Garrettsville – With the dawn of January comes the thick of the high school winter sports season. Everything from bowling to indoor track and field, they all promise to have fierce competition for the Garfield G-Men. For the wrestlers, they will look to win another Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference (MVAC) Gray Tier crown. Junior Keegan Sell is coming off a tremendous fall season on the gridiron in which he was named the MVAC conference player of the year, Division V district defensive player of the year, and first team All-Ohio at linebacker. Sell is one of the top wrestlers in the state at his weight class. He, along with senior Kent State commit Hunter Andel, will look to make the podium at the state tournament again this season, as they will both lead this G-Men squad.
The bowling teams both return some quality this year. Both squads have started off their seasons well, and will be in the running for conference championships, with the ability to make some noise in the postseason. Dezaray McIe is one of the top bowlers for the Lady G-Men, and Morgan Martin and Tyler Bortz lead a talented and deep boys team.
The indoor track and field teams are more of a school club than an official sport, but the competition is still fierce, and it is a great way to condition for the spring outdoor season. Be on the lookout for athletes from JAG participating in the state meet in March.
The boys basketball team is full of youth. They lost the entirety of their starting lineup from last season, but have some promising young talent. Seniors Carter Bates, Jackson Sommer, Vinnie Grandizio, and Max May provide the veteran presence for the squad. Sophomores Preston Gedeon, Aidan Hill, and Nick Edic will add firepower to a growing team.
The girls basketball team is already off to a tremendous start. They have started this season 9-0. Senior Madeline Shirkey, freshman Mandy Cardinal, and senior transfer Laura McCoy are a three-headed monster for the Lady G-Men that have an overall talented roster. The Lady G-Men, coached by Aaron Gilbert, have built a powerhouse program over the years, and look to make it three straight district championships under their belts. They will be in the running for their first ever MVAC championship as well. Live streams with commentary for all home boys and girls basketball games can be found at jagschools.org/page/live-sports.
As the weather gets colder, things are just starting to heat up inside for the winter sports season. Goodluck to all winter athletes this season.
