YOUNGSTOWN OH-  After a long week off and waiting for a next matchup, the Ursuline boys basketball program would pick up The Academy for Urban Scholars Hawks for a Monday Night Martin Luther King Jr Day edition of High School Basketball.  There were familiar faces between the coaching staff too and head Kevin Scott was looking for his Hawks to get the upset victory.  

Before tip off however, there was a moment of reflection as Ursuline head coach Keith Gunther gave a speech about freedom and rights, just like Martin Luther King did back then, especially with all that’s been going on in the world today.  The players reflected and so did his wife and child who were there too.  

After that, it was time for tip off where the first quarter was surprising to some as it was a 14-9 ball game as Ursuline does have GRIT, but the Urban Scholars of Youngstown said we got some of that too.  That GRIT power didn’t last long however as the Irish would pull away, leading at the half 50-18 and then winning by the final of 82-25, in a big time victory and some momentum gainer here.  

Ursuline Stats

Tonight because there was no JV game, there were a bunch of scorers on the Irish.  Tyler Beck led the Irish with 13 points.  Terrance Pankey had nine points with really good defense to play.  Brady Shannon had eight points, Vinny Flauto, Geno Lucente and Will Burney combined for 18 points, Tommy Groner scored four points, Andrew Kirila had five points, Jarod Gordulic had seven, Jakaylan irving finished with five points, Demarcus McElroy put up two and Zack Pipala aka ZP Money had five points, but had a good number of steals and assist to give him the MVP Trophy at the end of the game.  

AUSY Hawks Stats

For The Academy for Union Scholars Youngstown Hawks, it was Brian Thomas leading the team with 11 points.  Jemel Edwards finished with five, Nick Grier with two, Deric Hunter with two points, while Elijah Solomon and Keonte Brooks combined for two points. 

Up Next

The Academy for Urban Scholars Youngstown (1-10) will have to wait and see who they play in the next coming days.  Ursuline (7-4) continues the hot winning streak as of now but can change and will play either at Cleveland Benidictine (0-4) and then against the East Golden Bears (2-3), or just play East on Friday, both being 7pm tip offs.  

*Contributed by YSN’s Ian O’Brien*