SPRINGFIELD DOES WELL IN HOME OPENER

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By Noah Doughty


NEW MIDDLETOWN OH- It was the home opener for the Springfield Tigers as they were set to take on the Crestview Rebels. Both teams came into the game searching for their first win of the season and defense set the tone early as Tigers brought out the full court press proving to be an issue for the Rebels. The first half ended with a buzzer beating layup from Sean Guerriero to put the Tigers up 25-22.

 

In the third quarter foul trouble became an issue for both teams and Springfield had to run with only two starters for a good portion of the quarter. But it was Sean Guerriero and Drew Miller who were able to anchor the offense as Springfield began to pull away towards the end of the third. And the Tigers went on to win 58-40.

 

Sean Guerriero was the lead scorer with 16 points Dylan Sheely contributed 15 points. Drew Miller also was in double figures with 11 while also causing issues in the passing lanes for the Rebels. For Crestview Justin McKee and Johnathon Best each had 15 points.

 

Springfield improves to (1-1) on the season and looks ahead to conference play as they take on Jackson Milton at home this Tuesday, December 12 for a 7pm tipoff. Crestview’s next game is Tuesday, December 12 at 7pm where they will look to get into the win column against Brookfield.

 

 

FALCONS WIN ON THE ROAD WITH LAST SECOND HEROICS

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YOUNGSTOWN OH- In a defensive battle, Fitch extended their impressive start to the season on Friday night by edging past a resilient Cardinal Mooney team with a final score of 38-36.

Allen Hill emerged as the leading scorer for Fitch, contributing 11 points, while Marcel Finkley followed closely with 8 points. Deshawn Vaughn and Carter Owens each added 6 points to the scoreboard. The game reached a thrilling conclusion as Hill secured a game-winning layup with just 1.7 seconds left on the clock.

Cardinal Mooney’s offensive efforts were led by Eddie Nieves, who notched an impressive 15 points, and Rocco Turner, contributing 10 points in a closely contested matchup.

TIGERS EARN OVERTIME VICTORY

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HOWLAND OH- In a nail-biting overtime showdown, Howland secured a hard-fought victory against LaBrae with a final score of 63-61.

Howland’s Chris Fenton emerged as a standout performer, notching an impressive 26 points, supported by contributions from Alex Henry with 13 points and John Perry with 11 points.

LaBrae fiercely contested the match, led by Jay McGary’s 16 points, Derek Wilson’s 15 points, and Jason Lancaster’s 11 points. Austin Rowe also contributed 9 points for the Vikings.

NILES PUTS TOGETHER AN IMPRESSIVE SHOWING

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By Matt Maher 


BROOKFIELD, OH – The Red Dragons found win number two Friday night after playing a tightly contested game on the road against Brookfield. Three players found themselves in double digits for Niles including Avon Fryer and Yausene Blackmon who both scored 11 and Stef Dorsey who put up an impressive 17. 

 

Niles came out of the first with a 16-13 lead that saw Dorsey put up two 3-pointes and both Blackmon and Fryer both found four points. On the other side, Brookfield Saw an impressive individual effort from Matteo Fortuna that saw not only defense but five points from a 2-point bucket and three of four tosses from the charity stripe found netting. 

 

The second quarter was uneventful in an eventful way. The score sheet reads Brookfield outscoring Niles 7-3 but Niles had possession for majority of the quarter because Fryer and Dorsey both decided that the Brookfield defense was too strong in the early stages of the quarter and decided to let Dorsey hold on to the ball in the offensive zone for well over three minutes. This extended wait was met with laughter from Niles who couldn’t believe Brookfield wasn’t pressuring them as well as annoyance from the Brookfield coach and players who were just waiting for something to happen. The Warriors finally decided to engage and forced Dorsey to pass the ball and the game finally picked back up with just over three minutes to play. 

 

While the second quarter brought a lot of standing around and waiting the third quarter was a return to form as Niles really found their stride putting up 14 points including Dorsey going two for two from the stripe and hitting a three and Fryer getting a nifty three as well. Matteo Fortuna added to his team leading 11 point night by going two for two from the stripe.

 

The fourth was Niles chance to bring it home and boy did they deliver. McKinley would put up 19 points including four of eight made free throws from Dorsey and a very well earned 3-pointer from True Carey-Hardin. Fortuna found two more points and Brandon Hardman started the feel the wheels turning as he found five points including a shooting foul where he put the bucket away and made the extra shot completing the and-1.

 

Brookfield battled hard all game and showed some of the toughest defense this reporter has seen so far this season! Niles showed great resilience against the great coverage from Brookfield and earned a very hard fought 52-41 victory over the Warriors. Niles hits the paint next when they host Lakeview in their first conference game on Tuesday December 12th at 7:00PM. Brookfield will look for their first win when they travel to Sharpsville on Saturday December 9th, that game tips off at 1:30PM.



MUSTANGS STUMBLE LATE AGAINST RED DEVILS

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Crestwood, OH- In a hard-fought league game, the Grand Valley Mustangs faced off against the Crestwood Red Devils, ultimately succumbing to a final score of 35-29. The game, played with intense energy and skill, showcased the determination of both teams throughout all four quarters.

First Quarter: Grand Valley 8, Crestwood 3

The opening quarter set the tone for a competitive matchup as both teams jockeyed for control. Grand Valley’s Reagan Boiarski and Dixie Miller combined for a solid offensive effort, contributing to their team’s early lead. However, Crestwood’s defense, led by Lily O’Bryant, held firm, limiting the Mustangs to just 8 points.

Second Quarter: Grand Valley 2, Crestwood 10

Crestwood seized the momentum in the second quarter, with Hannah Ward and Liv Martin spearheading a comeback. The Red Devils’ offense found its rhythm, outscoring the Mustangs 10-2 in the quarter. Grand Valley faced a halftime deficit but remained within striking distance.

Third Quarter: Grand Valley 8, Crestwood 12

The battle intensified in the third quarter as both teams exchanged blows. Grand Valley’s Kaelyn Hart showcased her scoring prowess with 15 points, while Crestwood responded with a balanced attack, led by Becca Brady. The Mustangs fought to close the gap, setting the stage for a dramatic final quarter.

Fourth Quarter: Grand Valley 11, Crestwood 10

In a nail-biting finish, both teams left it all on the court. Grand Valley mounted a late-game surge, with Kaitlyn Bauman and Morgan Crawford contributing crucial points. However, Crestwood maintained composure, securing the win with a final push led by Brady and Abby Guyetie. The Mustangs’ resilience was evident, but Crestwood emerged victorious in a closely contested battle.

Top Performers:

Grand Valley Mustangs:

  • Kaelyn Hart: 15 points
  • Reagan Boiarski: 5 points
  • Dixie Miller: 4 points

Crestwood Red Devils:

  • Becca Brady: 9 points
  • Hannah Ward: 8 points
  • Liv Martin: 8 points

Looking Ahead:

The Grand Valley Mustangs, now with a 3-1 record, will hit the road to face the Berkshire Badgers (1-3) on December 12, 2023. The Badgers are coming off a thrilling 35-32 victory over Crestwood and will look to build on their momentum. Meanwhile, the Crestwood Red Devils (1-3) face an away game against the Cardinal Huskies (0-4) on the same date. The Huskies aim to bounce back from a tough loss to the Wickliffe Blue Devils, setting the stage for another exciting round of high school basketball action.

WARRIORS HOT START CONTINUES WITH WIN OVER EAGLES

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East Ashtabula, OH- CVC play is well underway for girls basketball and on Friday night the Edgewood Warriors girls’ basketball team secured a hard-fought victory against the Geneva Eagles with a final score of 54-50. The Warriors showcased their offensive prowess and resilience, securing their undefeated record at 3-0.

Leading the charge for the Warriors was the dynamic duo of Katie McCollister and Annie Johnston, combining for an impressive 31 points. McCollister led all scorers with 19 points, while Johnston contributed a solid 12 points. The Vencill trio, sisters Avery and McKenna, along with cousin Faith Vencill, provided crucial support with a combined 17 points. Leigha Guyton and Carly Kray added to the scoreboard with 4 and 2 points, respectively.

Despite a valiant effort from the Geneva Eagles, led by Delaney Morrison’s remarkable 19-point performance, the Warriors managed to maintain their lead in each quarter, securing the win.

Looking ahead, the Edgewood Warriors (3-0) are set to face the Lakeside Dragons (0-3) in a home game on 12/12/23. The Dragons, coming off a close 36-31 loss to the Jefferson Falcons, will be hungry for a win. On the same day, the Geneva Eagles (2-1) will host the Harvey Red Raiders (1-2), with the Red Raiders seeking redemption after a tough 62-21 loss to the Edgewood Warriors in their previous matchup. The upcoming games promise more exciting basketball action and an opportunity for both the Warriors and the Eagles to further showcase their skills and determination on the court.

FALCONS 4TH QUARTER COMBACK COMES UP SHORT

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Erie, PA- In a closely contested battle, the Jefferson Falcons faced off against the Benedictine Bengals in a game that went down to the wire. The final scoreline saw the Benedictine Bengals emerge victorious with a narrow 58-53 win over the Falcons.

The game was marked by intense back-and-forth action in each quarter. Benedictine took an early lead in the first quarter with a score of 17-11, but the Falcons fought back, trailing by just two points at halftime with a score of 32-29. The Bengals extended their lead in the third quarter, outscoring the Falcons 16-7, setting the stage for a thrilling final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Jefferson Falcons rallied with a determined effort, putting up 24 points. However, Benedictine managed to hold on to their lead, securing the victory with a final score of 58-53.

Key contributors for the Falcons included Anthony Covetta with 15 points and Joey DeGeorge with 18 points. On the other side, the Bengals saw balanced scoring from players like John Horn with 16 points and Makell Byrd with 12 points.

The Jefferson Falcons, now standing at 0-2 for the season, look ahead to their next challenge on the road against the Lakeside Dragons on 12/13/23. Meanwhile, the Benedictine Bengals, with a 2-1 record, are set to face the Erie McDowell Trojans on 12/09/23. The Falcons will aim to bounce back, seeking their first win of the season, while the Bengals aim to build on their positive momentum in the upcoming games.

PANTHERS POUNCE ON HERALDS

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Photo Credit: Mickey Zheng Photography

Bristolville, OH- In a tough road game for the Heralds, the Bristol Panthers dominated the St. John Heralds with a resounding victory, closing the game with a staggering scoreline of 77-20.

The first quarter saw a stark contrast in performance, with St. John struggling to find their footing and amassing a mere 8 points. Meanwhile, Bristol showcased their offensive prowess, securing a commanding lead with 23 points.

As the game progressed, Bristol continued to assert their dominance, scoring 24 and 16 points in the second and third quarters, respectively. St. John fought valiantly, but the relentless pressure from the Panthers limited their offensive opportunities.

Individual performances from standout players highlighted the game. Jayden Miller led Bristol with an outstanding 22 points, supported by a balanced contribution from his teammates, including Jack Berry and Mikey Burbach, who each scored 14 points.

On the St. John side, Aaron Wychock showcased his skills, contributing 7 points. However, the collective efforts of the Heralds were insufficient to overcome the relentless defensive pressure imposed by Bristol.

The key to Bristol’s triumph lay in their ability to press effectively, forcing an impressive 23 turnovers in the first half alone. This defensive prowess translated into 22 crucial points from transition baskets, setting the foundation for their comprehensive win.

Looking ahead, the St. John Heralds, with a current record of 0-3, will face the formidable Conneaut Spartans (2-0) in their next matchup on 12/09/23. The Spartans, coming off a 72-65 victory over the Northwestern Wildcats, will pose a challenging test for the Heralds.

As for the undefeated Bristol Panthers (3-0), their next challenge awaits against the Maplewood Rockets (1-1) on 12/12/23. The Rockets, fresh from a 69-34 defeat to the Mathews Mustangs, will look to bounce back, setting the stage for an intriguing matchup against the Panthers’ relentless offensive and defensive prowess.

ANDRE’S GAME IS GIANT

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EAST PALESTINE OH- As East Palestine’s girls’ basketball team embarks on a new season filled with determination, the spotlight falls on one of their seasoned leaders, Gabby Andre. Known for her quiet but impactful leadership, Gabby’s commitment to excellence sets the tone for her teammates. She exemplifies the ethos of hard work, often being the first to arrive and the last to leave the court. Gabby’s receptiveness to coaching stands out, making her a valuable asset on the team.

Last season, Gabby’s contributions were evident, finishing second in points per game (6.2), three-pointers made (16), steals per game (1.6), and assists per game (1.2). As the team looks to the future, Gabby aims to instill a lasting legacy of dedication within the Bulldog locker room.

In the ongoing season, she has elevated her game even further, averaging 9.3 points per game and showcasing defensive prowess with 1.8 steals per game. Her performance includes a notable career-high 19-point game against Lisbon, highlighting her ability to rise to the occasion. Gabby Andre’s impact extends beyond the stat sheet, making her an integral force driving East Palestine towards success.

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LADY CLIPPERS FLY AWAY FROM LISBON

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LISBON, OH – In a basketball clash between local rivals, the Columbiana Lady Clippers showcased their dominance, securing a convincing EOAC victory over the Lisbon Lady Blue Devils with a final score of 51-20. The first quarter set the tone for the game, with Columbiana taking a slim 12-9 lead. Averi Marshall led the charge, showcasing her scoring prowess early on. As the halftime buzzer sounded, Columbiana had extended their lead to 26-13. The Lady Clippers displayed a balanced offensive attack, with contributions from multiple players. Evy Rapp added to the scoring effort, highlighting Columbiana’s depth and versatility.

The third quarter further solidified Columbiana’s control of the game, as they widened the gap to 39-15. Averi Marshall continued to shine, finishing the game with an impressive 19 points. Evy Rapp’s steady performance, contributing 7 points, complemented Marshall’s scoring output and added to Columbiana’s success. On the opposing side, Jayden Smyth, Brooklyn Cousins, Morgan Lively led the offensive efforts for Lisbon. Smyth finishing the game with 7 points, Cousins and Lively both adding in 6 points.

Up next for the Lady Clippers will be a home match up with the Wellsville Lady Tigers on Monday, December 11th. The Lisbon Lady Blue Devils, also back in action on Monday, will travel to Valley Christian to take on the Lady Eagles.