Another great run

Nhere.” ewark Catholic’s quest for a ninth state football title ended with a 42-7 loss to Marion Local in the Division VII championship game in Canton on Dec. 4. The Green Wave is 8-7 in state finals, with its last win coming in 2007. h “The ultimate expectation is to win this football game and win the state championship,” said Newark

Catholic coach Ryan Aiello. “My heart breaks for our seniors, not being able to give that to them, but what it does for our freshmen, sophomores and juniors is going to be huge for their growth for us to attain that moving forward

15. Braden Appelhans, Western Reserve Academy

The 6-6 shooting guard transferred to Western Reserve Academy from Blue Springs High School in Missouri, where he earned first-team all-league and all-district honors last season as a junior after averaging 16.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. He also shot 51% from 3 -point range. He is committed to New Mexico.

16. Marlon Barnes Jr., Lyndhurst Brush

The 6-6 junior shooting guard is back at Brush after spending a year at YPSI Prep. He is rated by 247Sports as a top-five player in his class and holds offers from Pittsburgh, Miami (Fla.) and Cleveland State.

17. Mekhi Elmore, Cincinnati Taft

Playing just eight games due to the OHSAA transfer bylaw, Elmore averaged 21.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.1 steals last season. Prior to Taft, Elmore was a twotime first-team Dayton City League selection while at Thurgood Marshall. In 2020, he averaged 21 points per game.

18. Trey Robertson, Waverly

He averaged 25.7 points per game last season and was Division II Southeast District Player of the

Newark Catholic coach Ryan Aiello hugs quarterback Cole Canter after the defeat.

Newark Catholic’s Daniel Gray (78) and Nate Willis (58) celebrate after a defensive stop.

Newark Catholic players, including Michael Hess (35) and Chance Brooks (44), dive trying to recover a fumble.

PHOTOS BY TY WRIGHT/THE ADVOCATE Newark Catholic’s Mason Hackett dives into the end zone.

Newark Catholic’s Kyle Langenbrunner fights for yardage.

Newark Catholic had plenty of fans on hand to cheer on the Green Wave.

Newark Catholic players take the field at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

The coin flip before the game.

Year.