News-Herald players of the week for Dec. 21
Dec. 21—Savanah Laurenty
Riverside>>Girls basketball
Senior>>Guard/Forward
On the court: Had double-doubles against Mentor (24 points, 18 rebounds) and Cleveland Heights (31 points, 25 rebounds).
Off the court: Plans on playing basketball at Rochester University in Michigan. Enjoys spending time with family and friends. Enjoys working out. Favorite show is "The Vampire Diaries." Favorite food is steak. Favorite sports memory is winning the WRC title last year.
Armani Hall
Harvey>>Boys basketball
Sophomore>>Guard
On the court: In three games, averaged 20.3 points and five rebounds per game and made 15 3-pointers.
Off the court: "Mani" enjoys playing drums and hanging out with family and friends. Favorite sports memory is winning an AAU game by 102 points this past summer. Favorite movie is any "Fast and the Furious" movie. Favorite subject is math. Favorite team is the Phoenix Suns.
Claire Wakim
Madison>>Girls basketball
Senior>>Shooting guard/Small forward
On the court: In three games, recorded 39 points, 32 rebounds, six assists and three steals. Has led the Blue Streaks to a 7-0 start.
Off the court: Plans on playing basketball in college. Favorite subject is calculus. Favorite basketball memories are from celebrating with her team. Enjoy spending time playing with her puppy.
Sofia Macias
Kenston>>Gymnastics
Freshman>>All-around
In the gym: Was first in the vault (9.0), bars (9.15), beam (9.5) and floor (9.35) for first all-around with 37 points.
Out of the gym: Also plays soccer. Favorite hobby is napping. "My favorite sports memory is going to nationals as a level 9 gymnast two years in a row." Favorite movie is "The Maze Runner." Favorite food is her grandfather's homemade mac and cheese. Loves lemonade.
Luke Palmer
University>>Hockey
Senior>>Right wing
On the ice: Had five goals and two assists, including a hat trick vs. Findlay, as US went 4-0 and won the Padua Holiday tournament.
Off the ice: "Markus" is a Mentor resident. Favorite movie is "Cars 2." Favorite food is tacos. Enjoys the music of Lana Del Rey. Favorite show is "The Office." Favorite team is the Browns. Favorite subject is meteorology. Likes to golf, and works at Mission BBQ.
Kevin Zhang
Beachwood>>Boys swimming
Junior>>Butterfly, backstroke
In the pool: At the Viking Invitational, was first in 100 butterfly with a district-best and top-three state time of 51.90. Also took fourth in 100 back with a 53.43, setting the school record previously held by Spencer Bystrom, and was on the fifth-place 200 medley and 200 free relays.
Out of the pool: "My favorite swimming memory was when I was at districts last year with the rest of my team. It was the final swim meet before states, and even though there was a lot of pressure to perform well and make states, I loved every second of the team energy that day. We had seven people make districts, and all of us cheered each other on for every event. I also PB'd in every event that day, making states in all four events I swam." Favorite classes are multivariable calculus, physics 2 and Chinese. "I think multi is the most interesting math class I've ever had, using everything I've learned in the past to find cool techniques to new 3D problems. Physics is also so interesting to me, always making me think deeply about how the world works. My Chinese teacher also has kids that are really good at swimming, and she herself is a swimming referee. I talk a lot with her about everything swimming related, and its given us a really close bond. I love playing chess as well as other various video games in my free time. Favorite food is definitely sushi right now."
Brody Hicks
Perry>>Boys swimming
Sophomore
In the pool: At the Jim Stacy Invitational, set two individual school records amid runner-up swims — 200 IM (1:56.73) and 100 butterfly (50.74) — and led the Pirates to a third school record with a 21.73 split as part of 200 free relay.
Out of the pool: "I'm a big fan of eating; my favorite food is whatever my loving mother makes me. My favorite sports memory is scoring the first touchdown in the GYFL A Division Super Bowl of 2019 won by the Perry Pirates." Favorite teams are the Browns, Cavaliers and Guardians. Favorite movie is "Napoleon Dynamite." Fixes bikes for his non-profit, Upcycle Cycles. He collects bikes, repairs them and redistributes them to children in need.
Bryce Wheatley
NDCL>>Boys wrestling
Senior>>Heavyweight
On the mat: Earned upperweight MVP after going undefeated at the Vermillion Defense Soap Duals for his third time to win the award (175, 190, 285). Is 6-0 on the season.
Off the mat: Newbury resident plans on attending Southeastern (Fla.) and studying business. "My favorite memory is winning in the blood round to place at states last year." Hobbies include mountain biking, motorcycles and paintball. Favorite subject is engineering. Favorite food is chicken tenders.
Varsity coaches from all sports can nominate athletes for Players of the Week until 8 p.m. every Monday. They can be emailed to Scores@News-Herald.com. We do not take nominations via social media or text message.
