COLUMBIANA, OH – Head coach Ryan Wolf and the Columbiana Clippers are eagerly awaiting the opening day of high school baseball as the northeast Ohio winter has begun to disappear. YSN was able to catch up with Coach Wolf before one of his practices this week to get a feel for the excitement that surrounds the Clippers baseball program and community. Coach Wolf also discussed the team and who he is leaning on to provide the leadership and strong play this year. Coach was also able to elaborate on what his expectations and goals are for this season as opening day is a week away!
COLUMBIANA, OH – The Columbiana Lady Clippers are back on the softball field and ready to get to work for the upcoming season. Head coach, Madison Kurtz, and the team are eager and excited to make a splash in the EOAC this season after their 2020 season was wiped out!
Coach Kurtz and the Lady Clippers will look upon Tori Long, Cessna Stoy, and Macy Linhart, to lead the way this season to provide the leadership needed for the long season but also to teach the “Clipper way” to the underclassmen to continue on the program success! Juniors Julia Rapp and Kaleigh Krahenbill will also look to make some noise on the field for the Clippers as they are headlining a strong junior class that saw significant time as freshmen two years ago. Columbiana will open up their season on Monday, March 29th, at home as they will welcome in the Leetonia Lady Bears.
YSN’s Headed Home crew had the opportunity to meet Coach Kurtz this week to discuss the hype and excitement around the Lady Clippers this season, what some of Coach’s expectations are for this season, and a team preview about some of the key players who will be making an impact on the diamond throughout the season!
Check out this exclusive softball sneak peak at the Columbiana Lady Clippers with head coach, Madison Kurtz!
Weathersfield, OH- In the first game of the playoffs in the 2021 season, Mineral Ridge hosted Columbiana. Mineral Ridge got the lead in the first quarter and never lost it with 3 players reaching double digits in scoring. Rams win 66-50 and move on to the second round of the playoffs.
Ridge took the lead early in the matchup going into the locker room with a 35-24 lead. Columbiana got into foul trouble early and the Rams took advantage. Devon Winford and Jake Sylak both had 8 points at the end of the second quarter for Mineral Ridge while Nick Million and Dalton Whitehair also had 8 for Columbiana.
The Rams held on to the lead for the remainder of the game thanks in large part to a big 15 point third quarter by Jalen Royal-Eiland. Mineral Ridge wins 66-50. Million ended the game with 17 points leading all scorers in tonight’s game. The Rams move on to the second round to face Cardinal Mooney.
*Contributed By YSN’s Anthony Melone
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/98E74306-82CD-498F-BC8C-55BAA68EB961.jpeg9631600Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2021-02-24 17:09:142021-02-24 17:09:14RIDGE RUNS AWAY FROM CLIPPERS
EAST PALESTINE OH- We are taught at an early age the values of sharing with others. It is a virtue in every walk of life, except athletics. East Palestine had already earned at least a share of their first league championship in program history, but no one wants to share on the basketball court. On Thursday, they had the opportunity to lock up sole possession of the top spot as they hosted Columbiana. If Columbiana won however, there would be four teams all with the same record at the top. The Bulldogs weren’t having that. Palestine left nothing to chance with a 65-47 victory over the Clippers, and earned the crown of the EOAC all to themselves.
Joclyn Fristik had a monster night for the Bulldogs leading the team with 25 points. Morgan Rutledge also had a strong performance chipping in 14 points to the Palestine offense. Patience Champney was also in double figures with 13 points.
Grace Witmer was a force on the night for Columbiana. She put in a game-high 31 points to lead the Clippers. Tori Long added 7 on the night.
East Palestine looks to take this momentum in to tournament play as they travel to Berkshire for a sectional championship on Saturday. Despite the loss, Columbiana is still alive and well in their bracket. They will meet up with fourth seeded Champion on Saturday in Warren for the chance to go to districts.
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/828C0E8F-4641-495F-B11C-979D9F193768.jpeg13792388Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2021-02-19 15:23:512021-02-19 15:23:51BULLDOGS DONT SHARE, PALESTINE SECURES TOP SPOT IN EOAC
COLUMBIANA, OH- Columbiana Senior, Grace Witmer knew the day would come. She knew that one day she’d look around the locker room and be the one everybody was looking to for answers, and leadership. While that thought sends most into an anxiety-ridden fit, Witmer embraces it as she does most challenges that come her way- with a bit of her namesake: grace.
Witmer is the only senior on the Clipper team this season, and for the past 7 years, the annual celebration has been around a league championship of some kind. You know the names of the past, but Witmer is trying to etch her name alongside her teammates for being the team that kept the standard held up against all odds. Grace, her coaches, and teammates have dealt with injuries, stoppages, missed practice time, minimal preparation for opponents, and oh yeah- still having to go to school and stay eligible in the middle of a pandemic.
All things considered, the senior captain has done a tremendous job of not only keeping the Clipper plane in the air but sailing at altitudes that have raised eyebrows across the area.
We caught up with Witmer following a big first-round victory over Pymatuning Valley, and on the eve of a championship opportunity against their rivals, East Palestine for a share of the EOAC championship. Whatever you do, keep your eye on 13 in the red and white, because whatever she does- she does with Style and Grace.
PRESENTED BY
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DSC_1953-e1613659088812.jpg15042337YSN Staffhttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngYSN Staff2021-02-18 14:38:342023-07-14 19:47:41WITH STYLE AND GRACE
Columbiana,OH- Both of tonight’s teams were coming off loses looking to bounce back into the winning column. It took overtime to find our winner but after clutch free throws by Blayne Brownfield and Ryan McCullough, Lisbon came away with the overtime victory, 62-51. Brownfield led all scorers with 29 points.
Lisbon maintained the lead for both quarters going into halftime with a 22-17 lead. McCullough led the Blue Devils with 8 points with Brownfield assisting not far behind with 7 points. For Columbiana, Nick Million got started late in the second quarter but went into the locker room with 8 points of his own.
It took 3 more quarters to decide a winner but Brownfield and McCullough led the Blue Devils to victory in overtime. Brownfield ended the night with 29 points with McCullough contributing 15. Million would end the night with 20 points as he helped his team rally to overtime. Lisbon will face Southern Local on Tuesday at home while Columbiana will face Valley Christian at home tomorrow.
*Contributed By YSN’s Anthony Melone
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/F56BADEC-AE8C-4234-88E9-1797305353A1.jpeg11571925Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2021-02-13 20:28:102021-02-13 20:28:10LISBON FINDS A WAY IN OVERTIME
NORTH JACKSON OH- The Columbiana Lady Clippers dug a 1st quarter hole as the Jackson-Milton Blue Jays overpowered the visiting Clippers in a 51-38 victory.
Coulmbiana fell behind 18-9 in the opening frame as the two teams battled about even up the rest of the way.
Chelsea Williams dropped in 16 points to pace the Lady Blue Jays and her teammates Kelsie Taylor and Kylie Wilson each added 10 points.
For the Lady Clippers, Grace Witmer scored 15 points. The win pushes Jackson-Milton to 12-7 on the year as Columbiana falls to 11-6.
*Contributed By YSN’s Gary Leininger
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/F2A12588-107F-432E-A9F0-83E85BF6E545.jpeg10031508Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2021-02-11 17:00:292021-02-11 17:00:29BLUE JAYS SPEED PAST COLUMBIANA
The Bluejays Mason Robison put his name in the record books as he went over the 1000 point mark in a 54-51 win over the visiting Columbiana Clippers in Tuesday night basketball.
Robison hit the mile-stone in the 3rd quarter as he scored 15 points in the contest. The Clippers held a 20-10 advantage in the 2nd frame but Jackson Milton battled back to go into the half down by 1 22-21.
For Culumbiana Dalton Whitehair scored 18 points. Next on the slate for the Clippers is a home contest against Lisbon this Friday.
*Contributed By YSN’s Gary Leininger
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/997F703B-3AF6-485E-A029-9C819F18DB0E-scaled.jpeg14062560Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2021-02-10 15:46:462023-07-14 19:44:06ROBISON REACHES 1,000 IN THRILLING BLUE JAYS WIN
COLUMBIANA OH- A big 4th quarter comeback helped the East Palestine Lady Bulldogs to take down theColumbiana Lady Clippers 44-43 in a key EOAC battle Monday night.
The 17-6 4th quarter rally was topped off with the Bulldogs Patience Champney dropping her big basket in with just over 5 seconds left in the game.
East Palestine’s Payton Sherry was the leading scorer for her team with 13 points followed by Champney’s 12 point effort.
The Clippers Grace Witmer scored a game high 19 points and her teammate Addie Zohnd added 10 points. added .
East Palestine goes to 5-2 for the year and co-leads the EOAC with a 4-2 record. The Clippers fall to 10-6 and 9-3 in league play.
Both teams return to the hardwoods on Wednesday with East Palestine travels to Leetonia and Columbiana goes to Jackson-Milton.
*Contributed by YSN’s Gary Leininger
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/918AD05A-5088-4D2F-B3FE-0B8EBFB8EF03-scaled.jpeg14582560Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2021-02-09 16:58:142021-02-09 16:58:14BULLDOGS BOUNCE BACK AGAINST COLUMBIANA
COLUMBIANA- The Clippers looked to rebound off a tough loss Saturday to the Leetonia Bears. The Clips wasted no time as they jumped out to a early 14-7 lead in the first.
The second quarter wasn’t much different for the clippers.
As the bulldogs made a little threat to start off the quarter, but the Clippers led by Nick Million darted off to a 10-0 run late in the second.
In the second half the Clippers ran away with the ballgame. As Columbiana got the inside outside game flowing.
With Seth Spooner going for 12 of his 16 points in the quarter.
Leading scorers for the game were Nick Million- 21
Seth Spooner- 16
Weston Jones- 11
Tyler Bistarkey- 10
