Consistently strong over the years, Medina’s gymnastics team is conducting business as usual this year. With the postseason right around the corner, the Bees are looking to make some noise in the postseason.

“Our main goal this season has been to improve with each meet,” Bees coach Darcy Ranallo said. “We typically have a specific focus going to each meet that we would like to accomplish, whether it be hit beam routines, stick dismounts, attempt a few new skills, or improving the team score. The girls have been doing a great job with this and with such a small team, contribution is needed from all team members.”

Medina two weeks ago finished second in the Rock and Roll shootout at Brecksville, behind the host team, which is essentially unbeatable.

Medina got strong showings from sophomore Laura Romano (sixth place, all-around; third on balance beam’ fourth on floor exercise); senior Sadie Palmer-Wilcox (10th all-around), sophomore Gabby Whiting Whiting (fourth on vault).

Outside of Palmer Wilcox, Danielle Kendel is the team’s lone senior. There are no juniors. Nicole Cannon joins Romano – a returning state qualifier – and Whiting in the sophomore class. McKinley Kerans, Ellie Robertson and Bella Teper are the team’s freshmen.

The Bees headed into the week at 16-5 and were set for the Greater Cleveland Conference meet on Feb. 1.

“The girls have set team goals, but as we approach the postseason, we need to focus on one meet at a time as there is typically an increased amount of pressure entering the sectional meet,” Ranallo said.

Boys basketball
On a team full of talented seniors like Ben Geschke, Jackson Sartain, Luke Schaefer, Sam McKee and Jimmy Daw, and with juniors Colin Szumski, Tyler Kaminski and Dylan Fultz playing key roles, Medina has another weapon in freshman Kyle Szumski. The 5-foot-11 shooting guard has come off the bench in recent games to show a good ability to get to the basket and gives Medina another threat from behind the 3-point arc.

“He gives us another solid ball handler,” Bees coach Chris Hassinger said. “He’s like his older brother. He can get to the basket a little bit. We think he’s a nice piece. We really think he can help us down the stretch.”

In Medina’s victory over Strongsville, the younger Szumski only made one field goal, but it was one of the prettiest floating runners you’ll ever see, looking nothing like a shot a typical freshman would launch. Hassinger said the freshman’s overall game and court awareness made him an easy call-up to a veteran team.

“First of all, his basketball IQ is off the chart,” the coach said. “He knows the game of basketball. We’re just trying to catch him up to the speed of the game a little bit. Once he catches up to the speed, he’s going to be able to really contribute.”

Girls basketball
The Bees fell to 6-11 overall, 4-6 in the Greater Cleveland Conference with a 65-32 GCC loss to state-ranked Solon. The Comets took a 32-11 halftime lead and stretched it in each of the final two periods. Emma Bobey had a strong performance with 4 points and 10 rebounds.

Delaney Cullen had a team-high 10 points.

They were set to play Strongsville (Feb. 1) in their final game before voting for sectional seeds.

Because of state rules that don’t allow teams to play in their own gyms (this seems only to apply to basketball), Medina will again be in the Parma District.

The good news there is, it’s as weak as the Medina District the Bees aren’t allowed to play in.

With just six wins, there’s a good chance Medina will host a first-round game, given the top-heavy nature of hte field.

Likely top seed St. Joseph Academy and Magnificat are the best teams in the field. Medina slots somewhere in the middle.