RED RAIDERS TOO MUCH FOR SPARTANS

Conneaut, OH- In a challenging matchup against the Harvey Red Raiders, the Conneaut Spartans fought hard but ultimately succumbed to their opponent’s offensive prowess. The final score stood at Conneaut 57, Harvey 90, as the Red Raiders dominated the court in the second and third quarters.

First Quarter: Conneaut Starts Strong

The game opened with a competitive first quarter as both teams showcased their skills. However, Conneaut managed to take an early lead with a quarter score of 18, led by Chance Loomis, who contributed significantly to the team’s offensive efforts.

Second Quarter: Harvey’s Offensive Surge

Harvey responded with a powerful offensive display in the second quarter, outscoring Conneaut 26 to 19. Armani Hall and Braylon Johnson led the charge for the Red Raiders, putting up impressive numbers on the scoreboard.

Third Quarter: Harvey Extends Lead

The third quarter proved challenging for the Spartans as Harvey continued to build on their lead. Conneaut struggled to find their offensive rhythm, scoring only 5 points in the quarter. Armani Hall’s exceptional performance, along with contributions from multiple players, propelled the Red Raiders to a commanding lead.

Fourth Quarter: Conneaut’s Effort Falls Short

Despite a spirited effort in the fourth quarter, the Spartans were unable to overcome the deficit. Harvey maintained their offensive intensity, securing the win with a final quarter score of 18 to Conneaut’s 15.

Top Scorers: Loomis Shines for Spartans, Hall Dominates for Red Raiders

For the Conneaut Spartans, Chance Loomis led the scoring with an impressive 26 points, showcasing his offensive skills. Other notable contributions came from Noah Hamm with 8 points and JR Hutchinson with 7 points.

Harvey’s Armani Hall put on a stellar performance, amassing an outstanding 27 points. Braylon Johnson and Davon Badley also made significant contributions with 19 and 11 points, respectively.

Looking Ahead: Spartans Regroup for Road Challenge

The Conneaut Spartans, with a season record of 3-2, now face the Jefferson Falcons on the road on 12/22/23. The Falcons, currently standing at 1-3, will be seeking to build on their recent win over the Lakeside Dragons. It’s a crucial matchup for the Spartans as they aim to bounce back from this tough loss.

Meanwhile, the Harvey Red Raiders, with a strong record of 4-1, are set to take on the Geneva Eagles, who boast a 3-2 record. The Eagles are coming off an intense triple-overtime victory against the Edgewood Warriors, setting the stage for another exciting clash in the upcoming game.

MOHAWK COOLS OFF SOUTH RANGE

By Eric Hughes 

NEW CASTLE OH- Mohawk defeats South Range, 62-50, to improve to 2-3 on the young season.

The Warriors finished the first quarter with a 14-9 lead, mostly thanks to a hot start from Jay Wrona, who scored eight points in the first quarter.

Mohawk carried their momentum into the second quarter and went into halftime with a 34-20 lead after Bobby Fadden made buzzer beater from beyond half court and finished the first half with eight points.

Fadden picked up where he left off and scored six points in the third quarter to help the Warriors to a 45-31 lead going into the fourth quarter.

South Range’s offense came alive and outscored Mohawk in the fourth quarter, where Landon Moore scored 12 points, but the Raiders were unable to overcome their struggles from the first three quarters and fall to 4-2 on the season.

Landon Moore was the game’s leading scorer with 25 points.

Bobby Fadden led Mohawk with 18 points and made a memory along the way with his second quarter buzzer beater.

Jay Wrona finished with 14 points and Mason Hopper finished with 12 points, both making two three-pointers.

WARRIORS FALL IN TRIPLE OT THRILLER

East Ashtabula- In a riveting clash that will undoubtedly go down in the annals of high school basketball lore, the Edgewood Warriors faced off against the Geneva Eagles in a triple-overtime extravaganza that left fans breathless. The final score of 70-68 in favor of the Geneva Eagles only tells part of the story, as the game unfolded as a gripping narrative of skill, determination, and resilience.

First Three Quarters: A Tightly Contested Affair:

From the opening tip-off, it was clear that both teams came prepared for a battle. The first quarter ended with a deadlock at 10-10, setting the stage for a contest where every possession mattered. The following quarters were no less intense, with each team showcasing their offensive prowess and defensive tenacity.

Overtime Drama: Logan Kray vs. Luke Smith, Round by Round:

As regulation time came to a close with a tied score of 62-62, the game ventured into overtime, signaling the start of a showdown between two standout players. Edgewood’s Logan Kray and Geneva’s Luke Smith took center stage, trading baskets in a mesmerizing display of skill.

Kray, finishing the game with an impressive 24 points, and Smith, leading all scorers with a remarkable 25 points, engaged in a back-and-forth battle that transcended ordinary competition. Their ability to hit clutch shots and keep their teams in the game became the defining narrative of the evening.

The drama unfolded not just in one overtime but stretched into three, with Kray and Smith refusing to let their teams succumb to fatigue or pressure. The gymnasium echoed with cheers and gasps as each possession unfolded, and the two stars traded blows like heavyweight boxers refusing to go down.

Foul Trouble and Player Exodus: The Battle Within the Battle:

The sheer intensity of the contest took its toll on both teams, manifesting in foul trouble that added another layer of complexity to the game. Edgewood’s Jacob Ernst, Mason Thorr, and Brady Andrejack all fouled out in the first overtime, leaving the Warriors shorthanded. Geneva faced similar challenges, with Andrew Oros and Haiden Diemer exiting the game due to fouls during overtime play.

As the benches were tested, and substitutes became unsung heroes, the fate of the game hung in the balance. The final moments of each overtime period became a strategic chess match, with coaches and players making crucial decisions under immense pressure.

Point Totals Tell a Tale of Individual Brilliance:

Edgewood Warriors:

  • Zach Carlton Hull: 10 points
  • Jacob Ernst: 19 points
  • Logan Kray: 24 points
  • Mason Thorr: 15 points

Geneva Eagles:

  • Caden Proy: 7 points
  • Haiden Diemer: 10 points
  • Luke Barbo: 14 points
  • Andrew Oros: 3 points
  • Donny Shymske: 2 points
  • Luke Smith: 25 points
  • Bryce Peet: 9 points

Looking Ahead: Redemption and Challenges Await:

As the final buzzer sounded, signaling the end of a game that will be remembered for years to come, the Edgewood Warriors walked away with a mix of disappointment and pride. Their resilience in the face of adversity hinted at a promising season ahead.

The Warriors (3-1) now turn their attention to a home matchup against  their bitter rival the Lakeside Dragons (2-2) on December 20, 2023, where they aim to bounce back and continue their journey. Meanwhile, the Geneva Eagles (3-2) savor the sweet taste of victory as they brace themselves for a formidable challenge against the undefeated Crestwood Red Devils (5-0) at home on December 18, 2023.

For those fortunate enough to witness this triple-overtime saga, the memories created on the court will endure, a testament to the unpredictable and captivating nature of high school basketball.

WARRIORS KEEP THE RAIDERS ANCHORED

By Eric Hughes 

NEW CASTLE PA- Mohawk defeats South Range, 53-39, to improve to 5-1 and continue their hot start to the 2023-24 campaign.

The Warriors jumped out to an early 15-5 lead in the first quarter, where Deyani Revis scored six points.

Mohawk picked up where the left off in the first quarter and went into halftime with a 30-14 lead after Erynne Capablo scored eight points in the quarter, making two three-pointers, and blocked two shots.

The Raiders flipped the switch offensively after halftime, outscoring the Warriors the second half, but it was not enough to overcome their early-game struggles.

Erynne Capalbo was Mohawk’s driving force once again, finishing the game with 18 points and three blocks, and was the game’s leading scorer.

Deyani Revis contributed with 14 points, Keira Julian and Aricka Young both scored nine points, and Chloe Fadden scored three points.

Madison Dado led the Raiders with 10 points, seven of them coming in the second half, Devin Sauerwein scored nine points, and Gwen Lowry scored seven points, all of which came in the second half.

KNIGHTS STORM THE GATES IN AUSTINTOWN

AUSTINTOWN OH- In an action packed Saturday on the network, a total of 18 games were featured live on YSN! One of those intriguing matchups occurred in Austintown when the Fitch Falcons girls basketball team played host to The Archbishop Hoban Knights! Both teams entered Saturday with winning records, with Fitch sporting a 6-2 record and Hoban at the perfect 7-0 clip.

The Knights stormed the gates in the first quarter, jumping ahead 20-6 after the first eight minutes of play, thanks in large part to the hot shooting hand of MacKenzie Edingburgh who scored 13 points in the first! The Falcons would trim the initial deficit, battling back behind an 11-7 second quarter in favor of Fitch, cutting the Hoban lead to 10 points at 27-17 following the halftime buzzer.

The third quarter saw The Knights offense come back to form with MacKenzie Edingburgh and Finley Kennedy leading the way, helping Hoban outscore Fitch 21-9 in the third and hold an emphatic 48-26 lead heading into the final quarter of play. Not messing around, The Knights closed out the game with a 15-10 quarter, effectively gaining their eighth victory of the season with a 64-36 win over The Falcons.

The Player of the Game honors went to both MacKenzie Edingburgh and Finley Kennedy! “E” was on a different level scoring the ball with 24 points in the game behind four 3’s in the game! Kennedy found a way to produce in multiple facets in the game, grabbing boards, sharing the ball for assists and scoring 9 points of her own! Taylyn Banta also managed to score 9 points for The Knights followed by “Zig” Ziera Stevens with 8 points. Fitch was led in scoring by Sam Severn with 9 points followed by both “Ace” Ayla Ray and Destanie McCullough with 8 points and Rachel Spalding with 7 points.

Hoban (8-0) will keep their perfect record on the season until they meet their next challenger in The Springfield Blue Devils (2-4) out of Holland, Ohio as a part of the Wendy’s Holiday Hoopla at Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Friday, December 22nd. Fitch (6-3) will wait till after the holidays as they will be in-action next on Thursday, December 28th as part of the South Range Holiday Hoops Classic when they battle Garretsville Garfield (1-4). Stay updated with both The Archbishop Hoban Knights and The Austintown-Fitch Falcons this basketball season with live games, scores, stats, stories and more!

Game Photos HERE: https://ysn.smugmug.com/12-16-g-bb-hoban-fitch/12-16-g-bb-hoban-fitch/103EOS1D/

WARRIORS DON’T GIVE AN INCH

West Branch’s formidable defense continued to shine in a highly anticipated matchup against Louisville on Saturday. The Warriors, known for their defensive prowess, maintained their trend of allowing less than 30 points per game, securing a 41-28 victory over the Leopards.

Audrey Eaton led the scoring charge for West Branch with 10 points, supported by Chloe Dennison and Mikayln Woods, each contributing 7 points. Livvie Showalter added 6 points to the scoreboard, while Ellie Tucker and Carter Shepard stood out for their exceptional defensive efforts.

The collective defensive strength of West Branch played a pivotal role in this win, showcasing their ability to stifle opponents. With this triumph, West Branch remains undefeated with a 7-0 record.

Looking ahead, the Warriors face another non-conference test on Wednesday as they hit the road to take on Ursuline, aiming to maintain their defensive dominance and extend their winning streak. The profiled matchup against Louisville adds another chapter to West Branch’s impressive season.

DRAGONS SCORCH BLUE STREAKS

Photo Credit: CM Photography

Ashtabula, OH- In a back and forth exciting game with long 3’s and big blocks, the Lakeside Dragons emerged victorious against the Madison Blue Streaks with a final score of 59-50. The Dragons showcased their resilience and skill in a matchup that saw both teams fighting tooth and nail for every point.

Key Players Shine for Lakeside: The Dragons’ success in this game can be attributed to the standout performances of key players. Dyln Newsome, with his sharpshooting prowess, stole the spotlight by sinking two crucial three-pointers in the fourth quarter, finishing the game with an impressive 21 points. Aiden Hathy made his presence felt on both ends of the court, contributing 13 points and delivering six emphatic blocked shots that ignited the crowd.

The Dragons’ balanced scoring attack included notable contributions from Alex DiSalvatore, Connor Mead, Jay Lopez, and Chase Newsome. Together, they formed a cohesive unit that proved too much for the Blue Streaks to handle.

Upcoming Clash with Edgewood Warriors: With this hard-fought victory, the Lakeside Dragons improve their season record to 2-2. The team’s next challenge lies in a road matchup against the Edgewood Warriors on December 20, 2023. The Dragons will be looking to carry the momentum from this win and gain an edge over their crosstown rivals, the undefeated Warriors.

Seth Negin’s Sharpshooting Not Enough for Madison: Despite a valiant effort from the Madison Blue Streaks, led by the sharpshooting Seth Negin, who nailed four three-pointers en route to a 17-point performance, they couldn’t overcome the Dragons’ offensive onslaught. Mac Steel and Dom Magda also made solid contributions with 14 and 10 points, respectively, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.

Next Challenge for Madison: The Madison Blue Streaks, with a season record of 3-2, will be regrouping for their upcoming home game against the Perry Pirates. The Pirates, coming off a dominating 75-39 win over the Conneaut Spartans, will be aiming to build on their success. Madison looks to bounce back and continue their pursuit of victory in what promises to be another thrilling matchup.

As the Lakeside Dragons savor their hard-earned win, and the Madison Blue Streaks regroup for their next challenge, basketball enthusiasts eagerly await the clash between Lakeside and Edgewood, anticipating another intense battle between these fierce rivals.

EDGEWOOD USES DOUBLE OVERTIME TO STAY PERFECT

PERRY OH- Edgewood maintained their unbeaten record on Friday night with a thrilling double-overtime victory against Perry, securing a hard-fought 56-50 win. The game featured a dramatic end to regulation as Katie McCollister sunk a pair of free throws, knotting the score at 42.

McCollister was the driving force for Edgewood, delivering a standout performance with 23 points. Annie May Johnston contributed 10 points, while Leigha Guyton and McKenna Vencill added 9 and 6 points, respectively.

The closely contested battle saw both teams scoring 4 points in the first overtime before Edgewood pulled away in the second extra frame to clinch the victory.

With this triumph, Edgewood maintains their flawless 6-0 record and now sets their sights on hosting Jefferson in their upcoming matchup on Tuesday. The double-overtime thriller against Perry adds another exciting chapter to Edgewood’s undefeated season.

POTTERS PLACE THEMSELVES AHEAD OF BOARDMAN

BOARDMAN OH- In a classic defensive showdown on Friday night, Boardman and East Liverpool clashed in a hard-fought battle, with East Liverpool emerging victorious with a final score of 54-42.

East Liverpool’s offensive efforts were led by Preston Kerr, who contributed an impressive 20 points, supported by Cohen Pease with 12 points and Quintin Conrad along with Malachi Reed, each adding 6 points.

On the Boardman side, Nico Holzschuh stood out with a notable 17-point performance, while Noah Ziak and Grayson Eicher combined for 13 points.

The win propels East Liverpool forward as they prepare to face Steubenville on Saturday afternoon. Boardman, on the other hand, will hit the road on Tuesday, heading to Cardinal Mooney, aiming to bounce back from the hard-fought battle and secure a win in their upcoming matchup.

CANFIELD ON TOP IN THE CLASH OF THE CARDS

By Ty Bartell 

CANFIELD OH- As the holidays are rapidly approaching, many high school basketball teams are trying to string together some momentum in what some coaches call the first half of the season, before the new year. Two of those teams trying to get their groove going are The Cardinals and…well…The Cardinals. The Canfield Cardinals boys basketball team is coming off a shared All American Conference (AAC) crown with Warren Harding a season ago and The Cardinal Mooney Cardinals, despite a lower finish in the Steel Valley Conference (SVC), had a nice tournament run last season that extended into March once again. Both those squads would meet at John Cullen Court in Canfield on Friday night in a clash of The Cardinals!

Feeling the energy of the home crowd, Canfield came out clicking! Finding some good looks and knocking ’em down early, putting Mooney at an early deficit with The Canfield Cardinals leading it 15-4 after a quarter. Down double digits, The Cardinal Mooney Cardinals were fired up in the second quarter nailing five shots from distance, three from Nico Genova and two from Ashton O’Brien, outscoring Canfield 27-12 in the second to flip the script and hold a 31-27 lead at the half.

Out of the half, Canfield was now the team with the hot shooting hand as they nailed down five 3’s in the third, four of which came from Dom Cruz! Off the backs of a 15-11 third quarter, Canfield would effectively tie the ballgame up with Mooney at 42-42 heading into the final quarter of regulation. In crunch time, both teams had big buckets that sent a packed crowd into frenzies back-and-forth! However, Canfield leading by a point got a key turnover on an inbound pass from Mooney that later translated into a Ben Weaver slam, helped put the finishing touches on a close and competitive 58-54 win for Canfield, proving to be top card in this battle!

Player of the Game honors went to Ben Weaver who scored 19 points with three 3’s, stayed competitive on the glass and had an emphatic dunk to help close out the game! Dom Cruz was also a sharpshooter in the game, scoring 20 points while hitting six 3’s! Tony Russo also had a nice night for Canfield with 11 points and going 5 of 6 at the free-throw line. Mooney was led by Nico Genova who had 16 points followed by Jibri Carter with 14 points and “A.O.B.” Ashton O’Brien with 13 points.

Canfield (2-2) will now look ahead to hosting Marlington (2-2) on Tuesday, December 19th in a battle with The Dukes. Mooney (2-3) will try to get back in the win column when they take on another AAC team, hosting The Boardman Spartans (3-2) also on Tuesday. Stay updated with both AAC and SVC basketball this season with live games, scores, stats, stories and more on YSN!