Vote: Who should be SBLive Ohio's high school Athlete of the Week (02/26/2024)?
Here are the candidates for SBLive’s Ohio high school Athlete of the Week for February 18-24. Read through the nominees and cast your vote. Voting will conclude Sunday at 11:59 p.m. If you would like to make a nomination in a future week, email ryan@scoreboklive.com. For questions/issues with the poll, email athleteoftheweek@scorebooklive.com.
Editor’s Note: Our Athlete of the Week feature and corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. However, we do not allow votes that are generated by script, macro or other automated means. Athletes that receive votes generated by script, macro or other automated means will be disqualified.
Elise Bender, Anthony Wayne girls basketball
The junior guard dropped 19 points in a victory over Waite.
Maddie Blakeman, Circleville girls basketball
Scored 19 points to help defeat Athens 50-35.
Emily Brown, Dublin Coffman girls swimming
The University of Tennessee signee had a record night on Saturday at the OHSAA Division I state swimming championships. With her win in the 200-IM, she broke the state record, tournament record and pool record with a time of 1:57.27. She broke the previous state and state tournament record by 2.5 seconds. Then just a couple of events later, she broke all three records in the 100-butterfly with a time of 52.69.
Raleigh Burgess, Sycamore boys basketball
The Purdue signee scored 33 points en route to defeating Mason 62-44.
Sydney Butera, Strongsville girls basketball
In a 53-20 victory against Maple Heights, Butera scored 23 points to secure the sectional championship and advance to the district tournament.
Mason Francis, Vincent Warren boys swimming
Was a two-time winner at the OHSAA Division II state swimming championships, taking home the top spot in both the 50- and 100-freestyle events.
Carrie Furbee, Grandview Heights girls swimming
At the OHSAA Division II state swimming championships, the junior won the 50- and 100-freestyle events.
Javonte Hill, Findlay boys basketball
Finished with 21 points to lead the Trojans to a 53-30 win over Perrysburg and claim the Buckeye Division Title.
Ian Ioppolo, Mentor boys basketball
Recorded a double-double of 30 points and 14 rebounds in the Cardinals’ 89-84 victory over Brunswick in double overtime.
Jaxon Joy, Wadsworth wrestling
In winning the Wadsworth sectional on Saturday at 190 pounds, the two-time state champion now has more victories in Wadsworth history with 181.
Erica King, St. Vincent-St. Mary girls basketball
Led the Fighting Irish to a perfect record for the week, dropping 14 points in a victory over Shaw and 15 points to defeat Lincoln West.
Milly Leonard, Dublin Jerome girls swimming
Took home top honors twice at the OHSAA Division I state swimming championships, winning the 200- and 500-freestyle events.
Nadia Lough, Rootstown girls basketball
Had 15 points and 10 rebounds to lead Rootstown to its first girls district semifinal in three years with a 56-27 win over Orrville.
Thackston McMullan, St. Xavier boys swimming
The Cal University commit stood on the top of the podium four times in the OHSAA Division I state swimming championships, as he won individual gold in the 100- and 200-freestyle events and was a part of the relay teams who won the 200- and 400-freestyle relays.
Pharez Nicholas, Bishop Hartley boys basketball
Finished with 25 points in the Hawks’ 61-56 victory over St. Francis DeSales in overtime.
Hayden Nigro, Louisville boys basketball
Poured in 37 points and knocked down a pair of 3-pointers to outscore Northwest 102-70 on senior night.
Jarrett Payne, Sidney boys swimming
One of only two swimmers to win two individual events at the OHSAA Division I state swimming championships, he stood on top of the podium in the 200-IM and the 100-backstroke.
Ava Patti, Rocky River girls basketball
Led the Pirates to a 45-42 victory against North Ridgeville, scoring 17 of her team-high 19 points in the second half.
Tristan Prizler, Oakwood boys swimming
Won two events at the OHSAA Division II state swimming championships, as he stood on top of the podium in the 200-IM and the 500-freestyle.
Sam Stask, Aurora girls basketball
The senior guard scored a team-high 20 points to help defeat Lutheran East 51-36.
Julian Washington, Margaretta boys basketball
The sophomore guard had 31 points in the Bears’ 72-61 win over Edison.
Samaya Wilkins, Purcell Marian girls basketball
Dropped 21 points in the Lady Cavs’ 97-39 victory against Hughes.
Jack Zapolnik, St. Ignatius boys basketball
Recorded a career-high 23 points and added eight assists in the Wildcats’ 81-69 victory over Brush.
