TIGERS RISE TO CHALLENGE

YOUNGSTOWN OH- In a closely contested matchup, Howland faced a significant test on Wednesday night against Ursuline, and they rose to the occasion with a tight 52-50 victory on the road.

Alyssa Massucci led the scoring for Howland with an impressive 21 points, supported by Mia Barrish contributing 10 points, and Gia Hoso adding 7 points. Jesse DeSalvo chipped in with 6 points to round out the Tigers’ offensive effort.

Ursuline’s Lily Scott had a standout performance with a game-high 28 points, showcasing her scoring prowess. Kennedy Carpenter contributed 11 points, while Carly Casey added 6 points.

With this hard-fought win, Howland improves to a 4-1 record and looks to continue their success at home on Saturday against Chardon. Ursuline, aiming to bounce back, will face West Branch at home on Wednesday, December 20th.

SPARTANS STREAK STOPPED IN PERRY

Perry, OH- In a tough road game for the Spartans, the Perry Pirates asserted their dominance against the Conneaut Spartans with a resounding victory, finishing with a commanding final score of 75-39. The game, played in four quarters, showcased Perry’s prowess in both offense and defense, leaving Conneaut struggling to keep pace.

First Quarter: Perry Sets the Tone

The Pirates wasted no time setting the tone for the game, outscoring Conneaut 20-7 in the opening quarter. The offensive charge was led by Vincent Tomasic, who contributed 13 points, and Desmond Malone, who added 16. Perry’s early lead provided them with a significant advantage that would prove difficult for the Spartans to overcome.

Second Quarter: Perry Extends Their Lead

Perry continued to build on their momentum in the second quarter, adding 23 more points to their tally. The scoring was distributed across the team, with notable contributions from Brayden Richards, Allen Morris, and Josh Zentrgaf. Conneaut struggled to contain Perry’s offensive onslaught, with the halftime score reflecting a substantial 43-16 lead for the Pirates.

Third Quarter: Conneaut Attempts a Comeback

Despite facing a considerable deficit, the Conneaut Spartans displayed resilience in the third quarter. However, Perry maintained control of the game, adding 18 more points to their total. Conneaut’s Chance Loomis emerged as a standout performer for the Spartans, scoring 19 points in the effort to close the gap. Nevertheless, Perry held a comfortable 61-27 lead heading into the final quarter.

Fourth Quarter: Perry Secures the Win

The Pirates sealed their victory in the fourth quarter, adding 14 more points to finish with a decisive 75-39 triumph. Conneaut fought hard, with contributions from players like Ryan Turner and Noah Hamm, but Perry’s balanced scoring and defensive efforts were too much for the Spartans to overcome.

Player Highlights:

  • Perry’s Desmond Malone led the scoring with an impressive 16 points.
  • Conneaut’s Chance Loomis showcased his skills with 19 points.

Upcoming Games:

The Conneaut Spartans (3-1) will look to bounce back as they host the Harvey Red Raiders on 12/16/23. Meanwhile, the Perry Pirates (1-1) will hit the road to face the Madison Blue Streaks on 12/20/23, aiming to build on their momentum from this convincing win. The Blue Streaks, coming off a recent victory, will provide a challenging matchup for the Pirates. Basketball enthusiasts can anticipate an exciting clash as both teams strive for success in the upcoming matchups

WARRIORS SHOW GRIT IN WIN OVER RED RAIDERS

Painesville, OH- In a tough road game, the Edgewood Warriors maintained their undefeated streak, securing a 61-55 triumph over the Harvey Red Raiders. The game, played with intensity and skill on both sides, showcased the Warriors’ determination and teamwork.

The first quarter set the tone for the game, with Edgewood claiming a narrow 17-16 lead. As the match progressed, the Warriors continued to demonstrate their offensive prowess, led by standout performances from Jacob Ernst, Logan Kray, and Brady Andrejack. Ernst’s 22 points reflected his scoring ability, while Kray and Andrejack contributed 18 and 13 points, respectively, solidifying Edgewood’s lead.

The Harvey Red Raiders fought valiantly throughout the game, with notable performances from Chase Goines and Armani Hall, who scored 16 and 15 points, respectively. However, the Warriors’ defense held firm, limiting Harvey’s scoring opportunities.

As the final buzzer sounded, Edgewood celebrated their hard-fought victory, maintaining a perfect 3-0 record for the season. Looking ahead, the Warriors are set to face the Geneva Eagles (2-2) in a home game on 12/16/23. The Eagles, coming off a loss to the Madison Blue Streaks, will be eager to bounce back, setting the stage for an exciting matchup.

On the other side, the Harvey Red Raiders (2-1) will hit the road to face the Conneaut Spartans (3-1). The Spartans, seeking redemption after a 75-39 loss to the Perry Pirates, will pose a tough challenge for Harvey. Basketball enthusiasts can anticipate another thrilling showdown as these teams continue their journey through the 2023 season.

FALCONS SOAR PAST DRAGONS FOR FIRST CVC WIN

Ashtabula, OH- In a high-scoring showdown, the Jefferson Falcons soared to a commanding 68-40 triumph over the Lakeside Dragons. The Falcons showcased their offensive prowess, particularly from beyond the arc, en route to their first conference victory of the season.

Quarter by Quarter Recap:

  • First Quarter: The game kicked off with both teams battling fiercely, but the Falcons managed to edge ahead with a 15-13 lead.
  • Second Quarter: Jefferson continued to build momentum, outscoring Lakeside 19-13 in the second quarter. The offensive effort was led by sharpshooter Anthony Covetta, who contributed significantly to the Falcons’ growing point total.
  • Third Quarter: The Falcons dominated the third quarter, posting an impressive 21 points while holding Lakeside scoreless. The Lakeside Dragons faced a challenging defensive effort from the Falcons.
  • Fourth Quarter: Although Lakeside fought back in the final quarter, the Falcons maintained their offensive prowess, securing a 68-40 victory by the end of the game.

Top Performers:

  • Jefferson Falcons:
    • Joey DeGeorge was the standout performer for the Falcons, contributing a staggering 30 points to the team’s total.
    • Anthony Covetta showcased his sharpshooting skills, knocking down four crucial three-pointers and finishing the game with 16 points.
    • Robbie Pisano also played a key role, adding 9 points to the scoreboard while creating extra possesions with multiple steals.
  • Lakeside Dragons:
    • Connor Mead led the Lakeside team with 13 points, showcasing his scoring ability.
    • Jay Lopez and Dylan Newsome also made valuable contributions, with 8 and 7 points, respectively.

Beyond the Arc: The Falcons’ success beyond the arc was a defining factor in the game, as they sunk a total of seven three-pointers. Anthony Covetta, in particular, proved deadly from long range with four successful three-point shots.

Upcoming Matches:

The Jefferson Falcons, now boasting a 1-3 record, will look to build on their success as they face the Conneaut Spartans on December 22, 2023. The Lakeside Dragons, with a 1-2 record, will aim to rebound at home against the Madison Blue Streaks, who are coming off a victory over the Geneva Eagles. The upcoming matchups promise to be intense battles as both teams seek to make their mark in the conference standings.

RANGE ROUTES GIRARD AT HOME

CANFIELD, OH- On the opening night in the NE8 Play, South Range quickly were able to point out how much difference a year could make in a 63-38 victory over conference rival, Girard.

The biggest change was senior Dylan Turvey’s willingness and determination to establish himself as a post player for Pat Carden’s offense.  South Range, admittedly undersized relied heavily on their game going inside-out on Tuesday night.  Turvey scored 15 points, which all came in the paint or at the line.  Leading all scorers was Landon Moore with 22 points, Luke Rohan posted 9 points for the Raiders as well.

The veteran presence shined through for South Range as there were multiple breakout passes up the floor resulting in points and odd-man advantages for the Raiders that kept the Indians on their heels throughout the contest.

Ahmad Curd’s 16 points kept South Range honest throughout the night, but it was Nick Rafferty’s sharpshooting on the outside that gave Girard a chance in the early going before finishing with nine points.  Dom Phillips posted seven points for the Indians as well.

With the victory, South Range goes to 3-1 on the year (1-0) and Girard is left still looking for their first victory at 0-3.

 

CLIPPERS RESPOND AFTER FIRST LOSS

COLUMBIANA OH- In a quest for a crucial conference win, Columbiana delivered a dominant performance on Tuesday, securing a convincing 62-40 victory over Wellsville. The Clippers’ defense and clutch offense proved instrumental in their commanding triumph.

Leading the charge for Columbiana was Seth Struharik with an impressive 21 points, complemented by Maddox Brown contributing 15 points and Devin Daugherty adding 12 points. Ian Less chipped in with 9 points, showcasing a well-rounded offensive effort.

Wellsville’s scoring efforts were led by Tyrell Watkins with 17 points, while Richie Dowling contributed 11 points.

With this win, Columbiana advances to a 3-1 record and looks to carry the momentum into their next matchup on Friday as they hit the road to face Valley Christian. Meanwhile, Wellsville prepares for a matchup against United, aiming to regroup and bounce back in their upcoming contest.

SPRINGFIELD SIMPLY TOO MUCH TO HANDLE

By Noah Doughty 


NEW MIDDLETOWN OH- It was the start of section pay for Springfield as the Tigers faced off against Jackson Milton. Thanks to a defensive effort by Springfield they were able to secure a 52-39 win.

 

The Tigers got off to a hot start shooting with 3 quick 3 pointers and were able stretch the lead to 30-17 at the half. Another run in the 3rd quarter gave Springfield a comfortable lead going into the 4th. However with Springfield getting into some foul trouble and a 9 point 4th by Ryan Romigh gave the Blue Jays a final run to keep it close down the stretch.

 

Dylan Sheely was the lead scorer for the Tigers with 14 and Sean Guerriero contributed 12. For the Blue Jays Ryan Romigh had 17 points.

 

Springfield improved to 2-1 on the season and their next game is Friday, December 15th against Western Reserve. Jackson Milton now 2-2 looks on to Sebring this Friday, December 15th.

 

CADETS COME TO OHIO TO FIND A WIN

By Ty Bartell

AUSTINTOWN OH- Early season basketball can make for a really fun and exciting time with the amount of non-conference games that are featured early on. You get potential glimpses at what could be a playoff opponent down the road, you can test your team thus preparing them for conference-play and you can possibly see something you have never seen before. Tuesday night in Austintown, Ohio the intriguing matchup on the hardwood was a battle between Ohio and West Virginia when The Austintown-Fitch Falcons hosted in The Linsly Cadets out of Wheeling, West Virginia, Both teams showed their athleticism and talent early on, as highlight reel play after highlight reel play occurred between the two squads in the opening quarter. The Cadets would pull away slightly, holding a 13-9 lead after a quarter.

Rolling into the second, The Falcons battled back with some key turnovers turned into points as well as getting Linsly into foul trouble to get Fitch to the line. This time around, The Falcons would hold the advantage after the second quarter with a 22-21 lead over Linsly at halftime.

The back-and-forth contest ensued into the second half when everytime one team would score, the other would have a response. One team would go on a run, the other made sure they had a running partner, keeping pace with one another the whole way with Linsly holding the one point advantage 37-36 after three quarters. However, the forth would prove to be unkind to The Falcons as Linsly opened up the frame with a 9-0 run in the first two minutes of the quarter off the back of 6 turnovers by Fitch in that time. Linsly would go up by double-digits and never look back, outscoring Austintown 20-11 in the fourth to claim the 57-47 win, staying undefeated and hanging the first loss on Fitch this year.

Linsly was led by Will Taylor who finished with a game-high 17 points and acted as the primary ball-handler in the second half, helping lead The Cadets to a win! Following Taylor was Naseef Lubowa who had 14 points. For The Falcons they were led by Deshawn Vaughn who had 13 points, with Marcel Finkley behind him with 12 points and Allen Hill with 10 points.

Fitch (3-1) will try and get back on track with their next contest coming on Saturday, December 16th when they hit the road to battle The Mayfield Wildcats (0-4). Also in-action again on Saturday will be The Linsly Cadets (3-0) when they stay on the road to battle The Harrison-Central Huskies (3-0). Stay updated with all Austintown-Fitch athletics this winter sports season with live games, scores, stats, stories and more on YSN!

BEARS FEAST ON BOARDMAN

By Michael Ginocchi


Youngstown, OH-
The Youngstown East boy’s basketball team earned an impressive 75-68 win over Boarman on Tuesday evening. The Golden Bears used a fast start shooting fantastic from beyond the arch making a total 11 threes. Their offensive rebounding was also a huge factor throughout the game giving them multiple second chance opportunites. East improved to 3-1 on the year and knocked off previously unbeaten Boardman.

 

For the Golden Bears, Isaiah Mccray was the driving force offensively. He knocked down seven three pointers in his route to 31 points. Tyris Davis wasn’t too far behind with 22 points and even threw down a ferocious dunk during the game. Jared Colon and Jerry Smith each reached double figures. East was well rounded on the offensive end, with four players reaching double figures.

 

Boardman however, struggled to find its offensive rhythm. The Spartans shot only 11-20 from the free throw line, had troubles with the East quickness and gave up too many second chance opportunities. Grayson Eicher and Kaden Mayhew each scored 11 points for Boardman. Noah Ziak chipped in nine. It wasn’t the result the Spartans wanted, but they will look to bounce back Friday night against the undefeated Potters.

 

Youngstown East will have a big Steel Valley Conference showdown with Ursuline this Friday at 7:00 p.m. The Golden Bears will look to pull off the upset against a very talented Fighting Irish team.

 

BADGER REFUSES TO GO DOWN

VIENNA OH- In a stunning comeback, Badger showcased resilience on the road against Mathews, overcoming a 14-point deficit to secure a remarkable 78-71 victory. The Braves mounted an impressive surge in the fourth quarter, outscoring their opponents 32-9 to snatch the win from the jaws of defeat.

Leading the charge for Badger was Duncan Moy, who delivered an outstanding performance with 31 points. Notably, this marked the third consecutive game in which Moy surpassed the 30-point mark, highlighting his consistent scoring prowess.

With this thrilling victory, Badger advances to a 3-1 record and returns home on Friday with momentum on their side as they host Pymatuning Valley, eager to build on their impressive early-season form.