Liverpool's 5-2 win over West Ham masks underlying frailties — and more

Liverpool's 5-2 win over West Ham was a statement on paper, but the match revealed a side still below the club's elite standard. With an xG of 1.75 against West Ham's 1.84, the victory was built on three first‑half corner goals and a reliance on set‑piece efficiency rather than true dominance.

Under Arne Slot, the team has shifted from a romantic continental style to a pragmatic approach, highlighted by nine set‑piece goals since January. Yet defensive gaps remain exposed in transition, and the midfield balance continues to fluctuate, underscoring that the summer rebuild has not yet delivered the expected creative and technical superiority.

Zach Sirrine was selected the Northeast Lakes Coach of the Year for Division VI in girls basketball.

In the regular season, Sirrine guided the Mustangs to a 19-3 overall, 13-1 Northeastern Athletic Conference mark, and a conference championship.

In the postseason, the Mustangs defeated Springfield 44-34 for a sectional final win.

GV advanced to the district tournament for the first time in 11 years, and set a single-season school record with 20 victories in the process.

"It has everything to do with the girls," Sirrine said of the honor. "It's a reflection of much hard work they put in."

First-team Ashtabula County-Madison selections were Madison sophomore Gianna LaMarco in Division III (20 points per game); Edgewood junior Carly Kray (23.5 ppg.) D-IV and Grand Valley junior Cloe Turk (14.0) and freshman Riley Rowland (13.1) D-VI.

Second team choices consisted of Edgewood senior Annie Johnston and junior Faith Vencill in D-IV; Pymatuning Valley junior Mckenna Jordan, D-V and GV sophomore Bre Rowland, and Saint John freshman Milani Johnson, both D-VI.

Madison freshman CC Alley, in D-III, and Conneaut senior Alexis Kiser and junior Alexis Warner, D-IV, were among the D-III third-team all-district selections.

The honorable mention all-district teams included: Geneva senior Tahkyah Myers and freshmen Isabel Stocker and Elli Burns, Madison sophomore Maddie White and Lakeside senior Daneja Holley and sophomore Elyzah Maunus in D-III; Jefferson seniors Abby Feick, Dani Furman and Leah Valenti, D-VI; Pymatuning Valley senior Sadie Paul, D-V and Saint John freshman Riley Ann Hatfield and seniors Marissa Arrieta-Williams and Alexa Jordan, D-VII.

The Northeast Lakes All-District girls basketball teams are picked by OPSMA members from the Ashtabula Star Beacon, cleveland.com, the News-Herald in Willoughby, Chronicle-Telegram in Elyria and Morning Journal in Lorain.

The All-Ohio teams will be announced after the conclusion of the boys state championships during the week of March 23.

The Northeast Lakes All-District girls basketball teams include players in schools from Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties.

Find out below who made the teams:

DIVISION I

First team

Sidney Butera, Strongsville, 5-4, jr., 25.9 points; Nina Rodriguez, Mentor, 5-5, sr., 19.2; Regan Braaten, Berea-Midpark, 5-7, jr., 19.0; Jordyn Webb, Cleveland John Hay, 5-10, jr., 19.6; Lindsay Meriwether, Parma Normandy, 5-9, jr., 15.2; Ashlyn McKinney, Mentor, 6-1, fr., 15.3.

Second team

Bella Pinkney, Lorain, 5-3, fr. 14.9; Ziley Minich, Parma Normandy, 5-6, jr., 14.5; Keira Coleman, Mentor, 5-6, so., 10.2; Carly Fisher, Cleveland John Hay, 5-4, jr., 17.0; Lilly Jones, Berea-Midpark, 5-8, fr., 9.4; Emma Arnold, Berea-Midpark, 5-8, jr., 9.2.

Player of the Year: Nina Rodriguez, Mentor

Coach of the Year: James Hrusovsky, Mentor

Honorable mention

Lyla Willis, Mentor; Rosie Jordan, Strongsville; Casey Friel, Berea-Midpark; Hayley McClintock, Mentor; Peyton Willis, Mentor; Addi Keeper, Mentor; Sana Hicks, Cleveland John Hay; Concenstance Mallett, Cleveland John Hay; KaMariana Scott, Elyria;

DIVISION II

First team

Jesse Simon, Olmsted Falls, 5-11, sr., 15.4; Gemma Wichman, Rocky River Magnificat, 5-11, sr., 14.6; Emma Shaefer, Olmsted Falls, 6-0, jr., 11. 5; Kaitlin Dobida, Eastlake North, 5-10, sr., 19.5; Marissa Blackford, Solon, 5-11, sr., 13.4; Ashley Perdion, Brecksville-Broadview Heights, 5-9, jr., 10.8; Charleigh Doxley, Lakewood, 5-5, jr., 16.5.

Second team

Camilynne Shields, Cleveland John Marshall, 5-5, jr., 14.0; Oceanne Kabore, Shaker Heights, 6-0, so., 8.0; Dayvon Evans, Cleveland Heights, 5-8, sr., 14.0; Emma Wilhelm, Painesville Riverside, 6-1, jr., 9.3; Brooke Haddad, Cleveland St. Joseph Acdemy, 5-8, sr., 12.0; Brooke Schroeder, North Ridgeville, 5-6, jr., 12.5; Caiya La, Brecksville-Broadview Heights, 5-8, jr., 12.1.

Player of the Year: Gemma Wichman, Rocky River Magnificat

Coach of the Year: Joe Zenir, Brecksville-Broadview Heights

Honorable mention

Sydney Montgomery, Mayfield; Ariana Hueter, Lakewood; Elise Laporte, Rocky River Magnificat; Izzy Wilson, Rocky River Magnificat; Elle Lakios, Rocky River, Magnificat; Danielle Brown, Cleveland John Marshall; Santiyana Dorsey, Cleveland John Marshall; Alexa Januszewski, Mayfield; Paige Swoope, Cleveland Heights; Grace Largent, Olmsted Falls; Avery DeLisio, Olmsted Falls; Maddy Ferrari, Eastlake North; Josalyn Hackney, Brecksville-Broadview Heights; Nalani Grayson, Cleveland John Marshall; Aniyja Hayes, Cleveland John Marshall; Maya Woods, Brecksville-Broadview Heights; Kaylie Gaiter-Davis, Solon; Madeline Kormuth, Solon; Sophie Stehik, Cleveland St. Joseph Academy; Lily Sanfilippo, Cleveland St. Joseph Academy; Nyah Dowdell, Cleveland Rhodes; Karmella Haywood, Cleveland Rhodes; Trinity McKenzie, Cleveland Rhodes; Ra’Nayuia Rose, Cleveland John Adams; Azhar’ie Willis, Cleveland John Adams; Lizzie Godlewski, Rocky River Magnificat; Reyna Balderas, North Ridgeville; Abby Owens, Avon; Alaina Pagan, Avon; Lauryn Bohannon, North Ridgeville; Jordyn White, Painesville Riverside; Aubrey Laurenty, Painesville Riverside; Madison Owens, Painesville Riverside; Rhys Shantery, Painesville Riverside.

DIVISION III

First team

Tatiana Mason, Lyndhurst Brush, 5-10, jr., 24.6; Gianna LaMarco, Madison, 5-5, so., 20.0; Nylah Mason, Lyndhurst Brush, 5-8, so., 20.3;. Izzy Lapp, Parma Padua Franciscan, 5-11, so., 16.9; Morgan Cicek, Chagrin Falls Kenston, 5-6, sr., 16.7; Olivia Miller, Avon Lake, 5-10, sr., 15.9; Nora Bruder, Rocky River, 5-7, jr., 16.9; Skyler Ballard, Warrensville Heights, 5-5, so., 17.4.

Second team

Elizabeth Lang, Rocky River, jr., 13.5; Leah DiFranco, Grafton Midview, 5-7, sr., 13.9; Madelyn Lee, Bay Village Bay, 5-7, so., 11.9; Maria Goske, Cleveland Heights Beaumont, 5-7, sr.; Coco Cochran, Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, 5-10, so., 13.0; Jakalyn Brown, Lyndhurst Brush, 6-2, sr., 9.0; Sophia Spade, Parma Padua Franciscan, 5-6, jr., 14.5; Molly Milligan, Avon Lake, 5-11, jr., 12.5.

Third team

Cameron Gerlica, Chardon, 5-7, sr., 13.0; Aadriana Moses, Warrensville Heights, 5-8, jr., 18.4; C.C. Alley, Madison, 5-6, fr., 12.1; Chloe Kazma, Bay Village Bay, 5-11, fr., 11.5; Aurora Young, Chagrin Falls Kenston, 5-11, sr., 11.8; Norah Trefz, Bay Village Bay, 5-4, sr., 11.3; Ella Stanton, Westlake, 5-5, sr., 12.0.

Player of the Year: Tatiana Mason, Lyndhurst Brush

Coach of the Year: Jamey Pfahl, Rocky River

Honorable mention

Evelyn Ritt, Avon Lake; Trinity Osterman, Chagrin Falls Kenston; Maddie White, Madison; Carolina Chilton, Bay Village Bay; Anna Weingart, Bay Village Bay; Hunter Crum, Grafton Midview; Leila Morgan, Grafton Midview; Kamila Roman, Cleveland Garrett Morgan; Nia Sims, Cleveland Garrett Morgan; Yahira Oliver, Cleveland JFK; Maliyah Rankin, Cleveland JFK; Char’laya Sanders, Cleveland JFK; Taniyah Lewis, Warrensville Heights; Amaya Capps, North Olmsted; Liana Ostrowski, Westlake; Daneja Holley, Ashtabula Lakeside; Elyzah Maunus, Ashtabula Lakeside; Tahkyah Meyers, Geneva; Isabel Stocker, Geneva; Elli Burns, Geneva; Addisyn Harris, Lyndhurst Brush; Juliana Ferreira, Lyndhurst Brush; Capril DuFour, Chardon; Ava Arnold, Chardon; Lilli Dillworth, Chardon; Julia Scales, Gates Mills Hawken; Brynn Munn, Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin; Maya Rowan, Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin.

DIVISION IV

First team

Tristan Williams, Shaker Heights Laurel, 5-8, sr., 22.8; Annie Sullivan, Gates Mills Gilmour Academy, 6-2, fr., 17.3; Ari Dimacchia, Elyria Catholic, 5-11, so., 11.0; Claire Coljohn, Parma Heights Holy Name, 5-9, jr., 20.1; Faelynn Beckrest, Chesterland West Geauga, 5-7, jr., 22.8; Carly Kray, Ashtabula Edgewood, 5-7, jr., 23.5; Emily Mechenbier, Perry, 6-1, so., 13.7;

Second team

Jordyn Copley, Oberlin Firelands, 5-10, sr., 14.4; Aliciana Medina, Rocky River Lutheran West, 5-6, sr., 14.9; Maliona Martin, Cleveland Heights Lutheran East, 5-7, jr., 12.0; Annie Johnston, Ashtabula Edgewood, 5-6, sr., 12.2; Faith Vencill, Ashtabula Edgewood, 6-0, jr., 13.7; Jordyn Meyer, Shaker Heights Laurel, 5-7, jr., 12.5; Claire Petrus, Elyria Catholic, 6-0, jr., 10.7; Olivia Schneider, Shaker Heights Laurel, 5-8, sr., 11.4;

Third team

Alexis Warner, Conneaut, 5-6, jr. 13.3; Mia Lynch, Perry, 5-9, jr., 12.1; Gabby Rodriguez, Elyria Catholic, 5-5, sr., 9.2; Jaila Wiggins, Garfield Heights Trinity, 5-8, sr., 10.3; Maddie Kandrach, Rocky River Lutheran West, 5-8, sr., 13.5; Morgan Pfundstein, Gates Mills Gilmour Academy, 5-7, jr., 9.0; Alexis Kiser, Conneaut, 5-9, sr., 12.3; Anaya Domanski, Gates Mills Gilmour Academy, 5-8, so., 8.3; Jordan Cremona, Parma Heights Holy Name, 5-10, 10.1.

Player of the Year: Tristan Williams, Shaker Heights Laurel

Coach of the Year: Amber Iwais, Parma Heights Holy Name

Honorable mention

Reese Grammes, Shaker Heights Laurel; Sydnee Robinson, Shaker Heights Laurel; Sophia Niederst, Elyria Catholic; Addison Schrader, Oberlin Firelands; Princess Gray, Garfield Heights Trinity; Janae Smith, Cleveland Heights Lutheran East; Imani Dotson, Cleveland Central Catholic; Aubrey Hopkins, Perry; Dakota Porter, Cleveland Heights Lutheran East; Taliyah Pollard, Cleveland Heights Lutheran East; Layla Rudolph, Parma Heights Holy Name; Nilah Thorton, Garfield Heights Trinity; Payton McCorvey, Garfield Heights Trinity; Erin Rossoll, Gates Miles Gilmour; Sophie Sivon, Perry; Payton Winters, Perry; Devinae Sanders, Cleveland East Tech; Abby Feick, Jefferson Area; Dani Furman, Jefferson Area; Leah Valenti, Jefferson Area Jefferson; Heaven Thorn, Cleveland East Tech. Zariah Berry, Cleveland Bard; Chalai Mack, Cleveland Bard; Mariyah Benjamin, Cleveland Glenville.

DIVISION V

First team

Madyson Sokolowski, LaGrange Keystone, 5-6, jr., 24.8; Zoe Walters, Beachwood, 5-5, so., 20.0; Avery Russell, Chagrin Falls, 5-8, jr., 18.4; Elizabeth Dunmire, Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph, sr., 16.7; Stella Bateman, Burton Berkshire, 5-11, so., 13.6; Jayda Gaines, LaGrange Keystone, 5-6, so., 14.5.

Second team

Lizzie Bammerlin, Mentor Lake Catholic, 5-5, so., 13.1; McKenna Jordan, Andover Pymatuning Valley, 5-5, jr. 9.0; Claire Dahler, Fairview Park Fairview, 5.6, so., 11.7; Ivy Martin, Burton Berkshire, 5-6, jr., 10.5; Sydney Dunmire, Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph, jr., 11.5; Bella Diaz, Sheffield Brookside, 5-0, sr., 12.7; Ella Zampedro, Mentor Lake Catholic, 5-5, sr., 12.3.

Player of the Year: Madyson Sokolowski, LaGrange Keystone

Coach of the Year: Brittany Laseak, Chagrin Falls

Honorable mention

Ryane Kerrigan, Fairview Park Fairview; Abby Kay, Chagrin Falls; Sophia Clarico, LaGrange Keystone; Bailey Brennen, Sheffield Brookside; Gabby Byrne, Chagrin Falls; Olivia Kruse, Chagrin Falls; Emily Larkin, Fairview Park Fairview; La’Nayshia Bailey, Cleveland Collinwood; Sadie Paul, Andover Pymatuning Valley; Julia Young, Burton Berkshire; Blyth Bors, Burton Berkshire; Kiera Schulz, Mentor Lake Catholic; Madelyn Gibbons, Mentor Lake Catholic; Leila Johnson, Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph; Geanice Bostick, Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph; Cecelia Oriani, Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph.

DIVISION VI

First team

Honor Hall, Richmond Heights, 5-11, sr., 20.0; Natalie Miller, Columbia Station Columbia, 5-10, so., 12.4 Alyssa Goebel, Columbia Station Columbia, 5-6, sr., 11.4; Vinae Williams, Richmond Heights, 5-6, fr., 12.0; Anna Dumstorff, Kirtland, 5-4, jr., 11.4; Cloe Turk, Orwell Grand Valley, 5-9, jr., 14.0; Riley Rowland, Orwell Grand Valley, 5-3, fr., 13.1.

Second team

Janiah Bowen-Pride, Oberlin, 5-3, sr., 13.0; Ella Adams, Fairport Harbor Fairport Harding, jr., 14.5; Bre Rowland, Orwell Grand Valley, 5-7, so., 8.7; Aniyah Johnson, Willoughby Andrews Osborne Academy, 5-6, jr., 10.4; Raquel Dickson, Richmond Heights, 6-1, so., 8.0; Milani Johnson, Ashtabula St. John, 5-5, fr., 8.0.

Player of the Year: Honor Hall, Richmond Heights

Coach of the Year: Zach Sirrine, Orwell Grand Valley

Honorable mention

Shelby Gallion, Wellington; Jana Vale, Fairport Harbor Fairport Harding; Jayana Jones, Oberlin; Lauren Palagyi, Kirtland; Gabby D’Amato, Kirtland; Bella Herhuth, Columbia Station Columbia; Lexi Miller, Columbia Station Columbia; Riley Ann Hatfield, Ashtabula Saint John, Marissa Arrieta Williams, Ashtabula Saint John, Alexa Jordan, Ashtabula Saint John; Lauren Palagi, Kirtland.

DIVISION VII

First team

Briella Bendik, Elyria Open Door Christian, 5-7, fr., 27.0; Riley McPeek, Willoughby Cornerstone Christian, 6-2, fr., 14.5; Brooklynn Domzalski, Cuyahoga Heights, 5-6, so., 13.1; Ivy Kaminski, Middlefield Cardinal, 5-9, jr., 19.5; Kamryn O’Leary, Willoughby Cornerstone Christian, 5-4, sr., 10.2; Kate Burman, Elyria First Baptist, 5-4, sr., 17.0; Emily Pleva, Middlefield Cardinal, 5-6, jr., 8.5;

Player of the Year: Briella Bendik, Elyria Open Door Christian

Coach of the Year: Lisa Stopp, Willoughby Cornerstone Christian

Honorable mention

Alexis Unger, Cuyahoga Heights; Alyssa Mason, Willoughby Cornerstone Christian; Mari Hopkins, Cuyahoga Heights; Hope Murphy, Willoughby Cornerstone Christian; Addie Deka, Cuyahoga Heights; Kara Gravley, Elyria First Baptist; Jo Wacker, Elyria First Baptist; Kathryn Krueger, North Ridgeville Lake Ridge Academy; Natalie Soltis, Middlefield Cardinal.

Patriots’ Priority Should Be Inking These Players To Offseason Extensions originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots need to continue building upon the momentum that carried them to Super Bowl LX.

Drake Maye should only get better with age. Will Campbell and Jared Wilson can't play much worse than the last time we saw them, and the expectation is that they'll continue to get better with time and experience. Milton Williams and Carlton Davis III are locked into long-term deals and will be key cogs on what should continue to be a dominant defense.

If the organization is going to reach its full potential, however, it will need to not only bring aboard fresh talent but also figure out who is worth keeping around for the long haul -- with perhaps the first step coming in the form of new money for these three contributors:

CB Christian Gonzalez

Gonzalez is perhaps the league's most obvious extension candidate, as the expectation is that he'll become the NFL's highest-paid cornerback ($31 million AAV) in 2026. The Patriots won't put up much of a fight, it's just a matter of whether or not they can make the money work this offseason or if they'll need to postpone the impending payday to next offseason.

Prediction: 4 yr, $124 million

What a PBU by Gonzo!

Super Bowl LX on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/EjeQNZ36iq

— NFL (@NFL) February 9, 2026

WR Kayshon Boutte

Boutte is eventually going to get paid, so the idea here is to keep him from getting to free agency while also locking in your most productive offensive weapon. Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins probably aren't sticking around for the long haul, so it only makes sense to lock someone into a deal as you face some uncertainty at the position.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir ($13.25 million AAV), Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp ($15 million AAV) and Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy ($17.5 million AAV) are the closest things in terms of average annual value with our projected deal, which makes sense considering anything above that would be absurd and the on-field production isn't far off.

Prediction: 3 yr, $45 million

KAYSHON BOUTTE WHAT A CATCH! TOUCHDOWN @PATRIOTS!

HOUvsNE on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/x7qTM4n69m

— NFL (@NFL) January 18, 2026

DT Leonard Taylor III

I couldn't write this story and only include the obvious candidates, so why not go off the board?

Taylor was legitimately fantastic across his seven games last season, despite never being a member of the active roster. The Patriots continuously elevated him from the practice squad, and while he's still with the organization on a future's contract, it might make sense to just lock him into a long-term deal and establish the depth chart behind the likes of Milton Williams and Christian Barmore.

Prediction: 3 yr, $12 million

The @Patriots tip the field goal and hold the lead!

NEvsDEN on CBS/Paramount+
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/po1jTYFYYR

— NFL (@NFL) January 25, 2026

More NFL: Patriots Offseason Preview: Everything Team Must Address In 2026

HARPERSFIELD TOWNSHIP — A $6 million, multi-year partnership, was recently announced by SPIRE Academy and Vensure Employer Solutions, said SPIRE Academy Chief Executive Officer Steve Sanders.

“The partnership connects youth athlete development with workforce innovations, a growing trend as brands look to engage families in trusted high-attention environments,” a press release from SPIRE states.

The sponsorship represents one of the largest youth sport financial partnerships ever created, according to the release. During a phone interview, Sanders said the sponsorship will include direct naming rights to different aspects of the SPIRE portfolio.

“SPIRE is developing the next generation of leaders, and their impact in youth sports and education is growing fast,” said Phil Urso, chief sales officer at Venture HR. He went on to say the SPIRE commitment to the full person connects with Venture HR’s work to create stronger teams and develop talent, he said.

“Youth sports sponsorship is no longer a niche market,” said Amy Liles, head of partnerships and tournaments at SPIRE. “It’s one of of the most effective ways to meet families in an authentic, trusted environment.”

“What makes this partnership special is the alignment between our missions. Vensure HR and other partners like Third Federal Savings and Loan, Waffle House and Chick Fil-A are not just putting their names on our facilities, they are investing in what matters: future talent, performance development, and community impact,” Liles said.

The agreement includes brand visibility across high-profile SPIRE moments, the release states, with examples being national basketball events at the academy and naming rights to the Venture HR SPIRE Performance Research Center.

Vensure HR is the largest privately held organization in the HR technology and service sector, dealing with a wide variety of solutions for companies and organizations.

SPIRE Academy is a growing sports organization that continues to expand in influence. Kevin Boyle, a national championship coach, runs the academy’s basketball program after he was hired last summer from Monteverde Academy.

The academy sponsors a wide range of sports, with more on the horizon, Sanders said.