City League Sports

First Team All City guard Jahmere Johnson and Head Coach Isaac Jefferson talk about all the work their team is putting in to bring back the winning tradition that the West High School Basketball Program once had. They tell us what it's going to take to restore order to the West Side of Columbus. Coach Jefferson also shares his high school and college experiences.

Western Michigan basketball alum Marley HiIl talks about all the fun she's had over the years, and how the game of basketball has helped her travel around the world. She shares with us the unusual way the game of basketball was introduced to her. She also tells us how she was connected to the right people during her childhood years, and how those relationships impacted her future. Photo Credit: Western Michigan University/Ashley Huss.

Benji Burke joins the show. He tells Dr. Clarno all the players from Walnut Ridge, South, and Brookhaven that he enjoyed competing against. He also talks about the Eastmoor teammates he appreciated the most, and what they brought to the table during their back to back City League Championship appearances. And of course he talked about what it was like raising high level athletes in his household: Trey Burke and Amani Burke. Photo courtesy of Ronda Crawford-Burke/unknown photographer.

Briggs alum Tony Rice joins the show. He relives some of his favorite City League days as a player, including helping lead Briggs to its only state semifinals appearance, and remembering the City League players he enjoyed competing against. In this episode, Rice goes on record naming his top 5 City League Players from the past 30 years. He also tells us how he ended up playing Division I college basketball and breaking records at Wagner College. Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com.

3 All City Wrestlers join the show. Kevin Green, Walnut Ridge class of 2025, Daryl Willis, South class of 2025, and Jermiah Jones, Marion Franklin class of 2024, tell us how wrestling has helped their confidence, and how it has helped them improve in other sports. They also tell us how much fun they've had over the years, including the times each of them won City League Championships as wrestlers.

Independence alum Eleia Roddy joins the show. She reminisces on what it was like playing on the same team with 2 other high level division 1 athletes in Star Allen and Jessica Davenport in high school. She also tells some of her favorite memories playing in the historic SEC at The University of Kentucky, giving advice to the kids today who want to follow in her footsteps. Photo Credit: The University Of Kentucky

The Linden-McKinley Girls Basketball Team joins the show. Senior co-captain Tamiya Harrington class of 2024, shares the adversity she faced over the years, and how she's happy to see her team heading in the right direction. Christiana Towns, Fort Hayes class of 2027, talks about the joy she feels following in the footsteps of her older brothers by changing the culture of her school's team. Coach Felicia Crenshaw shares how proud she is of her team, and how she's excited for the future.

The 2023 City League Champs Northland Boys Basketball Team joins the show. Sophomores King Kendrick and Jaden Shoultz tell us everything that goes into being on a dominant team in the city, and how they deal with the pressure of constantly getting the best out of every team that plays them. Coach Tihon Johnson is very impressed with his young team, and he hopes to bring home a State Title.

The State Champs Columbus Africentric Early College Lady Nubians Girls Basketball Team joins the show. Seniors Kamryn Grant and Natiah Nelson talk about the team goals this year. They also share their excitement about the division 1 colleges they've committed to play for next year. Coach Janicia 'Shaq' Anderson also joins the show. She talks about what Africentric meant for her as a player in 2006, and how it has come full circle today as a coach.

Cousins Rodney "Speedy" Stewart, and Doug Rippy join the show. They tell the story about how they went from putting up big numbers in The Columbus City League, to putting up big numbers in college at The University of Colorado in The Pac 12 and becoming two of the most respected players in CU history. Photo Credits: The University Of Colorado.

Briggs alum and Lincoln Memorial University Men's Volleyball Player Justin Sharfenaker joins the show. He tells us how he brought a boys volleyball team to his high school, which did not have one at the time, and ultimately becoming the 2019 Ohio High School Boys Volleyball Division II State Player of the Year. He also talks about the work he's putting in playing college volleyball, and how he helped his team earn a No. 19 rank in the AVCA Pre-Season Poll for the first time in program history. Photo Credit: Lincoln Memorial University.

The 14 time consecutive girls tennis champions Whetstone joins the show. Iris Blackburn, Columbus Alternative High School class of 2024, and 2 time 1st Doubles City League Champ tells us why she loves the game so much. Ailee Loar, Whetstone class of 2024, talks about the leaders who paved the way for her during her younger years, and how they contributed to her becoming a co captain today. Coach Bucky Walters talks about all the kids he's coached throughout the years from various schools and sports, and he explains why showing genuine care for the kids is so important.

We're joined by 2 division 1 football recruits: Tito Glass, Marion Franklin class of 2024, and Dawayne Galloway Jr, Marion Franklin class of 2025. Both athletes have multiple college offers. They talk about the struggles they faced as a team this year, and how their leadership helped turn the season around. Coach Charles Gibson also joins the show. He talks about taking over the Marion Franklin football program this year and winning the respect of his players.

The Eastmoor Academy Volleyball team joins the show. Seniors Jhadaya Curtis, and Janih'ya Campbell talk about how they were introduced to the game when they were younger, and how they have grown to really love the sport. Coach Sequoia Wright talks about her passion for coaching volleyball, and how she's been committed to coaching her student athletes since 2010.

Marlon Kerner joins the show. He talks about losing the starting quarterback job at Brookhaven, then putting in the necessary work to ensure he would be the starter the next year. He also talks about impressing coaches at Ohio State with his abilities, which ultimately resulted in him switching positions and becoming an elite defensive back. Marlon was drafted in the NFL by the Buffalo Bills. Photo Credit: Marlon Kerner/Buffalo Bills.

The Columbus International Soccer Team joins the show. Seniors Marvin Hernandez Garcia and Sebastian Dominguez shout out some of the people who've made their years playing soccer special. Coach Gal Ben Haim tells us exactly what it's like to coach a team that has the heart of a lion.

Former NFL and OSU defensive back Malcolm Jenkins did not attend Columbus City Schools as a kid, but he took the time out of his busy schedule to speak to our CCS athletes, giving them advice on how to be successful in their sports. He also shared some of the highs and lows of his journey, from not being heavily recruited in high school, to being a 2-time Super Bowl Champion. Dr. Clarno and CCS athlete Janih'ya Campbell lead the conversation.

We welcome The Whetstone Baseball Team to the studio and discuss their impressive run, including 11 straight City League Championships. Head Coach Tim Broskie tells us about all the fun he's had coaching over the past 30 years, coaching several sports at several schools. Justin Liesinger, class of 2024, recalls some of his most memorable moments playing baseball, and Daylan Barnes, class of 2023, gives advice to the baseball players following in his footsteps letting them know the lessons he's learned throughout his playing career.

We're joined by 1st Team All City Briggs Softball players Alyssa Taylor, Ariyoana Smith and Brianna Dowell. Taylor and Smith are recent graduates in the class of 2023, and they reflect on the highs and lows of their high school careers. Dowell is a rising senior in the class of 2024, and she tells us how she's ready for the challenge ahead of her as the torch is passed to her to lead next year's team.

Three-time NCAA First Team All American, and Three-time Big Ten Champion Aaliyah Barnes shares her journey to success, including overcoming academic struggles in high school and having major success as a key athlete on The Ohio State University's Track and Field Team. She also shares her favorite memories at Eastmoor Academy, and she mentions some high school teammates who contributed to their state championship. Photo Credit: The Ohio State University

2004 Athens Olympic Gold Medalist Moushaumi Robinson shares some amazing stories from her past, including everything that went into her decision to run for The University of Texas over other universities, to the high profile celebrities and people she met while training. Of course she talks about her high school experiences like looking up to upperclassmen like Helen Darling, as well as helping Brookhaven win the Division I track and field title in 1998 and a runner-up finish in '99. Photo Credit: Texas Athletics.

Marion Franklin Girls Track and Field join the show. Tiaja Abbington, who attends Columbus Downtown High School, runs for her home school Marion Franklin. She talks about her love for track going back to running at the recreation center as a kid. The senior also talks about her experiences running in high level races, including the junior Olympics in Texas as a teenager. Janessa Valle, Marion Franklin class of 2024, talks about her love for sports in general and how she has always been fascinated by athletics. Coach Sabree Ali tells us why he took over the Marion Franklin Girls Track and Field program this year, and he talks about the major progress he has already seen in his team, as well as the potential he thinks that they have.

Beechcroft Boys Track and Field join the show. Seniors Jayden Douglas and Jesufewa Adediran talk about the respect they have for their teammates, and how the team pushes each other to be great. They also talk about their goal to win the City League track and field championship.

Coach Tremayne Peppers talks about the confidence he has in this team, and how he's excited for the future.

Ron Lewis shares with us how he went from being cut from his middle school basketball team, to becoming a state champion and first team all state player at one of the most dominant basketball programs in Ohio, Brookhaven High School. He also shares with us his journey transferring from Bowling Green State University to The Ohio State University, and he reminisces on some of his most memorable college games. Photo Credit: The Ohio State University.

Clemson track and field star Aman Thornton joins the show. The Second-Team All-American, and First-Team All-ACC athlete brings us back to his high school days at Mifflin, sharing what it was like being coached by his dad in both football and track. He also talks about the success he's reached running in college, and he gives advice to the high school kids listening who want to follow in his footsteps. Photo Credit: Clemson University.

Beechcroft alum DeLano Thomas shares his high school stories, explaining how he overcame obstacles including getting into trouble, getting kicked out of school and making poor choices, to getting a second chance and becoming the great high school player he turned out to be. He also shares his experiences playing college basketball at Shawnee State University, playing professionally overseas, and returning to Shawnee State several years later as a head coach and winning a national championship. Photo Credit: Shawnee State University.

Sam Whitaker III, Columbus International class of 2023, and LJ Foster, Columbus Alternative High School class of 2024 join the show. LJ plays basketball for his home school Mifflin. The first team all city basketball players talk about their support systems on and off the court. They also talk about their goals and how they were able to meet those goals throughout their high school careers. They also give their reasoning for who is better between Michael Jordan and Lebron James.

The very first episode we recorded for City League Sports was a phone call with Archie Griffin in March of 2022. Due to technical difficulties, we did not intend to release the show. After reconsidering, we decided to release the show 1 year later.  

Join us as City League and Ohio legend Archie Griffin shares his amazing stories from high school at Eastmoor. He also talks about the adversity he faced at The Ohio State University, and how he overcame it.  

Archie Griffin is the only 2 time Heisman winner, and he was voted as the #4 greatest college football player of all time by 150 former coaches, players, administrators and media. It's a fantastic episode you don't want to miss. Terry Anderson joins the show as a special co-host.  

Photo Credit: The Ohio State University.

All City Bowlers Damon Aubrey, Mifflin class of 2024, Cedena Perez-Corby, South class of 2023, and Tyler Needles, Marion Franklin class of 2023 join the show. They talk about the highs and lows of bowling, and they give love to their coaches and teammates who helped them build their programs to what they are today. They also talk about the age they were when they were introduced to the game and why they love it so much.

We're joined by 3 Lady Hooper Stars in the Columbus City League. Leila Carter, Columbus International, is a true freshman who started on varsity and averaged 27 points per game and 13 rebounds, which earned her first team all city honors. Mali Thornton, Eastmoor Academy, is a junior and scholar athlete who has been named all city multiple times. Rayanna Howell, Columbus Africentric Early College PreK-12, is a junior who has been named all city, and still finds a way to be a leader on a team that has multiple extremely talented girls. The 3 girls share their stories about their love for the game, how they were introduced to basketball, and they share the goals they want to accomplish before they graduate.

Northland legend Satch Sullinger joins the show. He talks about how he balanced being a husband, father, coach, teacher and mentor during his time with Columbus City Schools. He relives some of his favorite basketball memories, including coaching his son Jared Sullinger who was rated the #1 power forward in the country according to ESPN (#2 player overall), and leading Northland to a #1 national ranking. He also shares his stories as a kid growing up in the 60's during the civil rights era.

Walnut Ridge Hoops players Dom Aekins, class of 2024, and Asion "Chip" Francis, class of 2023, join the show. They talk about the brotherhood they share on their team, and how they constantly push each other to be better. Dom talks about what it's like being a star player, building a nice legacy at Walnut Ridge individually, while still trusting in and encouraging his teammates like Asion and others.  

Coach Charles Jefferson also joins the show. Jefferson, a Walnut Ridge alum himself, and former varsity basketball player, talks about the pride he has in returning to his alma mater, thinking about the memories he has walking through the hallways, and the tradition that he's been trusted to continue.

We sit down with former Linden-McKinley Panther AJ Davis. He talks about some of his favorite players to compete against in the City League when he was in high school. He also shares with us his Top 5 City League players from the 1990's until now. It's a fun show where all things basketball are discussed. AJ also talks about his time playing division 1 basketball and his time playing in the NBA D League. Photo Credit: James Madison University

We sit down with the Centennial girls basketball team. Kayla Houston, class of 2025, was selected second team all-city as a freshman during the 2021-2022 season. Aza Corbett, class of 2025, is one of the team captains. The girls talk about their goals this season. They also share with us how eager they are to continue to learn and grow as a team.

Head Coach Ernest Bell also joins the show. He tells us how proud he is of the effort he continues to see from his team. He also shares with us his expectations for the Centennial girls basketball players, and how he wants to help shape them to becoming productive young women in society.

Helen Darling joins the show. The former High School All-American shares with us what it was like being a major division 1 recruit during her time at Brookhaven High School. She also shares some stories of her time playing basketball at Penn State, earning Big Ten Player of The Year Honors, as well as her time representing the USA at the 1999 World University Games held in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and her time in the WNBA. Photo Credit: Las Vegas Aces/San Antonio Stars

We sit down with the Columbus Africentric Early College PreK-12 basketball team. Dailyn Swain, class of 2023, is the #4 rated player in Ohio according to 247 Sports. He shares his journey and experiences playing high school basketball, as well as some unfinished business he wants to take care of. Head coach Michael Bates, and senior Dyson Bibins also join the show. They share some of their most memorable moments they've experienced over the years. They also talk about the tradition at Africentric and how they are thankful to be a part of the story.

Northland alum Jude Adjei-Barimah joins the show. He tells his amazing story of how he earned a football scholarship to Bowling Green State University, working his way onto the field and becoming a starter at the division 1 level, and putting in the work and discipline needed to follow his dreams making the roster for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL. This is a story of structure, faith and resilience. Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

We sit down with the city league south football co-champs South High School. Coach George Yates II talks about his roots at South going back to childhood, and returning as an adult, turning the program into a consistent winner. Quarterback Damon Griffin II, class of 2025, and wide receiver Da'Shawn Simmons, class of 2024, talk about their desire to continue to improve every year as a team until all their goals are achieved. Both players were named first team all district and first team all city. They are also members of the only South High school football team to beat Eastmoor Academy in 30 years.

We sit down with the East High School football team, the City League North co-champions. Taizaun Burns, class of 2025, Wayne Lindsay III, class of 2023, and head coach Mike Bell discuss their historic football season which restored order to a school with a lot of tradition. The first team all district and first team all city players Burns and Lindsay talk about how the culture change in the football program has lead to a culture change in the school as a whole, and they embrace their new roles as leaders in the school building that many kids look up to. Coach Mike Bell, who is also a member of the Ohio Dominican University Hall of Fame for basketball, shows gratitude to the Columbus Ohio community, his coaches, players, the student body at East, and the school administration for believing in and supporting the team, and he's excited for the future.

Beechcroft and West Virginia University standout defensive end Julian Miller joins the show. The All Big East defensive lineman talks about his historical career in college including one memorable game where he set the single-game sacks record (4.0) during a 21-20 win against Pitt. He also talks about the significance his family had on his football career. He shares some stories from high school as well. Photo Credit: West Virginia University

We sit down with the West girls soccer team. Coach Elizabeth "Coach Higgy" Higginbotham talks about her love for the game of soccer, playing as a child and in college, and bringing a girls soccer team to West High School a few years ago when she noticed there was no girls team.

First team all city star Sydney Sinclaire, second team all city athlete Annabelle Cooper and her sister Brianna Cooper, a ccs girls soccer honorable mention also join the show. They talk about why they think it's important for girls to participate in sports, and they give their peers advice, encouraging them to join a team and play even if they have no experience, or if they have fears and doubts, because they will have fun and not regret joining the team.

Brothers Ernie Wheelwright, Walnut Ridge/University of Minnesota alum, and Rob Wheelwright, Walnut Ridge/University Of Wisconsin-Madison alum join the show. They share their most memorable moments playing football in both high school and college, including some of their favorite games, as well as some players they enjoyed playing with and against. They also discuss what it means to be a part of a family with a lot of athletic tradition, while following in the footsteps of their grandfather "Ern Wheelwright" and their older brother "Mike Bell." They tell us how they are keeping the family tradition of playing sports at an elite level. Photo Credit: The University Of Minnesota

We sit down with first team all city players Ja'Miah Thomas, and Isabella Williams from the Briggs High School Volleyball team. They talk about their journeys playing in the program over the years, starting out as underclassmen to becoming seniors and leaders on the court today, while being recognized as some of the best players in the City League.  

Coach Herb Sharfenaker also joins the show. He talks about the "Bruin Strong" culture at Briggs, and how he thinks the students, teachers and athletes support one another. He also talks about his long tenure as a coach, and how many of his former players now join him as assistant coaches giving back to the new generation.

We sit down with filmmakers Gary Tate Jr. and Michael Gravely Jr. and discuss their much anticipated documentary "Da Haven," a powerhouse inner city football team, Brookhaven of Columbus Ohio, that managed to defy the odds and win the city's first (and only) state football championship game. Through personal accounts and exciting stories "Da Haven" revisits the exciting journey in the lives of the players, coaches, and community who experienced this unprecedented year in football history. The Quarterback of that team, Michael McGee also joins the show.

We sit down with first team all city rising stars Mekhi Johnson, and  Sean Smith Jr. from Columbus Africentric Early College. They talk about what it's been like becoming leaders on the team at such young ages. Head coach Jamell Davis also joins the show. He talks about his long  path to becoming a head coach and how he wants to start his own legacy at CAEC. Krista Frost fills in as a guest host.

Ohio University and Eastmoor Academy alum Amani Burke joins the show. She talks about creating her own identity as the sister of NBA player Trey Burke, what it was like growing up in a basketball family, and playing the game at a high level, while on the inside having mixed feelings and wanting to quit. She also tells us what it was like scoring 1000 points in both high school and college, and breaking one particular Ohio University Women's Basketball record. Photo Credit: Ohio University

Former Brookhaven and The Ohio State University running back Maurice Hall joins the show. He talks about the tradition at Brookhaven and the legacy he left in high school. He also talks about the challenges he faced at OSU competing with Maurice Clarett, as well as some of his memorable moments, including scoring two game winning touchdowns vs Illinois and Michigan which helped bring OSU to the national championship game. Hall currently lives in Los Angeles primarily as an actor, and he shares with us his upcoming projects. Photo Credit: The Ohio State University