Xcellent 25 national rankings
A look at the country's top boys basketball teams.
You vote, you decide...who had Ohio's best individual performance this past week?
MaxPreps and JJHuddle are proud to announce that they will again sponsor an athlete of the week during the 2017-18 school year.
Each week during the season (regular and post), there will be a fan-generated contest to tab weekly winners. Each winner will receive awards (bracelets and certificates). Football, girls and boys soccer and volleyball athletes will be eligible for the award.
How does it work? Nominees will be selected from statistics submitted on MaxPreps. Coaches who do not have current access may request their free account here. Stats must be entered on MaxPreps to make players eligible for the Athlete of the Week awards. We will announce the weekly finalists on MaxPreps and JJHuddle every Tuesday and voting will be conducted in a special poll. Voting will cease at noon on Mondays. The winners (2-3 per week) will be announced the next day along with the next week's nominees.
Vote as many times as you want. It's a competition. Vote Now!
PLEASE NOTE, THE WEEK 31 WINNERS will be announced APRIL 10 with the next round of nominees. There will be no competition on April 3.
Last week over 29,000 votes were cast. Here are this week's winners...
Week 30 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Janae Hoying & Ivy Wolf, Minster Girls Basketball
Freshmen
tandem combined for 30 points (scored 15 each) in a 63-48 win over
Ottoville in the D-IV state final. Hoying played 23 minutes, was 6-for-6
from the free throw line and had two steals. Wolf played 27 minutes and
had six rebounds and four assists. The two combined to go 8-for-8 from
the free throw line the final 1:08.
* Drew Johnson, Pandora-Gilboa Boys Basketball
Senior
and Putnam County League player of the year had 28 points and five
rebounds as the Rockets beat Convoy Crestview 70-58 in D-IV to claim the
program's first regional title. Had nine points, seven boards and six
blocks in a 50-31 regional semifinal win over Mohawk.
Week 31 Ohio HS Athlete of the Week Nominations
* Jeremiah Davenport and Jaxson Hayes, Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati) Boys BasketballSenior tandem helped Crusaders capture the program’s fourth state title. Davenport (Wright State) had 32 points, 17 rebounds and five assists in wins over Solon and Lorain, while Hayes (Texas) had 30 points, 19 rebounds and six blocks.
* Joseph Hocker, Deer Park (Cincinnati) Boys BasketballJunior had a pair of double-doubles in the Wildcats state tourney wins over Lutheran East (semifinals) and Africentric (final). Had 10 points and 18 rebounds in semi win over the Falcons and 10 points and 10 rebounds in finals win over the Nubians.
Ohio High School Boys Basketball Statewide Stat Leaders * Tyler Mescher and Nathan Bruns, Marion Local (Maria Stein) Boys Basketball
Senior and junior dup helped power Marion Local to is third state title. Mescher had 35 points and 15 rebounds in the two state tourney games, including hitting two free throws with 2.6 seconds left in double-OT in the state final (52-51 win over Cornerstone Christian). Bruns had 33 points and 21 rebounds in the state games, including an 18-14 double-double in the final.
* Lunden McDay, St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron) Boys Basketball
Junior led the Irish in scoring in both state tournament games. Had 19 points and five rebounds in 60-51 D-II state final win over Trotwood-Madison. Had 15 points, four rebounds and four assists in 62-51 semifinal win over Lexington.
Ohio High School Girls Basketball Statewide Stat Leaders
* Sincere Carry, Solon Boys Basketball
Senior guard had 29 points and 11 assists in the Comets 82-78 D-I semifinal win over Pickerington Central. Had 27 points in state final loss to Moeller.
* Michael Bothwell, Cornerstone Christian (Willoughby) Boys Basketball
Senior scored 45 points in two state games for the D-IV runner-up Patriots. Also had 11 rebounds, six steals, five blocks and four assists.
Ohio High School Football Statewide Stat Leaders
* Priscilla Howland, Ridgemont (Mount Victory) SoftballSenior went 4-for-5 with eight RBI, four runs, two home runs and a double in a 26-1 win over Vanlue.
* Kaleb Bowdle, Urbana Baseball
Senior pitcher struck out 13 and allowed three hits in a 4-1 win over Milton-Union. Also went 1-for-2 with two runs scored.
PAST WINNERS
Week 1 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Owen Wetherill & Nick Adams, Hardin Northern (Dola) Football (Votes)Duo dominated in a 57-35 win over Arcadia. Wetherill, a freshman quarterback and linebacker, completed 18-of-31 passes for 329 yards and six touchdowns and had 12 tackles, including three tackles-for-loss and two sacks. Adams, a junior running back, carried the ball 12 times for 100 yards and a touchdown and caught six passes for 146 yards and three more touchdowns.
* Jacob Denlinger, Twin Valley South (West Alexandria) Boys Soccer (Votes)Senior goalkeeper made 17 saves in a 4-0 shutout win over Middletown Madison. Also had 16 saves in a 3-1 loss to Miami Valley.
* Rachel Williamson, Antwerp Volleyball (Votes)Senior middle hitter had 45 kills and four blocks in a 3-2 win over Miller City.
Week 2 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Eli Gibson, Preble Shawnee (Camden) Football (Votes)Senior running back averaged 9.5 yards per carry and churned out 334 yards (and two touchdowns) on 35 carries in a 30-7 win over Twin Valley South. That followed up a 234-yard, three touchdown performance in a 32-14 Week 1 win over National Trail where he averaged 13 yards on 18 carries.
* Caden Hostetler, Indian Valley (Gnadenhutten) Football (Votes)Junior running back ran for 247 yards and five touchdowns on 18 carries (13.7 yard average) in a 38-32 win over Akron Manchester.
* Fide Valverde-Rivera, Streetsboro Girls Soccer (Votes)Junior forward had five goals in a 14-0 win over Akron Springfield and three in an 8-1 win over Firestone.
Week 3 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Nick Sparr and Austin Davis, Triway (Wooster) Football (Votes)Senior pass-catch combo shined in a 41-14 win over Waynedale. Sparr completed 17-of-20 passes for 348 yards and five touchdowns, while Davis had seven catches for 202 yards and three touchdowns.
* Morgan Bowers, Bexley (Columbus) Girls Soccer (Votes)Junior had three goals and three assists in a 7-0 win over London.
Week 4 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Tino Kusic and Jeremiah Booker, Bridgeport FootballPass-catch dup dominated in a 52-0 win over Paden City (WV). Kusic completed 14-of-20 passes for 440 yards and seven touchdowns, while, Booker had seven catches for 284 yards and 4 touchdowns.
* Ali Thompson, Bloom-Carroll (Carroll) VolleyballJunior libero had 54 digs in a 3-2 win over Teays Valley and 38 digs in a 3-1 win over Liberty Union.
* Halie Sciury, Sandy Valley (Magnolia) Girls Soccer
Senior had six goals in an 8-0 win over Akron North, three goals in a 6-3 loss to Harrison Central and two goals in a 2-2 tie with Kingsway Christian.
Week 5 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Ethan Wright, Manchester (Akron) Football (Votes)Sophomore running back went over 1,000 yards rushing for the season with 276 yards and six touchdowns on 17 carries in a 55-8 win over Triway.
* Hannah Headlee, Jonathan Alder (Plain City) Girls Soccer (Votes)Senior scored 20 points last week (nine goals, two assists) as her team went 3-0 and outscored its opponents 25-1.
* Ryan Delelles, Steubenville Boys Soccer (Votes)Senior scored five goals in a 5-3 win over Columbiana Crestview.
* Kyle Flannery, East (Sciotoville) Football (Votes)Junior scored five touchdowns via rushing (three), receiving and punt return in a 49-7 win over Manchester.
Week 6 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Paige Jones, New Bremen Volleyball (Votes)Senior outside hitter and Michigan recruit had 44 kills as the Cardinals beat Coldwater 3-2 in a match-up of Ohio's No. 1 Division III and IV teams.
* Megan Brzozowski, Gilmour Academy (Gates Mills) Volleyball (Votes)
Junior setter had 67 assists in a 3-2 win over Stow Munroe-Falls.
* Phoebe Jackson, Woodmore (Elmore) Girls Soccer (Votes)
Sophomore goalkeeper made 14 saves in a 2-0 shutout win over Genoa. Also had 14 saves in a 2-2 tie with Lake.
Week 7 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Camryn Jarrett, United (Hanoverton) Volleyball (Votes)Senior had 37 kills, four blocks and 19 digs in a 3-2 win over Columbiana. Also added 26 kills, seven blocks and 11 digs in a 3-2 win over Canton South and 24 kills and 17 digs in a 3-0 win over East Plaestine.
* Julia Frank, Berkshire (Burton) Girls Soccer (Votes)Junior had five goals and three assists in an 8-0 win over Crestwood. Also had four goals and an assist in a 6-1 win over Beachwood and a goal and three assists in a 12-0 win over Conneaut.
* Katie May, Independence Volleyball (Votes)Junior had 59 assists in a 3-1 win over Huron, 36 assists in a 3-0 win over Geneva and 29 assists in a 3-0 win over Orange.
* Kayla Hardy, Galion Volleyball (Votes)
Freshman had 40 assists in a 3-0 win over North Union and a career-high 59 assists in a 3-2 loss to Ontario.
Week 8 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Mark Waid, Girard Football
Junior completed 12-of-23 passes for 420 yards and six touchdowns in a 66-6 win over Newton Falls. Has thrown for 2,210 yards, 25 touchdowns and just two interceptions for the undefeated Indians. Has also rushed for 831 yards and 14 touchdowns.
* Andreus Harhalos, Holy Name (Parma Heights) Football
Senior caught 16 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-34 loss to Garfield Heights.
* Victoria Graves, Lutheran West (Rocky River) VolleyballHad a state-best 48 digs last week in a 3-2 win over Columbia.
* Cat Lillibridge & Asya Martin, Berkshire (Burton) Girls SoccerLillibridge, a senior goalkeeper, leads Ohio with a 0.322 goals against average (per MaxPreps stats). She has 16 shutouts over the last two seasons, including six this year. She also has a goal and assist on the season. Martin is three-year senior captain sweeper who has been key in the six shutouts this season. She has two goals and three assists this year.
Week 9 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Jaron Sharp, Kenton FootballJunior quarterback completed 27-of-41 passes for 449 yards and four touchdowns and ran 17 times for 115 yards and four touchdowns in a 51-50 loss to Elida. Has thrown for 3,105 yards and 26 touchdowns and rushed for 1,032 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.
* Kara Schafer, Monroeville VolleyballSenior had 55 assists and 22 digs in a 3-1 win over Calvert. Also had 29 assists and 14 digs in a 3-0 win over Wynford.
* Allie Hale, Lancaster VolleyballSenior captain had 53 assists in a 3-1 win over Hilliard Davidson and 48 assists in a 3-2 win over New Albany.
Week 10 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Keedrick Cunningham, Fairland (Proctorville) FootballSenior running back carried the ball 16 times for 402 yards and four touchdowns and caught three passes for 101 yards and a touchdown in a 46-28 win over rival Chesapeake.
* Kellee Applegate, Lordstown (Warren) VolleyballJunior had 34 kills, 20 digs and five blocks in a 3-2 loss to St. John in the D-IV district finals. Had 30 kills, 29 digs and five blocks in a 3-2 win over Mathews in the district semifinals.
* Jaden Walz, Brooklyn Volleyball
Sophomore had 33 kills, 20 digs and 16 assists in a 3-2 win over Columbiana in the D-III district semifinals.
Week 11 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Blaire Barr, Fairfield Christian Academy (Lancaster) VolleyballJunior middle hitter had 24 kills in a 3-1 D-IV regional final win over Portsmouth Notre Dame. Had 23 kills in a 3-1 regional semifinal win over Monroe Central.
* Ila Angermeier, Lake Catholic (Mentor) VolleyballSenior outside hitter had 34 digs and 18 kills in a 3-1 D-II regional final win over Beaumont and 27 digs and 19 kills in a 3-1 regional semifinal win over Marlington.
* Logan Shea, Mentor Football
Senior receiver caught six passes for 103 yards and four touchdowns in a 49-17 playoff win over Stow-Munroe Falls.
Week 12 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Ellen Peters, Versailles VolleyballSenior setter had 54 assists in a 3-2 D-III state final win over fellow-MAC power Coldwater. Had 39 assists in a 3-1 state semifinal win over Tuscarawas Valley.
* Bryce Barasch, Johnstown-Monroe FootballJunior running back carried the ball 31 times for 255 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-6 D-IV regional semifinal win over Portsmouth West.
Week 13 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Keegan Wilburn, Nelsonville-York FootballSophomore running back carried the ball 13 times for 81 yards and two touchdowns and caught nine passes for 131 yards and a touchdown in a 28-7 D-VI regional final win over Dawson-Bryant.
* Dylan Drummond, Cuyahoga Heights (Cleveland) Football
Senior receiver caught 11 passes for 215 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-41 D-VII regional final win over Dalton.
Week 14 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Luke Richardson, Clinton-Massie (Clarksville) FootballSenior receiver and defensive back accounted for three touchdowns, including the game-winning 46-yard interception return, in a 28-21 D-IV state semifinal win over New Concord John Glenn. Also had 56 yards receiving, caught two touchdown passes and had 83 yards in kick returns.
* Kortney Kyles, Washington (Massillon) Girls Basketball
Senior center 20 points and 19 rebounds in a 69-61 win over Cornerstone Christian.
Week 15 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Javon Davis, Steubenville FootballSenior quarterback accounted for 324 yards of total offense and six touchdowns as Big Red won its fourth state title and first since 2006 with a 50-36 win over Clinton-Massie in D-IV. Steubenville was state runner-up the last two years. Davis completed nine-of-13 passes for 213 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 111 yards and two touchdowns.
* Hadley LeVan, Triad (North Lewisburg) Boys Basketball
Senior scored 31 points in the finals of the Benjamin Logan Tip-Off Classic to surpass 1,000 for his career and lead the Cardinals to a title with a 57-50 win over North Union. Scored 24 points in a 68-35 opening round win over Riverside.
* Jensyn Shepherd, Symmes Valley (Willow Wood) Girls Basketball
Senior had 33 points, 19 rebounds and five blocks in a 56-51 win over South Gallia. Also had 19 points, 10 rebounds and eight blocks in a 63-48 win over Eastern and 11 points and 12 rebounds in a 69-42 loss to Glenwood
.
Week 16 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Hayley Suchland, Northeastern (Springfield) Girls BasketballSenior scored 12 points in a first quarter loss to Mechanicsburg (and 31 overall) to become the school's all-time leading scorer. Had 49 points in a 63-55 win over Yellow Springs earlier this season.
* Camille Cummins, Cardinal (Middlefield) Girls BasketballJunior had 20 rebounds, 16 points, three steals and three blocks in 55-48 win over Grand Valley. Added 12 points and 15 rebounds in a 48-45 win over Hawken.
* Micaylah Nash, New Albany Girls Basketball
Senior grabbed 26 rebounds and added 12 points, three assists and two steals in a 41-38 win over Columbus DeSales. Had 20 rebounds, seven points and two steals in 55-52 win over Teays Valley.
Week 17 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Presley Griffitts, Tecumseh (New Carlisle) Girls BasketballJunior guard and Bowling Green commit had two triple-doubles and surpassed 1,000 career points last week in wins over Graham and Bellefontaine. Had 36 points, 15 steals and 11 assists against Graham and 31 points (went over 1,000), 10 rebounds and 10 steals against Bellefontaine.
* Emily Poling, Defiance Girls BasketballSenior point guard had a triple-double (10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists) in a 57-34 win over Ayersville. Added 36 points, eight rebounds, 11 assists, six steals and just two fouls in wins over Archbold and Lima Shawnee.
* Hunter Stidham, Valley View (Germantown) Girls Basketball
Senior scored 14 points to surpass 1,000 for her career as the Spartans stayed unbeaten with a 54-27 win over Brookville.
Week 18/19 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Jack Hendricks, Fairmont (Kettering) Boys BasketballSenior guard set school records for points (52) and 3-pointers (14) in a game in a 117-64 win over Indianapolis Washington.
* Morgan Rigsby, Portsmouth West (West Portsmouth) Girls BasketballSophomore forward had 23 rebounds, nine points, seven assists and four steals in a 64-55 win over Waverly. Also had a pair of double-doubles in losses to Lucasville Valley (12 points, 11 rebounds) and Bethel-Tate (11 points, 10 rebounds).
Week 20 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Zoe Shank, Elmwood (Bloomdale) girls basketball
Senior scored a school record 42 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a 73-42 win over Fostoria.
* Jamie Schmeltz, Eastwood (Pemberville) girls basketball
Sophomore scored a career-high 43 points and had eight rebounds and three steals in a 65-61 loss to Millbury Lake. Added 17 points, nine rebounds and four steals in a 51-47 win over Otsego.
Week 21 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Caleb Ramey, West Geauga (Chesterland) boys basketball
Senior point guard was two rebounds shy of a triple-double when he posted 18 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in a 69-57 win over Harvey.
* Aubrey Stupp, Tri-County North (Lewisburg) girls basketball
Sophomore scored a school-record 43 points in a 65-43 win over Mississinawa Valley.
* Taylor Franklin, Shenandoah (Sarahsville) girls basketball
Senior scored a school-record 39 points and added 10 rebounds and eight steals in a 61-24 win over Monroe Central.
Week 22 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Drake Batcho, Champion (Warren) boys basketball
Senior had 16 points, 21 rebounds, seven steals and five assists in a 67-58 loss to Warren JFK. Added 27 points and 17 rebounds in a 58-55 win over Girard.
* Kaycee Carroll, Upper Scioto Valley (McGuffey) girls basketballSenior had 42 points (six 3s), eight rebounds and four assists in a 75-43 win over Perry. Added 18 points, four boards and three assists in a loss to Arlington.
* Sophia Balestra, Clay (Portsmouth) girls basketball
Junior had a triple-double (22 points, 12 rebounds and 11 steals) in a 58-30 win over Western.
Week 23 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Olivia Shore, Miami East (Casstown) wrestlingFreshman became the first female champion in Lima Central Catholic Thunderbird Invitational history with a championship at 106 pounds. Earlier this season was the first girl to place at the Medina Invitational in the event's 43-year history.
* Katie Dettwiller, Notre Dame (Portsmouth) girls basketballJunior had 60 points, 35 rebounds and 14 blocks in wins over Oak Hill, Sciotoville East and Whiteoak.
* A.J. Connor, Catholic Central (Steubenville) boys basketballSenior scored 30 points and hit seven 3s in a 72-45 win over Bellaire. Also had 27 and 16 points, respectively, in loss to Wheeling Central Catholic and a win over Edison.
* Gabe Fisher, Unioto (Chillicothe) boys basketball
Senior had 48 rebounds, 33 points, 10 blocks, eight assists and seven steals in wins over Southeastern, Piketon and Westfall.
Week 24 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Devin Worley, Dixie (New Lebanon) boys basketballSenior hit the game-winning shot and reached 1,000-career points with it as the Greyhounds rallied from an 8-point fourth quarter deficit to beat Milton-Union 46-44. Finished the game with 19 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Also had 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists in a won over Franklin-Monroe and 16 points and six rebounds in a win over Newton.
* Kasey Schipfer, Mechanicsburg girl basketball
Sophomore point guard recorded a career-high 34 points and equaled her own school single-game record of 13 steals in a 72-53 victory at backyard rival Triad. Also had nine rebounds and five assists in the win.
* Samantha Whiteman, Covington girls basketball
Junior set the program's single-season scoring record with 41 points in a 64-42 win over Bethel.
Week 25 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Mya Jackson, Wilmington Girls BasketballJunior became her school's all-time leading scorer when she netted 20 points in a 67-27 win over Batavia to surpass previous record-holder Erica Richardson's 1,341 points. Jackson did not play in the second half.
* Priscilla Howland, Ridgemont (Mount Victory) Girls Basketball
Senior had 25 points, 21 rebounds and five assists in a 68-62 loss to Kenton. Added 24 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, two steals and an assist in a 61-46 win over Riverdale.
Week 26 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Landen Angel, Ross (Hamilton) Boys Basketball
Senior scored 28 points to surpass 1,000 for his career in a 70-44 win over Talawanda. Also had 13 rebounds. Is the Southwest Ohio Conference's leading scorer (20.6 ppg).
* Lena Bercz, Turpin (Cincinnati) Gymnastics
Senior placed first in the all-around, bars, floor and vault to lead the Spartans to the team title at the Cincinnati City Championships.
* Madison Hurst, Pymatuning Valley (Andover) Girls Basketball
Senior had 73 points, 20 steals and 10 assists in wins over Maplewood, Bristol and Ashtabula St. John.
Week 27 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Portia Del Rio Brown, Hawken (Gates Mills) SwimmingWon four titles at the D-II state meet as the Hawks claimed their 20th team title in a row. Won individual titles in the 200 individual medley and 100 backstroke and was on state-record setting 200 medley and 400 free relays.
* Tully Taylor, Conneaut Girls BasketballSenior had 21 points and 22 rebounds in a 54-43 D-III sectional win over Rootstown.
Week 28 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Danielle Vuletich, South Range (Canfield) Girls BasketballFreshman had 31 points, 19 rebounds and six blocks in a 56-43 D-III district semifinal win over Brookfield. Added 11 points, 18 rebounds and six blocks in a 53-38 district final win over Salem.
* Bryana Twining, Bath (Lima) Girls Bowling
Senior rolled a 684 series to win the Division II individual bowling state title.
Week 29 Ohio HS Athletes of the Week
* Cole Mattin, Delta WrestlingJunior
was named D-III wrestler of the meet at the state finals after beating
three-time state champion Tommy Hoskins of Xenia Legacy Christian in the
semifinals en route to the 126-pound title.
* Dylan D'Emilio, Genoa Area WrestlingJunior
beat Jacob Edwards of Troy Christian 7-0 in the D-III 132-pound final
to finish the season 52-0 and became Ohio's 68th three-time state
champion. Genoa also won the individual tournament team title (its
first).