Athletes from Beachwood, Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga Heights, Geneva, Hawken, Kirtland, Orange and Perry have been named the Chagrin Valley Conference Players of the Week for the week ending December 16.
Each player was nominated by his or her coach.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Name: Ray Bonner II
School: Orange
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored 35 points with 15 rebounds, four steals and three assists in two wins
Coach’s Quote: “Ray Bonner II has quickly emerged as a leader on this year’s Orange Lions boys’ basketball team,” Orange coach Ashen Ward said. “The senior guard has led the Lions in scoring in each their last two games, both victories over conference opponents.”
Name: Jimmie Mitchell
School: Beachwood
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored 49 points with seven assists and shot 57-percent from behind the 3-point line and 82-percent from the free throw line in two games
Coach’s Quote: “Jimmie had two great performances in helping lead us to a 2-0 record last week,” Beachwood coach Matt Miller said. “As our point guard, he was extremely efficient with his shots and really stepped up in our Geneva game scoring 35 points in the second half and overtime.”
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Name: Carolyn Bencko
School: Chagrin Falls
Grade: 11
Stats: Averaged 18.5 points per game with nine steals, eight blocks, five assists and four rebounds in two games
Coach’s Quote: “Carolyn stepped up on defense this week to help our team to two wins,” Chagrin Falls coach Brittany Anderson said. “She was instrumental on defense versus Geneva, which resulted in 19 team steals. She put herself in position to score in transition versus Beachwood and hit shots from outside. Carolyn has been a vocal leader and an impact player in more ways than one this season.”
Name: Brooke Wilson
School: Cuyahoga Heights
Grade: 12
Stats: Average 13 points with 17 rebounds and three steals in two wins
Coach’s Quote: “Brooke scored 11 of her 16 points and had all three of her steals in the second half of a 41-33 win over Richmond Heights on Saturday,” Cuyahoga Heights coach Al Martin said. “Her leadership and production have been key to a successful start to our season.”
SWIMMING
Name: Kaley Ream
School: Kirtland
Grade: 9
Stats: Placed fifth in the 500 freestyle and 12th in the 100 fly at the Winter Championship Invitational
Coach’s Quote: “Kaley gave a solid performance on Saturday with a 5:09.06 in the 500 free and 58.87 in the 100 fly,” Kirtland coach Mary Ellen Shepard said. “She proudly represented Kirtland on Saturday and is excited to be part of Kirtland swimming this season.”
Name: Albert Rinehart
School: Perry
Grade: 12
Stats: Posted a time of 24.01 in the 50 freestyle, 52.69 in the 100 freestyle and 1:01.10 in the 100 butterfly
Coach’s Quote: “AJ’s hard work is now beginning to show in dual meets,” Perry coach Jason DeAngelis said. “He leads by example and continues to push towards his season goals every day.”
WRESTLING
Name: Braden Bilicic
School: Geneva
Grade: 12
Stats: Won the 152-pound title at the Rebel Invitational with a 6-0 record and six pins
Coach’s Quote: “It was a big week for Braden,” Geneva coach Chris Stamper said. “It started with the Madison dual where he hoped to wrestle (Shayne) Magda so he could gauge himself against a state qualifier. He got his chance and he came up with a big win. At the Rebel Invitational, he pinned his way to the 152-pound championship. He’s been working hard since the end of last season hoping to make it to Columbus this year and it’s paying off.”
Name: William Lindsey
School: Hawken
Grade: 11
Stats: Won the 285-pound championship at the Division III Classic with a 6-0 record and five pins
Coach’s Quote: “William had a great weekend of wrestling at the Waterloo DIII Classic Tournament,” Hawken coach Bob Rodriguez said. “He went 3-0 in his pool, which qualified him for the gold bracket of the tournament. He then went 3-0 in the gold bracket to win the tournament with a pin in the finals. He is off to a great start this season as he is now 19-1 with tournament championships at Hawken and Waterloo and a third place at the North Coast Classic.”
