IRISH PARTY LIKE ITS 1994!

By Ty Bartell

CANTON OH- Hop in the delorean and send that baby back 30 years because The Ursuline Fighting-Irish boys basketball team is in the state final four for the first time since 1994! Following a convincing, 60-35 regional final win in a regular season rematch against The Canfield Cardinals! The Irish will now head to Dayton for the first time under 21-year head coach Keith Gunther.

The first quarter started off with Ursuline’s freshman Jaylen Gunther blowing the roof off The Canton-Memorial Fieldhouse with his 3-point shooting in the first quarter, knocking down four shots from distance, Gunther helped lead Ursuline to a 20-10 lead after the first quarter. Ursuline kept momentum into the second, as the tempo of the game changed, different players stepped up for The Fighting Irish and in the second quarter it was Jayden Payne! Grabbing a total of four offensive rebounds in the quarter, Payne also managed eight second chance points in the second quarter alone, enabling Ursuline to hold a 32-16 edge over Canfield at the halftime buzzer.

Out of the half, Ursuline continued to pile it on, increasing the lead to as much as 24 points in the third! Off the bench, The Irish got big contributions from Myles Miller who locked things down defensively and found his shot more than once offensively. Senior Jayden Payne brought the pain in the fourth quarter, opening up with the first seven points scored in the frame, Payne helped push Ursuline past the markers and book The Irish’s ticket to the state final four for the first time in 30 Years!

Jaylen Gunther and Jayden Payne earned Players of the Game honors with Gunther scoring 16 points and Payne scoring 15 points in the win. Beyond that, Ursuline had a key 12 points off the bench from Myles Miller while Geno Lucente did all the little things right to helpt the Ursuline machine run! Through adversity in the last two decades, Ursuline Head Coach Keith Gunther finally realizes a dream of a lifetime, getting his Ursuline Irish team to the state final four! Although some tough times in the past with plenty of heartbreaks and questioning of oneself in the last 21 years, Coach Gunther can finally say what he and The Fighting Irish basketball community have longed for. The Ursuline Fighting Irish are going to Dayton!

Ursuline (24-3) has now won 12 consecutive ball games this season as they will match up with The Kettering Archbishop Alter Knights (21-7) on Saturday, March 23rd with a 10:45 a.m. tip-off at The University of Dayton. Meanwhile, Canfield ends the season 23-5 as their 14 game win streak was snapped; however, a memorable and successful season nonetheless for The Cards! With legendary Cardinals Head Coach John Cullen electing to hang up the boots after this season, a decision made in the regular season, Coach Cullen coached The Cardinals from 1982-2010 and this latest stint from 2022-2024, capturing six district championships in his time with Canfield and 11 as a head coach, overall.
Thank you for keeping up with Canfield and Ursuline basketball all season long and stay tuned for continued high school athletics with live games, scores, stats, stories and more on YSN!

MOONEY ENDS THEIR RUN ON THE DOORSTEP OF DAYTON

By Ty Bartell

CANTON OH- The Cardinal-Mooney Cardinals fell in the region 9 regional final to the perennial powerhouse, The Lutheran East Falcons by a final score of 56-43. Both teams entered the Saturday afternoon contest winners of 20+ games each, with The Falcons sporting a 20-5 record and Mooney a 22-5 clip. Winners of the northeast 3 district, the #1 seeded Falcons had steamrolled their way to the elite eight with convincing victories against the likes of Cleveland Bard, Ravenna Southeast, Wellington and Fairview along the way.

Meanwhile, the #4 seeded Cardinals had a similar run with five playoff wins prior to the regional final against teams like Cleveland Campus International, Brookfield, Mapleton, South Range and Canton Central Catholic.

Lutheran East started off the first quarter on the right foot with Mooney struggling to find offense, feeling at times like a lid was on the basket for The Cardinals. The Falcons utilized the missed attempts and turned several of them into quick offense the other way, finding themselves ahead of Mooney 16-8 after the first quarter. The offensive struggles continued for The Cardinals into the second, with Mooney missing seven open-look layups in the first half, Lutheran East promptly took advantage. Posting a 12-6 second quarter, doubling the offensive output from The Cardinals two consecutive quarters in a row, leading it 28-14 at halftime.

Out of the second half, The Cardinals still found themselves trying to wake up their offense, with a variety of shots not falling for Mooney as they typically would. However, The Cardinals defense kept them within striking distance, holding The Falcons to just 11 points in the third as a part of an 11-3 third quarter. With Lutheran East leading 39-22 at the start of the third, Mooney was left with no choice but to leave it all on the floor for the final eight minutes, and that they did! Spearheaded by Ashton O’Brien, The Cardinals came out swinging in the fourth

with AOB posting 10 points in the fourth quarter alone, helping draw Mooney back to within six. However, Lutheran East managed to survive the spurt from The Cardinals and managed to settle momentum down en route to a 56-43 win, despite being outscored 21-17 in the quarter.

Lutheran East spread the love around offensively, with multiple names sharing similar numbers on the offensive side. Leading the scoring for The Falcons was Ronald Taylor who ended with 10 points, followed by Chris Hill and Jesse McCulloch who each had 9 points, and rounding things out were both Alan Mallory and Anthony Bruce each finishing with 8 points for The Falcons. Meanwhile, Mooney was led by Ashton O’Brien, who led all scorers with a game-high 18 points, followed by Jibri Carter who had 13 points and Rocco Turner who ended the contest with 7 points.

Lutheran East (21-5) will now make the trip to Dayton as a part of the state final four! As for Mooney (22-6) they ended another successful season in heartbreaking fashion, on the doorstep of Dayton with their second elite eight finish in the last three years with both losses coming to Lutheran East.
Thank you for keeping up with Mooney basketball all season long and stay tuned for continued Cardinal-Mooney Cardinals athletics with live games, scores, stats, stories and more on YSN!

RICHMOND HEIGHTS STILL RUNS THE REGION

CANTON OH- In a display of dominance, Richmond Heights reaffirmed their status as the top contender in the region on Friday night, bringing an end to Warren JFK’s season with a convincing 95-61 victory. The Spartans wasted no time asserting their authority, seizing control early to establish a commanding 30-11 lead after the first quarter.

Although Warren JFK managed to rally in the second quarter, narrowing the gap and igniting hopes for a comeback, Richmond Heights refused to relent, maintaining their composure and intensity throughout the second half.

Leading the charge for Warren JFK was Nick Ryan, who poured in an impressive 22 points, showcasing his offensive prowess in a valiant effort. Michael Condoleon contributed 16 points of his own, while Nico Ciminero added 6 points to the scoreboard.

CANFIELD SLOWLY BUT SURELY PUSHES THEIR WAY TO REGIONAL FINAL

Canfield’s relentless march through the tournament continued on Thursday as they surged past Warrensville Heights with a commanding 68-46 victory, edging ever closer to a coveted spot in Dayton for the state semifinals.

Fueling Canfield’s triumph were standout performances from key players, with Tony Russo leading the charge with an impressive 17 points, showcasing his scoring prowess when it mattered most. Not to be outdone, Dom Cruz contributed 16 points of his own, while Drew Shapiro added 10 points to bolster Canfield’s offensive firepower.

With their sights set on the ultimate prize, Canfield now sets its sights on the Regional Finals, where they will clash with Ursuline in what promises to be an electrifying showdown. The highly anticipated matchup is slated for Saturday at 7:00 PM at the Canton Memorial Fieldhouse.

URSULINE’S OFFENSE PLANTS THEIR FLAG IN REGIONALS

CANTON OH- In a dominating performance, Ursuline’s offense unleashed its fury on Thursday night, powering the team to a resounding 85-44 victory over VASJ in the regional semifinals. From the opening tip, the Irish seized control and never looked back, establishing a commanding 21-9 lead after the first quarter and extending their advantage with each passing minute.

Leading the charge for Ursuline was Jaylen Gunther, who erupted for 24 points, showcasing his scoring prowess with a stellar performance. Joining Gunther in the scoring barrage were Jayden Payne with 14 points and DaShaun Will with 12 points, further fueling Ursuline’s offensive onslaught.

With the emphatic win, Ursuline secures a spot in the Regional Finals, set to take place on Saturday at 7:00 PM against Canfield. The highly anticipated matchup will unfold at the Canton Memorial Fieldhouse, promising another thrilling showdown as Ursuline continues its quest for a trip to Dayton.

KNIGHTS REPEAT HOPES GET LEFT IN AKRON

By Ty Bartell

 

AKRON, Ohio — The Archbishop Hoban Knights boys’ basketball team saw their season come to a close as they fell to the Garfield Heights Bulldogs with a final score of 52-43 in the Division I regional semi-final game on Friday night at The James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron.

Hoban came out strong, particularly from beyond the arc, thanks to the efforts of freshman standout John Johnson. Johnson’s sharp shooting helped the Knights take a 13-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. However, Garfield Heights found their stride in the second quarter, capitalizing on turnovers and scoring in transition to outscore Hoban 16-9 in the period, claiming a 27-22 halftime advantage.
The third quarter saw both teams trading blows evenly, with each side tallying 11 points. Free throws dominated the scoring, with the game remaining tightly contested from start to finish. In the fourth quarter, Hoban fought hard to close the deficit to one possession multiple times, but Garfield Heights ultimately made key plays down the stretch. The Bulldogs sealed the victory with a 14-10 final quarter, securing their spot in the elite eight.

Leading the charge for Garfield Heights was Marcus Johnson with 17 points, supported by Deandre Jones and CJ Little, who contributed 13 points each. On the other side, Hoban was paced by freshman sensation John Johnson, who also finished with 17 points, while Jonas Nichols added 15 points.

As the season comes to a close, fans can reflect on the thrilling moments and memorable performances from Archbishop Hoban basketball. Stay tuned to Your Sports Network (YSN) for comprehensive coverage, including live games, scores, stats, stories, and more.

Game Photos HERE: https://ysn.smugmug.com/3-13-b-bb-hoban-garfield-heights/3-13-b-bb-hoban-garfield/106EOS1D

CARDINALS ONE STEP AWAY FROM STATE

CANTON OH- In a thrilling regional semifinal showdown, Cardinal Mooney took a decisive step closer to the state trophy, triumphing over Canton Central Catholic with a final score of 66-52 on Wednesday night.

Led by a stellar performance from Jibri Carter, who poured in 26 points, Mooney showcased their determination and skill on the court. Alongside Carter, Rocco Turner contributed 14 points, while Eddie Nieves and Ashton O’Brien each added 11 points to the scoreboard, solidifying Mooney’s dominance throughout the game.

With this impressive victory, Cardinal Mooney secures their spot in the regional finals, set to face off against Lutheran East on Saturday at 2:00 PM at the Canton Memorial Fieldhouse.

JFK KEEPS MOVING FORWARD

CANTON OH- Warren JFK continued their impressive tournament journey with a dominant performance on Tuesday, securing a wire-to-wire victory over Dalton in the regional semifinals. With a commanding 75-55 win, JFK showcased their strength and skill on the court, led by standout performances from Michael Condoleon, Nick Ryan, and Jaden Rishel.

From the opening tip-off, Warren JFK set the tone for the game, asserting control and never looking back. Condoleon led the offensive charge with a stellar display, pouring in 24 points and showcasing his scoring prowess. Not far behind, Ryan added 23 points of his own, while Rishel contributed 14 points to round out JFK’s balanced scoring attack.

With their sights set on the regional final, Warren JFK now prepares to face off against Richmond Heights at Canton Memorial Fieldhouse on Friday. Riding the momentum of their impressive victory over Dalton, JFK enters the matchup with confidence and determination, eager to continue their quest for championship glory. Tip-off for the regional final is scheduled for 7:00 PM, and Warren JFK fans are sure to pack the stands in support of their team.

THUNDER JAMS AND LONG SHOTS IN THE ACBF SENIOR CLASSIC

Edgewood, OH- In an electrifying showcase of talent and sportsmanship, the Ashtabula County Senior All-Star game brought together the finest seniors from across the region. Divided into two teams, Team Bowser (Orange) and Team Bowler (Black), the seniors treated fans to a game filled with excitement and high-level basketball.

QUARTER SCORES
1st Half: Team Bowser (Orange) 69 – Team Bowler (Black) 68
2nd Half: Team Bowser (Orange) 72 – Team Bowler (Black) 77

Final: Team Bowser (Orange) 130 – Team Bowler (Black) 128

Team Bowser (Orange) Total Points:

  • Brady Andrejack (Edgewood): 9
  • Connor Mead (Lakeside): 16
  • Caydense Wiser (Pymatuning Valley): 7
  • Blake Krznaric (Pymatuning Valley): 15
  • Alex DiSalvatore (Lakeside): 20
  • Jacob Ernst (Edgewood): 22
  • Logan Kray (Edgewood): 15
  • Zane Neczeporenko (Pymatuning Valley): 26

This highly anticipated event, organized by the Ashtabula County Basketball Foundation, brought together the best of the best from the county’s high school basketball teams. Coached by two esteemed mentors, Edgewood’s John Bowler and Geneva’s Eric Bowser, the game was a testament to the talent and dedication of these young athletes.

During halftime, the crowd was treated to an exhilarating 3-point contest, won by Conneaut’s Chance Loomis, who showcased his sharpshooting skills by knocking down an incredible 27 3-pointers in just 2 minutes.

The player of the game honors were also awarded to Conneaut’s Chance Loomis, who delivered a standout performance with 31 points. Loomis’s scoring prowess and leadership on the court were instrumental in keeping Team Bowser competitive throughout the game.

From thunderous dunks by Aiden Hathy, Joey DeGeorge, Jerry Arrington, and Jacob Ernst to jaw-dropping long-range shots by Peyton Williams and Trevor Clute, the game featured a dazzling array of skills and highlights.

Overall, the All-Star game served as a fitting tribute to the hard work and talent of the Ashtabula County seniors. It was a memorable sendoff for these exceptional athletes as they embark on the next chapter of their basketball journeys.

ACBF SENIOR GIRLS GAME SHOWCASES ASHTABULA’S BEST

Edgewood, OH- In a thrilling display of talent and camaraderie, the Ashtabula County Senior All-Star game showcased the best of girls’ basketball in the region. Divided into two teams, Team Vencill (Orange) and Team Iarocci (Black), the seniors put on a show for the enthusiastic crowd.

QUARTER SCORES
1st Half: Team Vencill (Orange) 33 – Team Iarocci (Black) 26
2nd Half: Team Vencill (Orange) 25 – Team Iarocci (Black) 25

Team Vencill (Orange) Total Points:

  • Kayla Farley (Conneaut): 8
  • Chloe Freeman (Grand Valley): 9
  • McKenna Vencill (Edgewood): 17
  • Delaney Morrison (Geneva): 8
  • Morgan Crawford (Grand Valley): 4
  • Brooke Richmond (Geneva): 6
  • Maddy McDonald (Edgewood): 2
  • Katie McCollister (Edgewood): 4

Team Iarocci (Black) Total Points:

  • Alyssa Cevera (St. John): 17
  • Grace DiSalvatore (St. John): 3
  • Kaelyn Hart (Grand Valley): 6
  • Moharrah Jackson (Geneva): 13
  • Dixie Miller (Grand Valley): 10
  • Lanie Torrance (Lakeside): 2

The game, coached by Edgewood’s Randy Vencill and Ashtabula County legend Nic Iarocci, showcased the incredible talent and sportsmanship of the seniors. Despite the competitive nature of the game, it was evident that the players cherished the opportunity to share the court with their fellow seniors.

During halftime, the crowd was treated to an exciting 3-point contest, won by Geneva’s Brook Richmond, who showcased her sharpshooting skills by knocking down an impressive 36 3-pointers in just 2 minutes.

The player of the game honors went to Edgewood’s McKenna Vencill, who delivered a stellar performance with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists. Vencill’s versatility and leadership on the court were instrumental in securing the victory for Team Vencill.

Overall, the All-Star game served as a fitting tribute to the hard work and dedication of the Ashtabula County seniors throughout their high school careers. It was a wonderful sendoff for these talented athletes as they transition to the next chapter of their lives.