FITCH WINS FIFTH STRAIGHT

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By Noah Doughty


YOUNGSTOWN OH- Taking a 4 game win streak into their matchup against Ursuline Fitch’s girls basketball team was able to secure a 55-28 victory over the Irish. It was Fitch’s defense that was able to shine, holding Ursuline to a combined 3 points in the 3rd and 4th quarter.

 

Ayla Ray led the Falcons with 18 points and 3 3 pointers with Rachel Spalding contributing 14 points. Lily Scott was the lead scorer for Ursuline with 11 points.

 

Ursuline looks to get back on track next Monday, December 11th, when they play Chaney. Austintown next game is Saturday, December 9th, on the road against Kenston where they look to continue their win streak.

HOBAN HANDS HOWLAND THEIR FIRST LOSS

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By Ty Bartell

AKRON OH- On a fun-filled Wednesday night on the network, YSN provided multiple live coverage of games. Including a girls basketball battle between undefeated teams in The Archbishop Hoban Knights taking on The Howland Tigers! Both teams sported a perfect 3-0 record entering Wednesday; however, something was bound to give. The Tigers punched on The Knights to start the game, with Howland finding their shot early, The Tigers built a quick double-digit lead at 19-9 after the first quarter. The Knights would take the early Howland haymaker and deal a Knight knockdown blow of their own when Hoban outscored The TIgers 25-8 in the second quarter toi take a 34-27 lead into halftime. Spearheaded by Niera Stevens who scored 10 points in the quarter!

The Tigers would have their own double-digit deficit comeback when they chipped away at Hoban’s lead and brought it back to within one possession. After three quarters, The Knights would hold a slimmer advantage at 47-41. Hoban would have another good closeout quarter by winning the fourth quarter 19-11 and the game by a final of 66-52. Tayln Banta and Devin Harris were critical for The Knights in the close out minutes with Banta scoring 8 points and Harris scoring 6 points in the fourth.

Player of the game nod went to the senior Devin Harris who scored 8 points on the night, all in the second half, while being a force on the glass to help skew the rebounding battle back to even. Beyond that, Niera Stevens was slashing up the floor, scoring 19 points for Hoban in the win. Taylyn Banta and Amaria Davis each finished with 10 points while MacKenzie Edingburgh scored 8 points. Big Howland scorers included Alyssa Massucci who led her team with 16 points. Followed by Gia Hoso who scored 13 points and Jessie DeSalvo who scored 10 points.

Hoban (4-0) will now look ahead to this weekend where they will host their 3rd annual Hoban Hoopfest and battle the likes of Gilmour Academy (3-0) on Saturday and Toledo Central Catholic (2-0) on Sunday. Meanwhile, Howland (3-1) will have a week long layoff as their next matchup is slated for Wednesday, December 13th when they go back on the road to battle Ursuline (2-2).

SPARTANS STAY PERFECT AT HOME

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Conneaut, OH- Hoping to continue their forward momentum, the Conneaut Spartans showcased their prowess on the court, securing a commanding victory against the Northwestern Wildcats. The final scoreboard told the tale of a well-fought battle, with the Spartans emerging victorious with a final score of 70-55.

Quarter Breakdown

The game kicked off with a competitive first quarter, with Conneaut putting up 11 points against Northwestern’s 14. The intensity only escalated from there, with the Spartans taking control and outscoring their opponents in each subsequent quarter. The second quarter saw 16 points for Conneaut compared to Northwestern’s 13. The trend continued in the third quarter, where Conneaut put up an impressive 21 points to Northwestern’s 14. The final quarter solidified the Spartans’ dominance, closing out the game with 22 points to Northwestern’s 14.

Player Standouts

Chance Loomis led the charge for the Spartans, contributing a whopping 24 points to the team’s total. Jordan Kulko showcased his skills with 15 points, while JR Hutchinson added 11. Other notable contributors included Davonte Harris and Noah Hamm, each chipping in 8 points, and Aiden Goudge and Cole Stump rounding out the scoring.

On the Northwestern side, Jack Miller led their scoring efforts with an impressive 16 points. Jake Raelman also made a significant impact, contributing 15 points to the Wildcats’ total.

Looking Ahead

With this win, the Conneaut Spartans maintain an undefeated record at 2-0. Their next challenge awaits them at home against the St. John Heralds on December 9, 2023. The Heralds, coming off a heartbreaking 62-61 loss against the Windham Bombers, will be eager to bounce back. The Spartans will need to bring their A-game to secure another victory.

As for the Northwestern Wildcats, they find themselves at 0-2 and will face the General McLane Lancers in their upcoming game. The Lancers, despite a recent 72-65 loss to the Girard Yellow Jackets, will be formidable opponents. The Wildcats will look to turn their season around and secure their first win.

QUAKERS DROP A HEARTBREAKER

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By Luke Davis 

SALEM OH- The Salem Lady Quakers suffered a tough loss at the hands of league leading Carrollton, falling 68-65. Heading into halftime with a 32-26 deficit, the Quakes played an even 3rd quarter before a back and forth battle in the 4th. Salem would pull within 1 several times in the quarter but could not overtake the Warriors clutch free throw shooting down the stretch.

Leading the way for the Quakers was Reese Davidson-Chuck with 25 points, scoring buckets from the paint and the free throw line. Rylee Hutton gave another stellar performance at both ends, scoring 23 points and containing Carrollton’s leading scorer on the defensive end.

The Quakers came up short tonight falling to 2-3 and will look to move forward when they head to EBC for Marlington on Saturday.

Game Photos HERE:  https://ysn.smugmug.com/12-6-g-bb-salem-carollton/12-6-g-bb-salem-carollton/102EOS1D/

LAKERS TAKE THE SHOW ON THE ROAD

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Photo Credit: CM Photography

Ashtabula, OH- In the Dragons home opener for 2023-2024 season, the Lakeside Dragons clashed with the Pymatuning Valley Lakers in a game that delivered excitement until the final buzzer. The Lakers emerged victorious with a final score of 72-68, but the contest was a true showcase of skill, determination, and the heart of both teams.

A Hard-Fought Battle: Quarter by Quarter Breakdown

The Lakers and Dragons engaged in an intense battle from the opening tip-off, with Lakeside claiming a 27-22 lead at the end of the first quarter. However, Pymatuning Valley fought back in the second, outscoring the Dragons 19-13 and entering halftime with a slim 41-40 lead. The third quarter was no different, as both teams exchanged blows, setting the stage for a dramatic final period. In the end, Pymatuning Valley’s resilience secured the hard-fought 72-68 victory.

Star Performances: Bryan’s Flawless Night and Neczporenko’s Defensive Prowess

Seth Bryan of the Lakers emerged as the game-changer, going a perfect 10 for 10 from the free-throw line and sinking three crucial three-pointers. Bryan’s 27-point performance showcased his scoring prowess and clutch play, earning him a well-deserved spotlight. Not far behind was Zane Neczporenko, who not only contributed 16 points but also made his presence felt on the defensive end with numerous steals.

On the Lakeside side, Aiden Hathy was a standout performer, leading the Dragons with an impressive 23 points. Hathy’s contributions extended beyond scoring, as he showcased his defensive skills with blocked shots and grabbed rebounds throughout the game. Dylan Newsome added firepower to the Dragons’ offense, sinking four three-pointers and keeping the Lakers on their toes.

Looking Ahead: Lakers look to build on a win and Dragons work to get started

As the Lakers bask in the glow of their hard-fought victory, they are gearing up for another challenge at home against the Fairport Harding Skippers on 12/08/23. The Skippers, eager to bounce back from a 75-61 loss to the Badger Braves, will face a Lakers team hungry for redemption and looking to build on the positives from their clash with Pymatuning Valley.

For the Lakeside Dragons (0-1), the road to redemption takes them to the Grand Valley Mustangs on 12/09/23. The Mustangs, coming off a narrow 47-44 loss to the Edgewood Warriors, will provide another stern test for the Dragons as they seek their first win of the season.

As the Lakers and Dragons regroup, fans can anticipate more thrilling matchups and captivating basketball action in the games to come. The season is young, and with each game, the story of redemption and triumph continues to unfold for these determined teams.

POLAND DEFENSE LOCKS UP THE TIGERS

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POLAND OH- In a defensive showdown on Tuesday night, both Poland and Springfield battled in their season opener in Poland. The Bulldogs’ stifling defense set the tone, holding the Tigers scoreless in the first quarter. This early advantage paved the way for Poland to secure a 41-27 victory.

Poland’s offensive efforts were led by Carmine Tukala, who contributed 15 points, with solid support from Jacob Hayes, who added 9 points, and Danny Nittoli with 7 points.

Springfield showed resilience, with Aiden Appel and Carson Cunningham each putting up 9 points, but Poland’s early defensive prowess proved decisive in this hard-fought matchup.

Game Photos HERE: https://ysn.smugmug.com/12-5-b-bb-poland-springfield/12-5-b-bb-poland-springfield/102EOS1D/i-PDHjp3S

VIKINGS WASTE NO TIME GETTING AHEAD

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NILES OH- LaBrae wasted no time asserting dominance on Tuesday night, securing an impressive 60-35 victory over Niles. Derek Wilson led the scoring charge with an outstanding performance, contributing 20 points, while Austin Rowe and Jay McGarry added 18 and 16 points, respectively. Owen Boone chipped in 8 points to further bolster LaBrae’s commanding win.

Niles put up a fight, with Stef Dorsey leading their scoring efforts with 15 points, closely followed by Yausene Blackmond with 13 points and Anthony Budak with 12 points in a hard-fought battle against LaBrae’s offensive prowess.

WILDCATS DOMINATE FINAL FRAME

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STRUTHERS OH- Struthers exhibited their strength, powering past Western Reserve on Tuesday night with a convincing 60-40 victory. The Wildcats asserted control in the fourth quarter, outscoring their opponents 16-4 and solidifying the win in what had been a closely contested game through the first three quarters.

Leading the scoring charge for Struthers was Lucas Patti, contributing 17 points, followed by Crady Moore with 10 points. Jason Dukes and Andrew Kopnicky each added 8 points to the Wildcats’ winning effort.

Western Reserve saw notable performances from Dom Ricciardi, who tallied 13 points, and Josh Klasic, who contributed 9 points in the matchup.

CLIPPERS SHOOT PAST SOUTHERN

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COLUMBIANA OH- Columbiana seized control of the game with a commanding second quarter, propelling them to a 72-49 victory over Southern in an EOAC matchup on Tuesday. The Clippers dominated the second quarter, outscoring Southern 21-8, establishing a lead they maintained throughout the game.

Columbiana’s scoring efforts were led by Seth Struharick, who contributed 23 points, followed by Maddox Brown with 15 points. Devin Daugherty added 9 points, while Ian Less chipped in 7 points for the Clippers.

Despite the defeat, Southern showcased a standout performance from Markell Smith, who tallied an impressive 34 points, securing the game-high total for the night.

HERALDS LOSE HEARTBREAKER IN FINAL SECONDS

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Photo Credit: Mickey Zheng Photography

Windham, OH- In early season NAC play, the St. John Heralds clashed with the Windham Bombers in a thrilling matchup. The final buzzer echoed through the gymnasium, leaving the Heralds with a close defeat at the hands of the Bombers. Let’s break down the action quarter by quarter and highlight the standout performances from both teams.

First Quarter: Heralds Face an Early Deficit

The opening quarter set the tone for the game as the Windham Bombers raced ahead, outscoring the St. John Heralds 24-14. Despite the Heralds’ efforts, the Bombers showed determination and offensive prowess, building an early lead that would prove challenging to overcome.

Second Quarter: Heralds Mount a Comeback

Undeterred by the early deficit, the St. John Heralds rallied in the second quarter. They tightened their defense and unleashed an impressive offensive display, putting up 18 points. The Windham Bombers, however, managed to maintain their lead, heading into halftime with a 30-32 advantage.

Third Quarter: Back-and-Forth Battle

As the game progressed, both teams engaged in a back-and-forth battle. The Heralds managed to keep pace with the Bombers, with each team scoring 7 points in the third quarter. The stage was set for a nail-biting final period.

Fourth Quarter: Heralds Fight Until the End

In the last quarter, the St. John Heralds fought relentlessly, determined to secure a comeback victory. They posted an impressive 22 points, showcasing their offensive prowess. However, the Windham Bombers maintained their composure, responding with 18 points to secure the win.

Key Players for the Heralds: Vin Narducci and Aaron Wychock

Vin Narducci emerged as the top scorer for the Heralds, contributing an impressive 30 points to the team’s total. Aaron Wychock also made a significant impact with 12 points. The duo displayed excellent long-range shooting, each making 4 three-pointers.

Windham Bombers’ Standouts: C. Brenton and Nick Hopper

For the Windham Bombers, C. Brenton led the way with an outstanding performance, scoring 23 points. Nick Hopper also played a crucial role, adding 16 points to the Bombers’ total.

Looking Ahead

Despite the tough loss, the St. John Heralds are gearing up for their next challenge. On 12/08/23, they will face off against the Bristol Panthers, who boast a 2-0 record in the NAC league. The Bombers, with a 1-0 record, will take on the Lordstown Red Devils on the same date. Basketball enthusiasts can expect another thrilling showdown as these teams continue their quest for victory in the upcoming games.