Tag Archive for: Cardinal Mooney

CALL ON CARTER

YOUNGSTOWN, OH- Senior point guard Jibri Carter from the Cardinal Mooney Cardinals basketball team shared insights into his inspiration and love for the game in a recent episode of the MVR Player Profile on YSN.

Carter revealed that his basketball inspiration came from watching Kyrie Irving. He expressed his deep connection to the sport, emphasizing that basketball has always been his number one focus, attributing his natural talent and ability to play the game to his early years of development.

In addition to discussing his basketball skills, Carter opened up about the challenges and rewards of being a team leader. He spoke fondly of his close-knit bond with his teammates, referring to them as a band of brothers, and highlighted the importance of his supportive family, including parents who were collegiate athletes, in shaping his success.

Looking ahead to the future, Carter expressed his ambitions to continue his education and pursue a college basketball career post-graduation, illustrating his determination and confidence in his path forward.

Outside of basketball, Carter shared his interests in car and forensic-related activities, shedding light on his diverse passions beyond the court.

Reflecting on his interview with Carter, DJ Yokley expressed his admiration for the player, commending his skills on the court and wishing him continued success.

The inspiring journey and aspirations of Jibri Carter serve as a testament to the dedication and talent within the Cardinal Mooney Cardinals basketball team.

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BONAFIDE CHAMPION

YOUNGSTOWN, OH- Mooney High School’s celebrated multi-sport athlete, Nick Pregibon, shares his thoughts on his sporting career and future aspirations in a candid interview with YSN host DJ Yokley.
In the interview, Pregibon reflected on his favorite sport, soccer, emphasizing the sense of freedom and teamwork it provides. He expressed an interest in exploring new athletic opportunities, mentioning the possibility of trying out lacrosse or track in his senior year. Pregibon’s potential move to lacrosse was met with enthusiasm, acknowledging the potential for success with a strong team dynamic.

Pregibon attributed much of his success to the tight-knit community and family atmosphere at Mooney, emphasizing how the shared camaraderie and trust among teammates have contributed to their achievements. His pride in the numerous accolades, including varsity letters and championship banners, highlighted the dedication and hard work he demonstrates on and off the field.

When discussing his post-high school plans, Pregibon revealed his intention to pursue electrical engineering, citing the job’s versatility and high demand as driving factors. Additionally, he shared admiration for his family’s support and expressed a desire to embody his parents’ best qualities, recognizing his mother’s kindness and his father’s strong work ethic as traits he strives to emulate.
Acknowledging his sister’s kindness and determination, Pregibon paid homage to her contributions, emphasizing her hardworking nature and academic commitment, while expressing pride in her achievements.

With a promising future ahead, Pregibon’s determination, humility, and athletic prowess make him a beacon of inspiration for his peers at Mooney High School and the wider community.
The YSN interview provided an insightful portrayal of a young athlete with a bright future, embodying the values of sportsmanship, dedication, and family support. As Nick Pregibon continues to carve his path, his impact on and off the field is sure to inspire and motivate those around him.

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IRISH HOLD THE LINE IN HOLY WAR

YOUNGSTOWN, OH- In a packed gymnasium filled with enthusiastic fans, the Ursuline Fighting Irish boys basketball team triumphed over Cardinal Mooney with a 69-58 home victory. This marked Ursuline’s seventh consecutive win in the heated rivalry between the two teams.

The game unfolded with Ursuline taking an early lead, but Cardinal Mooney rallied in the second quarter, showcasing a formidable offense. Despite the Cardinals’ surge, Ursuline remained composed and finished the half with a four-point advantage.

Senior guard Jibri Carter stood out for the Cardinals, contributing significantly to their offensive efforts with 20 points, even battling through an apparent cramp in the third quarter. Mooney’s Eddie Nieves added 14 points, but defensive lapses became a significant factor in their loss.

In the second half, Cardinal Mooney struggled to regain the momentum they had in the second quarter. Ursuline, with both offensive and defensive consistency, extended its lead and controlled the clock as the game progressed, ultimately securing a seventh consecutive victory against the Cardinals.

Senior Geno Lucente and freshman Jaylen Gunther, each scoring 19 points, were named players of the game, both of which were outstanding on both sides of the floor.

The Fighting Irish, with a record of 9-2 (3-0), look ahead to a road game against Farrell on January 20, while Mooney (8-4, 1-1) aims to bounce back in a Steel Valley Conference matchup against Chaney on January 19.

As the season unfolds, the Ursuline Fighting Irish continue to build on their success, aiming to reach new heights and surpass the achievements of previous years. The passionate rivalry between Ursuline and Cardinal Mooney adds an extra layer of intensity to each encounter, making it a spectacle for basketball fans.

MOONEY MAKES A CONFERENCE STATEMENT

By Ty Bartell

YOUNGSTOWN OH- For the second time this season, two members of the Steel Valley Conference (SVC) met on the girls side when The Chaney Cowgirls visited The Cardinal Mooney Cardinals on Thursday evening. The first meeting between the two programs was a thriller to say the least! The Cowgirls would come away victorious in the first meeting back on December, 9th at Chaney by a slim score of 43-41, meaning Mooney had revenge on their minds.

With the home crowd behind them, The Cardinals jumped ahead early. Playing good defense and turning that into transitional offensive opportunities, The Cards were able to manage a double-digit lead after a quarter of play at 14-4 over Chaney. The second quarter was a lot more even in terms of scoring; however, despite a lower scoring quarter, Mooney managed to be a bucket better in the second at 9-7 to ultimately take a 23-11 advantage into the halftime locker room!

Mooney star scorer, Sophia Diorio took over the game in the third quarter! Coming out of the half, Diorio scored 10 of Mooney’s 14 team points in the third, while completing all six of her free-throw attempts in the period, as The Cardinals outscored The Cowgirls 14-5 in the third to hold a commanding 37-16 edge heading into the fourth quarter. Not done there, Mooney capped off their statement to their west side rivals with a 17-3 fourth to emphatically win the ball game by a final of 54-19! A drastically different outcome from the previous meeting between the two schools, as Mooney obtained their revenge at home to even the season series up at a game a piece.

Sophia Diorio led the way for The Cardinals, putting up 23 points of offense while simultaneously playing some stifling defense all night long! Samantha Rotunno was also impactful in the game with her 14 points coming almost primarily in the paint, taking the physicality that The Cowgirls bring and matching it on the offensive side! Both Diorio and Rotunno earned Player of the Game honors and their postgame interviews along with Coach Diorio’s can be found below! Talecia Huff was also a key contributor for The Cardinals, scoring 8 points in the contest. Chaney was led by Ja’Ziya Anderson who finished with 10 points followed by Alyssa Brown who had 6 points.

The win for Mooney (4-7)(1-2) now sets them up with another conference opponent when they host The East Golden Bears (4-5)(0-2) on Monday, December 15th at Cardinal Mooney High School. For Chaney (9-4)(2-2) they will look to get back on the winning side when they travel to the Fieldhouse against Struthers (2-9) on Saturday, December 13th with a noon tip-off. Stay updated with SVC basketball all season long with live games, scores, stats, stories and more on YSN!

THE REIGN OF ROTUNNO CONTINUES

YOUNGSTOWN OH- Cardinal Mooney’s girls basketball program has a lot of tradition, and one name echoes through the years with a distinct rhythm — Rotunno. Samantha Rotunno, though not a senior, has already etched her place as a formidable leader and an unparalleled shooter for the Cardinals.

The Rotunno legacy at Mooney is not lost on Sam, who follows in the footsteps of her older sister, Angelina, a standout in her own right. Far from shying away from the challenge, Sam embraces the opportunity to carve her own path, setting the stage for her younger sister, Sophia, to follow in the future.

While her scoring prowess is undeniable, Rotunno’s dedication and leadership shine through on and off the court. Her commitment to the team’s success is unwavering, and her tenacity is unmatched.

Beyond the spotlight of scoring, Rotunno’s defensive skills are a hidden gem. Opponents often find themselves thwarted by her defensive prowess, a testament to her well-rounded contributions to the team.

As Cardinal Mooney continues its basketball journey, Samantha Rotunno stands as a beacon of leadership, a sharpshooter with a legacy to uphold, and a defender who ensures the Cardinals stand strong on both ends of the court.

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CARDINALS KEEP ON WORKING

YOUNGSTOWN OH- Cardinal Mooney showcased a strong performance on Saturday, regaining momentum with a commanding 47-26 victory against Southeast.

Sam Rotunno led the charge with an impressive 19 points, complemented by Sophia Diorio, who contributed 17 points. Katie Pregibon added 5 points to the scoring effort.

With this crucial win, Mooney (3-7) aims to sustain the positive momentum as they prepare to host Steel Valley rival Chaney on Thursday. The Cardinals will seek to build on this victory and continue their journey through the season.

CARDINALS WITH A STATEMENT WIN

EAST LIVERPOOL OH- In a high-stakes showdown on Friday night, Cardinal Mooney showcased their prowess on the road, securing a convincing 66-51 victory over East Liverpool. The Cardinals left a lasting impression, particularly with a dominant second quarter where they outscored their opponents 28-11.

Ashton O’Brien led the charge for Mooney, contributing an impressive 21 points to the team’s scoring effort. Nick Pregibon and Jibri Carter also played pivotal roles, adding 15 and 11 points, respectively.

Despite a formidable effort from East Liverpool, featuring strong performances by Preston Kerr (15 points), Cohen Pease (13 points), and Nate Birch (9 points), Mooney’s second-quarter surge created a gap that proved challenging to overcome.

 

IRISH PICKING UP THE PACE

YOUNGSTOWN OH- In the much-anticipated round one of the Holy War, Ursuline took on arch-rival Mooney, delivering a dominant performance that reflected their control of every aspect of the game. After Mooney scored first, Ursuline seized control of the pace and emerged victorious with a convincing 47-24 win.

Ursuline’s Lily Scott led the scoring charge with an impressive 15-point contribution, showcasing her offensive prowess. Kennedy Carpenter added 11 points, while Brooklyn Brown and Nia Burney each chipped in 6 points. Meredith Gray rounded out the scoring with 5 points.

For Mooney, Sophia Diorio led the scoring effort with 9 points, while Sam Rotunno added 5 points.

With this victory, Ursuline extends their winning streak to three games, boasting a 6-5 record. The team will now shift their focus to a road trip to Warren Harding on Saturday. Mooney, now standing at 2-7, will stay at home for their next matchup against Southeast on Saturday. The game highlighted Ursuline’s dominance in the Holy War opener, setting the stage for both teams as they continue their respective seasons.

MOONEY RULES THE ROOST IN YOUNGSTOWN

By Matt Maher 


YOUNGSTOWN, OH – Some days you’re feeling good and some days you’re feeling great and on Saturday afternoon Cardinal Mooney felt the latter when they traveled to Valley Christian and dominated with a capital D. The Cardinals never looked off and their shots reflected that in the final score which ended as a 75-45 win for Mooney.

 

Mooney came out with a statement and that statement was “get out of the way, we’re going to score” and score they did as they put up 22 points to the Eagles 8. Mooney saw some great scores from the likes of Nick Pregibon, Nico Genova and Jibri Carter but it was Ashton O’Brien who dazzled in the first. O’Brien put up 9 points including two elite looking 3’s and a beautiful drive to the net that resulted in an and-1 that he delivered on. The Cardinals would just be getting started while the Eagles just couldn’t get much past Mooney’s defense but what they did get through was 4 points for Deion Miller and two more scores from two separate sources.

 

Valley Christian looked much better in the second and as a result they doubled their score from the first with 16 points. Jaylen Robinson hit a dramatic and-1 and Patrick Riley went 3-for-4 from the stripe. While we saw some good individual efforts from the Eagles we saw greatness from Ra’Shaun Bell who found 8 points against a menacing cardinals defense. Bell had two field goals but he also went a perfect 4-for4 from the line which helped, not only himself, but his team find more confidence. 

 

While Valley Christian looked better, Mooney was still, well, Mooney and they put up 24 more points to end the half with 46 points! Pregibon added to his total with two and-1’s and O’Brien found two more points for his day but the real story was Carter who not only found 7 points but also hit his 200th career 3-pointer and cemented himself in school history! 

 

Valley Christian continued to stay consistent into the second half. The Eagles found 11 points in quarter number three with 5 of them coming from Robinson and 4 more coming from Bell. Mooney started to settle down a bit by only scoring 20 points with Carter putting up 7 more points including his 201st 3 and O’Brien and Pregibon both found 5 points. 

 

The final frame went by in a flash due to Mooney scoring enough to trigger the running clock and as a result saw them only score 9 points as a team with Carter scoring 4 more to end his night at 20 points. Valley Christian was able to out score the Cardinals in this frame but finding 10 points with 6 of them coming from Bell with a nice 3 and yet another and-1, he would end the game with 18 points. 

 

While Cardinal Mooney played an exceptional game, Valley Christian still looked very good defensively but just left some holes that were just big enough for Mooney to squeeze through which was ultimately what allowed Canfield to put up 75 but if anything they still played a good game and proved that the score doesn’t tell the whole story. Cardinal Mooney (6-3) will continue their road trip when they travel to East Liverpool on January 5th at 7:00PM while Valley Christian (3-3) stays home when they host Lowellville on January 2nd at 7:00PM. 

MOONEY THRIVES AT HOME

YOUNGSTOWN OH- Cardinal Mooney enjoyed a taste of home cooking on Friday night, securing a significant 56-50 win against NDCL in an exciting basketball matchup.

Leading the scoring effort for Mooney was Ashton O’Brien, who contributed an impressive 18 points. Rocco Turner added 14 points, showcasing the team’s offensive prowess. Eddie Nieves and Nick Pregibon each contributed 6 points, further solidifying Mooney’s balanced scoring attack.

The home victory marks a positive turn for Cardinal Mooney, bringing their record to 5-3. As they prepare for one more matchup before the calendar turns to 2024, hitting the road for a game at Valley Christian, Mooney carries the momentum of this home win into their continued journey through the basketball season. The win showcased the team’s ability to perform on their home court and sets the stage for future matchups as they look to build on their success.