KNIGHTS WELCOMED HOME WITH A WIN

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By Ty Bartell 

AKRON OH- As the new year rapidly approaches, so does the midway point for the high school basketball season, both on the boys and girls sides. With plenty of holiday tournaments going on all around the state of Ohio, there are plenty of great basketball games to choose from. On Tuesday night, the network had a mix of both boys and girls games with a grand total of 23 live games on YSN! One of those contests featured last year’s boys Division I State Champions, The Archbishop Hoban Knights hosting it The Wilson Academy Warriors out of Lithonia, Georgia!

Founder of The Wilson Academy, Byron F. Wilson, is a graduate of Archbishop Hoban and actually played underneath Knights Head Coach T.K. Griffith during his 30+ year tenure at Hoban. Having an intriguing connection was not the only thing The Warriors had, because The Wilson Academy was growing trees for post players! Having guys standing as tall as 6’10” height looked to be a strength of The Warriors. Both teams were also finding themselves at some vastly different points of the season. The Knights sported a 1-3 record after dropping three consecutive road games and needing this early season win. Meanwhile, The Warriors were already in the middle point of their season, coming to Akron with a 10-2 clip.

The first quarter seemed like Hoban enjoyed being home because The Knights shot the lights out in the first quarter! The three ball was falling for Hoban in the first, led by Kent State commit Jonas Nichols who put up 11 points in the first en route to a 21-9 Knights lead after one. After realizing they were not in Georgia anymore, The Warriors responded with a bounce-back second quarter. Spreading the love around, multiple Warriors scored in an effort to trim the deficit, but it was Jeremiah Ruffin that led his squad in points at the half, as Wilson Academy trailed Hoban 28-21 at halftime.

Out of the halftime break, the game was still up for grabs and The Warriors were on the comeback trail. The Knights would hold strong in a back-and-forth scoring affair in the third 14-13, grasping onto a 42-34 lead heading into the final eight minutes of play. After holding the lead since the opening tip, Hoban finally surrendered the advantage with three minutes left in the game, kicking the intensity in this one up a notch! The lead would change hands a few more times in the closing moments of the ball game; however, The Knights armor held through on a couple strong defensive stands that caused turnovers and translated into four points off four made free-throws by Jonas Nichols! The points at the line helped seal the tough and gritty win for Hoban 58-53 as Ohio bests Georgia this time around!

Player of the Game honors, no doubt, went to Jonas Nichols who finished with 17 points and 5 rebounds in the win! Following him, the young freshman, “JJ” John Johnson was impressive in his decision-making and confidence on the floor, as he scored 12 points and secured 4 rebounds himself. Beyond that, some highlight performances from Hoban include Joey Hardman, who had 9 points and 2 rebounds. Sam Greer had 8 points and 4 rebounds and Josh Greer had 5 points and 7 rebounds. WIlson Academy with Jeremiah Ruffin leading the way in both points with 14 and rebounds with 6. Following him, Caleb Cameron had 13 points, Terryon Stebbins had 12 points and Isiah Cameron had 11 points.

Hoban (2-3) will now head down to Archbishop McNicolas in the Cincinnati area to participate in back-to-back contests on Thursday and Friday against a couple teams from Kentucky! Starting with The Covington Catholic Colonels (5-2) on Thursday, December 21st. Wilson Academy (10-3) will stay in the Akron area for one more day, as they are set to battle Buchtel (4-2) on Wednesday, December 20th. Keep updated with all Archbishop Hoban winter athletics with live games, scores, stats, stories and more on YSN!

LABRAE GETS SEPARATION FROM THE TIGERS

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By Matt Maher


NEWTON FALLS, OH – After an exhilarating finish to a double Overtime Junior Varsity nail biter, The Varsity squads for LaBrae and Newton Falls were ready to take to the hardwood and and try to top the play we saw from JV and boy did they deliver as the final score saw LaBrae top Newton Falls 58-48.

 

The Tigers struck first on a free throw from Landon McGregor only to have LaBrae come back the other way and take the lead. The majority of the first saw the lead switch between the two teams by just one point until Jay McGarry and company settled down and took control of the quarter that they ended up winning 19-13. McGarry would put up 10 points for the Vikings and Jabriel Rufai would start off his extremely impressive night with 8 points for The Falls.

 

LaBrae wouldn’t let up in the second and continued to show an impressive drive by putting up 13 points to Newton Falls 9. David Blackmon would shine bright in this frame by putting up 6 points  while Derek Wilson found 5. On the other side of the floor Rufai would find 7 more points putting him at 15 points for the first half alone! LaBrae would take a 32-22 lead into halftime but Newton falls would have something to say heading into the third.

 

The Tigers caught fire coming out of the break and the score reflected that with The Falls scoring 18 points to LaBrae’s 11. The Quarter was dominated by Rufai by putting up 11 points including a nice three pointer near the end of the quarter. Austin Rowe and Blackmon both put up 4 points for LaBrae and McGarry got back on the board by putting up a three. Newton Falls would close the gap and trail 43-40 going into the final frame.

 

While the Tigers found some life in the third they just couldn’t find the same production in the fourth and would only find 8 points to the Vikings 15. Rufai found 5 more points rounding off his night with a staggering 31 points on the night which is more than some teams find in a single game! David Blackmon continued his impressive night of scoring with 6 more points allowing him to finish with 18 points which led his team in scoring with Derek Wilson finishing three points shy with 15 and Jay McGarry with 13. 

 

Despite good defense and the living cheat code of Jabriel Rufai connecting the Tigers just couldn’t get past the solid team play of the Vikings. LaBrae will continue to stay undefeated in the MVAC sitting at 3-0 while Newton Falls falls to 1-2 to start off this season. LaBrae Hits the court again when they host Bristol on December 22nd at 7:00PM and Newton Falls will stay at home when they host Howland on December 22nd at 7:ooPM as well. 

TIGERS TURN INTO CARDIAC CATS

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By Eric Hughes 

LOWELLVILLE OH- Springfield defeats Lowellville, 37-36, after trailing by 16 points in the third quarter.

The game started off as a defensive slugfest, where both teams forced a lot of turnovers.

Ryan Neider scored five points in the first quarter, including a made three-pointer, to help give Lowellville an early 12-8 lead.

Michael Ballone came alive in the second quarter, scoring eight points and making a three-pointer with seconds left to go in the half, to lead Lowellville to a 23-16 halftime lead.

The Rockets picked up where they left off before halftime and dominated early in the third quarter, leading by 16 at point. Ryan Neider scored another five points, including making another three-pointer, which helped Lowellville to a 34-23 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Springfield found a pulse toward the end of the third quarter and took it into the fourth quarter, where they outscored Lowellville 14-2.

Sean Guerriero led the Tigers with 18 points, scoring 9 of them in the fourth quarter, and made the game-winning free throw with eight seconds left to complete the comeback for Springfield on the road against their bitter rivals.

Dylan Sheely also came up big for Springfield, scoring 13 points, including three made three-pointers.

Ryan Neider led the Rockets in scoring with 10 points, making two three-pointers, and Michael Ballone scored nine points.

POTTERS DONT BLINK AGAINST WEIRTON

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EAST LIVERPOOL OH- In a display of absolute dominance, East Liverpool commanded the court on Tuesday night, routing Weirton with a convincing 78-42 victory.

Preston Kerr led the scoring charge for East Liverpool with an impressive 17 points, supported by Cohen Pease contributing 13 points. The offensive onslaught continued with Nate Birch adding 10 points, Malachi Reed with 9 points, and Preston Dawson also contributing 9 points, showcasing a well-rounded performance from the team.

With this commanding win, East Liverpool maintains an unblemished 7-0 record, setting the stage for a highly anticipated matchup on Friday. They will face the undefeated Wheeling Central Catholic on the road, presenting a formidable challenge that will test East Liverpool’s undefeated start to the season. The dominant victory against Weirton underscores East Liverpool’s prowess on the court and elevates the anticipation for their upcoming clash with Wheeling Central Catholic.

CANFIELD OFFENSE COMES ALIVE

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CANFIELD OH- Canfield showcased an explosive offensive performance on Tuesday, lighting up the scoreboard in a resounding 86-52 victory against Marlington. The Cardinals’ offensive prowess was particularly evident in their impressive three-point shooting, collectively connecting on 13 threes as a team.

Leading the scoring charge for Canfield, Sam Castranova poured in 19 points, followed closely by Dom Cruz contributing 18 points. Tony Russo added 11 points, while Roy McCune chipped in with 7 points, further highlighting the team’s balanced scoring attack.

The win marks Canfield’s third consecutive victory, propelling them to a 3-2 record as they hit their stride in the season. The Cardinals now shift their focus to continue their positive momentum, hosting Collinwood on Friday in what promises to be another exciting matchup. Canfield’s offensive explosion against Marlington underscores their ability to dominate on the court and sets the stage for an intriguing continuation of their basketball campaign.

A HRITZ BUZZER BEATER SEALS CANFIELD’S COMEBACK

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CANFIELD OH- In a game where points were hard-fought and shots were elusive, Canfield and Marlington engaged in a gritty battle on Tuesday. The first half was a struggle for Canfield, managing only 6 points, but they persevered and mounted a dramatic comeback in the second half.

Trailing 19-6 at halftime, Canfield faced an uphill battle. However, the Cardinals maintained their confidence, and as shots began to find the mark, the tide turned in their favor. The highlight of the game came in the form of a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Cami Hritz, sealing a thrilling 31-28 victory for Canfield.

Cami Hritz led the scoring charge for Canfield with a game-high 14 points, while Jenna Triveri contributed 6 points, and Camie Dill added 5 points. The Canfield defense played a pivotal role, holding Marlington to just 9 second-half points.

The dramatic turnaround and last-second heroics underscored Canfield’s resilience and determination. With this hard-fought win, Canfield advances to a 4-2 record on the season. Looking ahead, they will continue their season on Saturday with a road trip to face Stow Monroe Falls, with tip-off scheduled for noon. The nail-biting victory against Marlington adds another thrilling chapter to Canfield’s basketball campaign.

HAYNIE REIGNS FROM BEYOND THE ARC

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WARREN OH- In the realm of Champion Girls Basketball, senior Kayla Haynie stands out as a key player, showcasing her skills and leadership both on and off the court. As one of the vital trio of seniors for the Flashes, Haynie’s dynamic contributions have played a pivotal role in Champion’s resurgence this season.

Known for her remarkable three-point shooting ability and impressive range, Haynie brings a unique skill set to the team. Last season, Champion faced numerous challenges with injuries, hindering them from realizing their full potential. This year, with everyone back at 100%, Haynie has been instrumental in transforming the Flashes into the formidable team many expected.

Beyond her lockdown shooting, Haynie excels in various facets of the game, displaying prowess in ball handling, floor presence, vision, and defensive capabilities. Her versatility adds a layer of depth to the team’s performance.

Throughout her illustrious career at Champion, Haynie has maintained a scoring average of 7.2 points per game. Notably, she has connected on 73 three-pointers, boasting an impressive average of 1.4 threes per game across 51 games played. In the current season, her scoring has continued to shine, averaging 7.4 points per game in seven recorded games. Importantly, her three-point percentage has reached a career-high of 31%.

As she navigates her senior year, Haynie remains undecided on her college destination. However, her aspirations extend beyond the basketball court. Expressing an interest in exercise science and physical therapy, she contemplates the possibility of continuing her athletic journey by golfing at the collegiate level. Notably, Haynie’s influence extends beyond sports; she played a pivotal role in Champion now having a sufficient number of female golfers to form a team.

Outside of her athletic pursuits, Haynie is an active force within the community. From running the social media accounts for the Champion Student Section to volunteering across various community initiatives, she embodies the spirit of making Champion a better place. With her multifaceted talents and dedication, Kayla Haynie serves as a beacon for the Champion Girls Basketball team, contributing not only to their success on the court but also fostering positive change in the broader community.

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BIG TEST AHEAD FOR MINERAL RIDGE

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MINERAL RIDGE OH- Mineral Ridge continued their impressive undefeated streak on Monday, securing a convincing 66-43 victory against Lowellville.

Ava Hulet led the charge with an outstanding all-around performance, contributing 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 steals. Sullivan Sandy added 12 points, Norah Schneider chipped in with 11 points, while Lily Merolilo, Gianna Gilbert, and Kelcee Dye each contributed 10, 5, and 5 points, respectively.

With this comprehensive win, Mineral Ridge maintains an unblemished 8-0 record, setting the stage for a significant challenge as they prepare to host the reigning MVAC champions, Springfield. The upcoming matchup promises to be a test of their undefeated run and an opportunity to further solidify their standing in the league. Mineral Ridge’s consistent performance underscores their dominance on the basketball court this season.

RESERVE ROUTES CONFERENCE RIVAL

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BERLIN CENTER OH- In the girls basketball world of high school sports, two programs out of the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference’s (MVAC) Scarlet Division in The Western-Reserve Blue Devils and The McDonald Blue Devils have had quite the list of battles over the last few seasons. One of which was a regional semifinal showdown in the 2020-2021 campaign! The two programs would renew their rivalry, once again, on Monday night in Berlin Center, Ohio. With Western-Reserve playing host to the conference bout, both squads realized the importance of early season conference victories.

Out of the gates, Western-Reserve was shooting lights out! Led by sharpshooter Quincy Miller, in the opening quarter Reserve jumped ahead on an 18-0 run before holding a 21-3 lead after a quarter. The Reserve Blue Devils did not stop there, adding to their lead with a 16-5 second quarter to hold an emphatic advantage of 37-8 over McDonald at halftime.

The score would not get much closer in the second half, with the running clock enforced, Reserve outscored McDonald 26-16 in the second half of play to win 63-24 in the battle of the Blue Devils! Player of the Game went to Quincy Miller who scored 17 points in the win and found 5 shots from distance! Interviews with both Quincy Miller and Head Coach Steve Miller can be found below! Other notable Reserve players include Lisa Eichert who finished with 15 points, followed by Alyvia Hughes and Izzy Mauro who both had 10 points! Gracie Callow led the scoring for McDonald with 13 points followed by Juliana Krumpak who had 10 points.

Western Reserve (4-3)(2-1) will stay in conference when they host Sebring (1-6)(0-4) in a bout with The Trojans on Thursday, December 21st. For McDonald (5-3)(2-2) they will go out of conference to battle a Northeast 8 (NE8) foe in Girard (2-5)(1-1) hosting The Indians on the day after Christmas, Tuesday, December 26th! Stay updated with MVAC and NE8 basketball all season long with live games, scores, stats, stories and more on YSN!

Game Photos HERE: https://ysn.smugmug.com/12-18-g-bb-reserve-mcdonald/12-18-g-bb-western-reserve-mcdonald/103EOS1D/

BULLDOGS KNOCK OFF SOUTH RANGE FOR THE FIRST TIME

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CANFIELD OH- Lakeview secured a historic win on the road Monday, notching their first victory over South Range as a member of the NE8 with a hard-fought 36-32 triumph. The game remained tightly contested, deadlocked at 26-26 at the end of the third quarter.

Mack Stowe played a pivotal role, tying the game at 26 with back-to-back threes from Devin Sauerwein and Madi Dado briefly giving South Range a 26-24 lead.

With the score knotted at 31-31 in the final frame, Sophie Irwin, coming off the bench, made a significant impact, propelling the Bulldogs to a 33-31 lead. Makenna Werner sealed the victory with crucial free throws down the stretch, securing the 36-32 win.

Stowe led the scoring for Lakeview with 10 points, the lone player in double figures on the night.

Buoyed by this momentum, Lakeview (3-6) now looks ahead to a challenging matchup on Thursday as they face off against Poland. South Range, on the other hand, will hit the road to take on Hubbard, seeking to bounce back from the close defeat. The victory for Lakeview marks a memorable moment in their NE8 campaign.