Athletes from five different schools have been named the Chagrin Valley Conference Athletes of the Week for the week ending Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024.
Each athlete was nominated by his or her coach. All statistics incurred from Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, through Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Name: Brody Durham
School: Crestwood
Grade: 10
Stats: Recorded a school-record 17 assists with four steals, and two rebounds in one game
Coach’s Quote: “Brody had a fantastic game against LaBrae. His 17 assists broke the school’s previous record of 15 held by Mason Jakacki,” said Crestwood coach Josh Jakacki. “His facilitating has been excellent all year. He is a main reason why we have had success this year and he continues to put us in great positions on both ends of the floor.”
Name: Cooper Hughes
School: Trinity
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored 19 points with six rebounds, four steals, four deflections, and two assists
Coach’s Quote: “Cooper is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever coached,” said Trinity coach Dan Urban. “His persistence, determination, attention to detail, and character make him one of a kind. Cooper had a tremendous all-around game in our win over a very good Revere team in the Berea Midpark Holiday Hoops Tournament. We will go as Cooper goes; we look for him to continue his high level of play as we try to get better every day.”
Name: Zach Unger
School: Cuyahoga Heights
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored 19 points with 23 rebounds, three steals, one assist, and one block
Coach’s Quote: “Zach has been a great leader by example,” said Cuyahoga Heights coach Michael Tartara. “He goes out and competes each and every game. He is a great teammate and person. His ability to rebound and defend is second to none. Zach shows great toughness and is a fearless player.”
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Name: Becca Brady
School: Crestwood
Grade: 11
Stats: Scored 19 points with two assists and a steal
Coach’s Quote: “Becca played a crucial role in a hard-fought win over Chagrin Falls,” said Crestwood coach T.J. Henderson. “Her performance offensively speaks for itself by going 5-for-5 behind the arc. What really made the difference was the effort she put into the defensive side of the ball. Becca made numerous big plays rotating on the defensive side of the ball with one helping seal the game. Chagrin had an inbound with 10 seconds left, she rotated and was able to get a deflection on the ball to help get the last stop of the game.”
Name: Faith Vencill
School: Edgewood
Grade: 10
Stats: Averaged 22.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in two games
Coach’s Quote: “Faith has done a great job this season and has really hit her stride the last couple games,” said Edgewood coach Randy Vencill. “She has really been a difference maker.”
WRESTLING
Name: Will Greenberg
School: Hawken
Grade: 12
Stats: Won the Kenston Invitational with three pins and a technical fall
Coach’s Quote: “Will continues to put in the extra work,” said Hawken coach Victor Ventresca. “We keep stressing the mindset to keep leveling up.”
Name: Xavier Pearson
School: Trinity
Grade: 12
Stats: Went 4-3 on the week with wins over two state place-winners
Coach’s Quote: “Xavier is growing up a lot at the right time as a senior and we really believe he is the best 113-pounder in the state in Division III,” said Trinity coach Isaiah Hill. “He has been working hard in his senior year, and he is fun to watch when he is on his game.”
