Athletes from 11 different schools have been named the Chagrin Valley Conference Athletes of the Week for the week ending January 28.
Each athlete was nominated by his or her coach. All statistics incurred from Monday, January 22 through Sunday, January 28, 2024.
Here’s a look at each Athlete of the Week by sport:
BOYS BASKETBALL
Name: James Durham
School: Crestwood
Grade: 11
Stats: Averaged 6.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.0 blocks
Coach’s Quote: “James played a significant role in our two wins for the week,” said Crestwood coach Josh Jakacki. “Against East Canton, he battled against their 6-foot,10-inch post and helped us escape with a narrow 79-77 victory. Against Cardinal, he posted a career-high 16 rebounds and nine points. Overall, James has come into his own as a post player, a position that is new to him. He possesses guard skills that allow him to be a match-up problem for our opponents as well. We are pleased with his development and look forward to his continued growth.”
Name: Ernie Pryor
School: Orange
Grade: 12
Stats: Averaged 20.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in two games
Coach’s Quote: “Ernie continues to be on an impressive scoring tear this season,” said Orange coach Marvin Rashad.
Name: Rocco Ressler
School: Independence
Grade: 11
Stats: Scored 20 points with 33 rebounds, three assists, and a blocked shot in two games
Coach’s Quote: “Rocco has an incredible motor which doesn’t stop,” said Independence coach Marc Holliday. “His effort and energy are contagious to his teammates. He has a nose for the ball and a desire to get to it first. Rocco’s continued growth has been a major factor in our team’s success this season.”
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Name: Becca Brady
School: Crestwood
Grade: 10
Stats: Scored 20 points with three steals in two games
Coach’s Quote: “Becca was a huge part of us winning two games this week,” said Crestwood coach T.J. Henderson. “In the game at Kirtland, she was our main ball handler and was able to handle pressure and move the ball to open scorers. In the overtime win against Mogadore, Becca sparked us with 15 points. She was super aggressive and kept us in the game while we started off slow. She continues to grow and become more comfortable on the floor as a sophomore.”
Name: Iniya Charlton
School: Trinity
Grade: 11
Stats: Scored 44 points with 14 rebounds, 15 steals, and 10 assists in three games
Coach’s Quote: “Iniya has dominated all season and has been playing at a high level on both ends of the floor,” said Trinity coach Ron Donaldson. “She was special on Saturday in conference play and willed us to a victory on the road with her defense. She should be in the conversation for Player of the Year.”
Name: Ashlyn Dyson
School: Brooklyn
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored 68 points with 25 rebounds, nine assists, nine steals, seven blocks; broke the school’s single-game scoring record with 45 points
Coach’s Quote: “Watching Ashlyn break the school record for most points in a single game was heartwarming as a coach,” said Brooklyn coach Bryce Brown. “She works so hard, first in and last to leave. When she’s locked in, she’s hands down the best scorer in the CVC. Our record aside, she has been the true definition of an MVP.”
Name: Abby Kay
School: Chagrin Falls
Grade: 9
Stats: Scored 14 points with four rebounds, three assists, and a steal
Coach’s Quote: “Abby has played outstanding defense for us all season and has done a tremendous job of distributing the basketball,” said Chagrin Falls coach Brittany Laseak. “It was great to see a game where she had opportunities on offense as well. Abby is competitive and tough as nails. She gets involved in every play and creates chaos for her opponents. I’m proud of the growth she’s had this season.”
Name: Kendra Smith
School: Madison
Grade: 10
Stats: Scored 27 points with 32 rebounds, four assists, and four steals in three games
Coach’s Quote: “Kendra had an outstanding week against Normandy, Lakeside, and Perry,” said Madison coach Heather Reho. “She was our go-to for rebounds and putbacks. We rely heavily on Kendra to do work in the post, screen on and off the ball, and rebound. She had a great week offensively and defensively.”
Name: Julia Young
School: Berkshire
Grade: 10
Stats: Scored 12 points with four rebounds, three assists, and four steals in two games
Coach’s Quote: “Julia has been getting more playing time recently due to some injuries and she is starting to gain more confidence,” said Berkshire coach James Bosley. “She had a really good week shooting the ball, but it was her attitude on defense that was the big key factor. She is aggressive on the defensive end. She is either forcing turnovers or setting her teammates up to jump passing lanes. Her being able to knock down some open shots also opens up passing lanes for her because she has great court vision.”
SWIMMING & DIVING
Name: Alex Lee
School: Geneva
Grade: 9
Stats: Claimed two first plays relays and two individual second-place finishes in a tri-meet
Coach’s Quote: “Alex is a great new addition to our team this year and as a freshman is already scoring a lot of points for the team,” said Geneva coach Jamie Lee. “I expect him to be a leader on this team in the future.”
BOYS WRESTLING
Name: Brandon Bruce-Bey
School: Trinity
Grade: 12
Stats: Went 4-0 to win with a win over a returning state qualifier on his way to clinching a CVC title
Coach’s Quote: “Brandon is 27-2 on the year and is just a few wins away from his 100th career victory,” said Trinity coach Isaiah Hill. “I’m very happy to see Brandon becoming one of the leaders in the room. He is very focused on making it back to the state tournament this season.”
Name: Zander Joltin
School: West Geauga
Grade: 10
Stats: Went 4-0 to claim a second straight CVC title
Coach’s Quote: “Zander Joltin won his second consecutive CVC championship this weekend and improved his record to 31-4 on the season,” said West Geauga coach Joe Joltin. “Zander is currently ranked 16th in the state. Zander is one of the hardest working wrestlers in our room and he is an amazing student-athlete with a 3.5 GPA.”
Name: Abi Ortiz
School: Lakeside
Grade: 12
Stats: Went 4-0 on the way to winning the CVC title at 215 pounds
Coach’s Quote: “We are very proud of Abi’s effort over the weekend and over the course of the prior week,” said Lakeside coach Andy Horvath. “Abi lost 17 pounds over the week to qualify for the 215-pound weight class to achieve his goal of winning a CVC championship.”
