By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

MaxPreps recently posted its high-school participation numbers based on 2024-25 National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

For boys sports, the top 10 included:

1. Football 1,029,590
2. Track and Field 644,240
3. Basketball 540,700
4. Soccer, 484,910
5. Baseball 472,600
6. Wrestling 300,210
7. Cross Country 241,570
8. Golf 162,360
9. Tennis 158,670
10. Swimming and Diving 119,100

For girls sports, the top 10 included:

1. Track and Field 513,810
2. Volleyball 492,800
3. Soccer 393,050
4. Basketball 356,240
5. Softball 338,320
6. Competitive Spirit 206,260
7. Tennis 204,720
8. Cross Country 189,260
9. Swimming and Diving 138,300
10. Lacrosse 99,290

ALL-OHIO FOOTBALL

The Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association announced its high school football All-Ohio teams last week.

In total, Portage County had 23 total players receive distinction, including:

DIVISION III

Second Team

Luke Bonnette, Aurora, senior, defensive line

Third Team

Luke McGovern, Aurora, junior, receiver

Honorable Mention

Xavier Board, Aurora, senior, running back

DIVISION IV

First Team

Arthur Scott III, Streetsboro, senior, defensive line

Second Team

Cooper Richmond, Streetsboro, senior, offensive line

Ayden Knuebel, Streetsboro, senior, linebacker

Third Team

Marcus Council, Streetsboro, junior, defensive back

Honorable Mention

Blake Dunderman, Field, senior, linebacker

Victor Brown, Field, senior, defensive back

Janiere Cook, Streetsboro, senior, running back

DIVISION V

First Team

Ryder Cain, Garfield, sophomore, running back

Third Team

Brandyn Bogucki, Garfield, senior, receiver

Wyatt Januska, Crestwood, senior, receiver

Jake Eyerman, Crestwood, senior, punter

Honorable Mention

Logan Sell, Garfield, junior, linebacker

DIVISION VI

Second Team

Damian Reuting, Rootstown, senior, running back

Braden Wright, Rootstown, senior, offensive line

Blake Mullay, Rootstown, junior, placekicker

DIVISION VII

First Team

Conner Lehner, Mogadore, senior, running back

Second Team

Dylan Benedum, Mogadore, senior, defensive line

Maddox Smith, Mogadore, junior, defensive back

Honorable Mention

Kade Thomas, Mogadore, junior, receiver

James Pollock, Mogadore, senior, defensive line

STOICOIU SETS SINGLE-GAME RECORD

Field High School senior girls basketball standout Morgan Stoicoiu set a new single-game record for made 3-pointers on Saturday.

Stoicoiu buried seven in the Falcons’ 61-29 non-league win over Hathaway Brown. She finished the game with a career-high 26 points.

The program’s previous single-game record of six was held by Maddie Jacobs.

NO. 1 FOR MOGADORE’S WESS

Mogadore first-year boys basketball head coach Conner Wess earned the first victory of his career on Dec. 9.

The Wildcats defeated East Canton 57-50.

Mogadore followed it up with a win on Dec. 12, defeating Warren JFK 55-44 in its home opener.

ROOSEVELT’S FOREMAN HITS COACHING MILESTONE

The Kent Roosevelt girls basketball team’s 45-39 victory over Cuyahoga Falls on Dec. 6 was veteran head coach Craig Foreman’s 197th career win.

The win moved him past former girls basketball coach Daryl Fenisey as the school’s all-time winningest basketball coach.

Fred George, who coached the Roosevelt boys from 1979-1993, is third on the list with 178 wins.

Foreman’s Rough Riders defeated Euclid on Monday so Foreman now sits at 199 career wins.

MARTINI STEALS A RECORD

Crestwood junior Liv Martini broke the girls basketball program’s career steals record last Friday and now has 281 steals (and counting).

The previous record was held by Hannah Ward with 275.

With a minimum of 43 games remaining in her high-school career, Martini is on pace to make this record nearly untouchable for future Red Devils.