BEAVERS USE A STRONG FINISH TO PULL AWAY

EAST LIVERPOOL OH- In a thrilling basketball matchup on Friday, Beaver Local demonstrated their prowess with a powerful fourth-quarter performance, ultimately securing a 79-68 victory over Cambridge.

Austin Cline led the charge for Beaver Local, delivering a standout performance with 23 points, earning him the game-high scoring title. Supported by a well-rounded effort from the team, which included notable contributions from Luke Rettos (13 points), Owen Hill (13 points), Hunter Warrick (11 points), and Keaton Heddleston (10 points), Beaver Local showcased their depth and scoring versatility.

The pivotal fourth quarter saw Beaver Local outscore Cambridge 22-12, underscoring their ability to finish strong and seize control of the game.

With this impressive win, Beaver Local advances to a 5-5 record and looks forward to their next challenge at home against Brooke on Monday.

LAKERS RIDE WAVE PAST BOMBERS

Photo Credit: Kelly York Summers

Windham, OH- In an classic NAC battle, the Pymatuning Valley Lakers displayed their resilience and skill as they emerged victorious against the Windham Bombers with a final score of 66-60. The game, played on 1/5/24, showcased the Lakers’ determination and teamwork, ultimately solidifying their standing with a record of 7-3.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown:

1st Quarter:

  • Pymatuning Valley Lakers: 16 points
  • Windham Bombers: 11 points

The Lakers started the game strong, setting the tone with a solid lead in the opening quarter.

2nd Quarter:

  • Pymatuning Valley Lakers: 17 points
  • Windham Bombers: 22 points

The Bombers mounted a comeback in the second quarter, outscoring the Lakers, but Pymatuning Valley maintained their edge.

3rd Quarter:

  • Pymatuning Valley Lakers: 17 points
  • Windham Bombers: 12 points

The Lakers continued to build on their lead in the third quarter, maintaining control of the game.

4th Quarter:

  • Pymatuning Valley Lakers: 16 points
  • Windham Bombers: 15 points

In a closely contested final quarter, both teams fought hard, but the Lakers held on to secure the victory.

Top Performers:

Pymatuning Valley Lakers:

  • Blake Krznaric: 28 points
  • Zane Neczeporenko: 16 points
  • Caydense Wiser: 9 points

Windham Bombers:

  • C. Brenton: 23 points
  • Nick Hopper: 16 points
  • A. Wiley: 6 points

Upcoming Matches:

The Pymatuning Valley Lakers (7-3) will face the Fairport Skippers (5-2) on the road in a highly anticipated matchup scheduled for 1/9/24. The Skippers, coming off a dominant 90-54 win over the Mathews Mustangs, will pose a tough challenge for the Lakers.

Meanwhile, the Windham Bombers (4-5) are set to play at home against the Mathews Mustangs. The Mustangs are looking to bounce back from a 90-54 loss to the Fairport Skippers, setting the stage for an intriguing clash between the two NAC members.

BEAVERS KEEP MOVING FORWARD

EAST LIVERPOOL OH- In a hard-fought battle on Thursday, Beaver Local secured a 49-41 victory over St Clairsville, showcasing their resilience and determination on their home court.

Peyton Roberts emerged as the driving force for the Beavers, delivering an outstanding performance with 28 points in the game. Notably, Roberts is now just 32 points away from reaching the impressive milestone of 1,000 career points, a testament to her scoring prowess and contribution to the team.

With this crucial home win, Beaver Local improves to a 4-7 record and looks ahead to their upcoming matchup against Lisbon on Saturday.

DRAGONS PUT DOWN STRUTHERS

STRUTHERS OH- In a captivating NE8 matchup on Thursday, Niles and Struthers engaged in a thrilling contest that went down to the wire. Ultimately, Niles emerged victorious with a narrow 47-46 win, showcasing their resilience and composure in crucial moments.

Niles saw balanced scoring across their roster, with Kherington Stanford leading the team with 11 points, followed closely by Caroline Cormell with 10 points. Hannah Grimm and Katie Heinselman contributed 8 and 7 points, respectively, as part of a collective effort.

Despite the narrow defeat, Struthers demonstrated their offensive prowess, led by Ava Croyle’s impressive 17-point performance, securing the game-high in scoring. Emma Morris added 11 points to the team’s effort.

Niles (5-6) looks to build on this thrilling victory as they host South Range in the upcoming league play on Monday. Struthers (2-8) will hit the road for their next challenge, facing Lakeview on Monday.

STELLAR KNIGHTS DEFENSE EARNS THE WIN

By Ty Bartell

AKRON OH- For the first time since December 10th of last year, The Archbishop Hoban Knights girls basketball team returned home to Barry Gym at The Castle. Undefeated at home this season, The Knights looked to keep the streak rolling when they hosted The Lutheran East Falcons Thursday night.

A higher scoring quarter than usual ensued and both teams were exchanging rapid buckets in transition through the final moments of the first quarter. Hoban would see themselves with a slight edge over Lutheran East 18-12 after the opening quarter. A lopsided second quarter made all the difference in separating The Knights from The Falcons, as a 16-4 second help pad the Hoban lead to 34-16 at the halftime buzzer.
Out of the half, The Falcons threw their best offensive punch at The Knights yet; however, Hoban was ready and had a potent counterpunch of offense themselves when they outscored Lutheran East 23-14 in the third to take full control of the ballgame 56-29 heading to the fourth quarter. Hoban rested most of its starters in the fourth and was able to cruise to the 71-45 win over The Falcons, getting to double-digits in the win column with win number 10 for The Knights this season!

Players of the Game went to MaKenzie Grant and Taylyn Banta! Grant was stellar on the boards and slashing to the bucket as she finished with the double-double 14 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, Banta filled up the box score once again, finishing with 12 points while distributing the rock like a true point guard, including a beautiful one-handed full court dime by the sophomore! Interviews with both Makenzie Grant and Taylyn Banta can be found below! Niera Stevens was also impactful in the box score as “Zig” ended the evening with 10 points.

Finley Kennedy also got loose for 9 points in the Hoban win as a total of 10 different Knights scored in the game! On Lutheran East side, Dakota Porter led all scorers with 13 points and Janae Smith followed her with 11 points. A total of six different players grabbed 4 rebounds a piece for The Falcons.
Hoban (10-1) will go on a three game road stint, starting with The Laurel Gators (6-6) on Wednesday, January 10th with a 6:30 p.m. tip-off. Lutheran East (5-5) will now go back home to try and get a win against St. Martin de Porres Lions (6-5) on Monday, January 8th.

POPPELRITER PACES WELLSVILLE PAST LISBON

LISBON, OH- It always comes down to free throws.  Doesn’t it?

In a closely contested matchup between the Wellsville Tigers and the Lisbon Blue Devils, it was the Tigers who emerged victorious with a narrow 47-45 win. The game kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer, delivering high-intensity action and impressive performances from both squads.

Bella Poppelriter was fouled with 1.6 seconds to go in regulation tied at 45.  With the pressure on, the Wellsville junior stepped up to the line, and with ice in her veins, buried the game-winning shots.

The scoring tempo remained tight throughout the game, with Wellsville and Lisbon showcasing their skills on the court. The Tigers managed to secure the win with a balanced scoring effort, overcoming the Blue Devils in a hard-fought battle.

Leading the charge for Wellsville was Bella Poppelriter, whose impressive 27-point performance played a crucial role in the team’s success. Kaylee Rawson contributed 8 points, while Amiyah Powell added 6 to the Tigers’ total. Myleigh Jackson and Sam Drysdale also chipped in with 4 and 2 points, respectively, highlighting the team’s collective effort.

Lisbon put up a strong fight, with Brooklyn Cousins leading their scoring chart with 15 points. Morgan Lively and Alysa Wells added 12 and 7 points, respectively, as the Blue Devils tried to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter. Despite their efforts, Wellsville’s tenacious defense and clutch moments secured the narrow victory.

The box scores reveal the intensity of the matchup, with Wellsville maintaining their composure and converting crucial free throws down the stretch. Poppelriter’s four three-pointers added an extra dimension to the Tigers’ offensive arsenal, while Lisbon connected on three shots from beyond the arc.

Looking ahead, Lisbon will regroup and go back to the drawing board as they prepare for a matchup against Beaver Local on Saturday. On the other side, Wellsville will savor the hard-earned win and shift their focus to a home game against Valley Christian on Monday. As the season unfolds, both teams aim to build on this competitive encounter and continue their pursuit of success on the basketball court.

 

CHANEY POSTS BIG WIN OVER HUBBARD

HUBBARD, OH- In a thrilling road encounter, the Chaney Cowgirls showcased their resilience and determination, overcoming an 8-point deficit in the final quarter to secure a hard-fought 42-37 win against Hubbard. The victory propels Chaney to an impressive 8-3 record on the road, highlighting their ability to perform under pressure away from home.

The game unfolded with Hubbard taking an early lead, but Chaney demonstrated their tenacity by staging a comeback in the crucial final quarter. Freshman sensation Alyssa Brown played a pivotal role in the victory, contributing a stellar performance with 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists. Brown’s all-around effort was instrumental in Chaney’s ability to turn the tide and secure the win.

Janiya Burley Anderson added to the scoring with 13 points, further bolstering Chaney’s offensive output. Meanwhile, Janiah Eiland made her presence felt on the boards, grabbing an impressive 10 rebounds to help control the paint.

The box scores reflect the intensity of the matchup, with both teams battling fiercely across all four quarters. Chaney’s ability to outscore Hubbard 23-10 in the final quarter was a testament to their composure and execution in clutch moments.

UNITED SURVIVES SCARE FROM THE BULLDOGS

EAST PALESTINE OH- In a closely contested battle, United managed to secure a hard-fought victory over a resilient East Palestine team, emerging triumphant with a final score of 45-36. The game remained closely contested throughout, with United showcasing their ability to act decisively in the late stages to avoid an upset bid.

United’s offensive efforts were led by Grace Knight and Katie Dees, both contributing 10 points to the team’s overall score. Grayson Kidder added 9 points, and Sam Lippiatt contributed 8 points to round out a balanced scoring effort.

East Palestine, despite the loss, saw strong performances from Leila Martin, who led all scorers with 15 points, and Gabby Andre, who added 11 points to the team’s effort.

United (8-2) will carry the momentum from this hard-fought win into their next game on Saturday, where they will face Springfield at home. East Palestine (5-5) looks ahead to their next matchup on Monday, taking on Columbiana in their continued campaign.

WARRIORS START TO FIND TRACTION

BROOKFIELD OH- In a recent turnaround, Brookfield showcased their growing confidence on Thursday as they secured their 4th win of the season with a 39-32 triumph over Newton Falls. The Warriors, who faced challenges earlier in the season, displayed resilience and determination in this notable victory.

Mya Jumper led the scoring charge for Brookfield with an impressive 17 points, while Cailey Wellman contributed 13 points, showcasing the team’s offensive prowess. Madisyn Fisher added 5 points to the Warriors’ scoring effort.

Newton Falls, despite the loss, saw notable performances from Chloe Butler with 10 points, GiGi Morgan with 8 points, and Dani Drake with 6 points.

With this victory, Brookfield moves to a 4-7 record and will carry the momentum into their upcoming road matchup against Columbiana on Saturday. Newton Falls, now standing at 4-8, will continue conference play with a road game against Champion on Monday.

VIKINGS CONQUER CAMPBELL

By Matt Maher 


LEAVITTSBURG, OH – The Vikings went on a raid Thursday night when they pillaged the visiting Red Devils of an MVAC win by scoring 57 points to Campbell’s 15. The Vikings showed yet another strong defensive game against a struggling team that, at times, had its troubles passing the ball and more importantly getting clear shots through. With LaBrae being the MVAC powerhouse they have become the final score came as no surprise to those watching. 

 

The Vikings scored much and often in the first half, accumulating 18 points in the first quarter to memorials 4. Riley Rowe and Marissa Levensky led the charge with Rowe scoring an impressive 10 points all in the paint and Levensky putting up 3 from the charity stripe. Campbell just couldn’t muster together a clean pass or entry into the offensive zone without the help of fouls which is the main reason they only scored 4 points with all of them coming late. Angeliz Diaz found a hard earned 2 in the paint and Amira Kamal found her 2 points via the free throw line where she hit 2 of 4 shots.

 

The second quarter belonged entirely to the Vikings because they not only dropped 23 points but they also shut Campbell out! The Red Devils showed heart and improved at moving the ball down the floor but the in-your-face defense LaBrae showed was far too much for Campbell to get around. LaBrae saw Levensky score 6 more points all from the paint and Ella Kuszmaul joined the party with 11 points including a gritty 3 and four 2’s. Eva Prejsnar would also score 5 points for her team showing the whole team was in on the fun.

 

With the dominant performance from LaBrae in the first half the clock refused to stop in the 2nd as LaBrae continued their focus on defense and still outscored Campbell in the 3rd with a 9-2 difference. Rowe found 3 more points from beyond the arc while Kuszmaul made 2 of 2 charity tosses. Campbells lone scorer would be Diaz who added to her team lead in points. 

 

While Campbell struggled against the starters they found life in the 4th against the Vikings Bench where they managed to outscore LaBrae 9-7. LaBrae saw Makayla Scruggs and Megan Young both put up 2’s and Brielle Stout made 2 of 4 free throws. Memorial saw Diamon Sims find her first and only 4 points in this quarter with two 2’s including one off of a takeaway. Kamal found a 2 herself and Diaz hit her teams only made 3 of the match!

 

While Campbell showed life in the late stage of this game, it was LaBrae who stole the show and dominated the hardwood on Thursday night. The Vikings saw 8 different players score for them in this game including 9 points for Levensky, 13 for Rowe and 16 for Kuszmaul! Campbell only saw three girls get on the score sheet: Sims with 2, Kamal with 4 and Diaz with 7. Campbell Memorial (1-8, 0-6) will face off against Leetonia at home on January 6th at 11:30AM while LaBrae (9-1, 5-1) travels to the Crestview to try and be the first to take down the undefeated Rebels, that game will be on January 8th at 7:00PM.