COVETTA’S COLD BLOODED 3 SENDS FALCONS TO DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP

/in , /by

Photo Credit: Joclyn Nicholas Photography

JEFFERSON, OHIO – In a game filled with momentum swings, clutch plays, and high stakes, it was only fitting that the Jefferson Falcons’ biggest win of the season came down to the final shot. With the score tied at 54 and time winding down, senior guard Anthony Covetta delivered in dramatic fashion, sinking a contested three-pointer as the buzzer sounded to lift the Falcons to a thrilling 57-54 victory over the Bay Village Rockets in the OHSAA district semifinals on Wednesday night.

Jefferson (20-4) punched its ticket to the district championship, where it will face the Buchtel Griffins on March 1.

The Falcons got off to a slow start defensively, giving up 20 points in the first quarter as Bay Village’s Melvin and Miller found success attacking the lane. But Jefferson responded in the second quarter, holding the Rockets to just four points while putting up 16 of their own to take a 30-24 lead at halftime. Covetta led the charge offensively, finding his rhythm early and keeping the Falcons in striking distance.

Bay Village made its push in the third, storming back with a 21-point quarter to reclaim the lead. Melvin continued to be a problem for the Jefferson defense, finishing with a game-high 20 points, while Miller added 15. Entering the fourth, the Rockets led 45-42, setting up a dramatic finish.

The Falcons battled back in the final frame, getting key contributions from Joel Navarro (11 points), Dylan Beebe (7), Terry Brown (7), and Dylan Shetler (5). Covetta, though, was the difference-maker, delivering a 27-point performance, including the game-winning shot that sent the home crowd into a frenzy.

Scoring Summary

Jefferson Falcons:

  • Anthony Covetta – 27 points
  • Joel Navarro – 11 points
  • Dylan Beebe – 7 points
  • Terry Brown – 7 points
  • Dylan Shetler – 5 points

Bay Village Rockets:

  • Melvin – 20 points
  • Miller – 15 points
  • Evans – 6 points
  • Cockburn – 5 points
  • Mack – 4 points
  • Rinhart – 2 points
  • Willmitch – 2 points

Jefferson now turns its focus to Buchtel, where it will look to extend its playoff run and claim a district title. If Wednesday night’s thriller was any indication, the Falcons are more than ready for the moment.

MUSTANGS HEADED TO DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP

/in , /by

Photo Credit: Life Speaks Photography

ORWELL, Ohio – The Grand Valley Mustangs punched their ticket to the Division 6 district championship game with a commanding 57-44 win over the Cuyahoga Heights Red Wolves in the district semifinals on Tuesday night at Grand Valley High School.

From the opening tip, Grand Valley (21-3) set the tone with a tenacious defensive effort and a balanced offensive attack. The Mustangs led 10-7 after the first quarter and steadily built on their advantage, heading into halftime with a 23-14 lead.

Carter Turk delivered a stellar performance, pouring in a game-high 30 points to lead the Mustangs. Braden Hart provided key scoring support with 14 points, while Payton Plizga chipped in with seven. Solly Shultz (3), Ben Cozad (2), and Sammy Goforth (1) also contributed to the scoring effort.

Cuyahoga Heights (16-8) made a strong push in the third quarter, outscoring Grand Valley 17-13 behind a 22-point effort from McClardey, but the Mustangs responded with a dominant fourth quarter, putting up 21 points to seal the victory. Boyers (11), Unger (8), and Apathy (3) also contributed for the Red Wolves.

With the win, Grand Valley advances to the district championship, where they will face the Dalton Bulldogs on March 1 at 4pm in Salem, Ohio. Meanwhile, Cuyahoga Heights sees its season come to an end with a 16-8 record.

The Mustangs will look to carry their momentum into the championship game as they seek to add to an already impressive postseason run.

SENIORS LEAD THE WAY IN HERALDS PLAYOFF WIN

/in , /by

SAYBROOK, OHIO – In a hard-fought battle on their home court, the Saint John Heralds punched their ticket to the OHSAA Division 7 sectional final with a 66-58 victory over the Jackson-Milton Blue Jays on Friday night. The win improves the Heralds to 14-9 on the season and sets up a matchup against the winner of Lordstown and Hillsdale on February 26.

Senior Dyln Newsome led the way for the Heralds with a game-high 26 points, providing a steady scoring presence throughout all four quarters. Fellow senior Vin Narducci added 19 points, stepping up in key moments to keep the Heralds ahead.

The game was closely contested in the first half, with Saint John holding a narrow 12-10 advantage after the first quarter. Both teams traded baskets in the second frame, but the Heralds managed to extend their lead to 30-27 at halftime.

Jackson-Milton fought back in the third quarter behind a stellar performance from Ryen Romigh, who poured in a game-high 36 points. The Blue Jays outscored Saint John 19-14 in the period to take a 46-44 lead heading into the final eight minutes.

With their season on the line, the Heralds responded in the fourth quarter with a dominant 22-12 run, fueled by clutch baskets from Newsome and Narducci. Chase Newsome and Grayson Petros each chipped in seven points, while Aaron Wychock and Gus Petros combined for seven more to help secure the victory.

Despite the loss, Jackson-Milton’s Romigh put on an outstanding performance, accounting for more than half of his team’s points. Vincent Fay contributed nine, while James Croyle and Ethan Kerr added five each.

Saint John now turns its attention to the sectional final on February 26, where they will look to continue their postseason run. Jackson-Milton finishes its season with a 10-13 record, battling until the final buzzer in a strong effort.

Saint John Scoring Leaders:
Dyln Newsome – 26
Vin Narducci – 19
Chase Newsome – 7
Grayson Petros – 7
Aaron Wychock – 5
Gus Petros – 2

Jackson-Milton Scoring Leaders:
Ryen Romigh – 36
Vincent Fay – 9
James Croyle – 5
Ethan Kerr – 5
Jackson Horner – 2
Blake Hochendoner – 1

COVETTA STAMPS HIS NAME IN HISTORY IN FALCONS WIN OVER WICKLIFFE

/in , /by

Photo Credit: Life Speaks Photography

Jefferson, OH – The Jefferson Falcons capped off their regular season in dominant fashion, cruising past the Wickliffe Blue Devils 82-40 on Wednesday night at Jefferson High School. The victory secured the Falcons’ final tune-up before the postseason, finishing with an impressive 18-4 record and a Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division championship.

The night belonged to Jefferson senior Anthony Covetta, who made history in front of a raucous home crowd. Covetta’s second-quarter bucket—his 22nd point of the game—etched his name in the record books as the all-time leading scorer in Ashtabula County history. He surpassed the previous mark of 1,681 career points set by Grand Valley’s AJ Henson in 2012. The game paused momentarily as Covetta received a standing ovation, celebrating the milestone with his parents in an emotional embrace in the stands.

On the court, Jefferson wasted no time setting the tone, storming out to a 22-6 lead in the first quarter. The Falcons’ relentless defensive pressure and offensive efficiency overwhelmed Wickliffe, which struggled to keep pace. Despite a stronger second quarter from the Blue Devils, Jefferson carried a commanding 37-20 lead into halftime.

The Falcons took full control in the third quarter, outscoring Wickliffe 27-9 behind Covetta and Terry Brown, who combined for 44 points on the night. Brown was lights out from three-point range, knocking down four triples on his way to 20 points. Luis Padilla added 11, while Dylan Beebe contributed eight points to round out a well-balanced Jefferson attack.

Jefferson Player Scoring Summary:

  • Anthony Covetta: 24 points
  • Terry Brown: 20 points (4 three-pointers)
  • Luis Padilla: 11 points
  • Dylan Beebe: 8 points
  • Caleb Welser: 5 points
  • Joel Navarro: 3 points
  • Preston Hitchcock: 3 points
  • Shawn Miklacic: 2 points
  • George Dzura: 2 points
  • Dylan Shetler: 4 points

 

Wickliffe Player Scoring Summary:

  • Cable: 16 points
  • Anderson: 2 points
  • Rossman: 8 points
  • Zivnokska: 1 point
  • Urban: 8 points
  • Donner: 5 points

With the regular season behind them, the Falcons now shift their focus to the postseason. They will host the Niles Red Dragons on Feb. 22 in the sectional round of the OHSAA playoffs. Wickliffe, also gearing up for the playoffs, will take on the Shaw Cardinals at home on the same night.

As Jefferson sets its sights on a deep tournament run, Covetta’s historic night serves as a reminder of the talent and determination that has fueled the Falcons all season long. With momentum on their side, the stage is set for an exciting postseason in Jefferson.

WARRIORS 4TH QUARTER SURGE FALLS JUST SHORT

/in , /by
Story by: Larry Jennings
EAST ASHTABULA — In a dramatic opening-round sectional playoff game, the Firelands Falcons withstood a furious fourth-quarter rally by the Edgewood Warriors to escape with a narrow 51-50 victory on Wednesday night.

Coming into the game, both teams had impressive records—Edgewood at 16-5 and Firelands at 16-6—setting the stage for a highly competitive contest. The first quarter was a defensive battle, tied at 3-3 midway through, before the Falcons surged ahead to take a 15-10 lead.

Firelands extended their advantage to nine points at halftime, thanks in part to a pair of clutch three-pointers by Kendra Hardwick. Edgewood battled back in the third quarter, trimming the lead to seven entering the final frame.

With 5:25 left in the game, the Falcons seemed in control, leading 50-36. However, the Warriors refused to go down quietly. Edgewood went on a relentless 14-1 run, outscoring Firelands 17-11 in the final period. Hardwick’s lone free throw in the closing moments proved to be the difference, as the Falcons barely held on for the one-point victory.

Jordyn Copley and Hardwick led the way for Firelands, each scoring 14 points. The Warriors were paced by Faith Vencill’s 15 points, followed by Carly Kray with 12.

Edgewood will wrap up their regular season on February 24, hosting the Madison Blue Streaks in a battle for the Chagrin Valley Lake Division title. Firelands, meanwhile, advances in sectional play and will face Alliance Marlington on February 18.

FALCONS FLEX FIREPOWER IN ORWELL

/in , /by

Photo Credit: Life Speaks Photography

ORWELL, Ohio – In a matchup between two conference champions, the Jefferson Falcons (17-3) showcased their firepower, cruising to a dominant 75-37 victory over the Grand Valley Mustangs (19-3) on Friday night at Grand Valley High School. With both teams preparing for the upcoming OHSAA sectional playoffs, the Falcons delivered a resounding statement win on the road.

Jefferson wasted no time asserting control, riding a scorching first-quarter performance from senior guard Anthony Covetta. Covetta exploded for 30 points in the first half, including a staggering eight three-pointers in the opening quarter alone. His hot hand propelled the Falcons to a commanding 28-11 lead after one period, setting the tone for the night.

The offensive onslaught continued in the second quarter as Jefferson’s perimeter shooting remained red-hot. The Falcons hit a total of 14 three-pointers as a team, with Terry Brown, Dylan Shetler, and Caleb Welser, and Grady Lendzian contributing to the barrage from beyond the arc. By halftime, Jefferson had built a comfortable 50-20 advantage, effectively putting the game out of reach.

Grand Valley, the NAC champions, struggled to find an offensive rhythm against Jefferson’s defensive intensity. Carter Turk led the Mustangs with 14 points, while Payton Plizga and Braden Hart added five and six points, respectively. However, the Mustangs could not generate enough consistent scoring to mount a comeback.

After a dominant first half, Jefferson dialed back the tempo in the third and fourth quarters but still controlled the game on both ends. Covetta finished with a game-high 39 points, while Terry Brown and Padilla added eight and nine points, respectively. The Falcons’ defense held Grand Valley to single-digit scoring in every quarter, sealing the emphatic win.

Player Scoring Summary:

Jefferson Falcons:

  • Anthony Covetta – 39 points
  • Luis Padilla – 9 points
  • Terry Brown – 8 points
  • Dylan Shetler – 5 points
  • Caleb Welser – 5 points
  • Dylan Beebe – 4 points
  • Grady Lendzian – 3 points
  • George Dzura – 2 points

Grand Valley Mustangs:

  • Carter Turk – 14 points
  • Braden Hart – 6 points
  • Payton Plizga – 5 points
  • Solly Schultz – 5 points
  • Adam Hylton – 3 points
  • Ben Cozad – 2 points
  • Sammy Goforth – 2 points

With the victory, Jefferson gains momentum heading into the OHSAA sectional round, where they will host the Niles Red Dragons on Feb. 21. Grand Valley will look to regroup before taking on the United Golden Eagles at home in their playoff opener on the same night.

Both teams will aim to build on their successful regular seasons as they transition into the postseason, where every game carries added significance.

WARRIORS OUTLAST RED DRAGONS ON SENIOR NIGHT

/in , /by

Story by: Larry Jennings

East Ashtabula, OH — The Niles Red Dragons stormed into Edgewood Gymnasium looking to end their regular season on a high note, but the Warriors had other plans, holding off a late comeback attempt to secure a hard-fought 59-54 victory.

The Warriors (7-14) jumped out to an early lead thanks to a hot start from Logan Mezak, who drained a three-pointer from the corner off the opening tip. Edgewood dominated the first quarter, closing with a commanding 14-4 advantage.

The Red Dragons (8-13) responded in the second quarter, clawing back into the game by outscoring the Warriors 15-9. At one point, Niles briefly held the lead, but Edgewood managed to regroup and took a narrow 23-21 lead into halftime.

Both teams came out firing in the third quarter, trading baskets in an aggressive, fast-paced battle. The Warriors managed to widen their lead, finishing the quarter ahead 38-29.

Niles made one final push in the fourth, cutting the deficit to just four points. However, in their attempt to regain possession, the Red Dragons repeatedly sent Mezak to the free-throw line, where he delivered under pressure. Mezak converted seven crucial points from the stripe to seal the Warriors’ victory.

Mason Thorr led Edgewood with 14 points, while Mezak and Dallas Patterson each added 13. Devin Christine also contributed with 11 points. Niles was paced by Izaiah Redd’s 13 points, followed by A’Von Fryer and True Carey-Hardin, who both scored 12.
Coach Jay Bowler stated after the game that he got more players involved in the game, as some of the younger JV players had been proving themselves on the court, and he’s looking forward to the sectional game that is coming up.
With the regular season now complete, Edgewood will travel to Pepper Pike Orange for their sectional playoff game on February 21. The Red Dragons will also be in action that night, facing Jefferson on the road.

HERALDS SCORCH THE NETS IN WIN OVER SPARTANS

/in , /by

SAYBROOK, OH – The Saint John Heralds (12-8) continued their strong season with a commanding 70-31 victory over the Conneaut Spartans (1-18) on Wednesday night at Saint John High School. The Heralds overwhelmed the Spartans with their sharpshooting, knocking down 11 three-pointers en route to a wire-to-wire win.

From the opening tip, Saint John established their offensive rhythm, Dyln Newsome knocking down a 3 pointer to start the Heralds 20 points in the first quarter while holding Conneaut to 13. The Heralds’ defense intensified in the second quarter, allowing just five points as they extended their lead to 36-18 at the half. The second half was more of the same, with Saint John outscoring Conneaut 20-7 in the third quarter before closing out the game with a 14-6 fourth quarter.

Heralds’ Offensive Showcase

Senior Dyln Newsome put on a scoring display, leading all players with 27 points, including three three-pointers. Newsome was aggressive in transition and capitalized on his outside shot to fuel the Heralds’ offensive attack. Fellow senior Vin Narducci was also a key contributor, finishing with 21 points while draining four shots from beyond the arc.

Senior Aaron Wychock had an electric night, tallying 11 points while connecting on three triples. Freshman Gus Petros added four points, while senior Grayson Petros chipped in three points with a three-pointer of his own. Sophomore Chase Newsome and junior Donald Crawford rounded out the scoring with two points each.

Conneaut’s Struggles Continue

The Spartans had difficulty establishing a consistent offensive rhythm against Saint John’s relentless defense. Jordon Kulko led Conneaut with 12 points, followed by Devante Harris with seven. Luis Cedeno and Hamilton Spero each added three points, while Noah Hamm, Caden Webb, and Jacob Thompson each finished with two.

Scoring Summary

Saint John Heralds

  • Dyln Newsome – 27 points (3 three-pointers) 
  • Vin Narducci – 21 points (4 three-pointers)
  • Aaron Wychock – 11 points (3 three-pointers)
  • Gus Petros – 4 points
  • Grayson Petros – 3 points (1 three-pointer)
  • Chase Newsome – 2 points
  • Donald Crawford – 2 points

Conneaut Spartans

  • Jordon Kulko – 12 points
  • Devante Harris – 7 points
  • Luis Cedeno – 3 points
  • Hamilton Spero – 3 points
  • Noah Hamm – 2 points
  • Caden Webb – 2 points
  • Jacob Thompson – 2 points

With the victory, Saint John improves to 12-8 on the season and will hit the road for their next game against the Crestwood Red Devils on February 14. Meanwhile, Conneaut will look to regroup as they return home to face the Maplewood Rockets on February 15.

PIRATES SAIL PAST WARRIORS IN CVC BATTLE

/in , /by

 

Story by: Larry Jennings

East Ashtabula, OH — In a battle between two of the Chagrin Valley Conference’s top teams, the Perry Pirates sailed into Edgewood and left with a decisive 51-36 victory over the Lady Warriors on Wednesday night.

Both teams entered the matchup boasting impressive records—Edgewood stood at 16-4 overall and 10-1 in the CVC Lake Division, while Perry carried a 14-7 mark, including a 9-1 record in the CVC Chagrin Division. The inter-division showdown lived up to its billing early on, but Perry’s balanced offensive attack and suffocating defense proved too much for Edgewood to handle.

The game opened at a slow pace, with Edgewood’s Carly Kray scoring the first basket. However, the Pirates responded with five different players finding the scoreboard in the first quarter, allowing them to take an 11-7 lead after the opening frame.

Perry continued to build momentum in the second quarter, outscoring Edgewood 10-7 to extend their advantage to 21-14 at halftime. Despite efforts from Kray and the Warriors to close the gap, the Pirates remained in control throughout the third quarter, stretching their lead to 37-26. By the time the final buzzer sounded, Perry had secured a 15-point victory.

Leading the Pirates in scoring was Victoria Lynch, who tallied 12 points, followed closely by Audrey Austin with 11. Edgewood’s Kray led her team with 11 points, while Avery Vencil and Faith Vencill added 11 and 9 points, respectively.

With the victory, Perry turns its attention to a Saturday matchup against Coventry. Meanwhile, Edgewood will look to bounce back in a crucial postseason test as they host the Firelands Falcons from Oberlin, Ohio, in their first sectional playoff game.

WARRIORS ROLL PAST SPARTANS IN CONFERENCE WIN

/in , /by

 

Story by: Larry Jennings

East Ashtabula, OH – The Edgewood Warriors delivered a dominant performance on Friday night, overwhelming the Conneaut Spartans 66-34 in a Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division showdown.

Edgewood (6-13, 4-6 CVC) wasted no time seizing control, exploding for a 27-8 lead in the first quarter. A well-balanced offensive attack saw eight different Warriors contribute to the early scoring spree, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

The momentum carried into the second quarter, where Edgewood outscored Conneaut 21-11. By halftime, the Warriors held a commanding 48-19 advantage, effectively putting the game out of reach.

While the Spartans (1-16, 0-10 CVC) managed to find some offensive rhythm in the second half, scoring 15 points in the final two quarters, they couldn’t chip away at the Warriors’ lead. Edgewood tallied 18 points in the second half to maintain their cushion and close out the convincing win.

One of the biggest disparities in the game came from beyond the arc, where Edgewood knocked down nine three-pointers compared to just one for Conneaut— a fourth-quarter shot from Cayson Hayes.

The Warriors were led by JJ DuFour and Sevion Chapman, who each finished with 12 points. Geno Measel added 11, Dallas Patterson contributed 10, and Devin Christine chipped in nine.

Conneaut’s Jordan Kulko led all Spartan scorers with 11 points, while Alden Goudge added seven.

With the victory, Edgewood gains momentum heading into a tough matchup against Ursuline on Saturday, February 8. Meanwhile, Conneaut will look to regroup and snap their losing streak when they travel to face Grand Valley on February 11.