Tag Archive for: Bulldogs

COUGRAS ON THE PROWL

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There are a lot of young talented players around the area that area in girls basketball getting attention. One that might be flying under the radar is Poland sophomore Connie Cougras. In typical fashion for this program, Connie does not mind being under the radar. It gives her more room to navigate and grow. One of the first players off of Poland’s bench, Cougras is becoming more and more of an impact as the season goes on. Development is not an issue when it comes to Cougras, she is able to understand what mistakes she makes and takes upon herself to get in the gym and work on them. She says she gets an extra boost of energy in practice after a game in which she wasn’t pleased with herself. This ability to self correct makes her very easy to coach. Coach Blanch couldn’t say enough about her work ethic. Connie has a brother Michael who is a senior in the boys program. She says his support, and her support of him has helped both of them out a lot. They haven’t had a sibling three point contest as of yet, but you never know one could be on the horizon. Connie has quickly become a key member of program. And for now, she’s doing it in the shadows. The Cougras is on the prowl. And you better believe you don’t want to be her prey. 

Anthony Hartwig caught up with Connie this week. They discussed moving up to varsity, working through mistakes, and much more. Turn that volume dial all the way up and enjoy the latest Lady Bulldog Player Profile Cougras On The Prowl. 

BULLDOGS RIP PAST SPRINGFIELD

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POLAND,OH- Poland played cross-town Springfield on a night where the Tiger’s leading scorer would reach a historic milestone. Senior Drew Clark would chisel his name into the Tiger record books by scoring his 1,000th point in his career in the fourth quarter. In these four quarters, however, the Bulldogs would pick up the victory with 3 players scoring in double figures. Poland wins 59-51.

Both teams traded the lead back and forth in the first quarter with Poland taking the lead at the end of the 8 minutes, 16-14. Clark had 10 points in the opening quarter while Michael Cougras had 6 points. Poland maintained the lead by halftime but Clark would keep it close with 14 points. Cougras had 11 points at this point in the game while the Kassem brothers both had 6 points to give Poland the lead 27-23 at the half.

The Dogs increased their lead in the third quarter thanks to Cougras’s 16 points heading into the final quarter. Clark also had a total of 16 by the end of the third. Fourth-quarter saw history being made for the Tigers when Clark hit a 3 pointer by the sideline to give him 1,000 points scored in his High School Basketball Career. Clark would finish the game with 28 points but it was the Bulldogs who spoiled the festivities by winning this game 59-51. Cougras finished the game with 21 points while Michael Gordon finished with 12 points. Poland (9-4) will face rival Struthers this Friday on YSNLIVE.com/poland.

*Story contributed by YSN’s Anthony Melone

 

BERTOVICH SCORES 39; SOUTHERN TORCHES EP

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SALINEVILLE, OH- It was a big night for East Palestine sophomore, Jonathan Bertovich on Tuesday night.  Everything was going his way, as he finished with 39 points for the Bulldogs.  Unfortunately for him, Southern Local practically silenced the rest of the Bulldogs to the tune of 92-57.

Brandon Turcola was supplementing the scoring with 10, while Zion Figley had 3.  Tyler Bistarkey, and Evan each had a pair of points rounding out the majority of the scoring for EP.

For Southern, Cam Grodhaus led the way with 25 points, while Brad Sloan had 14.

East Palestine’s next test will come on Friday against Wellsville, while Southern books a trip to Lisbon.

POLAND STAVES OFF MOONEY RALLY, WINS THRILLER AGAINST THE CARDINALS

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The reputation of both Poland and Cardinal Mooney’s girls basketball teams are eerily similar. Tenacious defense, sound and disciplined play, and most importantly, a refusal to quit no matter the score.

The two teams took a while to settle in, both forcing turnovers on each other. Not to mention a fire alarm mishap that paused in game action twice during the first half. But Poland needs very little wiggle room to blow a game wide open. After a sluggish start, Poland hit three straight 3 pointers, one from Jackie Grisdale and two from Kailyn Brown, the latter not known for long distance shooting. Because of the early deficit, Mooney got out of their usual gameplan, and their offense suffered greatly from it. Poland’s defense tightened, and the Bulldogs took a massive 35-12 lead into the half.

But the Cardinals would not quit. In an unbelievable third quarter, Mooney would claw their way back into the game, allowing only four points, two coming from the free throw line. Freshman Maria Fire stoned any attempt at an inside shot, registering 5 blocks. Gia Diorio began shadowing Grisdale, and Mooney found themselves down only 11 once the fourth quarter began.

Poland would respond though. Offensive adjustments alongside a huge dagger 3 pointer from Grisdale, who finished with 19 points, sealed the deal. While the comeback was valiant, Mooney could not cut the deficit below double digits. Poland would win 59-42. The Bulldogs go to 13-2 on the season, and the Cardinals drop to 8-6.

RAIDERS GET BACK ON TRACK AGAINST LAKEVIEW

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CANFIELD, OH- The South Range girls Basketball team had a great showing in the win over Lakeview, 52-21.

The Lady Raiders are coming off a loss to Poland and needed a good game from start to finish and they did so. The Raiders started the game out strong and fast, which they carried until the finish. Lakeview slowly fought back and cut the lead down late in the game.But South Range countered every chance for Lakeview.

Izzy Lamparty was a key factor for the Raiders with 20 points and 6 rebounds. Lexi Giles had a great night from 3 hitting 3 from the perimeter and also grabbed 5 rebounds. Gabby Lamparty made some great assists and added 7 points with 4 rebounds. Bree Kohler added 4 points and 4 rebounds with great defensive play.

South Range will be back in action next Thursday and travel to Hubbard for a NE8 matchup. Lakeview will be in action Saturday hosting Maplewood. Tip off for the JV will be at 5:30. Varsityat 7:00. Catch it on YSN!

POLAND CONTINUES TO ROLL IN WIN OVER STRUTHERS

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The Poland Lady Bulldogs were business as usual Thursday night as they beat Struthers 59-39.

In the first half Poland quickly grabbed a ten point lead 14-4 but struggled to push the lead fifth than that. Struthers did a good job staying around and keeping their deficit at eight or ten throughout the first half. Poland put in a few buckets before the break though to make it 31-17 going into the half.

Poland started the third quarter on a 10-0 run and grabbed control of the game. Jackie Grisdale got going as she scored 15 points in the second half to help Poland propel forward. Poland also did a great job on the boards as they had four players with at least 4 rebounds. Morgan Kluchar led that category with 8.

Jackie Grisdale led the way with 24 points 6 rebounds for Poland.

Emma Elia led Struthers with 14.

Poland returns to action Saturday as they travel to Mooney.

HARK THE HARRELL

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The difference between good teams and great teams is a deep bench. The ability to trust the next round of players to go in and execute as well as your starters. For Poland junior Ella Harrell that’s a role she accepts with honor. There is not one ounce of bitterness in her bones over not being a starter. She loves the opportunity to come on the floor in the middle of a game and make an impact. Standing at 5’8, Harrell has the size to execute as a post, but also has the ability to play in the perimeter as a guard. A Swiss Army knife of a player. Ella’s personal goal coming into this year was to further her abilities to become even better at executing both of those roles. Coach Blanch says she is a player who is always staying after practice and working on extra ball handling drills. That’s one of the reasons he trusts her so much on the floor. He also says that Harrell is one of their more vocal players. She has no problem communicating on defense, which is so important. It’s something that makes Harrell such a tremendous asset off the bench. Ella and her team can easily run 8 or 9 players deep and Harrell is the example everyone else can look to. When leaders talk, you have to listen. Hark the Harrell. 

Anthony Hartwig made the trip down to Poland to talk to Ella. They discuss her role on the team, personal goals, and much more. Learn all about the Bulldog junior on the latest Player Profile Hark The Harrell. 

POLAND GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP6 WITH NICK BLANCH)

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It’s been awhile since we have had the chance to talk to coach Nick Blanch. A medical condition made him have to step away for a couple games. In his absence the team has taken care of business with wins over Liberty, Niles, and Hubbard. He returned on Saturday when they beat Lakeview to set up a big matchup with South Range. The Bulldogs handled the hype and came away with a 16 point victory over the Raiders.

Now they look ahead to matchup with Struthers on Thursday. Catch up with everything Lady Bulldogs basketball with Anthony Hartwig in Episode 6 of Coach’s Corner with Nick Blanch.

POLAND TOP DOG IN CLASH WITH SOUTH RANGE

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Control of the league hung in the balance Monday night when Poland traveled to South Range. Poland proved to still be the class of the league with an impressive 51-35 win over the Raiders.

The magnitude of the game was felt from the tip as the jump ball to start the game flew out of bounds before anyone could get to it, on the second try there was an immediate scrum on the floor for it. The Raiders got on the board in their first possession with a pair of free throws. 2-0 would prove to be the only lead the Raiders would have. Brooke Bobbey nailed a three on the other end to make it 3-2 and Poland would lead throughout the rest of the game.

That’s not to say the Raiders didn’t keep it competitive. They trailed by just one towards the end of the first gram before Grisdale hit a three in the closing seconds. She would do the same in the closing seconds of the first half to make a four point lead seven. 22-15 Poland led at the break. Izzy Lamparty had to spend much of the second quarter on the bench with three fouls.

The Raiders came out of the break with energy and got the lead cut to three, 28-25 but Jackie Grisdale seemed to hit a shot in every big situation for the Bulldogs. She made it 30-25 and the Bulldogs would score five more before the end of the third to make it 35-25.

Poland jumped way ahead in the final frame opening it on a 6-0 run and stretching their lead to 41-25. The Raiders with one more gasp of hope put together an 8-0 run cutting the lead to 41-33 with just over two minutes left in the game. Out of a timeout Brooke Bobbey hit maybe the biggest shot of the game as her fourth three of the game put Poland up 44-33 and pretty much ended any comeback bid the Raiders had.

Jackie Grisdale led the Bulldogs with 19 points 6 rebounds. Brooke Bobbey added 13. She hit four threes on the night.

Lexi Giles had a strong night for South Range with 13 points. Izzy Lamparty finished in double figures with 12.

Poland returns to action Thursday as they host Struthers.

South Range gets back to work Thursday as they host Lakeview.

POLAND FALLS IN DEFENSIVE SHOWDOWN OF 224

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POLAND, OH- Poland faced their rival Canfield on Saturday looking to add to their winning streak. The Cardinals would end their streak in a game where Canfield only allowed 33 points in a defensive heavy matchup by both teams. Canfield would pick up the victory 35-33 against the Bulldogs in this one.

The first half was a strong defensive half by both teams. Poland and Canfield were tied at the end of the first quarter at 10. Poland’s Michael Gordon and Michael Cougras both had 3 points in the quarter while Canfield’s Brent Herrman had 5 points for the Cardinals. Second-quarter only saw 9 points scored by both teams. Poland’s Zach Kassem had 4 points at this point in the game while Canfield’s Herrman had 6 points.

The game was all tied up at 22 by the end of the third quarter. Poland’s Zach Kassem had 9 points at the end of the third while Canfield’s Joe Bruno also had 9. Canfield separated themselves in the fourth quarter after the Dogs got into foul trouble. Poland fought back towards the end of the game but was unable to retake the lead. The Cardinals beat the Bulldogs 35-33. Bruno finished the game 10 points. Zach Kassem had 13 points.

Poland will face Hubbard on January 14th. Canfield will face Boardman on January 17th.

*Story contributed by YSN’s Anthony Melone