TIGERS ROLL IN MVAC MATCHUP

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NEW MIDDLETOWN OH- In a standout MVAC performance on Friday night, Springfield showcased their basketball prowess, securing a convincing 48-34 victory against Western Reserve.

Dylan Sheely led the scoring charge for Springfield with an impressive 14 points, complemented by Drew Miller’s 13 points and Aiden Appel’s 7 points, contributing to a well-rounded offensive effort.

On the Western Reserve side, Luke Henning and Josh Klasic each tallied 8 points, but it wasn’t enough to thwart Springfield’s dominant performance.

With this noteworthy win, Springfield continues to make an impact in the league. The team’s cohesive effort on both ends of the court proved instrumental in running away with the game.

JFK KEEPS SHOWING THEIR STRENGTH

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WARREN OH- Warren JFK continues to make a strong statement on the basketball court, reinforcing their prowess with an impressive 72-43 victory over Mogadore on Friday.

Leading the charge for JFK, Michael Condoleon showcased his scoring prowess with an outstanding 23 points, closely followed by Nick Ryan contributing 21 points and Jaden Rishel adding 13 points to the team’s dominant performance.

With this latest triumph, Warren JFK maintains an unblemished record at 4-0, underscoring their status as a formidable force in the league. Looking ahead, they are set to continue their season on Tuesday, hosting Lutheran West, with eyes on extending their winning streak and further solidifying their reputation.

IRISH DOMINATE DOWNTOWN RIVAL

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By Tim Corso


YOUNGSTOWN OH- Ursuline rolled past Youngstown East 82-57 in its Steel Valley Conference and home opener Friday Night.

Keith Gunther’s Fighting Irish entered Friday night winning 21 straight games inside the Cafaro Gymnasium and on the hardwood of the Lyden Family Court.

They were looking to make it 22 tonight and improve to 5-0; they did just that.

The Irish got out to a fast start that included a 19-6 lead and finished up 27-8 after the first eight minutes. Freshman Noah Bell was the player to spearhead that start with 7 points.

Bell wasn’t the only freshman to pull his weight (and then some).

Jaylen Gunther and Jace Riccardo showed why the trio of Gunther, Bell, and Riccardo headlines what is regarded as one of the best freshman classes in Northeast Ohio.

Gunther finished with 14 points and 7 assists, while Riccardo added 7 and hauled in numerous clutch rebounds.

It was all gas and no brakes going into the intermission for Ursuline as they led 49-16.

However, the Golden Bears wouldn’t go away.

East scored 16 in the third quarter, already matching its first half total.

That scoring spark in the third sparked a team comeback that got the Irish lead down to just 16 halfway through the fourth, in thanks to Isaiah McCoy’s hot shooting and Tyris Davis’ thunderous slam that almost blew the roof off the building.

McCoy and Davis paced the Golden Bears with 18 and 13 points, respectively.

The fight the Bears showed wasn’t reflected in the final score as Ursuline went on a 14-5 run from that point to put the game to rest.

Two other Irish players reached double figures, in Junior Jared Klucinec (10) and Sophomore Myles Miller (15).

Miller hounded the boards for double-digit rebounds for the game.

Seniors Jayden Payne and Geno Lucente added 9 points each in the effort as well.

East’s Kevin Pullen reached double figures in the setback with 10.

Ursuline (4-0) will travel to Massillon Washington (2-0) on Tuesday, December 19 to take on the Tigers at 7:30 p.m.

For East (3-2), they’ll also be back in action on Tuesday when they host Howland (3-3) at 7 p.m.

Game Photos HERE: https://ysn.smugmug.com/12-15-b-bb-ursuline-east/12-15-b-bb-ursuline/103EOS1D/

 

 

CAMPBELL PUSHES THROUGH THE TIGERS

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CAMPBELL OH-?Campbell’s basketball squad is gaining momentum, securing a significant victory over Newton Falls on Friday night with a final score of 47-40. The team showcased their consistency by winning three out of the four quarters, setting the stage for an impressive overall performance.

Heading into the fourth quarter with just a 3-point lead, Campbell unleashed a strong offensive effort, scoring 14 points to seal the win. David Moore led the charge with an impressive 16 points, while Josue Rodriguez contributed 10 points, and Aziyah Flores added 8 points to the scoreboard.

On the opposing side, Newton Falls saw notable performances from Landon McGregor and Cameron Huff, each contributing 11 points, with Carson Howard adding 7 points to the mix.

ROCKETS MAKE THE RIGHT MOVES

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LOWELLVILLE OH- In a game that unfolded as a tale of two halves, Lowellville and Waterloo clashed on Friday night, showcasing a shift from offensive prowess in the first half to a defensive lockdown in the second. Despite a low-scoring struggle, Lowellville emerged victorious with a narrow 32-29 win.

The first half witnessed both offenses in fine form, combining for 24 points in the second quarter alone. However, the game took a different turn in the second half as both defenses tightened up, resulting in a mere 23 combined points.

For Lowellville, Michael Ballone and Matt Lucido each contributed 10 points, while Josh Pazel added 6 points to the scoreboard. On the Waterloo side, Trevor Simons led with 7 points, supported by Jackson Eichler and Kyle Werbeck, who each contributed 5 points.

With this hard-fought win, Lowellville, now standing at 2-2, looks to build on the momentum as they return to the court on Tuesday, hosting Springfield. On the other hand, Waterloo, with a 2-3 record, will hit the road again on Tuesday, traveling to Mineral Ridge, aiming to bounce back from the close defeat.

POLAND DEFENSE STRIKES AGAIN

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By Matt Maher 


GIRARD, OH – Another game, another Bulldogs Win thanks to a fantastic offensive effort and aggressive Defense. Poland had eight guys find tallies on the scoresheet resulting in a complete team 39-23 victory on the road against the Indians.

 

Girard was the better team in the first quarter, out scoring Poland 7-4. Poland started off the game with a quick 3-pointer but quickly found themselves down 6-2 and eventually gave up a free throw from Ahmad Curd. Allen Hess-Cardona put up four points in the first to help the Indians get off on the right foot. For Poland the exclamation mark was the opening three made by Andrew Todd.

 

The Bulldogs were much more sound offensively and defensively and put up 10 points to Girards three. Cole Fulton was the talk of the town, finding all four of his points at the free throw line going 4-for-6 in the quarter. Paul Greco hit a three and Oliver McCully found three of his own with a bucket and went 1-for-2 at the line. Girards lone three points came from the hands of Nick Rafferty.

 

Halftime was no cause for hesitation from Poland as they kept up the pressure they built and scored 11 points over Girard including five points from Oliver McCully and Fulton put up his first and only field goal by draining in a two. For Girard Dom Phillips found himself four points and Hess-Cardona added two more to his total.

 

The Bulldogs continued to play well through he fourth and found 14 more points with six of them coming from Todd and the other eight coming from five different scorers. Girard would match their highest scoring quarter, the first, with seven more points from Phillips (5) and Stephen Sims (2). 

 

While both teams showed good defense it was the overall power of the Bulldogs scorers that would be the difference maker in this game. Todd ended with 10 points, McCully with eight and Fulton with seven to help lead their team to the victory. Girard was led by Dom Phillips who was the only other scorer to reach double digits with 11 and Hess-Cardona who put up six points.

 

The Bulldogs (4-1, 2-0) will show off their skills next when they host Niles on Tuesday December 19th at 7:00PM and the Indians (0-4, 0-2) will hit the road when they face Salem on the 19th as well with their start time being scheduled for 6:45PM.

MOONEY FINDING THEIR FLOW

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WARREN OH- In a display of newfound confidence, Mooney dominated the court on Thursday with a commanding 52-41 road victory over Warren Harding, fueled by their relentless full-court defense.

Leading the charge for Mooney, Sophia Diorio showcased her scoring prowess, contributing 17 points, while Samantha Rotunno added 15 points to the team’s impressive offensive output. The dynamic duo played a pivotal role in securing the well-deserved win.

This victory serves as a crucial momentum boost for Mooney as they look ahead to their upcoming matchup against Canton Central Catholic on Thursday, December 21.

MASSUCCI AINT DONE YET

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HOWLAND OH- Alyssa Massucci, a senior standout in Howland Girls Basketball, has been a fixture in the school’s athletic scene since her high school journey began. As the Tigers bring back their entire roster from last year, Massucci emerges as a seasoned leader among the six seniors, showcasing a remarkable progression in her vocal leadership over the years.

What sets Massucci apart is the enduring bond she shares with her fellow seniors, having played alongside them since the 3rd grade. Their collective efforts have propelled them into their final high school year, determined to etch unforgettable memories on the court.

The Massucci name resonates with a storied legacy in Howland athletics. With brothers who were stars in their own right, Alyssa follows suit, making a significant impact. The family’s unwavering support and encouragement continue to propel her toward greatness.

On the court this season, Massucci has been a scoring force, averaging an impressive 20.2 points per game. Beyond basketball, she has committed to playing softball at the collegiate level at Slippery Rock. While the decision between basketball and softball weighed on her mind, the allure of softball’s special place won out. This certainty about her future destination has allowed Massucci to approach this basketball season with a relaxed mindset, focusing on enjoyment and making the most of her senior year.

Looking forward, Alyssa Massucci plans to pursue a health/physical education major, taking steps toward a future that combines her passion for sports and education. As she leaves an indelible mark on Howland Girls Basketball, Massucci’s journey is one of dedication, leadership, and a legacy that extends beyond the court.

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GARFIELD BREAKS INTO THE WIN COLUMN

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CAMPBELL OH- In a pivotal matchup on Thursday, Garfield secured their first victory of the season against the Red Devils in Campbell, triumphing with a final score of 37-18. Mandy Cardinal led the charge with an impressive game-high 23 points and a double-double, grabbing 10 rebounds. Zoey May added 5 points to the scoreboard, contributing to the team’s well-deserved win.

Despite a challenging start to the year, Garfield showcased resilience and determination on the road. The young Lady G-Men, now 1-4 for the season, will carry this momentum into their upcoming game on Monday against Liberty.

On the other side, Campbell, now standing at 1-5, faced a tough defeat. Diamon Sims put up a commendable effort, contributing 8 points for the Red Devils. Looking ahead, Campbell will host Champion in their next matchup on Monday.

FLASHES TAKE A BIG STEP IN THE MVAC

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By Ty Bartell

LEAVITTSBURG OH- Inside of Your Sports Networks, many girls basketball conferences look to be competitive this season, with multiple teams competing for each and every conference represented on the network. Of all those conferences, none may be as competitive as the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference’s (MVAC) Gray Division. With a good five of eight teams having a good shot at coming away with the conference crown, two of which battled on Thursday night when The Champion Flashes took a stroll down the road to Leavittsburg to battle The LaBrae Vikings!

Both teams already having a successful start to the season with The Flashes were sporting a 4-1 record and a 1-0 conference record, meanwhile, LaBrae was 5-0 and a 2-0 conference clip heading into Thursday. The Vikings came out swinging and delivered a heavy blow to Champion in the first quarter, jumping out to an early 11-1 lead. The Flashes managed a couple buckets, but LaBrae still held the 8 point lead at 13-5 after a quarter. In the second quarter, Isabella Meyer started heating up and willing Champion back into the contest. Effectively knotting the game up twice in the second, The Vikings still managed to hold the lead heading into halftime, this time with a slimmer 29-25 lead.

In the third quarter, Champion finally managed to find themselves in front once again. Battling back down double digits, not once but twice, against The Vikings. Champion got contributions from Kennedy Caldwell and Kayla Haynie to help take a 39-38 lead into the fourth quarter! Both teams would scrap tooth and nail till the very end, but it was Champion who stood atop The Vikings 52-49 in the first of two Trumbull County wars this year between the two programs.

Isabella Meyer got Player of the Game honors with her 24 points to lead The Flashes, Meyer also showed off those active hands that have averaged just under 5 steals a game this season, more than meeting her season average against The Vikings. Behind Meyer, Kennedy Caldwell finished with 7 points and Kayla Haynie had 6 points in the game. For LaBrae, they were led by Ella Kuszmaul who finished with a tough 19 points on the night. Also with a productive night for The Vikings was Mariah Jones who came away with a ton of boards in the post while putting up 11 points of offense.

Champion (5-1)(2-0) now looks ahead to Monday, December 18th when they travel to Campbell-Memorial (1-4)(0-2) to battle The Red Devils. LaBrae (5-1)(2-1) will try to get back on track when they also stay inside the MVAC, traveling to Brookfield (1-3)(1-0) also on Monday. YSN is your place for all MVAC action this winter sports season, be sure to catch live games, scores, stats, stories and more on the network!