MOONEY BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH CAREY PALERMO

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By Ty Bartell

YOUNGSTOWN OH- High school basketball season is just around the corner and YSN looks to get you prepared as we dive into these teams representing their communities for the 2024-2025 season. Looking into The Cardinal Mooney Cardinal boys basketball team, the standard of success looks to be much of the same this year for Mooney.

Under the direction of Carey Palermo again this season, Mooney is coming off a great 22-6 season a year ago. This season, The Cardinals will look for the top spot in Youngstown’s The Steel Valley Conference (SVC) from their rival The Ursuline Irish in the regular season. However, once tournament time hits, The Cardinals see the newly expanded seven division playoff format as an opportunity to take the next step as a program!

As the Mooney faithful count the sleeps till opening tip-off, YSN has you covered with a taste of hoops season with this edition of Coaches Corner. As YSNs Ty Bartell got the opportunity to chat with Coach Palermo about the upcoming season. Featuring a meet the team segment, highlighting the expanded divisions, going over goals for the year and much more! Be sure to follow Mooney this year with live games, scores, stats, stories and more on YSN, you’re streaming home for The Cardinal Mooney Cardinals.

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HOWLAND GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH AARON POUNDS

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By Ty Bartell

WARREN OH- Get ready Tigers fans, because the day is finally here! The tip-off for girls high school basketball and Howland is on the docket for opening night. A squad that went 19-7 a season ago, navigating through a gauntlet of a regular season schedule. Always competing for the top spot in The All American Conference (AAC), The Tigers were second place finishers with a 5-3 mark in the conference, with hopes of reclaiming a conference crown this season!

Despite losing some significant seniors from last year’s team, Howland has plenty of young talent looking to take the next step! Opening their campaign on Friday, November 22nd at home against The Lakeview Bulldogs with a 6 p.m. opening tip-off. As Tigers fans eagerly count down the minutes, we got you covered with a little taste of Howland Hoops here on YSN.

As YSNs Ty Bartell got the opportunity to talk with both Head Coach Aaron Pounds and senior leader Rylie Villwock about the upcoming season. Highlighting the run last season, the group of players this year, the tough schedule and much more! Be sure to keep up with Howland basketball this season with live games, scores, stats, stories and more on YSN, your streaming home for The Howland Tigers!

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SOUTH RANGE FOOTBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 13) WITH DAVE RACH

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CANFIELD, OH- The South Range Raiders’ Football team, currently boasting an impressive 13-0 record, is on the brink of advancing to the state semifinals. In the latest episode of the South Range Football Coach’s Corner, hosted by DJ Yokley and featuring head coach Dave Rach, discussions ranged from past performances to the highly anticipated upcoming match against conference rival Poland.

The Raiders have been on a roll this season, and Coach Rach attributes much of their success to the maturity and resilience of his players. Reflecting on last week’s game against Garaway, Rach noted how his team remained composed even after a significant play by the opposition. “Our guys came to the sideline, self-diagnosed the issue, and fixed it immediately,” he said. This level of poise, according to Rach, is critical, particularly in high-stakes games in the later stages of the season.

The interview also highlighted the significant advantage technology, such as sideline film review tools like Hudl, has brought to the Raiders. Rach recalled his first encounter with the technology in the 2017 season and emphasized how it allows teams to make real-time adjustments, which has been key in maintaining their flawless record.

As the conversation shifted towards the offensive strategy, praise was given to Coordinators Coach Allegretto and Coach Toy for their ability to stay ahead of the opposing defenses. Rach emphasized that their teamwork and planning have been instrumental, especially against disciplined teams like Garaway.

One standout player, Luke Starkey, received particular acclaim for his versatility and performance—earning him YSN Defensive Player of the Year. “He feels like he’s been starting for 20 years,” Rach joked, noting Starkey’s continuous improvement and impact both defensively and offensively.

Anticipation is building for the upcoming game against Poland, a team that previously had South Range down 14-0 before the Raiders rallied back. Rach remarked on the importance of resilience and preparation, emphasizing the significance of appreciating the opportunity to compete at this level.

Looking forward to Friday’s playoff clash at Spartan Stadium, Rach is excited about the community turnout and media coverage. “We view it as an opportunity to showcase our brand of football on a big stage,” he said. With both teams being local contenders, the game promises to be a highlight for high school football fans in the area.

As the Raiders gear up for this pivotal match, Coach Rach remains focused on maintaining their unbeaten streak, driven by the dedication and hard work of his players.

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BOARDMAN GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH ANNIE PAVLANSKY

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BOARDMAN OH- Are you ready for some high school hoops?! The Boardman community surely is as The Boardman Spartans girls basketball team is coming off their first All American Conference (AAC) championship since 2005, looking to defend the crown in the 2024-2025 season. Compiling a 19-6 record a season ago, The Spartans will look for some players to step-up after losing a handful of impactful seniors from last year’s team.

Under the new coaching direction of Annie Pavlansky, The Spartans bring another Pavlansky into the coaching world, as Coach Annie Pavlansky looks to bring plenty of basketball experience as she played both in highschool (Lakeview) and collegiately (Kent State) to The Spartans.

As we await the rapidly approaching season that is just around the corner, YSN gets you ready with this edition of Coaches Corner! As Ty Bartell gets the opportunity to talk with the new boardman skipper about the upcoming season. Highlighting the seniors this year, the standard that last years success brought, Coach Pavlansky’s basketball journey and much more! Also, be sure to catch Boardman this basketball season with live games, scores, stats, stories and more on YSN, your streaming home for The Boardman Spartan.

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COLUMBIANA GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH DAVE CRISMON

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COLUMBIANA OH- The Columbiana Clippers are back and ready to build on an impressive 20-4 season that saw them finish tied atop the Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference (EOAC) standings. With a strong core of returning players and high expectations, head coach Dave Crismon is gearing up for another competitive campaign.

Key returners for the Clippers include Ellie Venezia, who averaged 9.5 points per game last season and is expected to lead the offense. Evy Rapp, a reliable scorer with 7.2 points per game, adds another dynamic threat to the lineup. Ava Heinrich, who dished out 2.5 assists per game, will continue to facilitate the Clippers’ fast-paced attack.

The Clippers bring experience and depth to the court, qualities that will be critical as they aim to defend their spot at the top of the EOAC. Coach Crismon is focused on fine-tuning his team’s defense and maintaining their offensive efficiency as they prepare for a challenging schedule.

Columbiana opens the season on November 22nd with a road matchup against Springfield, a game that will test their readiness right out of the gate. With a blend of returning talent and championship aspirations, the Clippers are determined to make 2024 another banner year.

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GUINS BATTLE BACK IN NINTH, FALL SHORT TO LOUISVILLE

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Despite a hard-fought effort, Youngstown State showcased resilience and determination in their baseball matchup against the University of Louisville on Saturday at Jim Patterson Stadium.

In a game where every play mattered, Youngstown State (0-8) demonstrated their ability to compete at a high level, pushing Louisville (6-4) to their limits throughout the matchup.

Despite falling short on the scoreboard, the Penguins displayed flashes of brilliance, highlighting their potential as a competitive force in collegiate baseball. Facing off against a formidable opponent, the Penguins showcased their tenacity and spirit, refusing to back down even in the face of adversity.

Louisville’s dominance notwithstanding, Youngstown State’s pitchers exhibited commendable effort, with Evan Webster (1-0) delivering a solid performance in his third start of the season. Webster’s career-long six innings and career-best six strikeouts demonstrated the depth of talent within the Youngstown State roster.

At the plate, although Youngstown State faced challenges, they managed to make their mark, with players like Michael Lippe and Brandon Anderson leading the charge. Lippe’s impactful hits and Anderson’s contributions underscored Youngstown State’s offensive capabilities, showcasing their ability to compete against top-tier competition.

Sloan Ulrich endured a challenging outing for YSU, falling to 0-2 for the season despite a resilient effort. In a 95-pitch performance, Ulrich yielded 9 hits over 5 innings, resulting in four earned runs. However, amidst the struggle, Ulrich managed to tally 6 strikeouts while issuing just one walk. Niall Todd entered in relief, pitching two-thirds of an inning but struggled with control, walking 3 batters. Freshman Chris Domke stepped up, pitching 1.1 innings and conceding two runs on two hits, with one strikeout. Gavin Wilm, a Salem product now with YSU, showcased his prowess in a strong, clean inning against Louisville.

On the offensive front, YSU found their rhythm in the top of the ninth, ignited by Trey Pancake’s leadership. Despite being down to their final out, YSU scored all five runs, with Pancake going 2 for 4 and scoring a run. Ian Francis contributed significantly, going 3 for 5 with 2 RBI, while Trey Law added two hits, a run, and an RBI to the scoreboard. Teddy Ruffner also chipped in with a pair of hits and a run scored, demonstrating YSU’s offensive depth and resilience in the face of adversity.

Despite the final score, Youngstown State’s performance was marked by resilience and determination. As they regroup and prepare for future matchups, they will undoubtedly draw upon the lessons learned from this intense showdown, using it as motivation to continue their pursuit of excellence on the baseball diamond.

As the series concludes on Sunday, Youngstown State remains focused on putting forth their best effort, determined to leave a lasting impression and showcase the strength of their program to the collegiate baseball community.

 

YSU BASEBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH DAN BERTOLINI

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YOUNGSTOWN, OH-  YSN recently featured Youngstown State University (YSU) baseball coach, Danny Bertolini, discussing the upcoming season and the team’s preparations. Host DJ Yokley spoke with Bertolini about the team’s prospects and some key players to watch out for in the upcoming season.
In the episode, Bertolini emphasized the team’s focus on health and preparation, especially after the challenges faced due to injuries in the previous season. He highlighted the efforts put into strength training and conditioning by the team’s new strength coach, Drew Davies, which has contributed to the team’s improved health and readiness for the upcoming season.

The discussion also covered the team’s preparations, including their outdoor training sessions at Eastwood and Kafaro Field, taking advantage of the milder winter weather this year.

Regarding the team’s upcoming trip to Texas for the season opener against Texas State, Bertolini expressed the importance of these trips for team bonding and providing valuable experiences, particularly for players who have not previously traveled extensively.

Bertolini also offered insights into the recruitment process, emphasizing the importance of academic excellence and playing the game the right way as key factors in identifying potential recruits for the team. He also stressed the team’s relentless and versatile playing style, with an emphasis on speed, strategy, and team bonding.

The episode concluded with lighthearted banter and Bertolini sharing personal insights about his family, including his excitement about welcoming a new addition in July.

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THE “O” BROS

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YOUNGSTOWN, OH- In this weeks edition of YSU player profiles, the O’Shaughnessy brothers joined the show. Padraig is a senior 1st baseman, while his younger brother Braeden is a junior utility infielder. Both Braeden and Pad have owned the right side of the infield this season, and have led the Penguins at the plate. The brothers talked about playing together at the Division 1 level, the support system from their family, and the 2022 YSU baseball season.

Check out this special two for one player profile brought to you by Baird Brothers

YSU BASEBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 3) WITH DAN BERTOLINI

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YOUNGSTOWN, OH- YSU baseball Head Coach Dan Bertolini joined the show this week to talk about his team’s series against Texas Rio Grande Valley. Bertolini talked about the difficulties traveling on the road, the small details needed to win ballgames, and some of the key players for YSU this past weekend.

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HAVING A BALL

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YOUNGSTOWN, OH- YSN’s very own Richie Juliano sat down with Nate Ball, a junior pitcher on the Youngstown State baseball team. Ball is from Toldeo suburb Perrysburg, and he talks about his journey to YSU. Ball recently had an unbelievable weekend in the series win over Bethune Cookman, striking out 5 of the 7 batters he faced, and recorded his first two collegiate saves over the weekend. Ball talks about his successful weekend, and some key lessons he has learned along the way. To learn more about the junior pitcher, check out the player profile brought to you by Baird Brothers.