Athletes from eight different schools have been named the Chagrin Valley Conference Athletes of the Week.
Each athlete was nominated by his or her coach.
All statistics incurred during the week ending Sunday, Jan. 10.
Here’s a look at each Athlete of the Week by sport:
BOYS BASKETBALL
Name: Brandon Ford
School: Lakeside
Grade: 12
Stats: Averaged 26 points with 9.1 rebounds and eight assists
Coach’s Quote: “Brandon’s dominance on and off the court has been second to none,” said Lakeside coach Matt Newsome. “He’s shown that he can take over a game at any time and creates opportunities for his teammates to succeed. He puts in the extra work in the mornings and after practice and that was on full display as he dropped 30 against Riverside.”
Name: Daryl Houston
School: Beachwood
Grade: 12
Stats: Averaged 28 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 3.5 steals and 2.5 blocks
Coach’s Quote: “Daryl had an outstanding week helping to lead us to victories over conference opponents Hawken and Chagrin Falls,” said Beachwood coach David Krasnow. “His overall play and leadership helped get the Bison start the season 2-0.”
Name: Trent Jakacki
School: Crestwood
Grade: 12
Stats: Averaged 28.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists and also broke the school record with 44 points in a single game and he recorded the 1,000th point of his career
Coach’s Quote: “He has worked hard to put himself in the conversation of one of the area’s best players,” said Crestwood coach Josh Jakacki. “He is team-oriented always and does whatever is asked to put the team first.”
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Name: Julia Harris
School: Cuyahoga Heights
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored 27 points with eight rebounds, four blocked shots, three assists and a steal in two wins
Coach’s Quote: “Julia played very well on both ends of the floor to help us win two important league games,” said Cuyahoga Heights coach Al Martin.
Name: Hope Kiraly
School: Lutheran West
Grade: 12
Stats: Recorded two double-doubles with 32 points, 15 rebounds and 14 steals in two games
Coach’s Quote: “Hope has quite literally been doing it all for our team,” said Lutheran West coach Andrea Petta. “She has stepped up during very challenging circumstances and her energy and passion have been fueling our team on both ends of the floor. She is a true example of a leader and her statistics over the past week are the result of her work ethic and passion. Gutsy performances in both of these games.”
Name: Makayla White
School: Hawken
Grade: 11
Stats: Averaged 14.5 points with 9.0 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 1.5 assists in two wins
Coach’s Quote: “Makayla had an outstanding week, helping lead our team to two big wins in the CVC,” said Hawken coach David Murray. “She’s worked incredibly hard to become a complete player and had a huge impact on both ends of the court. Offensively, she is a talented scorer who facilitates our offense. On the defensive end, she does a great job catalyzing our ball-pressure and makes it incredibly tough on our opponents.”
HOCKEY
Name: Garrin Bunker
School: Chagrin Falls
Grade: 12
Stats: Scored four goals with three assists
Coach’s Quote: “In two games this week, Garrin scored three goals—a hat trick–and one assist against Canfield, and also scored one goal and two assists against Kenston,” said Chagrin Falls coach Jim Revak. “He led the Tigers to a victory over their arch rival Kenston and an important one-goal victory over a tough division opponent Canfield. Garrin is the leader of the hockey team both on and off ice. He is a gentleman with officials and truly professional with his coaches and administrators.”
SWIMMING
Name: Sam Ornstein
School: Beachwood
Grade: 11
Stats: Won the 100 fly, 100 breast stroke and 200 freestyle relay and finished second in the 200 freestyle relay in a win over Chardon and he won the 200 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 200 and 400 freestyle relays in a win over NDCL
Coach’s Quote: “Sam has done a great job staying focused as we have worked through our pool being shut down since COVID,” said Beachwood coach Brad Burget. “He was only able to swim four weeks in July, five weeks prior to Thanksgiving and we restarted again on Dec. 18.”
Name: Athena Pantoja
School: Lakeside
Grade: 12
Stats: Broke the school record in the 100 fly (1:04.91) and broke the school record in the 200 medley relay (2:13.92/27.84 split) in the all-county meet
Coach’s Quote: “Athena pushes herself with every stroke in practice and at every contest,” said Lakeside coach Maureen Surbella. “Her grit and determination help define the focus of our Dragon swimming and help inspire others to improve.”
BOYS WRESTLING
Name: Sam Partain
School: Chagrin Falls
Grade: 11
Stats: Won 18-4 in a dual win over VASJ
Coach’s Quote: “After putting a tremendous amount of work in the offseason and dedication through these turbulent times, Sam came out blazing on Thursday in our first event of the season and beat his opponent 18-4 leading our team to a home victory over VASJ 31-30,” said Chagrin Falls coach C. Peter Cimoroni. “His leadership and focus were evident and inspirational.”
Name: Brian Vollman
School: Independence
Grade: 12
Stats: Finished 4-0 with four pins at the Woodridge Duals
Coach’s Quote: “Brian is currently 13-0 with 10 pins and continues to improve daily,” said Independence coach Ken DeAngelis. “He is an unconventional wrestler but he’s figured out how to make it work.”
GIRLS WRESTLING
Name: Allyssa Pirro
School: Lutheran West
Grade: 12
Stats: Was 6-0 with five pins during the week
Coach’s Quote: “Allyssa has continued her dominance this season right where she left off after winning the OHSWCA girls state title last season,” said Lutheran West coach Dave Ressler. “She is currently 13-2 with 10 pins. She has a 3-2 record against boys and 10-0 against girls.”
