FALCONS PREY ON SPARTANS

Jefferson, OH- In a commanding performance, the Jefferson Falcons soared to victory over the Conneaut Spartans, securing a resounding win with a final score of 81-35. The Falcons dominated each quarter, showcasing their offensive prowess and defensive tenacity throughout the game.

First Quarter: Jefferson Takes an Early Lead

The Falcons wasted no time establishing their dominance, outscoring the Spartans 20-2 in the opening quarter. Anthony Covetta led the charge with an impressive offensive display, contributing significantly to the team’s early lead.

Second Quarter: Falcons Continue to Soar

Maintaining their momentum, the Falcons added another 14 points to their tally in the second quarter. Joey De George emerged as a key contributor, showcasing his scoring ability and making it challenging for the Spartans to mount a comeback.

Third Quarter: Offensive Explosion

The third quarter witnessed an offensive explosion from the Falcons, as they piled on 30 points. Covetta and De George continued to shine, supported by contributions from Dylan Beebe, Terry Brown, and Robbie Pisano.

Fourth Quarter: Closing Out Strong

In the final quarter, the Falcons showed no signs of letting up, adding 15 more points to their total. The team’s well-rounded performance highlighted their depth and versatility on both ends of the court.

Player Point Totals: Covetta and DeGeorge Lead the Way

Jefferson Falcons:

  • Anthony Covetta: 37 points
  • Joey DeGeorge: 33 points
  • Dylan Beebe: 7 points
  • Terry Brown: 2 points
  • Robbie Pisano: 2 points

Conneaut Spartans:

  • Ryan Turner: 5 points
  • Davonte Harris: 8 points
  • Noah Hamm: 8 points
  • JR Hutchinson: 3 points
  • Chance Loomis: 11 points

Key Takeaways: Covetta and DeGeorge Shine

The Falcons’ victory was propelled by outstanding performances from Anthony Covetta and Joey DeGeorge, who not only scored impressively but also made significant contributions on the boards. The team’s well-coordinated efforts on both offense and defense were evident throughout the game.

Upcoming Games: Road Ahead for Both Teams

The Jefferson Falcons (2-4) are set to face the Madison Blue Streaks (4-2) on January 5, 2023, in what promises to be an exciting matchup. Meanwhile, the Conneaut Spartans (3-3) will hit the road to take on the Grand Valley Mustangs (1-4) on December 29, 2023. As the season progresses, both teams will look to build on their performances and make a strong push in the CVC.

REBELS STILL RUNNING SMOOTH

COLUMBIANA OH- Crestview demonstrated unwavering composure in the face of a non-conference challenge from Salem on Thursday night. The Rebels showcased a robust defense, countering Salem’s speed en route to a convincing 51-36 victory.

Leading the charge for Crestview, Luvrain Gaskins delivered an outstanding performance, tallying an impressive 23 points. Addison Rhodes contributed significantly with 15 points, while Myer Miller and Emily Downey added 7 and 5 points, respectively.

Salem, despite their efforts, faced a formidable Crestview defense. Rylee Hutton led Salem’s scoring efforts with 14 points, supported by Lauryn Barton’s 8 points.

The win maintains Crestview’s unblemished record at 10-0, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash with Champion for first place in the MVAC next Thursday. Crestview will enjoy a week off to prepare for the crucial matchup. On the other hand, Salem (2-7) looks to regroup and will stay on the road, facing Girard on Saturday in their upcoming contest.

KNIGHTS PUT UP A BATTLE IN THE QUEEN CITY

CINCINNATI OH- In a hard-fought battle, Hoban embarked on a lengthy road trip to Cincinnati on Thursday, facing off against the formidable Covington Catholic. Despite a spirited effort, Hoban fell just short, losing a close contest with a final score of 67-64.

Jonas Nichols led the charge for Hoban, showcasing his scoring prowess with an impressive 25 points. John Johnson contributed significantly with 15 points, while Kenny Scott and Sam Greer each added 8 points to the team’s total.

The matchup proved to be a tightly contested affair, with both teams leaving it all on the court. Despite the setback, Hoban displayed resilience and competitive spirit against the Kentucky powerhouse.

Hoban, now standing at 2-4, will have a quick turnaround as they return to action on Friday in Cincinnati, taking on Newport Central Catholic at 4:30. The back-to-back games highlight Hoban’s determination and commitment to facing strong opponents, providing them with valuable experience and an opportunity to bounce back swiftly.

POLAND BESTS FELLOW BULLDOGS

POLAND OH- Poland showcased their defensive prowess on Thursday, securing a commanding 46-22 victory over Lakeview with a typically dominating performance.

Leading the offensive charge for Poland, Elliana Thompson notched an impressive 12 points, complemented by Mary Brant’s 9 points, and contributions from Kate Harrell and Leanna Boccieri, who each added 5 points.

Lakeview faced a formidable defensive challenge but saw Annie Humphrey lead the scoring efforts with a solid 10 points.

Poland’s relentless defense set the tone for the game, stifling Lakeview’s offensive efforts and ultimately securing a decisive win. With this victory, Poland improved to a 6-3 record, setting the stage for a strong start to the new year with a game against South Range on January 4th.

On the other side, Lakeview, now at 3-7, will look to regroup as they host Newton Falls on December 28th, aiming to bounce back with renewed energy and determination in their upcoming matchups.

TIGERS KEEP GRIP AT THE TOP

MINERAL RIDGE OH- In a highly anticipated clash for first place in the MVAC, Springfield secured a thrilling victory over previously undefeated Mineral Ridge on Thursday night, claiming a 54-49 win and snapping Ridge’s flawless record.

Jameka Brungard emerged as a powerhouse for the Tigers, dominating with an impressive 25 points and a staggering 22 rebounds. Mariana Tuscano showcased her clutch abilities, contributing 13 points and sinking a crucial go-ahead three-pointer with under a minute remaining. Ava Vecchione added 10 points to Springfield’s well-rounded offensive effort.

Mineral Ridge fought hard, led by Ava Hulett’s formidable 25-point performance. Norah Schneider and Sullivan Sandy contributed with 7 and 6 points, respectively, but Springfield’s resilience proved decisive.

The turning point came in a pivotal third quarter, where the Tigers surged ahead, ultimately solidifying their top spot in the MVAC. As the final buzzer sounded, Springfield celebrated a hard-fought victory that not only elevated them to 7-2 but also handed Mineral Ridge their first loss of the season.

Looking ahead, Springfield is set to face Cardinal Mooney at South Range on December 28th, while Mineral Ridge will hit the road to take on Leetonia on December 27th. The post-game excitement only foreshadows the intensity that awaits as both teams continue their basketball journey in the competitive MVAC.

GIRARD LEADS FROM THE JUMP

In a thrilling conference matchup on Thursday night, Girard emerged victorious on the road, securing a 46-29 win against a resilient Struthers team.

Girard’s dynamic trio of Mia Malito, Mackenzie White, and Ally Gassman led the charge, each contributing significantly to the team’s success. Malito and White showcased their scoring prowess, both tallying 14 points, while Gassman added 10 crucial points to the scoreboard.

Struthers, though facing a tough defeat, saw a standout performance from Katelyn Kimble, who claimed the game-high with an impressive 15 points. Natalie Adams also chipped in with 8 points for the Struthers squad..

TIGERS TAKE FIRST AAC WIN

HOWLAND OH- Howland made a statement in the Toni Ross Tournament, claiming their first conference win of the season with a triumphant 58-49 victory over Warren Harding.

Alyssa Massucci led the scoring charge for Howland with an outstanding 22 points. Contributing to the offensive effort were Jessie DeSalvo and Amia Silvers, each adding 12 points.

With this crucial conference victory, Howland advances to a 6-1 record, signaling their competitive prowess as they progress through the season. The team now looks ahead to the tournament championship, where they will face St Joes Academy at home tomorrow in what promises to be an exciting matchup at approximately 7:30 PM.

Howland’s success in the Toni Ross Tournament opener not only secures their place in the championship game but also highlights their determination and skill on the court. As they vie for the tournament title, Howland aims to build on this momentum and continue their winning ways in the conference.

BROOKFIELD GETTING ON TRACK

BROOKFIELD OH- Brookfield demonstrated an upward trajectory in their season, securing their third win with a dominant 43-19 victory over Campbell.

Leading the scoring charge for Brookfield, Mya Jumper showcased her skills with an impressive 16 points, complemented by Cailey Wellman’s 14 points and MaRae Craig contributing 9 points.

Campbell faced a challenging defensive effort from Brookfield, with Diamon Sims leading their scoring with 8 points and Angeliz Diaz adding 6 points.

With this convincing win, Brookfield moves to a 3-5 record and looks to carry this positive momentum into their next game. They are set to host Badger on Wednesday, aiming to continue their upward trajectory. Campbell, now at 1-7, will regroup and prepare for their next challenge, scheduled for January 4th against LaBrae. The win for Brookfield underscores their progress this season and sets the stage for an intriguing stretch as they navigate the remainder of their basketball campaign.

RAIDERS FIND WHAT THEY’RE LOOKING FOR

HUBBARD OH- South Range displayed the consistency they’ve been seeking all season, leading from start to finish in a commanding 47-28 triumph against Hubbard.

Gwen Lowry delivered a standout performance for South Range, achieving a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Supporting the scoring effort were Taylor Dado with 11 points, and both Devin Saurwein and Sydney Penick contributing 9 points each.

Hubbard faced a resilient South Range defense, with Khamyah Howell leading the scoring for the team with 9 points, accompanied by Rheanna Barr adding 5 points.

South Range’s well-rounded performance, coupled with a strong defensive showing, propelled them to a significant victory. With this win, South Range moves to a 2-5 record and will aim to build on this momentum in their upcoming road game against Rootstown on Saturday. Hubbard, now at 4-4, will look ahead to a post-Christmas road trip to face Western Reserve on December 29th. The wire-to-wire victory for South Range highlights their improved consistency and sets a positive tone as they approach the midseason mark.

SPARTANS LEFT SEEING GREEN

BOARDMAN, OH- The Boardman girls’ basketball team found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard, succumbing to the Aurora Greenmen with a final score of 41-36. Despite a valiant effort, the Spartans faced challenges right from the start, leading to a slow-paced first half that saw them tallying only 13 points.

However, the tides began to turn in the third quarter, with Boardman making a strong comeback to tie the game at 25 as they entered the decisive fourth quarter. The Spartans seized the momentum, establishing a 7-point lead with just over 5 minutes remaining. Yet, the resilient Greenmen countered with consecutive three-pointers and a crucial bucket, ultimately securing a 1-point advantage that they successfully defended until the final buzzer.

Mackenzie Riccitelli led the scoring charge for Boardman, contributing 11 points, while Sarah Bero overcame foul trouble to finish the game with 9 points. Ava Freeborough added 8 points and played a pivotal role in limiting Aurora’s 1,000-point scorer, Sam Stask, to 10 points. Sam Duble and M.C. Werth rounded out the scoring with 5 and 3 points, respectively.

Despite the challenges, Tori Strines stepped up with quality minutes on the court, showcasing great defensive prowess and grabbing crucial rebounds, especially when Bero faced foul trouble. Mikayla Rivera also made valuable contributions off the bench for the Spartans.

Unfortunately, a tough shooting night plagued Boardman, with a 1-6 performance from the free-throw line and a 17-47 field goal record, including a 3-16 mark from beyond the arc.

Looking ahead, the girls face a quick turnaround as they prepare to take on the formidable 6-2 Tallmadge Blue Devils in a thrilling quadruple-header scheduled for Friday.