Barberton High School senior Jacob North has made an oral commitment to continue his academic and baseball career at the University of Toledo.

North led the Magics last season with a .500 bating average. He had 36 hits, eight doubles, one triple, five home runs, 35 RBI, scored 24 runs and stolen 10 bases in 11 attempts.

North plays center field for Barberton’s baseball team and is also a standout guard on the basketball team.

“I think he is just a laid back kid,” Barberton baseball coach Ryan Hartzell said. “His work ethic is one of a kind in the classroom and on the field. I have never met a kid like him. He is just a solid young man. I think his best years are yet to come. He has put up unreal numbers in basketball and baseball.”

North also excels in the classroom and is ranked No. 3 in a class of 279. He has a 4.591 grade-point average and scored a 28 on his ACT. He plans to major in pharmacy at Toledo.

Hey everyone! This is my column that’s running in the Akron Beacon Journal Friday, but it’s posted on Ohio.com now, as you can see. Thanks to everyone who submitted votes for their favorite high school nicknames. If there are other crazy nicknames from out of state, post them so we can all get some laughs. Thanks again!

Here’s my thoughts on high school football now that we are at the halfway point of the season.

*I was disappointed that only 2,500 people came out to the first City Series game at InfoCision Stadium at Summa Field, though North and Kenmore aren’t big schools. Still, I would bet that crowd was two or three times bigger than it might have been at the Rubber Bowl.

*I will say this after seeing North, Kenmore, Buchtel and Ellet – there is a lot of talent in the City Series. The key for the future of the football in Akron is to get more kids to come out for these teams. The other thing coaches need is for the players to get into better shape, though with a bad economy and kids from poorer families it is sometimes impossible for them to have the time to get to the weight room in the off-season. 

*Ricky Powers is doing a nice job rebuilding the Buchtel program, which was nearly destroyed by former Claude Brown because of his conviction involving a Buchtel female student. Powers, an alumni and former Michigan star running back, is trying to bring discipline to the program, teach younger volunteer coaches what needs to be done and get the community more involved.

*Circle the Week 8 game Oct. 16 in the River Division of the NOC with Twinsburg at Hudson will be for all the marbles – a division title and tons of computer points. Both schools are in Division I, Region 2; the Tigers are fifth and Hudson seventh, according to the JoeEitel.com website.

*Who would have thought Springfield would have four wins in five games and Green would be 0-5?  Bulldog coach Tom Stacy  is drawing a lot of fire both for having too tough a schedule and, obviously, the team’s record.

*It seems that the most balanced conference this year is the Suburban League, which few fans realize has for 20 years been putting as many, if not more, teams in the playoffs each season.

Besides the red hot Wadsworth team, Barberton, Cloverleaf, Copley, Revere and Highland have comparable talent, which makes this league so hard to predict. Only Tallmadge and Green seems out of both the league title and playoff contender.

Suddenly Friday’s gane with Wadsworth (5-0) at Copley (4-1) has a lot riding on it.

*How much will Walsh Jesuit be hurt by have this week off? Yes, the Warriors will get an average of their weekly points for this week, but they will lose their playing edge going into the Oct. 9 rivalry game witth visiting St. Vincent-St. Mary. Walsh is 3-2 and 1oth in Division II, Region 5.

The Barberton High School boys basketball team started the 2008-2009 season with two victories this past weekend at the 38th annual Kiser Tipoff Classic at Grove City High School in Pennsylvania.

The Magics defeated Erie Strong Vincent 62-39 on Friday night and then beat Pittsburgh Peabody 71-51 to win the Classic title on Saturday night.

Magics senior center Garrick Sims was named the Classic’s Most Outstanding Player and junior guard Jacob North received the Kiser Memorial Award for his character and integrity.

“We wanted to take the kids somewhere to play and it worked out very well,” Barberton coach Ken Rector said by telephone on Tuesday. “It was a good time and a nice way to start the season. It was a bonding experience for the kids and the coaches, and fortunately we got two wins out of it too.”

Through two games, Rector said Sims is averaging 14 points and 12 rebounds and North is averaging 20 points and five rebounds. Sims is 6-foot-6 and 195 pounds and North is 6-foot-2 and 191 pounds.

Rector also praised the play of seniors Darryle Duncan, Jason Giovanini, Jacob Browning, Clinton Hummel and David Campbell.

This is Barberton’s 100th season of high school basketball. The Magics have had 41 consecutive winning seasons, and they have won at least 15 games during each of the past 13 seasons.

- Michael Beaven

When it comes to track, it’s always about who ran the fastest, jumped the highest or threw the shot or the discus the farthest. But sometimes there are stories, GREAT, INSPRATIONAL STORIES, that don’t have to do with who won.

For instance, I remember watching the local news in the fall, I think it was, and there was an amazing story about a young lady (she may have been from the Youngstown area), who was competing in the state high school cross country meet and was almost near the finish line. Then came a gruesome sight. She broke her leg on the course and fell to the ground.

But this young lady had the courage and fortitude to crawl and limp her way to the finish line, despite being in obvious pain.

It was a story of incredible self-will. This young lady needed medical help, but she didn’t want it. She was withering with pain but she wanted to finish that race, and if you watched the video, you couldn’t help but get a little emotional, knowing she was in a world of pain. But watching her will her way to that finish line, regardless of the pain she was experiencing, was breathtaking and moving.

The yound lady gave a great television interview a few days later and it was great to see she was doing well and was in good spirts. I think she even joked that all she was thinking about, when she went down, was that she wasn’t going to be able to dance at her sister’s wedding later that night.

I witnessed another incredible story, but it didn’t involve injury. A few years ago I was covering a regional track meet at Ravenna and the Copley girls were favored in this particular relay event. As the race began, Copley was right there, as expected. But during one of the exchanges, the baton was dropped and the team was out of the race.

The young lady who dropped the baton was devasted. I mean, I had never seen an athlete more distraught. What I found out later was that the young lady was only a sophomore and there were two seniors on that relay team. The sophomore felt she had blown it for the seniors because it was their last chance to make it to state.

She was on the infield of the track, as the race was still going, slumped over an emotional ball.

She just shuddered and shook as she cried.

Then, former Copley standout Carrie Dyer, who was a senior and on that relay team, ran to the young runner to comfort her.

Then the rest of the realy team followed.

To me, that was one of the most inspirational stories I had ever witnessed.

The sophomore was heartbroken. But she was heartbroken because she cared about her teammates and wanted to perform at her best so that it would help the seniors.

It didn’t happen. But when it didn’t happen, the seniors weren’t mad, bitter or upset. They showed support for their younger teammate because they loved her. And in the end, winning didn’t matter.

So, with that, I’m asking readers to post any inspirational stories you witnessed, in track or any other sport, that didn’t involve someone winning.

A story where someone overcame odds to get where they are. Or a story about teammates helping one another.

Those are the most compelling stories.

The 71st annual state wrestling tournament concluded with four area wrestlers winning a state title on Saturday night at the Value City Arena within the Jerome Schottenstein Center on the campus of the Ohio State University.

Please check out the print Akron Beacon Journal or the ohio.com website on the Internet for coverage about the state tournament that appeared from Thursday through Sunday.

Here is a quick synopsis:

Champions

Brunswick senior Richie Spicel won the Division I 140-pound state title and finished the season with a 43-0 record under the leadership of coach Mike Koshar. Spicel also won a state championship as a freshman in 2005 at 130 pounds.

Walsh Jesuit senior Chase Skonieczny won the Division II 135-pound title and finished the season at 44-2 under the guidance of coach Bill Barger.

Perry junior Seth Horner won the Division I 130-pound state title and finished the season at 40-4 under the leadership of coach Brent McBurney. Horner defeated Wadsworth sophomore Brad Squire (42-3) in the finals.

Aurora sophomore Ty Mitch won the Division II 103-pound state title and finished the season at 39-5 under the guidance of coach Dick Bliss. Mitch’s triumph came at the expense of Walsh Jesuit freshman Johnni DiJulius (48-5), who is also a close friend.

Runner’s-up

The area also featured eight wrestlers that placed second.

In Division I: Squire, Barberton senior Adam Cogar (47-1 at 215) and Perry juniors Sam White (37-3 at 112) and Nick Heflin (45-4 at 152).

In Division II: DiJulius and Highland junior Tyler Houska (39-6 at 215).

In Division III: Norwayne senior J.D. Smyers (44-2 at 171) and Triway senior Cory Akin (34-9 at 215) in Division III.

It should be noted that Squire and White were champions in 2007, a headline for the Sunday wrestling notebook was a little misleading regarding White.

A simply amazing kid

Hillsboro senior Dustin Carter’s qualification for the state wrestling tournament at 103 pounds caught the attention of many in Columbus.

A rare blood disorder at age 5 led to limb damage. Carter, a quadruple amputee, has built a powerful upper body. His arms end near his elbows, his legs above where knees would be. When he doesn’t wrestle, he uses prosthetic legs.

He was recognized before the semifinal round Friday and received a roaring, standing ovation that lasted over a minute. CBS interviewed him Thursday and filmed his first-round match, a victory.

Carter lost twice Friday, however, and finished the season 40-4.

Splendid Records

Richie Spicel concluded his Brunswick career as the school’s all-time leader in wins with 160. He said he is considering going to college and wrestling at Asland University, Ohio University and Gardner-Webb.

Chase Skonieczny, a Kent State recruit, concluded his career with a 166-26 record. The 166 wins are a school record at Walsh Jesuit.

Adam Cogar is headed to the University of Virginia to wrestle and study pre-med after compiling a 175-21 record under the leadership of coach Dave Mariola. He carries a 4.2 cumulative grade point average. The 175 wins are a school record at Barberton.

Johnni DiJulius’ 48 wins are the most in a single season at Walsh Jesuit.

Smooch, smooch

Walsh Jesuit coach Bill Barger planted a kiss on the forehead of Warriors senior Chase Skonieczny in the media room after the 135-pound wrestler won the Division II state title.

“I have been around it a lot and they are all special, especially for a kid that grinds it out,” Barger said.

Skonieczny, Walsh’s 39th state champion, jumped into the arms of assistant coaches Jeff Black and Clint Musser on the mat following his 5-0 victory in the finals.

“I have been coming down here since I was a little kid,” said the 18-year-old Skonieczny, who entered this season as a three-time state placer in high school and with a decorated resume as a youth and middle school wrestler. “It’s 15 years in the making. March 1st, it’s been my day all season. It’s been marked on my phone and on my calendar at home.”

Surprisingly explosive

Horner and Squire put together a very good match, that Horner ultimately won 4-2 in overtime.

“He’s very strategic,” Wadsworth coach John Gramuglia said of Horner. “He’s explosive and he’ll lull you to sleep. He is very hard to wrestle. You don’t expect the explosiveness and then boom he’s by you. He’s a heck of an athlete.”

Scarlet and Gray

Austintown Fitch senior Tony Jameson (145 pounds) became the 16th wrestler in the state tournament’s history to win four state titles.

Following Jameson’s victory he paraded around the mat with an Ohio State banner and received a loud ovation. Jameson, 4-2 this season and 168-6 in his career, is an OSU recruit.

Second place in the Suburban League regular-season standings was at stake Thursday when Highland and Barberton faced off in a dual meet.

Junior Tyler Houska, who normally wrestles in the 215-pound weight class moved up to heavyweight to face Barberton junior Lance Coher in the meet’s final match. Houska entered the match with a 24-4 record, and Coher was 28-4.

Despite Coher’s weight advantage, Houska pinned him in 4:27, lifting Highland to a 38-33 victory over Barberton (12-2, 5-2). With the win, Highland (8-1, 6-1) finished second in the regular-season league standings behind defending champion Wadsworth (8-1, 7-0), a 59-9 winner over Cloverleaf on Thursday.

Barberton coach Dave Mariola juggled his lineup, moving several of his wrestlers into weight classes they don’t typically compete in. The Magics forfeited matches at 112 and 152 to avoid encounters with Highland seniors and returning state qualifiers Bart Young and Steve Timoteo. There were four Barberton wrestlers whose weight classes were different than they were this past Saturday at the 21st annual Bill Dies Memorial Tournament at Firestone High School.

Mariola’s strategy almost paid off. The Magics led 33-32 heading into the final match, but Houska delivered to shatter their dreams of two consecutive wins over the Hornets.

“It was an exciting match for the fans,” Mariola said. “Everybody is talking about how there’s no good dual meets anymore. I think this was nice to have it come down to the wire. It’s good for the sport.”

Highland, which won the Dies Tournament in part because of another clutch victory from Houska, had two wrestlers in weight classes that they were not accustomed to.

“I know Dave (Mariola) was doing the same thing,” Highland coach Mark Savoia said. “We analyze who’s going to win where and how. You try to calculate it to the best of your advantage to where you know you’re going to win.

“I hate moving kids around because some kids have to sit, and some kids have to face a monster. But you have to sit and figure it out. If you don’t, you’re not a very good coach. It’s pretty tedious and you do take a lot of heat for it, but the end result is what counts.”

Click here for a story about Highland vs. Barberton.

LEW STAMP/Akron Beacon Journal

Barberton’s Tony Yoder controls Highland’s Jordan Brant during a match in the 125-pound weight class Thursday at Barberton High School. Yoder won the match by pinning Brant in 4:54, but the Hornets defeated the Magics 38-33 to earn second place in the Suburban League regular-season standings.

BOYS BASKETBALL

BARBERTON 71, COPLEY 51

Varsity Letters Player of the Game: Barberton senior guard Steve Pitts scored five of his 11 points to help the Magics close the first half with a 13-3 run. With the help of the scoring run, Barberton earned a 33-19 halftime lead and never looked back Tuesday in a game between two Suburban League rivals.

Pitts didn’t lead Barberton (4-0, 3-0) in scoring but his points came during a crucial time in the game. He also guarded Copley’s lone returning starter, senior forward/guard Michael Coon, and held him to six points.

“(Pitts is) probably our best defensive player,” said Barberton sophomore guard Jacob North, who had a team-high 14 points. “And he brings a lot of energy. He gets us all ready for the game. He’s a good guy, and he’s a great leader.”

Copley junior guard Elliot Brown is worthy of an honorable mention for player of the game. Brown made several mid-range jump shots on his way to a game-high 20 points.

“He obviously played very well,” Copley coach Steve Coon said of Brown. “He rebounded the ball well and shot it well, so he was a bright spot for us.”

Copley’s record fell to 2-3, 1-2.

Click here for the game story.

KEN LOVE/Akron Beacon Journal

Copley junior guard DeLon Evans (left) and senior forward Michael Coon (right) try to block Barberton junior guard Darryle Duncan’s shot. Duncan finished with 13 points to help the Magics defeat the Indians 71-51 on Tuesday night.

This morning, I attended a banquet for the Jack Greynolds Memorial Classic.

At the banquet, the late Jack Greynolds was honored for the impact he made in Northeast Ohio. Greynolds compiled a 549-121 record in 29 seasons as a head boys basketball coach at Revere and Barberton. He led the Magics to a state title in 1976.

The third annual Jack Greynolds Memorial Classic is scheduled to feature seven boys basketball games Dec. 28-29.

Here is the schedule: (Friday, Dec. 28) Copley vs. Medina 5:15 p.m., Green vs. Jackson 7 p.m. and GlenOak vs. Warren Harding; (Saturday, Dec. 29) Norton vs. Wadsworth noon, Revere vs. Kenmore 1:45 p.m., Manchester vs. Northwest 3:30 p.m. and Barberton vs. Firestone 5:30 p.m.

Click here for more information about the Jack Greynolds Memorial Classic.

Several of the coaches whose teams will be competing in the showcase were at the banquet. Firestone coach Jerry Laria brought his senior point guard Ramel Mitchell with him.

I talked to Mitchell about the Falcons’ 3-0 start and his plans for college. He said he is receiving interest from Kent State University, but he is still undecided about which college he will attend.

I think Mitchell would be a good fit in KSU coach Jim Christian’s system. I think Mitchell is one of the best high school guards in the area, and perhaps the best pound-for-pound local player.

The 2007-2008 high school wrestling season started this week and is already in full swing with the some of the best wrestlers in the nation competing Friday and Saturday at the 14th annual Walsh Jesuit Ironman.

Stay tuned for Ironman updates and click here to check out a notebook from the Beacon Journal’s wrestling preview.

Click here to check out a story about the Beacon Journal’s featured wrestler: Barberton senior Adam Cogar.

ED SUBA JR./Akron Beacon Journal

Barberton senior Adam Cogar lifts a tire during his wrestling training. Cogar finished second in the 215-pound weight class at the Division I state tournament in Columbus last March.