• Buchtel FS/QB Jarrod Wilson will graduate early and enroll at the University of Michigan so he can be at spring practice.
• The mascot’s name has changed for East High School officially.  The teams from East will now be known as the Dragons. instead of the “Orientals”.  An official with the Akron Public Schools said that a survey was done to choose the name and “Orientals” a term considered offensive by many Asian Americans was the most popular choice with alumni.  Apparently some people just don’t get it.
• Things are looking up for both Kenmore and North high schools.  Coach Ed Peltz of the Cardinals reported that his team is up to 50 members now and North, which could barely field a team last year, is up into the 40s according to coach Mike Laktash.
• Firestone coach Tim Flossie seemed grateful to even be at the event:  “I”m glad to be back; it didn’t look good for a while there.”  Flossie came under scrutiny after a parent accused him of  hitting their son on two separate occasions last year.
• Buchtel took the City Series crown last year and the consensus among league coaches and the media in attendance was that the Griffins will continue claim another title.

The Hudson girls baskeetball team (13-6) will open play 2:45 Saturday afternoon against a solid Kent Roosevelt team, which is 11-7 after defeating Garfield Saturday, 78-44. This is the third game of a tripleheader that day, with No. 2 seed Wadsworth opening plat 11:30 in the morning against Garfield followed by Kenmore and Copley at 1:15.

“We did beat them earlier this year at our place. I thought we would get the three or four seed and the kind of teams we though would be in our bracket and end up were we did,”  said Hudson coach Dennis Lawler, “They are physical tough team.”

Lawler said that he did not want a first round bye because he feared a long layoff of 10 days or more would be detrimental.

“We wanted to keep in a routine,” Lawler said.

Hudson finishes the regular season Wednesday night at home against NOC Valley Division foe Strongsville.

Hudsn’s top scorer is junior guard Jessica Monsman.

Firestone senior wide receiver and cornerback Jeremy Mingo will continue his football career at Columbia University next season. Mingo was a solid all-around player this past season who led the Falcons with four touchdown receptions and five interceptions. He was a first-team All-City Series selection as well.
“Jeremy is a hardworking and talented kid who knows what he wants,” Firestone coach Tim Flossie said. “His big thing is academics. He does a heck of a job in the classroom. He’s a genuine student-athlete.”

The Buchtel Griffins are 7-0 after a big 80-61 win against Olmsted Falls Sunday during the Scholastic Play-by-Play Classic at the Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University.

Senior guard Jason Pitts scored 37 points for the Griffins and was named the Player of the Game.

Buchtel is one of the top teams in the area even without the services of 6-5 senior forward Dajon Lewis, who hasn’t played this year after breaking his ankle during the football season. He was an all-district wide receiver for the Griffins. Lewis averaged 13 points a game last year on the court.

Buchtel coach Stephen White was asked what he misses most with Lewis being out. “Everything,” White said. “We miss his scoring, his rebounding, his defense and his leadership. Because he’s so agile and quick, he plays bigger than 6-5.”

The good news for White is that Lewis is expected to return to the team Jan. 20.

Firestone senior forward and captain James Wimberly will miss the next 6 to 8 weeks after breaking a bone in his foot Tuesday against Walsh Jesuit. The 6-foot-7 Wimberly was Firestone’s leading scorer, averaging 20.5 points and 10.5 rebounds a game.

“This is a tremendous blow not only to James but Firestone basketball as well,” said Falcons coach Joe Wojcik. “James was having a great year and getting serious looks from colleges throughout the state. Besides his points and rebounds, James’ leadership skills will be greatly missed. All those associated with Firestone basketball feel for James and wish him a speedy recovery.”

All season long, the Firestone and Kenmore girls basketball teams have been putting up big numbers. Firestone is 9-1 overall and 5-0 in the City and Kenmore (8-2, 5-0) is led by senior guard Shanequa Williams, who is averaging almost 35 points a game.

The two teams will matchup 7 p.m. Thursday at Kenmore in a game that should be very competitive and entertaining.

Kenmore is a young team and has been playing without junior point guard Markayla Powers, who fractured her finger in the first few minutes of the season-opening loss to Copley. Howard is expected to return to action next Thursday.

Also, Courtney Palmer (knee) is out for the season for the Cardinals.

Firestone is led by junior guard Imani Gordon, who is averaging 23.5 points a game and the Falcons’ only loss was a 45-42 decision to Canton South (9-1).

“We’ve been playing well considering the injuries we had and how young we are,” Kenmore coach Yontami Jones said. “Shanequa has really stepped up and been a leader.”

Firestone coach Audley McGill said: “The way we’re looking at it, we need to win for our quest to win the City (championship). But we also know that every game in the City is important, not just this one.”

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!

Firestone and Garfield will meet tonight for a key City Series game at InfoCision Stadium on the campus of the University of Akron.

Both teams feature impressive rushing attacks. The Golden Rams (4-3, 3-0) boast the Gulley brothers, senior Tyson Gulley and sophomore Toneo Gulley. The Falcons (3-4, 2-1) counter with junior Cody Grice.

Garfield defeated host Ellet 35-14 this past Friday. Tyson Gulley rushed for three touchdowns and gained 82 yards on nine carries. Toneo Gulley rushed for two touchdowns and accumulated 124 yards on 13 carries.

Firestone defeated North 48-14 this past Friday on homecoming night for both schools at InfoCision Stadium. Firestone led 41-14 at halftime.

Grice rushed for three touchdowns and passed for another to lead the offense. He gained 154 yards on 21 carries.

Falcons sophomore Darren McGinnis rushed for one touchdown and returned a punt 56 yards for a touchdown. Senior Jeremy Mingo intercepted three passes and also scored on Grice’s passing touchdown. Sophomore Timonte Anderson rushed for a touchdown for Firestone, and junior kicker Alana Gaither made six extra points.

Ellet (2-5, 2-2) hosts North (3-4, 1-3) tonight and East (0-7, 0-3) plays at Kenmore (0-7, 0-3) on Saturday afternoon.

Ellet is led by Devin Richardson and Chadd Clifford and Rayshawn Stevens guide North.

Buchtel and Garfield currently sit atop the City Series standings with 3-0 records.

Garfield won the City Series title in 2008 and Firestone won in 2007. Buchtel controlled the City for a majority of the past two decades.

It’s been a few years since a City Series football team qualified for the state playoffs. In 2004, both Buchtel and Garfield made the playoffs and Garfield, led by former Ohio State star running back Chris “Beanie” Wells, played (and lost) to Copley in the first round of the Division II playoffs.

Copley was led by running back Delone Carter, now a running back at Syracuse University.

In 2005, Buchtel made the playoffs once again but lost to Archbishop Hoban in a wild finish at Barberton.

One of the biggest reasons why the City can’t get a team in the playoffs is that teams like Buchtel and Garfield can’t get enough computer playoff points with wins against league opponents. The top eight teams in each computer playoff region qualifies for the playoffs.

Buchtel has the best chance among the seven City teams to make the playoffs. The Griffins (5-2) are ranked No. 10 in Division 3, Region 9 with 8.1082 points and Medina Buckeye currently holds the last playoff spot at No. 8 with 11.1857 points.

Buchtel has a chance to make the playoffs if it can beat Youngstown Ursuline Thursday. The Irish (4-2) are ranked No. 6 in Division V, Region 17.

“We look at it like this, if we can win one of those (non-conference) games and then win out in the City, we should make the playoffs,” said Buchtel coach Ricky Powers. “But we have to just concentrate on winning games and getting better each week. If we can do that, then let’s see what happens. But if it doesn’t work out, then it is what it is.”

Buchtel’s non-conference schedule was brutal. The Griffins lost to Massillon on the road, defeated Wheeling (WV) Central Catholic on the road and lost to Warren Harding on the road.