Geneva’s Lindsey Mayle, Cardinal’s Craig Kaser and Kirtland’s Anthony Porter all turned in strong performances over Christmas break and earned Ward’s Lawn Care and Landscape Co. Player of the Week honors.
Mayle, a junior, scored the 1,000th point of her career in a 33-31 win over the Chardon Hilltoppers. She scored 18 points in the game and was 7-for-7 from the free throw line. She scored the game-winning basket on a driving left-handed layup.
Mayle leads the Premier Athletic Conference with 22.6 points per game despite drawing extra attention from opponents.
“Lindsey has been the target of every opponents’ defensive plan,” said Geneva coach Nancy Barbo. “She has seen face-guarding, box-and-one defenses and even a triangle-and-two with the two defenders on Lindsey. She always manages to find a way to help her team whether it is hitting a 3-pointer, getting to the free throw line or finding the open person.”
According to Barbo, Mayle is at her best with the game on the line.
“Our team has been in a number of close contests recently and this is when Lindsey is at her best,” Barbo said. “She plays at a high level of confidence, never losing her composure no matter how many defenders are thrown at her.”
Mayle carries a 3.8 grade point average.
Porter had the biggest win for Kirtland in the Disney Duals in Kissimmee, Fla.
After being thrown to his back in the first period, Porter battled back to pin his opponent in 5 minutes, 8 seconds to lead the Hornets to a 37-27 win over New York’s Mt. Sinai in the championship match of the dual meet tournament.
“It came down to Porter’s pin and he spent the first period on his back fighting off a headlock on the edge of the mat,” said Kirtland coach Scott Francis. “He came back in the third period and put a nice spiral on the kid and turned him and stuck him.”
Porter, who bounced between 220 and 285 pounds, finished 4-2 in the event. Both of his losses came at 285, where he was giving up over 60 pounds.
The Hornets knew they were getting a forfeit at 285 pounds when Porter stepped on the mat but they needed a win out of Porter to secure the tournament championship.
“It was exciting,” Francis said. “We usually don’t get that feeling in dual matches until you get to the state dual meet tournament. In a tournament like this we were able to get that feeling. It was great for these kids to get into those duals that mean something and getting real excited about winning them.”
Kaser, one of Cardinal’s only veteran players on a very young team, averaged 14.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 4.0 steals in two games.
“Craig has been taking on a more team leadership role by example,” said Cardinal coach Jon Cummins. “He is one of my hardest workers in practice, which always translates into the game.”
Last season, Kaser was the first player off the bench for the Huskies and this year he’s a regular starter.
He has adapted well to his new role.
“This year he doesn't have to think as much,” Cummins said. “Varsity basketball is slowing down a little bit for him. The decisions he makes with the ball in his hands this year are light years ahead of last season. The last two games we've played are what I expect out of him the rest of the season.”
