By:

Brennan Valladares


Saturday, December 20, 2025 | 4:17 PM

Previous

Next

Bella Bartolovic

School: St. Joseph

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Basketball

Claim to fame: Bartolovic dropped a season-high 27 points against Leechburg on Tuesday. She then followed that up with 19 against Eden Christian on Thursday to lead St. Joseph to a 2-0 week. The sophomore guard leads the Spartans with six double-figure scoring games and 20.5 points per contest.

St. Joseph is 5-2 (3-0) and will prepare for a meeting with Aquinas Academy (6-0, 2-0) on Monday.

What do you believe is the potential of this team, even with it being a young one?

It is a great start, and we look to continue this streak. I believe this team has a lot of potential this season to make it far, even though we’re young.

What has been working well for you as you’ve taken a scoring leap?

I have a very supportive team and coaching staff, which allows me to play without the worry of making mistakes.

If you maintain your scoring, how will you respond when teams begin to put you at the top of the scouting report?

I will take this as a compliment. I will continue to work on improving my game and trusting my teammates.

What can you say about the contributions the team has gotten from senior Kasey Cienik and junior Jocelyn Spinelli?

Their leadership has been very important because they encourage us all to do our best and boost our confidence.

What is a must-do when you have a day off from school and basketball?

Play more basketball

What is the best basketball shoe out right now?

Sabrina’s

What are your plans for the holidays?

To spend time with family and friends

What is your favorite Christmas song?

“Jingle Bell Rock.”

You have a matchup against Aquinas Academy on Monday, a rematch of last year’s No. 2 teams in Section 1-A. What will be the keys to staying undefeated in section play against the Crusaders?

The keys to Monday will be staying composed and working as a team.

Robby Simmen

School: Springdale

Class: Junior

Sport: Basketball

Claim to fame: Simmen went off for a season-high 39 points to lead Springdale to a Section 1-2A win over California on Tuesday. He then scored 15 in an overtime loss to Bentworth on Friday. Simmen has reached double digits in all six games for the Dynamos (2-4, 1-2) and leads them with 20.5 points a game.

After graduating eight seniors last year, how have you and other underclassmen stepped up and filled in leadership roles?

Many of our current juniors and our senior that have been on the team last year know what it takes to be a leader from experiencing our games and practices. The past seniors and our coaches set a great example for us. We stepped up by continuing to do what makes us better as a team, which is lifting each other up as well as giving everyone the confidence they need on and off the court.

What has been the biggest improvement in your offensive game this season?

In the offseason, I work on all of my skills. I feel I improved most in my speed and strength. It gives me a lot more opportunity to be an all-around threat on offense.

In three out of five games this year, the team has had two double-digit scorers. Liam Dexter has two of those games. How have you seen him grow as a player in your three years together?

Liam has always had the skill to do what he does. We’ve played together on a youth basketball team since third grade. His ability to shoot and play in the paint makes him a difficult player to guard.

What is a must-do when you have a day off from school and basketball?

When I’m not playing basketball or in school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

Who is your favorite music artist, and is it the same person for pregame?

My favorite artists are probably Zach Bryan or Drake. Drake is more for pregame, though.

What are your plans for the holidays?

Go spend time with family.

What Christmas movie is a sneaky contender for the best of all time?

“Home Alone.”

Tags: Springdale, St. Joseph

The Commanders will have nearly two dozen players hit free agency in March, so these final three games are a lot like preseason games, as glorified tryouts. Chris Rodriguez Jr., a Commanders sixth-round pick in 2023, stuck around with the regime change in ’24 and has really come on this season to become the team’s de facto starter after Austin Ekeler went down with an Achilles injury. He will be a restricted free agent in March, and as Washington tries to revamp the entire roster, his play this evening could carry significant weight in deciding his future here.

Rookie Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt could play heavily into that. Bill has shown flashes of his quickness, speed and vision behind the line of scrimmage, and leads the team in both rushing yards (646) and rushing touchdowns (five) through Week 15. But his development into a complete back, who can block and catch passes out of the backfield, will be key to him becoming more of a featured back.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is encouraging youth across the state in grades K-12 to submit their original artwork of any Tennessee native fish for the national Art of Conservation: Fish Art Contest. The contest was created by the nonprofit Wildlife Forever to encourage youth to become connected to the outdoors.

The contest is free to enter, and students can submit one 2D piece and one 3D piece. All participants must enter original artwork of a Tennessee fish in a natural habitat and may not replicate another artist’s work. Photos or videos used as a source material for inspiration of the artwork are allowed. Goldfish, guppies, bettas, and koi are not eligible for this contest.

Additionally, TWRA is adding its own specialty award this year, The Bill Dance Signature Lakes Award – in honor of the legacy of fishing legend Bill Dance and the TWRA’s work to develop premier fishing destinations across the state. To be considered for the award, students should enter artwork of largemouth or smallmouth bass or art featuring bass fishing.

All submissions must be entered through an online entry form. More information regarding rules, submission form, and requirements can be found on the Wildlife Forever Art of Conservation website. The last day for submitting artwork is Feb. 28, 2026.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.

MORE NEWS

George Harry Leaman Apt

WESTBROOK – George Harry Leaman Apt, 76, of Westbrook, passed away peacefully at home on Dec. 17, 2025.

He was born March 17, 1949, in Portland, to Marie Gilberty Deschenes Apt and Arthur Leaman Apt.

A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, George’s life was rooted in service to his family, community, and country. He shared a lifetime of love with his beloved wife, Patricia Apt, and was a dedicated father to his son, Kevin Apt and his wife, Michelle, and to his daughter, Kelly Apt Hutton. He was a proud and loving grandfather to Kaylin Apt, Kaleb Apt, and Madison Hutton.

George worked for many years as a skilled machinist and honorably served four years in the United States Navy. Deeply involved in his community, he devoted countless hours to youth athletics, serving as President of Westbrook Little League, coaching Westbrook Tuffy Football and Little League Baseball, and umpiring baseball for many years. He also served on the board of the Western Maine Umpires Association and was a proud member of the Lions Club.

A lifelong sports fan, George especially loved the New York Yankees and Duke athletics. His legacy of leadership, generosity, and quiet dedication lives on in the many lives he touched. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday Dec. 23, at 4 p.m. at the Westbrook Chapel of Dolby, Blais & Segee, 35 Church St., Westbrook. Visit 2 to 4 p.m. Interment will be held in the spring. To express condolences please visit http://www.DolbyBlaisSegee.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations in George’s name may be made to:

Westbrook Lions Club

C/O Roger Vaillancourt

P.O. Box 495

Westbrook, ME 04098

PSIA-AASI Central serves more than 3,500 teaching professional members in the Midwest through snowsports education, certification and promotion, according to the organization’s website. 

“We are extremely thankful for all in our CCSC community who have contributed to our success as a club,” the organization said in a press release. “It is due to this community that we have been awarded PSIA-AASI Central Member School of the Year.”

The release said members and supporters of the club played a role in its efforts and recognition.

“It is a huge honor coming from one of our premier partners,” said Hunter Steinkamp, executive director of the Crystal Community Ski Club, in an interview with the Record Patriot. “Using their materials and education, we’ve been able to train some of the most highly trained coaches in the state. That allows them to be as effective as possible in our programs.”

The Crystal Community Ski Club operates as a youth-focused nonprofit, offering a range of skiing programs designed to build skills and interest in winter sports among young people in northern Michigan. Programs include alpine and Nordic teams, holiday camps, race academies, junior ski patrol and instructor training for middle and high school students, from beginners to competitive athletes.

The club also has initiatives such as the Nordic Rocks program, aimed at introducing elementary school students to cross-country skiing, often at little or no cost. The club partners with school districts and community organizations and offers scholarships to help reduce financial barriers and expand access to the sport.