Tag Archive for: Dragons

LAKERS TAKE THE SHOW ON THE ROAD

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Photo Credit: CM Photography

Ashtabula, OH- In the Dragons home opener for 2023-2024 season, the Lakeside Dragons clashed with the Pymatuning Valley Lakers in a game that delivered excitement until the final buzzer. The Lakers emerged victorious with a final score of 72-68, but the contest was a true showcase of skill, determination, and the heart of both teams.

A Hard-Fought Battle: Quarter by Quarter Breakdown

The Lakers and Dragons engaged in an intense battle from the opening tip-off, with Lakeside claiming a 27-22 lead at the end of the first quarter. However, Pymatuning Valley fought back in the second, outscoring the Dragons 19-13 and entering halftime with a slim 41-40 lead. The third quarter was no different, as both teams exchanged blows, setting the stage for a dramatic final period. In the end, Pymatuning Valley’s resilience secured the hard-fought 72-68 victory.

Star Performances: Bryan’s Flawless Night and Neczporenko’s Defensive Prowess

Seth Bryan of the Lakers emerged as the game-changer, going a perfect 10 for 10 from the free-throw line and sinking three crucial three-pointers. Bryan’s 27-point performance showcased his scoring prowess and clutch play, earning him a well-deserved spotlight. Not far behind was Zane Neczporenko, who not only contributed 16 points but also made his presence felt on the defensive end with numerous steals.

On the Lakeside side, Aiden Hathy was a standout performer, leading the Dragons with an impressive 23 points. Hathy’s contributions extended beyond scoring, as he showcased his defensive skills with blocked shots and grabbed rebounds throughout the game. Dylan Newsome added firepower to the Dragons’ offense, sinking four three-pointers and keeping the Lakers on their toes.

Looking Ahead: Lakers look to build on a win and Dragons work to get started

As the Lakers bask in the glow of their hard-fought victory, they are gearing up for another challenge at home against the Fairport Harding Skippers on 12/08/23. The Skippers, eager to bounce back from a 75-61 loss to the Badger Braves, will face a Lakers team hungry for redemption and looking to build on the positives from their clash with Pymatuning Valley.

For the Lakeside Dragons (0-1), the road to redemption takes them to the Grand Valley Mustangs on 12/09/23. The Mustangs, coming off a narrow 47-44 loss to the Edgewood Warriors, will provide another stern test for the Dragons as they seek their first win of the season.

As the Lakers and Dragons regroup, fans can anticipate more thrilling matchups and captivating basketball action in the games to come. The season is young, and with each game, the story of redemption and triumph continues to unfold for these determined teams.

VIKINGS WASTE NO TIME GETTING AHEAD

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NILES OH- LaBrae wasted no time asserting dominance on Tuesday night, securing an impressive 60-35 victory over Niles. Derek Wilson led the scoring charge with an outstanding performance, contributing 20 points, while Austin Rowe and Jay McGarry added 18 and 16 points, respectively. Owen Boone chipped in 8 points to further bolster LaBrae’s commanding win.

Niles put up a fight, with Stef Dorsey leading their scoring efforts with 15 points, closely followed by Yausene Blackmond with 13 points and Anthony Budak with 12 points in a hard-fought battle against LaBrae’s offensive prowess.

NILES BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH JESSE HARDIN JR

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By Ty Bartell

NILES OH-  Coming off a 10-13 season a year ago, The Niles Mckinley Red Dragons boys basketball team are looking to make a big splash in the 2023-24 campaign! Led by Head Coach Jesse Hardin Jr. this year, The Red Dragons are looking to compete in the very tough, yet, very competitive North East 8 (NE8) Conference.

YSNs Ty Bartell got the opportunity to sit down and chat with Coach Hardin about the upcoming season. Covering topics such as a conference outlook, a meet the team segment, the goals of The Red Dragons this year and much more! Do not miss out on this first edition of Coaches Corner and do not miss any of the winter sport season from Niles Mckinley with live games, scores, stats, stories and more on YSN!

 

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DRAGONS FIND A WAY TO VICTORY ON THE ROAD

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In a closely contested season opener, Niles managed to secure a hard-fought road victory against Champion with a final score of 59-53.

Niles exhibited a balanced offensive effort, led by Stef Dorsey with 14 points, Antuan Gardner contributing 10 points, True Carey-Hardin adding 11 points, and Anthony Budak and Avon Fryer each chipping in with 8 points. The collective scoring prowess of the Niles team proved crucial in securing the win.

On the Champion side, Marky Nolan stood out with a game-high 21 points, supported by Christian Williams and Braylon Braham with 8 points each, and Andrew Skebe contributing 6 points. Despite a strong individual performance, Champion fell just short in their home opener.

Niles will continue their campaign as they open their home slate against LaBrae on Tuesday, while Champion will hit the road to face Mineral Ridge, looking to bounce back from the season-opening loss.

LABRAE KEEPS SHINING TO START THE YEAR

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NILES OH-  Maintaining their unbeaten record in the early season, LaBrae showcased their dominance with a commanding 60-35 victory over Niles.

Marissa Levensky led the scoring charge for LaBrae with an impressive 17 points, complemented by Ella Kuszmaui with 13 points. Mariah Jones contributed 9 points, while Riley Rowe added 7 points to the team’s total.

On the Niles side, Kherington Stanford displayed her scoring prowess with 15 points, supported by Hannah Grimm with 10 points. Gianna Wagner and Emily Macik each contributed 6 points.

FLASHES HAVE TO FIGHT TO GET PAST NILES

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Securing their second consecutive win, Champion delivered a dominating performance in Niles on Monday, emerging victorious with a final score of 64-55.

Bella Meyer led the scoring charge for Champion with an impressive 24 points, including two three-pointers, and an impressive 9 out of 10 from the free-throw line. Kayla Haynes contributed 12 points, showcasing her three-point shooting with 3 successful shots from beyond the arc, while Kennedy Caldwell added 10 points to the team’s total.

On the Niles side, Kherington Stanford led the scoring efforts with 15 points, followed by Brooke Money with 12 points, and Hannah Grimm with 8 points.

Champion’s impressive showing sets the stage for their upcoming home game on Thursday, where they will host Poland. Meanwhile, Niles will stay at home, looking to bounce back as they host LaBrae on Thursday.

ASHTABULA COUNTY HOOPS PREVIEW

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Ashtabula,OH- As the winter season approaches, the anticipation for high school basketball in Ashtabula County is reaching its peak. The upcoming 2023-2024 season promises thrilling matchups, fierce competition, and a showcase of young talent. Let’s take a closer look at some of the teams that are gearing up for an exciting campaign.

Lakeside Dragons: Rising with Height and Experience

The Lakeside Dragons enter the season with a determination to improve upon their 6-17 record from the previous year, and they have the tools to make it happen. Head coach Josh Hartz leads a squad with a formidable frontcourt, boasting four seniors, all standing at 6’3 or taller.

Aiden Hathy, a 6’6 senior swing player, brings versatility to the team, excelling in both paint defense and scoring from inside and outside. Alex DiSalvatore, a 6’4 senior, adds toughness and strength in the paint, complemented by his ability to defend perimeter shooters. With seniors Connor Mead and Kerrye White also contributing, the Dragons aim to utilize their size advantage strategically.

In the backcourt, junior guard Dylan Newsome assumes the role of primary ball handler and distributor, showcasing sharpshooting prowess on offense and formidable on-ball defense.

Jefferson Falcons: A Deep and Skilled Lineup

The Jefferson Falcons, coming off a 16-7 season, present a well-rounded team with depth and skill. Junior Anthony Covetta leads the charge, showcasing shooting ability, ball skills, and an increased focus on defense that positions him as one of the county’s most dangerous players.

Supporting Covetta is the experienced Robbie Pisano, a cerebral point guard, and senior Joey DeGeorge, a 6’5 stretch four with a high release point. The Falcons feature depth in the guard position with talents like sophomore Joel Navarro and junior Caleb Welser.

Entering the challenging CVC conference for the first time, the Falcons aim to make their mark and build on last year’s success.

Edgewood Warriors: Filling Big Shoes with a Well-Rounded Approach

The Edgewood Warriors face the challenge of filling the void left by their top scorer, Zach Vencill. With a 15-10 record in the previous season, the Warriors look to senior Jacob Ernst to lead the charge. Ernst’s well-rounded game includes excellent ball handling, three-point shooting, and strong finishes at the rim.

Senior Logan Kray, known for his rebounding prowess, contributes on the offensive end with his shooting and playmaking abilities. The underrated defender Brady Anderjack adds a tenacious on-ball defense to the mix.

The Warriors’ strategy involves spreading the floor with sharpshooters and pushing the pace with quick guards like Zach Carlton-Hull.

St. John Heralds: Youthful Backcourt and Emerging Big Men

After finishing the 2022-2023 season at 6-17, the St. John Heralds face the challenge of filling the gap left by the graduation of post player Jesus Hernandez. With a youthful team, senior AJ Hensley leads as the lone senior.

The Heralds will heavily rely on their backcourt play, with junior Vin Narducci and sophomore Anthony Severino leading the charge. Narducci’s scoring ability and Severino’s slippery moves on the court bring a dynamic element to the team. Junior Aaron Wychock, known for his quick defensive presence, adds energy to the backcourt.

In the paint, the Heralds turn to sophomores Anthony Petrochello and Donald Crawford to control the boards and provide a strong presence.

Grand Valley Mustangs: Frontcourt Dominance

Coming off a 7-16 season, the Grand Valley Mustangs aim to replace the scoring and court presence of dynamic guard Nate Boiarski. The team looks to seniors Bobby Rogers and Jerry Schultz to lead the charge in the frontcourt.

Rogers, with unmatched athleticism and elite off-ball defensive skills, contributes both in rebounding and scoring. Schultz, following a breakout junior season with a double-double average, anchors the center position with scoring and shot-blocking prowess.

Guards Braden Hart and Sammy Goforth take charge of ball handling and setting the tone on offense, showcasing their scoring ability and playmaking skills.

Pymatuning Valley Lakers: Reloaded for Success

After a stellar 20-4 season crowned with a NAC conference championship, the Pymatuning Valley Lakers enter the new season without dynamic players Tyler Britton and John Moschell, who graduated. However, the team returns with a talented post player in Blake Krznaric, a sharpshooter with shot-blocking abilities who stands at a towering 6’5.

The Lakers’ backcourt features dynamic guards in Ryan Croston and Zane Neczeporenko. Croston stands out as the team’s best on-ball defender, while Neczeporenko’s ball-handling and shooting skills contribute to offensive opportunities.

Conneaut Spartans: New Coach, Young Talent

After a 5-18 season, the Conneaut Spartans embark on the 2023-2024 journey with a new coach, Rich Marshall. The team, featuring only two seniors in Chance Loomis and JR Hutchinson, embraces a youthful roster.

Loomis, a talented guard with exceptional ball-handling skills and sharpshooting ability, provides offensive firepower. Hutchinson, playing guard and forward, contributes through defense and energy, aiming to spark the Spartans.

With no players over 6’2, the Spartans plan to utilize pace, energy, and technical play to navigate the challenges of the upcoming season. Rotations featuring Noah Hamm, Ryan Turner, Jordan Kulko, Cole Stump, and Devonte Harris will provide different looks and maintain a dynamic playing style.

As the season unfolds, basketball enthusiasts in Ashtabula County can look forward to witnessing the growth and development of these teams, filled with promising talents and a shared passion for the game. Whether it’s the Dragons utilizing their size advantage, the Falcons showcasing depth, or the Lakers defending their conference championship, the stage is set for an exhilarating journey on the hardwood. The county’s basketball landscape is rich with stories waiting to be written, and each team is poised to contribute its chapter to the unfolding narrative of the 2023-2024 season. This year looks to be a fun and exciting year in hoops and you will be able to watch and follow all your favorite teams right here on www.ysnlive.com your home for northeast ohio high school sports.

DRAGONS RUN OUT OF FIRE

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MENTOR OH- In a hard-fought battle on the gridiron, the Niles football season came to a close as Mentor Lake Catholic emerged victorious with a final score of 35-21.

The first quarter saw Mentor Lake Catholic taking an early lead. Quarterback Frankie Trinetti connected with running back Josh Styles for a 19-yard touchdown pass with 8:22 on the clock. Harley Forkins successfully added the extra point, putting MLC up 7-0.

The second quarter continued to favor MLC. Quarterback Frankie Trinetti handed off to tight end DJ Sears for a 1-yard touchdown run, extending their lead to 14-0 with 4:42 left in the quarter. Once again, Harley Forkins converted the extra point.

Mentor Lake Catholic wasn’t done in the second quarter as Trinetti found Cross Nimmo for a spectacular 62-yard touchdown pass with just 1:23 remaining. The extra point by Forkins was good, and the score stood at 21-0.

However, Niles rallied just before the half. Quarterback Anthony Budak connected with Nate Coots for a 28-yard touchdown pass as time expired in the second quarter. Anthony Georgalas nailed the extra point, cutting the deficit to 21-7.

The third quarter saw MLC extending their lead when Trinetti connected with Patrick Radigan for a 68-yard touchdown pass with 2:51 on the clock. Harley Forkins remained accurate on the extra point, making it 28-7.

In the fourth quarter, MLC wasn’t ready to relinquish their lead. Trinetti once again found tight end Cross Nimmo, this time for a 29-yard touchdown pass with 11:28 left in the game. The extra point by Forkins was good, making it 35-7.

Niles, showing resilience, managed to put more points on the board in the final quarter. Quarterback Anthony Budak handed off to Antuan Gardner for two rushing touchdowns, one for 31 yards with 10:27 remaining, and another for 5 yards with 2:10 to go. Anthony Georgalas was accurate on both extra point attempts, bringing the final score to 35-21 in favor of Mentor Lake Catholic.

 

WARRIORS LOCK IN PLAYOFFS,RECORDS, AND BRIDGE IN RIVALRY WIN

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Edgewood, OH- In a rivalry game for the ages, the Edgewood Warriors emerged victorious against the Lakeside Dragons with a final score of 38-20. The Warriors (6-4, 2-3 CVC Lake Division) secured their spot in the OHSAA playoffs for the second consecutive year, while the Dragons (4-6, 2-3 CVC Lake Division) saw their season come to an end as they were mathematically eliminated from the postseason.

The game got off to a promising start for Edgewood in the first quarter, with Samuel Linder kicking a 12-yard field goal, giving the Warriors an early 3-0 lead. Edgewood continued to dominate as Zeke Lucas dashed for a 12-yard touchdown run, and Tony Hall connected with Jacob Ernst for a spectacular 67-yard touchdown pass. With successful extra points, the Warriors led 17-0.

Lakeside began to mount a comeback in the second quarter, with Nate Bartone scoring a 4-yard touchdown run and Devan Miller adding a 2-yard touchdown run, but their two-point conversion attempts fell short. This narrowed the gap to 17-12 in favor of Edgewood.

The third quarter saw a dramatic turn of events as Tony Hall, who had a standout night, threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Lakeside’s Matt Wagner. A successful two-point conversion gave Lakeside a 20-17 lead. However, Edgewood quickly regained the advantage as Tony Hall found Jacob Ernst with a 43-yard touchdown pass, putting the Warriors ahead 24-20.

In the fourth quarter, Hunter Braat intercepted Lakeside’s Alex DiSalvatore, providing Edgewood with a crucial defensive play. With the clock ticking down, Tony Hall showcased his skills once again, throwing a 45-yard touchdown pass to Riley Baldwin. The extra point was good, extending Edgewood’s lead to 31-20. Zeke Lucas put the icing on the cake with a 49-yard touchdown run, and the extra point made it 38-20, sealing the victory for the Warriors.

Tony Hall emerged as the star of the game, passing for three touchdowns and over 200 yards. With his performance, Hall became the Ashtabula County all-time single-season leader in both passing yards and touchdowns, with over 2,400 yards and 31 touchdowns. The previous records of 2,365 yards (held by Edgewood’s Zach Winchell in 2020) and 29 touchdown passes (set by Jefferson’s Lucas Hitchcock in 2014) were surpassed, cementing Hall’s place in both Edgewood’s and Ashtabula’s  football history.

With this exciting win, the Edgewood Warriors look forward to the OHSAA playoffs and a potential matchup against the Cardinal Mooney Cardinals. Congratulations to the Edgewood Warriors for their impressive victory and Tony Hall for his record-breaking performance!

GIRARD GRABS A FIRST ROUND VICTORY

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GIRARD OH- Girard’s volleyball team made a resounding statement in their first sectional matchup of the tournament, delivering a convincing sweep in straight sets over Niles with scores of 25-8, 25-10, and 25-8. The team’s outstanding performance marked an excellent start to their postseason journey.

Several standout players led the charge for Girard, showcasing their skills and teamwork. Bree Latell was a force on the court, securing 17 kills. Alexis Pieton contributed significantly with 9 kills, while Nico Cochran added 8 kills, and Erica Teter provided 5 more, ensuring a well-rounded offensive approach.

Bailey Walters orchestrated the team’s offense brilliantly, earning 39 assists, highlighting her playmaking abilities. In the service game, Nico Cochran was instrumental, earning 14 service points and 4 aces, while Alexis Pieton and Bree Latell chipped in with 7 and 3 points, respectively. In the digs department, Nico Cochran led the way with 10, followed closely by Bree Latell with 8 and Bailey Walters with 5.

With this commanding win, Girard now advances to the sectional finals, where they will face Perry in an exciting matchup. The game is scheduled for the 2nd match at Girard HS at 2:30 PM on Saturday.