Athletes from 11 different schools have been named the Chagrin Valley Conference Athletes of the Week for the week ending Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.
Each athlete was nominated by his or her coach. All statistics incurred from Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, through Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Name: Steven Lincoln
School: Crestwood
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored 31 points, including a career-high 22, with 5 assists, 4 charges taken, and 2 steals
Coach’s Quote: “Steven had a wonderful game against Ravenna,” said Crestwood coach Josh Jakacki. “He matched his career high of 22 points against Ravenna. He made seven threes on the week and took four charges, a stat we hold in high regard. He has worked very hard to tailor his game to our style and continues improving. We are proud of his work and continued development throughout the season. Steven is a big reason we have had success this year, and he continues to play at a high level.”
Name: Luke Schmotzer
School: Orange
Grade: 12
Stats: Recorded 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists
Coach’s Quote: “Schmotzer delivered a big-time performance versus down-the-road rival Beachwood,” said Orange coach Marv Rashad. “His gutsy performance helped lead Orange to a 66- 51 victory.”
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Name: Stella Bateman
School: Berkshire
Grade: 9
Stats: Scored 25 points with 21 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 assists, and 3 steals in two games
Coach’s Quote: “Stella has made tremendous improvements from the beginning of the year,” said Berkshire coach Dave Albert. “She is working hard in practice and gaining confidence with each game. She is averaging a double-double over her last five games with 15.8 points and 12.6 rebounds. She is a very coachable player.”
Name: Jaidyn Newsome
School: Perry
Grade: 11
Stats: Scored 14 points with 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in OT win over Madison
Coach’s Quote: “Jaidyn played a great game in our win against Madison,” said Perry coach Roy Infalvi. “She has continuously worked to improve and develop her game this year. She has been and will continue to be a huge part of our success. She is a team-first player and does whatever is asked of her.”
Name: Paige Priebe
School: Independence
Grade: Senior
Stats: Averaged 15 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.7 steals, and 4.3 deflections in three games
Coach’s Quote: “She consistently steps up as a leader, making key plays when her team needs it most,” said Independence coach Brittany Zele. “Paige is establishing herself as one of the top basketball players in the area.”
Name: Kendra Smith
School: Madison
Grade: 11
Stats: Recorded 6 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 assist
Coach’s Quote: “Kendra played two great games in the post for us,” said Madison coach Heather Reho. “She contained her girl defensively, went after loose balls, and showed true grit on the defensive end. Kendra also rebounded well for her team.”
BOYS WRESTLING
Name: Roman Babic
School: Kirtland
Grade: 9
Stats: Won the Jackson-Milton Invitational with a 4-0 record and four pins
Coach’s Quote: “We’re pumped for Roman,” said Kirtland coach Dan Cosimi. “His championship at Jackson-Milton is a testament to his work ethic and not letting the ups and downs of competition change his demeanor. He has wrestled well all season and keeps improving every day. He’s a great kid who is just scratching the surface of his potential.”
Name: Justin Elwell
School: Beachwood
Grade: 9
Stats: Went 3-1 in placing second at the Columbia Invitational
Coach’s Quote: “Justin has been consistent as a clock with his training all season,” said Beachwood coach Jimmy Greenwood. “This weekend, Justin had a revenge win over an opponent. Then Justin knocked off a ranked opponent to make the finals in Columbia Station, where his dad, Jack, went to high school. Justin has been wrestling well and he represented Beachwood with fire and intensity throughout the weekend.”
Name: Zander Mooney
School: Cuyahoga Heights
Grade: 12
Stats: Won the Columbia Invitational with two pins and a technical fall
Coach’s Quote: “Zander was dominant at the Columbia Invite,” said Cuyahoga Heights coach Zach Noernberg. “He scored bonus points in all of his matches including a 19-3 tech fall in the finals.”
Name: Izaiah Siler
School: Madison
Grade: 12
Stats: Clinched his 100th career win
Coach’s Quote: “Isaiah is wrestling at a very high level right now,” said Madison coach Andrew Tomaso. “Hopefully, with his hard work and dedication, he’ll end up where he wants at the end of the season.”
Name: James Stallings, Jr.
School: Trinity
Grade: 9
Stats: Went 6-0 on the week with a title at the Springfield Spartan Invitational
Coach’s Quote: “James is only a freshman, but he is one of my few freshmen that I have coached that is this mature,” said Trinity coach Isaiah Hill. “He keeps getting a little bit better each week and we love to see his progress thus far. You will hear big things from this young man over the next few years.”
Name: Rocco Wrobel
School: Crestwood
Grade: 10
Stats: Won the Portage County title with a 3-0 record with wins over two ranked opponents
Coach’s Quote: “Rocco has been wrestling extremely well these past few weeks,” said Crestwood coach Dave Wrobel. “He’s been solid in all phases of the game and has wrestled with a lot of confidence. He’s put the time in during the offseason and out of the practice room and his hard work is paying off.”
GIRLS WRESTLING
Name: Angela Ameres
School: Brooklyn
Grade: 12
Stats: Went 3-0 at the Keystone tournament with a sub-minute pin and two technical falls
Coach’s Quote: “Angela has been having a great senior season with an 8-2 overall record and just had a great tournament this past weekend winning in dominant fashion,” said Brooklyn coach Mike Keough. “She’s looking to make her first trip to the state tournament this year.”
