Tag Archive for: Basketball

URSULINE GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH MIKE KERNAN

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YOUNGSTOWN, OH- It’s a new age in Ursuline Basketball, as the previous regime moves on, legendary Irish leader Mike Kernan has taken the reigns for the Girls Hoops Team in 2019-2020.  On his watch, he’s led the softball team to successful seasons for over a decade and now will look to do the same with the basketball program.

A relatively young team in 2019, Kernan will be faced with filling the shoes of Dayshanette Harris as one of the program’s best players in Green and Gold is now with Pitt.

YSN’s Steve Leslie caught up with the veteran coach for this week’s Ursuline Irish Basketball Coach’s Corner with Mike Kernan (EP 1.)

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LANCERS TRAP EAGLES; UNITED FALLS TO NESHANNOCK

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EAST PALESTINE, OH – Game three of the 2019 YSN Border Battle between Ohio and Pennsylvania teams, saw the United Golden Eagles face off against the Neshannock Lancers. Going into the game, the “battle” between Ohio and Pennsylvania was even at one game a piece, as the Lady Bulldogs of East Palestine won the first game for Ohio over the Wilmington Greyhounds. The Shenango Wildcats represented Pennsylvania in game two as they defeated the Campbell Memorial Red Devils.

The first quarter saw the Golden Eagles fight hard but trail 14-6. As the second quarter got underway, the Neshannock press also started to fire on all cylinders. The Lancers trapped United and forced some turnovers, which resulted in the Lancers taking a 42-20 lead into the half. The third quarter was much of the same for Coach Kadvan’s team as they couldn’t get the offense clicking. The fourth quarter saw the Golden Eagles continue to battle and never give up in the game, although they eventually would fall to Neshannock, 82-31.

The Neshannock Lancers were led by Russell Kwiat who finished with 21 points.

The United Golden Eagles were led by Keaton Baker with 10 points.

Up next for United is a home test against the Hornets of East Canton on Thursday, January 2nd.

LADY BULLDOGS REPRESENT BUCKEYES; BEAT HOUNDS

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EAST PALESTINE, OH – Game one of the 2019 YSN Border Battle between Ohio and Pennsylvania teams, saw the East Palestine Lady Bulldogs welcome the Wilmington Greyhounds to town.

The first quarter got underway with both teams trading mid range jumpers and some layups but the Lady Bulldogs, Joclyn Fristik connected on a three pointer to put East Palestine ahead 16-13. In the second quarter, Coach Will Franklin turned up the pressure en route to an 11-1 run as the Lady Bulldogs took a 27-14 lead into the half. In the third, Wilmington started off strong chipping away at the lead but East Palestine came on late in the period to maintain their lead. The fourth quarter saw the Greyhounds come out with some urgency and started pressing, the Greyhounds won the quarter by four, but were in too big of a hole as the Lady Bulldogs won by a final score of 52-40.

The Wilmington Greyhounds were led by Keegan McConahy who finished with 12 points.

The East Palestine Lady Bulldogs were led by Joclyn Fristik with 23 points, as well as, Paige Snyder with 11 points.

Up next for East Palestine is a home test against EOAC foe, the United Golden Eagles on Monday, December 23rd.

BIG RUN LATE SINKS BLUE DEVILS AT SOUTHERN

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SALINEVILLE, OH – The EOAC is a tough conference to win and any chance you get to build momentum, you need to do so. Friday night was one of those key games for both the Lisbon Blue Devils and the Southern Local Indians. At the end of the night, it was the Southern Local Indians that gained some ground on the rest of the EOAC as they won 64-50.

The first quarter started off with a bang as Jayce Sloan connected on two straight threes then his brother, Bradly Sloan hit one as well, helping guide Southern to a 18-10 lead. The second quarter saw the Lisbon Blue Devils storm back and take a one point lead into the break, 29-28. The second half however saw the Indians take control and lead all the way up to until the 4 minute mark in the fourth quarter, when the Blue Devils took a 50-49 lead. At that point, Coach Grimm turned up the pressure again and the Indians closed out the game on a 15-0 run en route to a 64-50 win.

The Southern Indians were led by Cameren Grodhaus who finished the night with 19 points on 4/16 shooting but 10/15 from the free throw line, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists.

The Lisbon Blue Devils were led by Blayne Brownfield with 17 points on 5/11 shooting and 8 rebounds, as well as, Joey Fisher with 9 points on 4/6 shooting.

Up next for Lisbon is another solid road test, as they travel to Youngstown to take on the Valley Christian Eagles on December 23th in a non-conference match up.

COWBOYS SADDLE UP FOR THRILLER

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YOUNGSTOWN, OH- The Chaney Cowboys who were coming off a rough week with losses to Butler (Pa) and Canfield bounced back with a thrilling win over the Warren G. Harding Raiders 50-47.

    The first quarter was fast-paced by both teams. Both lineups had a hard time scoring but the Cowboys finished the quarter up 13-9. In the 2nd quarter, both teams really tried to get going on the offensive end, with limited success. The Raiders came back in the 2nd quarter and tied the game 19-19 at the half. 

   The Cowboys really played great defensively and took advantage of some Raider turnovers in the third quarter to take a lead 34-29 after the third quarter. That’s when the Raiders really went on a run in the 4th quarter.  The Raiders went on a 12-0 run to start the 4th quarter to take their first lead of the game 41-34. The Cowboys got going and outscored the Raiders 16 to 6 for the rest of the game to pull out a tough fought victory.

Leading the way for the Cowboys (4-2) was Cameron Lawrence with 14 points.

For Harding (3-3), D’Muntize Owens had 16 and was followed up by Chris Williams with 8 points for the Raiders.

 

*Story contributed by YSN’s John Bolino

POLAND DOGS GIRARD

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POLAND, OH- Poland was in search of their first home win of the young season after beating South Range earlier in the week. Zach Kassem and the Bulldogs were able to find victory against the Girard Indians. The Bulldogs played tough man to man defense and only allowed 12 points in the first half.  Zach Kassem had over 11 points in the game along with Michael Cougras who added an 11 more in the winning effort.

First Quarter was all Poland with the Bulldogs only allowing 4 points in the opening quarter. Kassem had 8 points as Poland held a lead of 12-4. Second-quarter was assisted by a host of players off the bench including Bryce Barringer who helped to increase the Bulldog lead. The quarter was highlighted by a last-second buzzer-beater 3 pointer by Andrew Centofanti.
In the third quarter, the Indians would add some much-needed offense thanks to Christian Graziano’s aggressiveness. He finished the night with double digits in points. Michael Cougras would increase the Poland lead in the third, however. A few field goals by Cougras gave the Bulldogs a commanding lead. In the final quarter, the bench of Poland got some extended minutes and assisted in picking up the first victory at home for the Bulldogs. They beat the Indians 64-33.
Cougras finished with 13 and led the Bulldogs, but there were 11 players in all that contributed to Poland on the night.
For Girard, Christian Graziano led the way with 8 points.
Poland (2-1) will face Boardman on December 27th. Girard(2-5) will face Niles Mckinley in the new year.
*Story contributed by YSN’s Anthony Melone

JONNY BUCKETS

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EAST PALESTINE, OH- As a freshmen, he led the team in scoring.  Now, as a sophomore, he’s also leading the team on the court and off.  Jonathan Bertovich has put all his efforts into the game and his love for basketball.  So much, in fact, that even with flu-like symptoms, and being defeated by an opponent 10 minutes earlier, Bertovich will return to the floor while families disperse from the gym in order to get extra reps at the net.

While he’s now on all opposing coach’s radars, Jonathan embraces the challenge and looks to drive himself even further up the ladder with each game he plays.

We sat down with the Sophomore Standout in this week’s East Palestine Player Profile: JONNY BUCKETS

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COLUMBIANA BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH TODD JOHNSON

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COLUMBIANA, OH- It’s “The Nicest Place in America.”  Home to the Columbiana Clippers, and high expectations on the hardwood in 2020.  Coach Todd Johnson has been walking into gymnasiums all over the area this season with a new feeling, one that he and his team are being chased.  The Clippers are now in firm sights in the EOAC, and every team is bringing their A-game when they sit adjacent to the Red and White.

All things considered, it’s not a bad place to be for Coach Johnson, considering in his fourth year, he’s been able to walk the same path as his existing seniors.  Filled with experience, heart, and determination to make 2020 his best, we sat down with the Clipper Captain to discuss the year thus far, and what lies ahead.

Catch up with the Clipper Talk on this week’s Coach’s Corner with Todd Johnson (EP 1.)

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BEAVER LOCAL BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH NICK MILLER

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EAST LIVERPOOL, OH- “You cannot have a future without first understanding your past.” is a great quote and one the Beaver Local understands very well.  A school rich with both incredible tradition and outstanding optimism for their future, Beaver Local didn’t have to look far to fill the position of Boy’s Head Basketball Coach.  A young man who’s been a part of the program both playing and as an assistant coach, Nick Miller was the perfect man for the job!

Now with buy-in from his players, Miller is looking to regain the traditions of victory this program is accustomed to.

We sat down with Coach Miller to discuss the fast start, and the great opportunity he’s had to lead his alma mater on the hardwood this year.

All this and more on the first episode of Beaver Local Coach’s Corner with Nick Miller.

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THINGS ARE KEATON UP IN UNITED

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HANOVERTON, OH- The youth movement is upon Eagle Nation, and there’s a Junior leading the charge for United this year.  The only returning letterman on an outstanding team, Keaton Baker has big shoes to fill when it comes to adding to the foundation of a stellar program in Hanoverton this year.  A program that seemingly is always in the thick of things in conference play now looks to the future in 2020.

Coach Kadvan must lean on his positive approach that his team appreciates and drives off.  However, it’s players like Baker that must provide a glimpse of the tradition and heritage with some new-school flashes of what could be in the years to come for the Blue and Gold.

We caught up with the junior bucket-filler for this week’s United Local Player Profile: THINGS ARE KEATON UP IN UNITED!

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