Tag Archive for: Bulldogs

LADY BULLDOGS BOUNCE BACK; TOPPLE TIGERS

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WELLSVILLE, OH- If you have talked to East Palestine Head Coach Will Franklin over the course of the last week, he’s been anxiously awaiting his team’s return to the court.  After last Thursday’s loss to Leetonia, East Palestine was looking for an outlet for frustration, and a chance to show who they are.  Unfortunately for Wellsville, they were the first obstacle in the wake, and East Palestine bounced back in a big way for a 71-39 victory.

It’s been a week since the Lady Dogs took the floor, as their game with Southern was postponed on Monday due to weather (will be made up February 5th.) So, it’s been long practices that have left East Palestine doing some soul-searching about how they want this season to go.

On Thursday, the fire was back.

Three Lady Dogs finished in double figures including Joclyn Fristik with 19, Paige Snyder with 18 and 10 boards, and Patience Champney with a dozen.  Payton Sherry had a double-double with 10 assists and 11 boards to go along with 6 points.  Morgan Rutledge had 3 blocks, 3 steals, and 4 points as well.

For Wellsville, Cameron Carlevale had 10 points and Hunter Weekley had 9 for the Tigers.

The Lady Bulldogs (3-3, 1-1) will get a day’s rest before lacing up for the Battle of the Borders Tournament on Saturday at Noon in the Dog Pound.  Wellsville (2-4, 0-3) will tie up with Edison on December 30th at 7pm on the road.

GRISDALE LEADS POLAND PAST JEFFERSON

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The Poland Lady Bulldogs kept on rolling Thursday night with a 42-24 victory over Jefferson.

Poland started in a hole trailing Jefferson 16-11 after one quarter, but their defense locked down after that only allowing eight points the rest of the game. That helped them cruise to a 42-24 win in Jefferson.

Jackie Grisdale shines with 22 points.

Poland returns to action Saturday as they travel to Warren Harding.

POLAND GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 4 WITH NICK BLANCH)

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It’s been a couple weeks since we got to catch up with Coach Blanch, and it’s been a busy week for the Bulldogs.  They’ve gone through a tough schedule unscathed and are sitting at on the season. With wins over South Range, Girard, and Boardman things are looking pretty good in Poland. Coach Blanch sees a lot of room for improvement among the success his team has enjoyed this year. They keep looking to take it one game at a time as they trek forward into games against Jefferson and Warren Harding. 

Anthony Hartwig headed down to Poland to get the scoop from Coach Blanch. They discuss the week that was, the upcoming games, and much more. Don’t miss the newest episode of Coach’s Corner with Nick Blanch.

BUSHAW AT HOME IN POLAND

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Poland Lady Bulldog senior Sarah Bushaw can describe her team in one word. Family. And what else can can describe a family than a place where you feel at home. Sarah is a person who has moved a bit in life, but came back to Poland and found her home on the court. This season Sarah has found new confidence in a role as an emotional leader. Whether from the bench or on the floor you can always see Sarah boosting up her teammates with positive energy. Coach Blanch says that Bushaw’s positive attitude is second to none. She can turn any situation around and that could help the team down the road if the find themselves in a tough situation. Sarah says she couldn’t have found that confidence without the senior leaders that came before her. That’s why she switched her number to 0 this season. It’s to honor past leaders in the program Bella Gajdos and Elena Cammack. She wears the number 0 as a badge of honor. 

Anthony Hartwig went down to Poland to chat with Sarah. They discuss what the team means to her, a special moment in Struthers, and much more. Catch up with another Poland senior in the latest Lady Bulldog Player Profile Bushaw At Home in Poland.

CALL HER GRETCH

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EAST PALESTINE, OH- As one of three seniors on the Lady Bulldogs Basketball Team, Kenzee Johnston is one who appreciates where she is this season.  Trying to take on more and more responsibility for the team, while passing on tips and opportunities for growth in her teammates for the years to come.

With Johnston on her way to her third Varsity letter and a crucial part of last year’s impressive 17-win squad, Kenzie is all business but looks to be having the time of her life.  Even when she’s upset, she has a signature smile that drives her opponents batty.  A Hines Ward-esque quality that few possess and even less can master.

We caught up with the Senior Leader for the Lady Dogs for this week’s East Palestine Player Profile.  She goes by Kenzee, but her friends CALL HER GRETCH.

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EAST PALESTINE GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH WILL FRANKLIN

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EAST PALESTINE, OH- Coming off the most successful year in recent history, and Coach Franklin’s most successful as the Head Coach, the Lady Bulldogs are looking to build on a 17-win season just a year ago.  It won’t be an easy road, but it’s certainly attainable.

The Lady Dogs are brushing off a tough loss to Leetonia that left them wanting nothing more than to get back on the hardwood, but the weather kept that from happening early this week.  With an EOAC battle on Thursday and a holiday tournament at home on Saturday, EP needs to right the ship quickly to help build toward the thick of their schedule post-holiday.

We caught up with Coach “Frank” to discuss the opportunities ahead as well as what he’s looking to build upon this season.

All that and more on this week’s episode of East Palestine Coach’s Corner with Will Franklin.

Presented by Gorby’s

BERTOVICH IMPRESSES; BULLDOGS FALL SHORT

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EAST PALESTINE, OH- In an impressive effort from an up-and-coming Bulldog team, it still wasn’t enough to get past EOAC powerhouse, Southern Local.  The Indians snuck away with a victory 67-54 over East Palestine Tuesday night.

For the Bulldogs, Jonathan Bertovich had one of the most impressive games of his career thus far against a stellar Indian defense.  Bertovich went off for 36 points that included a pair from beyond the arc as well as going 8-11 from the free-throw line.  For his efforts, he was named the Gorby’s Player of the Game on YSN.  Joining JB in the scoring column was Evan Smith with 5, Brandon Turcola with 6, and Westin Jones with 5.

For Southern, Brock Smalley led the way with 22, and Tanner Patterson chipped in 16 alongside Cam Grodhaus’s 13.

East Palestine (1-4) will now gear up for their Battle of the Borders tournament in their gym on Saturday where they’ll square off against Mohawk in the tournament’s final matchup.  Tipoff is set for 8pm on YSN.

BULLDOGS PUSH PAST RANGE

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CANFIELD, OH- The South Range Boys Basketball falls to 0-2 in the NE8 after the matchup with Poland 41-35 which moves the Raiders to 2-2 on the year. The Bulldogs would start strong and fast, South Range would fight through the 2nd. But Poland eventually took control of the game, an encouraging push back would help Raiders cut the lead lower until the final buzzer. Chris Brooks and Kris Scandy lead the push back for South Range. Michael Cougras and Zack Kassem led the Bulldogs to the league victory. Cougras added 5 3’s, and 21 of the 41 points came from 3 tonight for Poland. 

Brooks finished the night off with 13 points and 8 rebounds to lead the Raiders. Right behind him was Kris Scandy with 6 points, Dante Digaetano ended with 5 points and 2 rebounds. Eli Taylor, Nate Brown, Justin Marrie all contributed 3 points each and Jake Gehring finished with 2 points and 2 rebounds. Cougras lit the floor up with 3s and finished with 19 points and 3 rebounds. The Kassem twins would contribute 5 and 4 points with 4 and 2 rebounds, respectively, while Andrew Centifanti contributed with great defensive play with 7 points and 3 rebounds. Poland’s disciplined defense was too much for the Raiders, they struggled to get anything to fall and the Bulldogs capitalized.

The Raiders will travel to Hubbard on Friday looking for their first win the conference. Tip-off for the JV will be at 5:30. Varsity at 7:00. Catch it on YSN!

 

*Story contributed by YSN’s Brendan Miller

 

GAME PHOTOS: HERE

MASUCCI MASTERS LEADERSHIP

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Poland Lady Bulldog senior Katie Masucci has put extra importance on her senior season of basketball. She knows what the seniors last year put in to this program to put it on the map, and she wants to make sure this group continues that. An admiringly shy person, Katie says that being forced to be a leader has really gotten her to come out of her shell. Of course, having her sister on the same team helps out with that as well. Katie says that having this season with her sister has brought them both closer than ever before. 

Katie has waited her time to be a marquee player at the varsity level. That is a quality that coach Blanch puts above anything else. She spent three years developing, playing out her role, and now she is being rewarded by getting quality minutes in big time situations. The program thrives on knowing and accepting your role as a player, and Katie is someone that is a grand example of that philosophy.

Anthony Hartwig went to Poland to catch up with Katie. They discuss her leadership growth, playing with her sister, and much more. Learn all about the Bulldog senior on the latest Poland Lady Bulldog Player Profile Masucci Masters Leadership.

EAST PALESTINE BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 2) WITH BILL STANTON

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EAST PALESTINE, OH- The youth movement in East Palestine is underway, and the Bulldogs are earning their minutes on the floor under 2nd-year skipper, Bill Stanton.

The Bulldogs are well aware of the challenges they face in 2019-2020, but embrace them and are willing to fight through in order to establish a new culture in EP!

We caught up with Coach Stanton for a bit of a recap, and a look forward to what his Bulldogs face moving forward!

All that and more on this week’s East Palestine Basketball Coach’s Corner with Bill Stanton

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