DRAGONS FALL TO RED RAIDERS AFTER LATE GAME PUSH

Photo Credit: CM Photography

Painesville, OH- In a closely contested match on the road, the Lakeside Dragons faced off against the Harvey Red Raiders, ultimately succumbing to a 60-51 defeat. The Dragons put up a strong fight throughout the game, but the Red Raiders managed to secure the victory with a display of skill and determination in the final minute.

Game Overview:

Quarter Scores:

  • Harvey Red Raiders: 14 | 12 | 11 | 23 | 60
  • Lakeside Dragons: 13 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 51

Player Stats:

Harvey Red Raiders Total Points:

  • Chase Goines: 17
  • Davon Badley: 2
  • Mason Haffa: 9
  • Armani Hall: 7
  • Deonte Ware: 7
  • Neeman Booker: 7
  • Brandon Bildstein: 2
  • Braylon Johnson: 9

Lakeside Dragons Total Points:

  • Dyln Newsome: 29
  • Aiden Hathy: 11
  • Alec DiSalvatore: 6
  • Kerrye White: 2
  • Jay Lopez: 3

Player Highlights:

Despite the loss, Lakeside’s junior guard Dyln Newsome showcased an outstanding performance, finishing the game with an impressive 29 points. Newsome’s contribution included a remarkable 4 out of 5 three-pointers, demonstrating his prowess beyond the arc.

Upcoming Matches:

The Lakeside Dragons (2-6) are gearing up for their next game at home against the formidable Geneva Eagles (8-2) on January 9, 2024. The Eagles are entering the matchup with confidence after a convincing 91-64 victory over the Conneaut Spartans.

Meanwhile, the Harvey Red Raiders (6-4) are set to play at home on the same date against the Perry Pirates (3-4). The Pirates are coming off a close 67-64 win against the Edgewood Warriors and will be looking to build on their momentum.

The Lakeside Dragons remain determined to bounce back and secure a win in their upcoming clash, aiming to turn the tide in their favor as they face the Geneva Eagles in front of their home crowd.

ORANGE BOUNCES BEACHWOOD IN SECOND HALF

PEPPER PIKE, OH- In a dynamic rivalry matchup between Beachwood and Orange, the Orange Lions orchestrated a stunning comeback in the third quarter, outscoring the Beachwood Bison 29-5 and ultimately clinching a commanding 69-49 win.

The first half proved to be a closely contested battle, with Beachwood holding a slim 26-25 lead over the Lions at the break. However, the Lions shifted the momentum dramatically in the third quarter, showcasing a balanced scoring effort from six different players and establishing a formidable 54-31 lead heading into the final frame.

Dominic Anekwe spearheaded the Lions’ offensive charge with an impressive 17 points, while Ernest Pryor added 16 points, contributing significantly to the team’s overall performance. On the Beachwood side, Daniel Rub led the Bison with 15 points in a hard-fought effort.

The Lions’ strategic comeback in the third quarter highlighted their resilience and ability to rally together as a team. The Beachwood Bison faced challenges in containing the Lions’ multifaceted scoring attack, ultimately succumbing to Orange’s dynamic play.

Looking ahead, the Orange Lions will carry their momentum into the next matchup as they hit the road to face Hawken next Wednesday night. The win not only adds to their overall record but also underscores their competitive spirit as they navigate the season.

THE REIGN OF ROTUNNO CONTINUES

YOUNGSTOWN OH- Cardinal Mooney’s girls basketball program has a lot of tradition, and one name echoes through the years with a distinct rhythm — Rotunno. Samantha Rotunno, though not a senior, has already etched her place as a formidable leader and an unparalleled shooter for the Cardinals.

The Rotunno legacy at Mooney is not lost on Sam, who follows in the footsteps of her older sister, Angelina, a standout in her own right. Far from shying away from the challenge, Sam embraces the opportunity to carve her own path, setting the stage for her younger sister, Sophia, to follow in the future.

While her scoring prowess is undeniable, Rotunno’s dedication and leadership shine through on and off the court. Her commitment to the team’s success is unwavering, and her tenacity is unmatched.

Beyond the spotlight of scoring, Rotunno’s defensive skills are a hidden gem. Opponents often find themselves thwarted by her defensive prowess, a testament to her well-rounded contributions to the team.

As Cardinal Mooney continues its basketball journey, Samantha Rotunno stands as a beacon of leadership, a sharpshooter with a legacy to uphold, and a defender who ensures the Cardinals stand strong on both ends of the court.

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WARRIORS PROVE THEY’RE STILL DANGEROUS

By Michael Ginocchi 


Beloit, OH
– The West Branch girls basketball team faced a tough challenge at hand when they Welcomed the red hot 8-2 Boardman Spartans to Beloit. After Boardman led 12-9 at the end of the first, the Warrior defense anchored down allowing zero points in the second quarter. 

 

In the second half, Boardman tried to mount a comeback, but that Warrior defense was too strong. They only allowed 17 total second half points and  created  turnovers to help get some easy points.  In the end, it was an impressive 52-29 win over a very good Boardman team.

 

It was a balanced scoring effort in the win for West Branch. Sophie Gregory led the way with 15 points and Chloe Dennison was just as impressive adding 12. Both players were key contributors on defense. Carter Shepard had a nice showing making all the right plays. She scored 7 points and grabbed some key rebounds. Livvie Showalter also added some needed rebounds throughout the game.

 

Boardman struggled to find its rhythm offensively. They were held to 0 second quarter points and just 17 in the second half. Mackenzie Riccitelli was the only Spartan in double figures with 10 points. Sarah Bero helped out the Spartan offense with 7 points, while Victoria Strines added 5.

 

West Branch improves to 11-2 overall with the win. The Warriors will be back in action on Wednesday at Marlington. Boardman drops to 8-3 with the loss. The Spartans will look to bounce back at Austintown Fitch in a another big AAC contest.

 

KALINA’S GAME IS CLEAN

CANFIELD OH- When it comes to Canfield Girls Basketball, senior Macey Kalina stands out not just for her on-court prowess but for the invaluable leadership she brings to the team. As part of a quartet of seniors, Kalina embraces the role of mentorship, drawing inspiration from the leadership lessons imparted by those before her.

Her commitment to being a leader is unwavering. Kalina approaches her responsibilities with diligence, ensuring that the team operates at its best. Her teammates find comfort in knowing that she is not only approachable but also a guiding force in their journey.

Beyond the basketball court, Kalina showcases her skills on the softball field during the spring. Last year’s state final run is a testament to her understanding of what it takes to excel at the highest levels. This multi-sport athlete leaves an indelible mark on Canfield’s athletic legacy.

As a beacon of leadership and a model of excellence, Macey Kalina’s influence extends far beyond the confines of the court. Her impact will echo through the halls of Canfield for years to come, shaping the character and standards of the program.

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CARDINALS KEEP ON WORKING

YOUNGSTOWN OH- Cardinal Mooney showcased a strong performance on Saturday, regaining momentum with a commanding 47-26 victory against Southeast.

Sam Rotunno led the charge with an impressive 19 points, complemented by Sophia Diorio, who contributed 17 points. Katie Pregibon added 5 points to the scoring effort.

With this crucial win, Mooney (3-7) aims to sustain the positive momentum as they prepare to host Steel Valley rival Chaney on Thursday. The Cardinals will seek to build on this victory and continue their journey through the season.

CLIPPERS CRUISE TO A WEEKEND VICTORY

COLUMBIANA OH- In a swift and commanding performance on Saturday’s early afternoon, Columbiana dominated Brookfield with a decisive 42-11 victory, securing their ninth win of the season.

Columbiana’s Ellie Venezia led the charge with an impressive 13 points, supported by Evy Rapp, who contributed 9 points, and Averi Marshall, adding 6 points.

Brookfield faced a challenging defensive effort from Columbiana, with Mya Jumper managing 5 points to lead the Warriors.

With the win, Columbiana (9-1) looks ahead to Monday’s matchup against East Palestine, aiming to extend their successful season. Meanwhile, Brookfield (4-8) seeks a rebound in form as they take on Garfield on Monday.

TIGERS TAKE THEIR TALENTS TO UNITED

HANOVERTON OH- In a challenging road game on Saturday afternoon, Springfield showcased resilience and determination, securing a 48-40 victory against United.

Springfield’s dynamic duo, Jameka Brungard and Ava Vecchione, each contributed 18 points, leading the Tigers in scoring. Mariana Tuscano added 6 points to round out Springfield’s offensive efforts.

United put up a strong fight, with Grace Knight leading the way with 14 points, closely followed by Addy Blazer with 9 points and Grayson Kidder contributing 7 points.

The hard-fought win improves Springfield’s record to 8-4 as they head back into league play on Monday against McDonald. United, with a record of 8-3, will look to bounce back on Monday with a matchup against Lisbon.

RED DEVILS FIND POSITIVITY

By Matt Maher


CAMPBELL, OH – good things come to those who wait and Campbell has been waiting all seas, that’s 9 games, to finally earn their first home win of the season and it came against the struggling Leetonia Bears who are still waiting on their first game of the season. Despite a very slow start the Red Devils made adjustments and found their rhythm and came out on top with the 34-16 victory.

 

When you think of slow starts you typically think of maybe a 10-8 score with a lot of fouls and a timeout or two but this game took the word slow to heart when the first quarter ended with the score of 4-2 for the Red Devils. The game didn’t see many fouls to this point but the officials had no problem calling a multitude of jump balls and Leetonia had trouble passing the ball. The Bears lone scorer Breyle Merritt who found a hard fought layup. Campbell found all their scoring from Angelis Diaz who found two buckets in the paint and had an opportunity to score more from the line but Diamon Sims couldn’t get her throws to fly. 

 

The second quarter looked more like a basketball game with Campbell scoring a much improved 9 points and Leetonia doubling their first quarter tally with 4. The Jumpballs kept on coming in this quarter and after the first quarter it became difficult to keep track of all of them but this game was determined to find ways to turn the ball over and give both squads opportunity in the offensive zone. Leetonia saw Merrit take advantage of one of the turnovers with another nice bucket and she also found herself at the free throw line where she made 1 of 2 shots. Star Neel also found the net in the form of a free throw as well going 1-for-2 from the stripe. Campbell saw three players score including Mileesa Williams and Angelis Espada who both found points in the paint and Sims who found a stride and hit an impressive 3 and made another bucket down the line.

 

Halftime brought a rested Red Devils team out on the floor and boy did that break help! Campbell put up 13 points in the quarter and held Leetonia to a mere 2 points. Leetonias scorer would be Taylor Chapman who used her size and strength to push through the defense and get a gritty score. The Red Devils would see another 3 made by Espada and Sims go 2-for-4 from the line but it would be Angeliz Diaz who would truly be the shining star because she erupted for 6 points in this frame and while that may seem like a small number I ask you to refer to the first quarter of this game. 

 

Quarter 4 was a fairly even frame with Campbell scoring 8 more points and Leetonia matching their host with 8. Diaz added another 6 points to her total, allowing her to finish with her team leading 16 points. Rayona Floyd-Brown would add to the scoring with the other 2 points. Leetonia saw the combined efforts of Merritt and Chapman pay off with both players putting up 4 points in this quarter all from under the hoop with layups or hard fought for rebounds. 

 

Despite the improved 4th quarter for the Bears, Campbell found their scores earlier and much more often and their continued pressure on Leetonia and the lucky turnovers they found all combined for the 34-16 win. Leetonia will be back home on January 8th when they host Southern at 7:00PM while Campbell will keep it in their neighborhood when they host Liberty on January 8th at 5:30PM. 

REBELS PASS TEST IN POLAND

POLAND OH- In a notable matchup, Crestview showcased their prowess on the road, defeating Poland with a convincing 54-32 victory. The Rebels dominated the final quarter, outscoring the Bulldogs 16-6.

Leading the charge for Crestview, Addison Rhodes delivered an outstanding performance with 24 points, while Luvrain Gaskins contributed 17 points. Ava Bucey added 6 points to the Rebels’ well-rounded offensive effort.

Despite the efforts of Poland’s Sophia Generalovich, Elliana Thompson, and Leanne Williams, the Bulldogs couldn’t overcome Crestview’s defensive tenacity.

With this statement win, Crestview remains undefeated at 13-0 and will face LaBrae at home on Monday, with the top spot in the conference at stake. Poland (6-5) will regroup for a Thursday matchup against Struthers.