CRUZ WRITES HIS NAME IN RECORD BOOKS IN CANFIELD BLOW OUT

CANFIELD OH- In a spectacular offensive display, Canfield dominated Collinwood on Friday, securing a commanding 88-15 victory. The team’s three-point shooting was particularly noteworthy, as they collectively sank an astounding 17 threes.

Highlighting the offensive showcase was Dom Cruz, who not only led Canfield with an impressive 37 points but also broke the program record for threes in a game, hitting an extraordinary 11 shots from beyond the arc. This feat surpassed the previous record of 10, showcasing Cruz’s exceptional shooting prowess.

Contributions were widespread for Canfield, with Roy McCune adding 9 points, Nico Biondillo contributing 8 points, and an impressive 13 different Cardinals making their mark on the scoreboard.

The resounding win improves Canfield’s record to 4-2, setting the stage for an exciting Battle of 224 matchup at home against Poland on December 28th. The Cardinals’ offensive explosion and Cruz’s record-breaking performance undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on their basketball campaign.

HOWLAND TAKES CLASH OF THE TIGERS

By Ty Bartell

NEWTON FALLS OH- In the wild, Tigers are known to be fiercely territorial animals and will quite often assert their dominance on other tigers that stumbled upon their land. In Trumbull County, a pair of tigers call the same area home in The Newton Falls Tigers and The Howland Tigers, taking it to the court to determine Trumbull County’s top tiger!

Howland started fast by getting on an early 9-0 run to take an early advantage on the road at Newton Falls. Alex Henry helped his team with 7 points in the first quarter for Howlad, helping them hold a 13-5 lead after the opening quarter. The Tigers from Howland were able to keep pace in the second, while Newton Falls also, unfortunately, paced themselves with the previous quarter as Howland outscored The Falls 16-5 in the second. Effectively holding a 29-10 lead at the halftime buzzer.

Starting the second half, Newton Falls’ Jabriel Rufai got the energy going in the gym with a one handed dunk and a three pointer to follow as The Falls were trying to get momentum back in their court! However, Howland still managed to be a bucket better at 12-9 scoring in the third quarter and a 41-19 Howland lead after three. Up by 22 points, Howlandwas playing with all the momentum as they attempted to ride out the lead en route to a .500 record. Newton Falls would put together their strongest quarter of the night, outsourcing Howland 19-10 in the fourth! But it would not be enough, as Howland is Trumbull County’s Top Tiger this year with a 51-38 win over The Falls.

The Player of the Game performance was in the hands of Alex Henry, as The Howland point guard dished and served to his teammates, getting them involved, while also scoring a game-high 22 points in the contest! Anthony Chieffo followed Henry in scoring on Howland with 8 points, while Luca Fronzaglio and Chris Fenton each had 5 points. Newton Falls was led by Cameron Huff who finished with 9 points, followed by Jabriel Rufai with 7 points and Ethan Powell with 6 points. Interviews with both Alex Henry and Head Coach Dan Bubon can be found below!

Howland (4-4) next matchup will come after the holiday on Thursday, December 28th when they travel to Hudson to battle The Explorers (6-2). Meanwhile, Newton Falls (2-4) will try to right the ship when they host Lakeview (4-2) on Friday, December 29th. Catch both The Howland Tigers and The Newton Falls Tigers basketball this season with live games, scores, stats, stories and more on YSN!

SALEM SLAYS THE DRAGONS

SALEM OH- Salem continued their winning streak on Friday night, securing a hard-fought 64-58 victory over Niles in a challenging non-conference matchup.

Spearheading Salem’s offensive effort, Colin Riesen contributed 16 points, while Lance Bailey and Camden Sampson both delivered standout performances with 18 points each. Evan Jones added 9 points to round out Salem’s scoring distribution.

Niles put up a resilient fight, with Anthony Budak leading their scoring efforts with 17 points, closely followed by Avon Fryer and Stef Dorsey, who each contributed 11 points.

The win marks Salem’s second consecutive triumph, highlighting their resilience and determination on the court. Salem looks ahead to their next challenge on January 5th at Carrollton, while Niles will return home after Christmas to host Edgewood on December 29th, aiming to regroup and bounce back in their upcoming matchup.

Game Photos HERE: https://ysn.smugmug.com/12-22-b-bb-salem-niles/12-22-b-bb-salem-niles/103EOS1D/

URSULINE RESPONDS FROM FIRST LOSS

By Noah Doughty

 

YOUNGSTOWN OH- With both teams coming off a loss and looking for a bounce back before the holiday break Ursuline was able to come out on top 77-54. Both teams relied on their defense early on but Ursuline was slowly able to pull away for a 10 point lead at the half and was in full control for the second half.

 

Jaylin Gunther was the lead scorer with 17 points for the Irish DaShaun Will had 15 points and Jayden Payne contributed 12. For Chaney Elijah Carter led the Cowboys with 17 points.

 

Ursuline improves to 6-1 on the season and their next game is on Wednesday, December 27th at home against St. Vincent-St. Mary. Chaney will hit the road as they take on Hoover on Friday, December 29th.

WEST BRANCH FINDS A NICE GIFT UNDER THE TREE

BELOIT OH- West Branch soared into the holiday season with a resounding 58-39 victory against Fairless, showcasing their strength on the basketball court.

Cooper Anderson led the charge for West Branch, pouring in an impressive 20 points. Jaxon Robb contributed 12 points, while Gavin Gregory and Camden Lane added 10 and 9 points, respectively, demonstrating the team’s well-distributed offensive firepower.

The win propels West Branch to a 5-1 record, setting a positive tone as they head into the holiday break. Fans can anticipate an exciting matchup on December 27th as West Branch returns to action at home against the Academy of Urban Scholars, where the team aims to build upon their recent success and continue their winning streak. The cohesive performance against Fairless highlights West Branch’s potential and resilience on the basketball court.

MASSUCCI NAMED MVP AS HOWLAND WINS THIRD STRAIGHT TONI ROSS TOURNAMENT

Howland continued its impressive basketball campaign, securing a third consecutive Toni Ross Tournament title on Friday with a 72-58 victory over St. Joseph Academy. Alyssa Massucci, displaying exceptional skill, clinched the tournament MVP for the second consecutive season, scoring a remarkable 49 points in the two games combined.

In the championship game, Massucci led the scoring charge for Howland, contributing a stellar 27 points. Sophia Powell added 14 points, while Gia Hoso and Amia Silvers each contributed 10 points, showcasing the team’s balanced offensive prowess.

The Tigers, now boasting a 7-1 record, look to maintain their momentum in the South Range Holiday Hoops Classic on Thursday. In a rematch against St. Joseph Academy, Howland is primed for another competitive showdown, building on their success in the Toni Ross Tournament. The team’s resilience and individual performances, especially from Massucci, underscore their determination to excel in the upcoming challenges.

STRUTHERS EARNS CONVINCING VICTORY

By Matt Maher


GIRARD, OH – What a night to be a Wild Cat as Struthers took to the hardwood Friday night to take on Girard and walked away with a convincing 58-36 victory. Struthers was led by solid defense and dominant shooting from the majority of the team.

 

It didn’t take long for the Cats to find their groove seeing as they led the Indians 18-9 after the first quarter. Grady Moore found his first 7 points while Lucas Patti connected for 5. For Girard Allen Hess-Cardona led his team in the first with 4 points while Dom Phillips hit a 3-point shot and Ahmad Curd connected for 2 of his own.

 

Things didn’t get much better for Girard in the 2nd where they were outscored 19-6. Struthers had five different players put up points in the quarter including 5 points for both Tommy Cole and Sincere Miller. Girard saw Ahmad Curd put up 4 points including a 3-point beauty and 1 shot out of 2 made from the free throw line. Struthers led 37-15 going into the break.

 

Struthers kept their momentum going after halftime when Cole hit two 3’s to finish out his night with 11 points and Jason Dukes went 1-for-2 from the line and put up a 2 to snag three more points to add to his total of 9 points on the night. Girard had better luck at the free throw line where Stephen Sims and Kaiden Clare both went 2-for-2 at the stripe, Sims would also put up a 2.

 

Girard found a nice scoring streak in the fourth but it came too late. Girard found 13 points in the quarter, by far their best on the night. Cam Herrick went 4-for4 from the line and Sims found 4 more points to finish with 8 on the night. Hess-Cardona would also add 2 more points to his team leading 10 points.

 

Despite a strong fourth for the Indians The Cats defense was simply too much for Girard to get past, combine that with the shooting display Struthers put on and you get the final score of 58-36. Struthers would have two players finish in double digits: Lucas Patti with 10 and Tommy Cole with 11 while Grady Moore and Jason Dukes both capped out at 9. Struthers (4-2) (2-1) are back in action when they host Howland on December 30th at 4:00PM meanwhile Girard hits the road when they visit McDonald as part of a girl-boy doubleheader on December 26th at 7:00PM.

CARDINALS CATCH FIRE OUT OF THE GATES

Cardinal Mooney showcased relentless energy on Friday night in Campbell, maintaining control throughout the game and securing a commanding 67-32 victory. The team’s prowess from beyond the arc was evident as they collectively knocked down an impressive 11 three-pointers.

Leading the scoring charge for Mooney, Ashton O’Brien delivered a standout performance, contributing 20 points to the team’s impressive total. Nick Pregibon and Rocco Turner added 10 points each, while Jibri Carter and Nico Genova chipped in with 8 and 7 points, respectively.

Campbell faced a determined Mooney squad, with David Moore leading their scoring efforts with 18 points.

The decisive win propels Mooney to a 4-3 record, and they look to carry the momentum into their next matchup at home against NDCL on Friday. Campbell, now at 4-3, will seek to bounce back as they hit the road to face Lowellville in their upcoming contest. The electric performance by Mooney serves as a statement in their basketball campaign.

WARRIORS STAY UNBEATEN WITH WIN OVER LAKERS

East Ashtbula- Keeping up their winning ways, the Edgewood Warriors girls’ basketball team maintained their undefeated streak, overpowering the Pymatuning Valley Lakers with a final score of 62-32. The Warriors showcased their dominance, with standout performances from key players. As they continue their winning streak, the Edgewood girls continue to impress basketball fans all over.

Player Stats:

Edgewood Girls:

  • Avery Vencil: 14 points
  • McKenna Vencil: 4 points
  • Julianna Phillip: 3 points
  • Katelynn McCollister: 16 points
  • Leigha Guyton: 3 points
  • Carly Kray: 7 points
  • Annie Johnston: 15 points

Pymatuning Girls:

  • Raylyn Ballentine: 3 points
  • Zoey Painter: 9 points
  • Nataleigh Haines: 1 point
  • Sadie Paul: 2 points
  • Leah DeMoss: 5 points
  • Mckenna Jordan: 2 points
  • Jolene Sharpe: 4 points
  • Julia Hitchcock: 4 points
  • Taryn Tisch: 2 points

Looking Ahead:

The Edgewood Warriors, with a pristine 8-0 record, are gearing up for their next challenge as they face the St. John Heralds (2-3) at home on 12/28/23. The Heralds are coming off a 65-44 loss to the Lakeside Dragons, making them hungry for redemption. Meanwhile, the Pymatuning Valley Lakers (4-2) will hit the road to take on the Geneva Eagles (4-2) on 12/27/23 in a bid to regain their winning momentum after the tough loss against the Warriors

ERNST’S 34 LEAD WARRIORS PAST LAKERS

East Ashtabula, OH- The Edgewood Warriors added another win to their impressive 5-1 record as they triumphed over the Pymatuning Valley Lakers with a final score of 68-60. The game, filled with intense moments and standout performances, showcased the Warriors’ determination and skill on the basketball court.

Quarter Scores:

Top Scorers for Edgewood:

  • Jacob Ernst: 34 points
  • Logan Kray: 15 points
  • Mason Thorr: 14 points

Top Scorers for Pymatuning Valley:

  • Zane Neczeporenko: 23 points
  • Drake Haines: 18 points
  • Caydence Wiser and Seth Bryan: 5 points each

The game started with a closely contested first quarter, with both teams showcasing their offensive prowess. However, Edgewood managed to take control in the second quarter, outscoring Pymatuning Valley by one point. The Warriors extended their lead in the third quarter, setting the stage for an exciting final period.

Jacob Ernst emerged as the star player for Edgewood, contributing an impressive 34 points to the team’s total. Logan Kray and Mason Thorr also played crucial roles, scoring 15 and 14 points, respectively.

For Pymatuning Valley, Zane Neczeporenko led the charge with 23 points, followed closely by Drake Haines with 18 points. Despite their efforts, the Lakers couldn’t overcome the Warriors’ relentless offensive and defensive plays.

With this win, the Edgewood Warriors are now 5-1 and look forward to their upcoming road game against the Niles Red Dragons on 12/29/23. The Red Dragons are seeking redemption after a close 64-58 loss to the Salem Quakers.

On the other hand, the Pymatuning Valley Lakers, now 5-3, will hit the road to face the Cardinal Huskies (1-5) on the same day. The Huskies are riding high on a recent 62-55 victory over the Garrettsville Garfield G-Men and will be aiming to build on their momentum.