Here’s a quick look at the week ahead:
Girls Basketball: Big showdowns in Mogadore
All eyes turn to Mogadore as the Wildcats host two big showdowns. On Monday, Mogadore hosts former Portage Trail Conference rival Southeast in an intriguing game between two defensively-oriented teams. Their last six meetings have been decided by single digits, with each prevailing on their home court last year. Wildcats senior Amelia Morris and Pirates sophomore Jenna Canale should have many great battles for rebounds. Also watch as Kristen Campbell, Sarah Craver and Bailey Morris lead an athletic Southeast backcourt against an equally athletic Mogadore backcourt highlighted by the Tompkins twins (Ari and Julia), who are known for applying an immense amount of pressure. Two days later, the Wildcats host Warren JFK, last year’s PTC runner-up, in a game that could prove pivotal in the league title chase. The Wildcats will look to apply plenty of pressure against the Eagles’ dangerous duo of Didi Ryan (17.5 points per game) and Gianna Pompelia (16.5).
In other highlights this week, Field hosts two stout teams in Canton Central Catholic (Wednesday) and Norton (Friday) following its impressive opening win at Woodridge, and Aurora takes on a couple of Suburban American title contenders in Copley (Wednesday) and Cuyahoga Falls (Saturday).
Boys Basketball: Schedule heats up with a reunion
Only a few local boys basketball teams competed in the season’s opening weekend, with Mogadore winning and Ravenna and Roosevelt losing. The schedule is far fuller this week, including Mogadore hosting Crestwood Friday as the Wildcats seek revenge for a 22-point loss in Mantua a year ago. Of course, Mogadore has to replace a massive senior class, while Crestwood returns the bulk of last year’s roster, with Brody Durham and Dekota Johnson leading one of the area’s top backcourts.
Field coach and Southeast alum Alex Blake hosts his former team Saturday, when the Pirates visit Brimfield. A year ago, Garrett Sprutte took over, scoring 26 of his game-high 31 points in the second half to lead Southeast to a 10-point victory over Field. Now, the Pirates have to figure out how to replace Sprutte, with Zach Keto and Cohen Richardson leading the way, while the Falcons aim for revenge, led by a top-notch guard in Grady Eader.
Wrestling: North Coast Classic highlights opening weekend
Two local teams, Crestwood and Streetsboro, make the trip to Independence for one of the more intriguing tournaments of the season’s opening weekend. The Rockets return six district qualifiers, including 2024 state qualifier Anthony Sindelar, 2022 and 2023 state qualifier Cohen Klimak and one of the state’s top sophomores in Jarreau Walker. The Red Devils, meanwhile, look to push forward after graduating a big senior class with district qualifier Rocco Wrobel leading the way.
Hockey: Adam S. Hamilton Tournament starts with a battle of neighbors
The Rough Riders bounced back from a loss to Elyria Catholic in the opening round of the Normandy Thanksgiving Tournament to score a combined 16 goals in routs of Troy and Lakewood. Junior Max Ucadze scored eight of those goals, including five of the Rough Riders’ seven in their win over the Trojans.
Roosevelt next hosts the Adam S. Hamilton Tournament. The Rough Riders open the tournament against Hudson Thursday, when they look to avenge last year’s one-goal loss to the Explorers. Amherst and the St. Edward JV join Hudson and Roosevelt in the White Division, with the White Division title game taking place Sunday at 12:20 p.m.
