KNIGHTS PICK UP WHERE THEY LEFT OFF

By Ty Bartell

BARBERTON OH- Coming off the magical 2022-2023 season that was for The Archbishop Hoban Knights basketball team, the time for celebration was now over as the season tipped-off on Saturday for Hoban. In a schedule filled with plenty of fun and competitive matchups. The opener occurred at Barberton High School as a part of The Greynolds Classic where they battled an old Akron rival in The Firestone Falcons!
The Knights armor was up for the task, as the defense led the way early on for Hoban with the 14-5 lead after the first quarter. Continuing that string of dominance in the second, The Knights would outscore The Falcons 22-8 in the second, effectively taking a commanding 36-13 advantage into the halftime locker room.

Firestone would show some fight coming out of the half with The Falcons being a bucket better than Hoban, 13-10 in the quarter; however, The Knights still managed to hold the 46-26 lead after three quarters. By the fourth, Hoban had their sights set on victory and nothing was derailing them! Winning their opener 60-36 over Firestone, The Knights start the season off on the right foot with a win!

Hoban was led by Jonas Nichols who finished with 17 points, followed by Joey Hardman who had 15 points and The Greer’s both getting involved as Josh had 9 points and Sam had 6 points in the game. Firestone had a big performance out of Lamar Dampier who scored 18 points to provide half of the offense for The Falcons. Jonathan White also contributed to Firestone with 6 points.

Hoban (1-0) will now travel to Warren JFK (3-0) to battle The Eagles on Tuesday, December 12th with a 7 p.m. tip-off. Meanwhile, Firestone (0-5) will try to right the ship in their next contest hosting The Akron East Dragons (1-2) also on Tuesday. Keep updated with all Archbishop Hoban winter athletics with live games, scores, stats, stories and more on YSN!

FITCH KEEPS ON WINNING

Austintown Fitch extended their impressive winning streak to six games on Saturday, securing a 51-36 victory against Kenston. The Falcons showcased their prowess on the court with a well-rounded team effort.

Rachel Spalding led the scoring charge for Fitch, contributing an impressive 19 points. Destanie McCollough added 14 points, while Ayla Ray and Sam Severn each contributed 7 points to the team’s success.

With this latest triumph, Fitch looks to maintain their winning momentum as they return to Falcon Country on Monday, December 11. The team is set to host St. Joseph Academy in what promises to be another exciting matchup, with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 pm.

DRAGONS FLY HIGH IN HARTZ FIRST WIN

Photo Credit: CM Photography

Orwell, OH- In a thrilling CVC matchup that showcased the Lakeside Dragons’ prowess on the court, the team secured a convincing 48-32 victory against the Grand Valley Mustangs. This win not only marked an important triumph for the Dragons but also represented the inaugural victory for first-year head coach Josh Hartz.

The Dragons took control of the game early on, establishing an 8-7 lead in the first quarter. As the match progressed, Lakeside continued to build momentum, outscoring Grand Valley in each subsequent quarter.

Key Performances:

  • Lakeside Dragons:
    • Alex DiSalvatore led the scoring charge for the Dragons, contributing an impressive 15 points.
    • Aiden Hathy showcased his offensive skills, adding 10 points to the team’s total.
    • Jay Lopez and Dylan Newsome combined for 15 points, emphasizing the Dragons’ balanced attack.
  • Grand Valley Mustangs:
    • Jerry Schultz and Braden Hart led the scoring effort for the Mustangs, each contributing 8 points.
    • Bobby Rogers and Sammy Goforth added 11 points combined, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Dragons’ dominance.

Coach Hartz’s Debut Victory:

For Coach Josh Hartz, this game marked a significant milestone in his coaching career. Taking charge in his first year as head coach, Hartz guided the Lakeside Dragons to a well-deserved win, showcasing strategic prowess and effective leadership on the sidelines.

Looking Ahead:

The Lakeside Dragons, now boasting a 1-1 record, will return to their home court on 12/13/23 to face the Jefferson Falcons (0-3). The Falcons are seeking redemption following a challenging 100-83 loss to the Chartiers Valley Colts in the Marshden Roundball Classic.

On the other hand, the Grand Valley Mustangs (0-2) will strive for a comeback in their upcoming game against the Wickliffe Blue Devils (0-2) scheduled for 12/12/23. Both teams will aim to rebound from early-season setbacks and turn the tide in their favor.

As the Lakeside Dragons celebrate their victory, the fans eagerly anticipate a promising season under Coach Hartz’s guidance, hoping for more impressive performances and exciting moments on the basketball court.

WARRIORS DEFENSE TAKES CARROLLTON DOWN A PEG

CARROLLTON OH- West Branch continued their season’s winning streak with an impressive performance on the road within EBC play against Carrollton. The Warriors once again showcased their dominance, securing a commanding 65-36 victory.

Sophie Gregory led the charge for West Branch, delivering an outstanding 26-point performance. Livvie Showalter contributed 12 points, while Chloe Dennison added 11 points to the Warriors’ decisive win.

Notably, West Branch’s formidable defense stifled Carrollton, holding them well below their season average of 60 points. The victory solidifies West Branch’s strong start to the season as they look forward to returning home to face Salem on Wednesday. The anticipation for the upcoming clash between the Warriors and the Quakers is sure to draw attention from fans, with the JV game kicking off at 5:30, followed by the varsity matchup.

FALCONS FALL TO COLTS DESPITE DEGEORGE’S RECORD BREAKING PERFORMACE

Erie, PA- In a offense heavy contest at Erie McDowell High School, the Jefferson Falcons faced a formidable challenge against the Chartiers Valley Colts in the Marsh Roundball Classic. The game concluded with the Colts emerging victorious, securing a 100-83 win over the Falcons.

Despite the final score, the Falcons showcased an extraordinary offensive performance, led by the dynamic duo of Joey DeGeorge and Anthony Covetta. DeGeorge, with an outstanding 45 points, etched his name in the school record books, surpassing the previous record of 42 points set by Sam Hitchcock. Covetta also made a significant impact, contributing 31 points to the Falcons’ offensive efforts. Joel Navarro and Robbie Pisano scored 6 and 1 point respectively.

The Chartiers Valley Colts, boasting a 2-1 record, displayed a well-coordinated team effort that proved too much for the Falcons to overcome. The Colts’ victory in the Marsh Roundball Classic sets the stage for their upcoming matchup against the Obama Academy of International Studies Eagles (0-2) on 12/12/23, as they aim to build on their early-season success. The Colts were lead in scoring by the dynamic play of Jayden Davis who scored 29 and Julian Semplice who scored 23.

Despite the Falcons falling to a 0-3 record, the team remains resilient and determined to bounce back. Their next challenge awaits on the road as they face the Lakeside Dragons (0-1) on 12/13/23. It’s an opportunity for the Falcons to regroup and showcase their tenacity in pursuit of a comeback.

Fans can also look forward to an intriguing game between the Lakeside Dragons and the Grand Valley Mustangs on 12/09/23 at 6:30 pm, setting the stage for the Falcons’ clash with the Dragons. As the Falcons aim to turn their season around, each game becomes a crucial stepping stone in their journey.

As the Chartiers Valley Colts celebrate their victory, the Jefferson Falcons are gearing up for their next challenge, driven by the record-breaking performance of DeGeorge and the collective efforts of the team. The basketball season is a marathon, and with plenty of games ahead, the Falcons remain focused on their goal of success and improvement and hope that early season bruises will lead to post season success.

SPARTANS HAMM LEADS CHARGE PAST HERALDS

Photo Credit: Conneaut Athletics

Conneaut, OH- Hoping to keep their perfect record intact at home, the Conneaut Spartans secured a well-deserved victory against the St. John Heralds, with a final score of 78-65. The game unfolded with intensity, featuring stellar performances from key players on both sides.

The first quarter set the tone for the Spartans as they established an early lead, with a score of 15-9. The momentum carried into the second quarter, where Conneaut’s offensive prowess was on full display, amassing 27 points to St. John’s 15. The teams battled fiercely in the third and fourth quarters, but the Spartans maintained their composure, ultimately sealing the win with a total of 78 points.

Leading the charge for the Spartans was Noah Hamm, whose impressive 24-point contribution showcased his scoring prowess. Additionally, Chance Loomis and Jr Hutchinson added 23 and 14 points, respectively, highlighting the team’s balanced offensive strategy. Not to be overlooked, supporting players like Jordan Kulko, Davonte Harris, and Cole Stump made crucial contributions to secure the Spartans’ third consecutive victory, maintaining an undefeated record at 3-0.

St. John Heralds fought valiantly, with Anthony Severino leading the scoring effort with 22 points. Vin Narducci’s 21-point performance was another standout for the Heralds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Spartans’ collective effort.

Looking ahead, the Conneaut Spartans are gearing up for a challenging road matchup against the Perry Pirates on 12/13/23. The Pirates, led by the dynamic point guard Brayden Richards, promise to test the Spartans’ mettle as they embark on their journey in the CVC. Fans can anticipate a thrilling contest as the Spartans aim to extend their winning streak.

Meanwhile, the St. John Heralds will face off against the Pymatuning Valley Lakers, a fellow NAC member boasting a 3-1 record. The Lakers are coming off a solid 73-65 victory over the Fairport Harding Skippers, setting the stage for a compelling matchup between two competitive teams in the conference. Basketball enthusiasts can expect another exciting clash as both teams vie for supremacy in the NAC.

REBELS ARE STILL IMPRESSING THE CROWDS

COLUMBIANA OH- Crestview continued their impressive run on Saturday, maintaining their dominance as they cruised to a 61-26 victory over East Liverpool.

The Rebels were led by standout performances, with Addison Rhodes leading the scoring with an impressive 25 points, closely followed by Luvrain Gaskins, who contributed 19 points. Emily Downey added 7 points to Crestview’s commanding win.

Despite East Liverpool’s efforts, their scoring was led by Daejinelle Andrews with 6 points, while Kenzie Walker contributed 5 points.

BLUE JAYS FIND THEIR TEMPO

In a methodical performance, Jackson Milton steadily extended their lead over Heartland Christian, securing a significant 51-31 victory against the Lions, who entered the game with only one loss.

Leading the way for Jackson Milton was Hannah Huzyak, contributing 19 points and 6 rebounds. Amani Yasin delivered an impressive double-double with 11 points and an outstanding 16 rebounds. Nora Schwarten added 10 points to the team’s success, while Macayle Thornhill chipped in with 6 points.

Heartland’s efforts were led by Rachel Reynolds, who scored 7 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Mackenzie Lighltly, Emily McDowell, and Rylee Shadowens each contributed 6 points.

Jackson Milton is set to resume conference play with a game against Sebring on Monday, while Heartland Christian aims to bounce back on December 16th with an away game against Lisbon.

LISBON WORKS THEIR WAY PAST COLUMBIANA

LISBON OH- In a challenging contest, Lisbon faced their first test of the season against EOAC rival Columbiana. Despite the Clippers’ staunch defense, Lisbon showcased resilience and determination, securing a hard-fought victory with a final score of 50-48.

Lisbon’s offensive efforts were led by Hunter Dailey, who contributed 17 points, and Trevor Siefke, who added 15 points to the scoreboard. Tate Wallen also made a valuable impact with 6 points.

Columbiana’s statistical standouts included Seth Struharik, who led their scoring with 16 points, followed by Maddox Brown with 9 points and Ian Less with 7 points.

POLAND USES ANOTHER GREAT FINISH TO SEAL THE DEAL

In a Friday night matchup, Poland showcased their defensive prowess, constructing a fourth-quarter wall to pull away from Campbell with a final score of 60-45. The Bulldogs effectively transformed a seven-point lead at the start of the final frame into a commanding 15-point victory.

Carmine Tukalo emerged as the offensive standout for the Bulldogs, securing a game-high 17 points. Tukalo has consistently proven himself as the top scorer in both of Poland’s games this season.

With this triumph, Poland’s record advances to 2-0. The Bulldogs are set to host Boardman on Saturday as part of the Poland United Way Classic, featuring a lineup of four basketball games throughout the day. The matchup between the Bulldogs and Spartans is anticipated to be the nightcap event of this exciting basketball showcase.