points. DIVISION I 1. Lakewood St. Edward (9) 9-0 119 2. Centerville (5) 12-2 115 3. Akr. SVSM (1) 11-3 100 […]

High school girls basketball popularity drops nationwide — Portage County also impacted

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The popularity of girls basketball is declining. In the fall, the National Federation of State High School Associations presented data that dropped basketball to the fourth-most popular sport among girls. And that participation numbers had dropped 19 percent since 2002. In girls sports, track and field has the […]

Aurora Harmon Middle School wrestling team performs well try-meet

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   The Aurora Harmon Middle School wrestling team celebrated its first home event of the season last week. Official team scores were not kept — in order to pair up wrestlers from all four teams to get in as many matches as possible. If scores had been kept, however, […]

Streetsboro’s Paes reaches 100-win milestone

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Add Donovan Paes to the long list of Streetsboro High School wrestling standouts that have achieved the 100-win milestone. Paes, a senior, accomplished the feat earlier this season and it simply continued to follow the trajectory that he showed to the coaching staff as an underclassmen. “Donovan has […]

High School Scoreboard: Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD SUNDAY, JAN. 15, 2023 GIRLS BASKETBALL SATURDAY BERKSHIRE HOOPFEST CHIPPEWA 55, STREETSBORO 46 (At Berkshire) STREETSBORO (46) — Olivia Johnson-Wilson 2 1-2 6; Maiya Taylor 1 0-0 2; Carlee Bedford 4 0-2 10; Naomi Benson 4 4-6 12; Ella Kassan 1 3-4 5; Madelyn Hajec 3 3-6 11. Totals 15 11-20 46. […]

High School Scoreboard: Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD FRIDAY, JAN. 13, 2023 BOYS BASKETBALL RAVENNA 39, STREETSBORO 31 (At Ravenna) STREETSBORO (31) — Charles Ivory 3 1-2 7; Colby Benjamin 0 0-4 0; Dakari Reese 1 0-0 2; Brevyn Nobles 5 1-2 12; Jack Batten 1 1-3 4; Jackson Gula 2 0-0 4; Bryan Nobles 1 0-0 2. Totals 13 […]

Burst of special plays keeps Ravenna’s special season rolling

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   A special minute that featured successive clutch plays kept a special season rolling for the Ravenna boys basketball team. After jumping out to a 17-5 lead in the first quarter, the Ravens stood up to a relentless Streetsboro Rockets team the rest off the way, to secure a […]

High School Scoreboard: Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD THURSDAY, JAN. 12, 2023 GIRLS BASKETBALL STREETSBORO 55, RAVENNA 13 (At Ravenna) STREETSBORO (55) — Olivia Johnson-Wilson 3 0-0 6; Cara Tiller 2 0-0 5; Maiya Taylor 1 0-0 2; Sydney Abbuhl 2 0-0 5; Kayleigh Lilly 1 0-0 2; Carlee Bedford 2 2-2 7; Naomi Benson 8 3-4 19; Reanne Barzal […]

Roosevelt graduate Kayla Fischer drafted 16th overall in NWSL Draft

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Kent Roosevelt graduate Kayla Fischer is now a professional soccer player. The Rough Riders alumni (Class of 2018) was drafted by Racing Louisville FC on Thursday night in the National Women’s Soccer League. The league was founded in 2012, currently includes 20 teams and is considered one of […]

Charles Auto Family’s Getting to Know: Waterloo wrestling coach John Foster

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor The “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders. Today, we get to know Waterloo High School wrestling head coach John Foster, who is in his second season leading […]

Basketball: Updated statistical leaders (Jan. 12)

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL 2022-23 STATISTICAL LEADERS BOYS BASKETBALL Player, School Average Chase Eye, Windham 20.9 Dekota Johnson, Crestwood 20.7 Garrett Sprutte, Southeast 20.1 Preston Gedeon, Garfield 17.2 Layne Miller, Mogadore 14.7 Charlie Schweickert, Crestwood 13.6 Nick Coffman, Mogadore 13.5 Michael Phillips, Southeast 13.3 Joe Crawford, Field 13.3 Jack Batten, Streetsboro 13.1 Anthony Podojil, Waterloo 12.7 […]

High School Roundup (Jan. 11): Rootstown girls basketball keeps rolling along

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   GIRLS BASKETBALL ROOTSTOWN 67, MOGADORE 48 The Rovers continued their strong play this season, racking up their 12th win in 13 games with a road victory over the host Wildcats on Wednesday in Mogadore. It was a balanced effort for Rootstown, which is now 5-0 in the Portage […]

High School Scoreboard: Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

HIGH SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, JAN. 11, 2023 GIRLS BASKETBALL ST. THOMAS AQUINAS 42, WINDHAM 33 (At St. Thomas Aquinas) WINDHAM (33) — Mariah Woods, 21 points; Briah Daniel, 7 points; Abby Simpson, 2 points; Brielle Jones, 3 points. ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (42) — Smith, 15 points; Smith, 2 points; Carter,12 points; Sochten, 9 points; Gibson, […]

Middle School Scoreboard: Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY, JAN. 11, 2023 BOYS BASKETBALL 7TH GRADE STREETSBORO 27, CLOVERLEAF 12 (At Cloverleaf) STREETSBORO (27) — Dallas Morris 4 0-2 9; Nolan Hunt 1 0-1 2; Cam Whitmyer 1 0-0 2; Noah Hodge 1 0-0 2; Alan Podboy 4 1-5 9; Issac Dixon 1 0-0 3. Totals 12 1-8 27. CLOVERLEAF […]

Heppe, Lewis help return youth basketball to Waterloo

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   Youth basketball is back at Waterloo. Both the boys and girls youth programs had fallen dormant over the past few years for a variety of reasons, including crippling financial constraints to rent gym space at the district as the result of failed school levies, as well as COVID. […]

High School Wrestling Report (Jan. 11)

By Tom Nader Publisher and Editor   High school wrestling is in full swing and many of the area’s programs have celebrated quite a bit of success already. Here is a peek around Portage County:   AURORA • The Greenmen have celebrated a dual-meet win over St. Ignatius, as well as a fifth-place finish at Solon. […]