Area high schoolers charge into the new year
It’s been a while.
The last time we caught up on the standout performances and notable news from the Columbus-area high school sports landscape, the calendar had just flipped to December.
The following week, an unexpected trip out west to follow the Blue Jackets through Seattle, Vancouver and Edmonton led directly into planned time off for the holidays, and the end result was a month away from this column. To make up for our absence, this week’s edition includes a handful of notes dating back to December.
As we’re now in a new year, a reminder to please submit noteworthy performances, milestone achievements and news tidbits to us. The goal of this column is to highlight as many athletes and teams around the Columbus area as possible, and we can’t do that without your help.
Girls basketball
Granville junior guard Ella Wigal scored 30 points in a 75-54 win over Zanesville on Dec. 10 to cross the 1,000point mark for her career.
Columbus Academy senior Sophie Spolter notched a triple-double with 14 points, 12 steals and 11 assists, as well as seven rebounds, in a 69-39 win over Wellington on Dec. 18.
Delaware Hayes senior Chloe Jeffers finished two points shy of tying the program record as she racked up 36 points in a 52-47 win over Thomas Worthington on Dec. 21. Jeffers came even closer earlier this year with 37 points on Nov. 23.
Granville senior Cate Schieber joined her teammate in eclipsing 1,000 career points with 24 points in a 42-37 win over Hilliard Davidson on Dec. 22.
Reynoldsburg senior and West Virginia signee Imarianah Russell scored a combined 79 points in three games Dec. 27-29 in Florida on the Raiders’ holiday trip. There have been just two games this season in which Russell has scored fewer than 20 points.
With six blocks Tuesday, Central Crossing junior Amanita Dicko broke the program record for blocks in a season. She now has 24.
A three-pointer with under five seconds left by Cardington senior Beth
Hardwick lifted the Pirates to a 56-53 win over Northmor on Wednesday, extending Cardington’s KMAC win streak to 63 games and regular-season win streak to 49 games.
Boys basketball
Granville Christian Academy senior Joe Benvie recorded a triple-double in a 70-63 win over Fairfield Christian Academy on Dec. 21. Benvie finished with 28 points, 13 rebounds, 12 steals and four assists.
Newark junior Grant Burkholder scored all 17 of his points in the second half against Springfield Shawnee on Dec. 29 and added seven assists to help carry the Wildcats to a 56-52 win.
Delaware Hayes sophomore Jesse Burris led his team with 31 points in a 54-49 win over Mount Vernon on Dec. 30.
LA Walker went for 27 points in Linden-mckinley’s 57-54 win over Northland on Tuesday.
Hilliard Bradley junior Cade Norris scored 18 points and added 10 rebounds and seven assists in a 44-33 win over Olentangy Orange Thursday.
Ohio commit Ajay Sheldon exploded for a career-high 38 points Friday to lead Dublin Coffman to a 57-52 win over previously-undefeated Upper Arlington. The Golden Bears led 45-35 with under six minutes left in the fourth quarter.
With a 74-59 win over Canal Winchester, Westerville South emerged from Friday night’s slate of games as the only remaining undefeated team in the Columbus area. Isaiah Johnson had a game-high 27 points for the Wildcats in the win.
Hockey
Upper Arlington forward Sam Burns continued his hot streak with two goals and three assists in an 8-1 win over Olentangy Orange on Jan. 2. Max Robins scored a goal and added three assists.
Thomas Worthington senior Collin Stegemiller returned Jan. 2 from missing six weeks with an injury and scored a goal and tallied four assists in an 11-0 win over Watterson.
In the latest statewide coaches poll, released Wednesday, Upper Arlington is No. 4, Olentangy Berlin is No. 5, St. Charles is No. 8 and Olentangy Liberty is tied for No. 9.
Wrestling
The Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association will host the first girls state dual championships at Marysville on Jan. 23. Marysville, Olentangy Orange and Delaware Hayes will represent the Columbus area as they vie for the championship.
At the Walsh Ironman tournament Dec. 10-11, Dublin Scioto’s Ty Wilson placed fifth at 132 pounds, Dublin Coffman’s Ethan Birden placed sixth at 144 pounds, Westerville North’s Connor Eutonplaced fifth at 157 pounds, Dublin Coffman’s Dez Gartrell placed seventh at 165 pounds, Dublin Coffman’s Seth Shumate placed fourth at 190 pounds and Desales’ Max Shulaw placed fourth at 215 pounds.
Football
Reynoldsburg quarterback Dijon Jennings committed to Akron.
Upper Arlington kicker Zac Yoakam committed to Dartmouth.
Per Thisweek’s Frank Direnna, Greg Waits is set to be the next head coach at Grove City, replacing Matt Shaul after he stepped down in early December. bjohnson@dispatch.com @baileyajohnson_