Tag Archive for: Basketball

WILLIAMS DOES IT ALL

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BERLIN CENTER, OH- Senior shooting guard and defensive specialist, Kaleigh Williams, opened up about her journey with the Western Reserve basketball team. The podcast, hosted by DJ Yokley, provided insight into Williams’ dedication to the sport and her aspirations for the future.

Williams discussed her triumphant return to the court following a challenging junior season plagued by a quad injury. Expressing her commitment to the team, she expressed her desire to leave a lasting legacy as the toughest defensive player in Western Reserve history.

Uniquely, Williams’ passion for basketball extends beyond the court, reflecting her dedication to the Western Reserve community and her involvement in softball, track, and cross country. She emphasized the importance of the tight-knit bond shared among her fellow teammates.

Beyond her athletic prowess, Williams’ future aspirations were also explored. She spoke of her dedication to animal science and her involvement in the Biomed program at the career center. With a comprehensive vision for her future, Williams demonstrated a deep connection to her roots, stemming from her upbringing on a farm and her involvement in 4H.

Throughout the interview, Williams credited her strong support system, including her parents and Coach Miller, for instilling values of dedication and hard work, both on and off the court. Her unwavering commitment to her sport, studies, and community solidified her status as an ideal role model for her peers and the younger generation.

Overall, Kaleigh Williams’ profile on YSN offered an inspiring look into the life of a dedicated student-athlete, exemplifying resilience, determination, and a deep-rooted connection to her community. Her impact on the Western Reserve basketball program and aspirations for her future endeavors serve as a testament to her unwavering spirit and dedication.

 

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WESTERN RESERVE GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 2) WITH STEVE MILLER

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BERLIN CENTER, OH- The head coach of the Lady Blue Devils of Western Reserve, Steve Miller, sat down for an interview on the YSN podcast to discuss the team’s journey and aspirations for the current basketball season. Coach Miller highlighted the pride he feels in the girls’ basketball program and the efforts made to showcase the girls and build a successful culture at Western Reserve.

When asked about the team’s challenges this season, Coach Miller candidly addressed their early season struggles, emphasizing the importance of addressing their weaknesses while staying committed to the team’s goals. He emphasized the need for collective effort, grit, and relentless play to turn the season around, highlighting the team’s potential and character.

Coach Miller also shared his favorite holiday traditions, including spending time with his family and enjoying festive football games. With a humorous touch, he expressed his love for classic holiday movies and shows and his passion for NFL games as a diehard Raiders fan.

The Lady Blue Devils are gearing up to tackle the challenges ahead, focusing on unity, perseverance, and a relentless passion for the sport. As they navigate through the season, they are determined to showcase their strength, resilience, and ability to overcome obstacles. With the leadership of Coach Steve Miller and the talent of the players, they are poised to achieve their goals and make an impact in the competitive world of girls’ basketball.

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SPARTANS LEFT SEEING GREEN

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BOARDMAN, OH- The Boardman girls’ basketball team found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard, succumbing to the Aurora Greenmen with a final score of 41-36. Despite a valiant effort, the Spartans faced challenges right from the start, leading to a slow-paced first half that saw them tallying only 13 points.

However, the tides began to turn in the third quarter, with Boardman making a strong comeback to tie the game at 25 as they entered the decisive fourth quarter. The Spartans seized the momentum, establishing a 7-point lead with just over 5 minutes remaining. Yet, the resilient Greenmen countered with consecutive three-pointers and a crucial bucket, ultimately securing a 1-point advantage that they successfully defended until the final buzzer.

Mackenzie Riccitelli led the scoring charge for Boardman, contributing 11 points, while Sarah Bero overcame foul trouble to finish the game with 9 points. Ava Freeborough added 8 points and played a pivotal role in limiting Aurora’s 1,000-point scorer, Sam Stask, to 10 points. Sam Duble and M.C. Werth rounded out the scoring with 5 and 3 points, respectively.

Despite the challenges, Tori Strines stepped up with quality minutes on the court, showcasing great defensive prowess and grabbing crucial rebounds, especially when Bero faced foul trouble. Mikayla Rivera also made valuable contributions off the bench for the Spartans.

Unfortunately, a tough shooting night plagued Boardman, with a 1-6 performance from the free-throw line and a 17-47 field goal record, including a 3-16 mark from beyond the arc.

Looking ahead, the girls face a quick turnaround as they prepare to take on the formidable 6-2 Tallmadge Blue Devils in a thrilling quadruple-header scheduled for Friday.

SCHREFFLER’S BIG NIGHT PROPELS LISBON

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SALINEVILLE, OH – The Lisbon Blue Devils traveled down to Southern Local on Tuesday night for an EOAC battle that would see just how talented the Blue Devils are this season. From the opening tip off the crowd could tell that it would be a special game. The Blue Devils jumped out to an early 24-7 first quarter lead behind Trevor Siefke’s 12 first quarter points. Once ahead Lisbon never looked back.

The second quarter featured a lot more scoring as Alex Schreffler started to heat up from beyond the arc as he would connect on five threes in the quarter to give Lisbon a 54-16 halftime advantage. The third and fourth quarters saw much of the same as Schreffler would continue to hit threes and Siefke would capitalize on his defensive steals en route to more scoring on his own. The fourth quarter saw Hunter Dailey come alive in the paint as well, scoring 8 points. Logan Stauffer chipped in a balanced scoring night as well with 10 points.

In the win, Trevor Siefke set the single game school record for steals with 14, as well as, Alex Schreffler finishing with 9 made threes which tied a school record held with Michael Davis (2020).

On the night, Lisbon was led by Schreffler who finished with 31 points, Siefke with 27 points, Stauffer with 10 points, and Hunter Dailey with 8 points.

Southern was led by Mason Pitts with 8 points.

The Lisbon Blue Devils will return to action on Wednesday, December 27th, in the KSA Holiday Tournament in Orlando, Florida as they will play Chamberlain High Schoool (FL), then Bishop Eustace Prep (NJ) on 12/28, and Hanover Park (NJ) on 12/29.

Southern returns to the court on Friday at home against the Edison Wildcats.

RICCIARDI PARTY

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BERLIN CENTER, OH-  Western Reserve basketball player Dom Ricciardi sat down for an insightful interview. The junior leader, known for his athleticism and leadership qualities, discussed his transition from football to basketball, his leadership style, and the challenges faced by the basketball program.
Ricciardi’s smooth transition from football to basketball, attributing his success to the physical conditioning gained from football and his dedicated coaches, highlights his versatility and adaptability as an athlete.

When asked about his leadership style, Ricciardi credited his strong upbringing, emphasizing the importance of being a leader and not a follower. He also addressed the challenges faced by the basketball program, expressing a resilient and optimistic outlook.

Having faced adversity throughout his athletic career, Ricciardi emphasized the importance of finishing strong and remaining undeterred by the team’s early season record.

The podcast also touched upon Ricciardi’s family and personal traits, shedding light on his upbringing and the values instilled in him by his parents. He highlighted his aspiration to pursue a career in the engineering field, showcasing his depth and ambition beyond the world of sports.

Ricciardi’s unwavering commitment to his community and his appreciation for the support he and his family have received reflect his gratitude and strong sense of community. His dedication to becoming a positive role model for younger generations was evident throughout the interview.

Dom Ricciardi’s interview with YSN provides a rare glimpse into the mind and heart of a dedicated athlete and community leader, leaving a resonating impact on listeners.  As an added bonus, we were able to sit down with Dom’s younger brother, Mason to pick his brain about his older brother- and were treated to a bit of a surprise!  Don’t miss it!

 

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WESTERN RESERVE BOY’S BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 2) WITH JOE SERENSKY

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BERLIN CENTER, OH- In a recent episode of the YSN podcast, “Western Reserve HSBB Coach’s Corner (EP 2) with Joe Sorensky,” head basketball coach Joe Sorensky opened up about his team’s progress, challenges, and the unwavering support they have received from the community.

The episode delved into the team’s current season, which has unfortunately seen them starting with an 0-5 record. Sorensky emphasized the positive aspects, drawing attention to the team’s effort and willingness to push through tough games. Despite the daunting record, he remains confident in the team’s potential for a breakthrough.

Additionally, Sorensky highlighted the leadership qualities of players Dom Ricardi and Andrew, recognizing their role in maintaining positivity and focus within the team. In discussing the program’s significance to him, Sorensky expressed his gratitude for the support received from the community, noting his deep roots in the area, having attended school in Western Reserve and with his family’s ties to the land on which the school now stands.

The article also touched on Sorensky’s three years as head coach of the program, with the interviewer noting his apparent longevity in the role. Sorensky voiced his appreciation for platforms like YSN, allowing his players to share their experiences and connect with the wider Mahoning and Trumbull county communities.

The episode concluded with a lighthearted segment where Sorensky discussed his Christmas wishes, humorously mentioning a desire for “some points” to be brought down the chimney for the team. The coach also shared his favorite Christmas movie, “Christmas Vacation,” conveying his holiday spirit and adding a personal touch to the conversation.

The insightful episode showcased Sorensky’s dedication to his team and the pride he takes in representing Western Reserve High School. It not only offered a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of the basketball program but also provided an opportunity for the coach to express his appreciation for the community’s enduring support.

 

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POLAND DEFENSE STRIKES AGAIN

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By Matt Maher 


GIRARD, OH – Another game, another Bulldogs Win thanks to a fantastic offensive effort and aggressive Defense. Poland had eight guys find tallies on the scoresheet resulting in a complete team 39-23 victory on the road against the Indians.

 

Girard was the better team in the first quarter, out scoring Poland 7-4. Poland started off the game with a quick 3-pointer but quickly found themselves down 6-2 and eventually gave up a free throw from Ahmad Curd. Allen Hess-Cardona put up four points in the first to help the Indians get off on the right foot. For Poland the exclamation mark was the opening three made by Andrew Todd.

 

The Bulldogs were much more sound offensively and defensively and put up 10 points to Girards three. Cole Fulton was the talk of the town, finding all four of his points at the free throw line going 4-for-6 in the quarter. Paul Greco hit a three and Oliver McCully found three of his own with a bucket and went 1-for-2 at the line. Girards lone three points came from the hands of Nick Rafferty.

 

Halftime was no cause for hesitation from Poland as they kept up the pressure they built and scored 11 points over Girard including five points from Oliver McCully and Fulton put up his first and only field goal by draining in a two. For Girard Dom Phillips found himself four points and Hess-Cardona added two more to his total.

 

The Bulldogs continued to play well through he fourth and found 14 more points with six of them coming from Todd and the other eight coming from five different scorers. Girard would match their highest scoring quarter, the first, with seven more points from Phillips (5) and Stephen Sims (2). 

 

While both teams showed good defense it was the overall power of the Bulldogs scorers that would be the difference maker in this game. Todd ended with 10 points, McCully with eight and Fulton with seven to help lead their team to the victory. Girard was led by Dom Phillips who was the only other scorer to reach double digits with 11 and Hess-Cardona who put up six points.

 

The Bulldogs (4-1, 2-0) will show off their skills next when they host Niles on Tuesday December 19th at 7:00PM and the Indians (0-4, 0-2) will hit the road when they face Salem on the 19th as well with their start time being scheduled for 6:45PM.

LADY RAIDERS HUSTLE TO FIRST WIN

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CANFIELD, OH- After starting the season with three straight losses, the South Range Lady Raiders knew it would take more effort and energy to accomplish what they wanted this season, and they showed exactly that on Thursday night with at 54-40 victory over Struthers.

In a matchup riddled with fouls and turnovers, South Range was able to find a rhythm in their effort- and it was enough to seal their first victory of the season.

The Lady Raider seniors had a lot to do with it, veteran point guard Devin Sauerwein provided a spark throughout the contest with her speed and ball-handling, but also bucketed 13 to lead the burgundy and gold.  Madi Dado showed poise and determination in her leadership with 9 points and great displays of effort on both sides of the court.  Gwen Lowry showcased her skills to the tune of 12 points, and Sydney Penick had 6.  Other scorers for South Range included Ceci Foster (2) Sophia Lucente (3) and Taylor Dado with 9 points, respectively.

Struthers had a great game plan for South Range, and that was to spread out their scorers, which they did.  Offensively, Katelyn Kimble led the way with 11, and was able to find pockets of scoring from Gianna Mark (8), Emma Morris and Ava Croyle (5), Ava Hall (4), and Taiya Baraka (3).

South Range records their first victory of the season and is now 1-3, while Struthers falls to 1-4 overall.

BLUE DEVILS WIN CLOSE BATTLE

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YOUNGSTOWN, OH – In a hard fought battle between two EOAC heavyweights, the Lisbon Blue Devils traveled up to Valley Christian to battle out one of the most exciting games so far this season. The first quarter showcased both offenses taking swings at each other as the Blue Devils went up 18-14. Both teams took turns making impressive scoring runs as neither team seemed to take total control. As the second quarter came and went the two evenly matched opponents played to a stalemate as Lisbon maintained its four point advantage heading to the break, 25-21.

The third quarter featured much of the same as the Eagles did all they could to scratch and claw back into it as Coach Carroll turned up his defensive pressure only to see Lisbon respond to it. As the buzzer sounded, Valley Christian only trailed by three, 33-30 heading to the final frame. The fourth quarter set up to go down as one of the toughest battles yet as Valley Christian came out with an impressive trap to cut the Blue Devils lead to one. That one point lead maintained for a while as both squads hit an offensive dry spell that took up a good chunk of the quarter. Once Lisbon gained their footing, a couple of quick buckets all but wrapped up the victory. One final free throw from Trevor Siefke put Lisbon ahead 42-37 at the final buzzer.

For Valley Christian, Alex Green finished with 13 points and Deion Miller added in 12.

For Lisbon, Hunter Dailey led the way with 18 points and 7 rebounds. Trevor Siefke chipped in with 8 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds. Austin Dailey added in 8 points and 2 steals.

The Lisbon junior varsity team also picked up a victory, 33-29.

Up next for Valley Christian is another tough EOAC match up with the Columbiana Clippers coming to town on Friday night. Lisbon will also return to action on Friday as they will host the Leetonia Bears.

CRESTVIEW TROUNCES LADY DEVILS

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COLUMBIANA, OH- In a lopsided victory, the Crestview Rebels showcased their dominance on the court by defeating Campbell Memorial with an overwhelming scoreline of 63-5 in Monday’s matchup.

The Rebels, led by standout performances, maintained their perfect record, improving to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the MVAC Grey Tier.

Key Performances for Crestview included Addison Rhodes, who was a force to be reckoned with, Rhodes recorded a double-double with a game-high 22 points, 12 rebounds, and six steals.  Luvrain Gaskins displaying versatility, Gaskins contributed significantly with 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Brianna DiCross as a freshman point guard showcased exceptional playmaking skills, tallying an impressive 10 assists.  Emily Downey was a machine with seven assists and four steals, Downey played a crucial role in Crestview’s well-rounded performance.

The Rebels wasted no time asserting their dominance, establishing an 18-0 lead in the first quarter and extending it to 37-2 by halftime.

The Rebels’ junior varsity team also claimed victory, securing a 26-5 win over Campbell Memorial. Phiatra Bradley led the scoring for the junior varsity squad with seven points.

Crestview’s next challenge will be on the road against Brookfield on Thursday, where they aim to continue their undefeated streak.

Game Summary:
Campbell Memorial 0-2-3-0–5
Crestview 18-19-16-10–63

**Campbell Scoring:**
– Angeliz Diaz: 2 points
– Diamon Sims: 3 points

**Crestview Scoring:**
– Phiatra Bradley: 7 points
– Addison Rhodes: 22 points
– Madeline English: 3 points
– Kerrigan Miller: 3 points
– Emily Downey: 6 points
– Luvrain Gaskins: 19 points
– Brianna DiCross: 2 points
– Myer Miller: 1 point

**Three-Point Goals:**
– Crestview: 5 (Downey 2, Bradley, English, K. Miller)