Sports View

by Jim Manion

As we take a break from high school basketball to celebrate Christmas, all of us have time to reflect on priorities and be thankful for friends and family. I think the older I get, the more I appreciate the things around me.

I have related in previous reports about the difference between watching games as a reporter versus as a parent or fan. I think I watch much more than just the game itself. I believe it is my responsibility to bring readers the facts when covering a game. On Dec. 18, I presented the facts of the Streetsboro-Windham game. However, there was much more than just a basketball game that took place on the Rocket hardwood.

Streetsboro’s Jay Lugo was all smiles when he stepped on the court early in the first quarter for the first time this season. His defensive assignment was taking on Windham point guard Rico Hall and they immediately began chatting at midcourt.

Lugo and Hall are first cousins, and they have played with and against each other since junior high school.

Lugo moved from living with his mother in Cleveland to residing with his dad in Windham at the beginning of his eighth-grade year. Lugo’s parents have been divorced since he was about 3 years old. For nearly 32 minutes Dec. 18, these two friends attempted to match each other at both ends of the court.

When I asked Lugo if he thought he got the better of his cousin because Streetsboro won the game, he broke out laughing and quickly reminded me that the two teams will meet again in February.

Lugo said how special it was to begin his senior season in basketball going against his old friends.

Before the start of Lugo’s junior year, his father moved from Windham to Brimfield and the 5-foot-6 athlete became a Field Falcon.

Lugo helped lead the Falcons into the football state playoffs and was named first-team All-Portage Trail Conference Metro Division as a running back. He scored 15 touchdowns and combined for more than 1,000 yards in rushing and receiving. He was named to the second unit of the All-PTC Metro basketball team as the Falcons’ point guard.

Midway through the football season this year, Lugo’s dad moved to a Cleveland suburb into a school district that had eliminated sports due to the failure of a levy. The opportunity for Lugo to continue his athletic career in Portage County came when he moved in with his grandparents in Streetsboro.

I have covered a lot of high school kids over the years. I really can’t remember a person that is admired by as many people (especially adults) as Jay Lugo. I have never heard a coach — or for that matter, anyone — ever have a bad thing to say about this young man.

Both Windham head football coach Jerry Kiser and Bombers head boys basketball coach Marty Hill classify Lugo at the top of players they have coached. Field head football coach Patrick Youel was in attendance for the return of Lugo.

What is interesting when you talk to coaches about Lugo is that, despite him being such a good athlete, the coaches all seem to talk as much about his character as they do about his athletic ability.

Lugo has nothing but good things to say about his time at both Windham and Field. He believes the moving has made him stronger as an individual. Lugo carries a grade-point average higher than 3.0 and is considering his options after high school graduation.

Lugo also is contemplating military service and has looked at several local schools, including Mount Union College (Alliance). He does admit to liking warmer climates and would entertain going south.

Whatever this young man decides to do, he will have a long list of fans, friends and family in Windham, Field, Streetsboro and throughout the area lining up to wish him well. I know I will be on that list.

E-mail: stowsports@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3914