Tag Archive for: East Palestine

BULLDOGS HOLD ON TIGHT AGAINST LEETONIA

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EAST PALESTINE, OH-  The East Palestine Bulldogs defended their home court on Tuesday night, topping the Leetonia Bears, 56-46. The victory pushes the Bulldogs to 5-5 on the season (2-4 in conference) and sends the Bears to 3-7 (0-5 in the EOAC).

Right from the tip, both teams came out with energy, trading baskets in a fast-paced first quarter. Leetonia leaned on the offensive prowess of Dylan Brown, who led the Bears with 14 points, and Dylan Johns, who contributed 13. Despite the Bears’ efforts, East Palestine’s defensive intensity—spearheaded by Clark Rutledge—posed problems all night. Rutledge not only made his presence felt on the defensive end, but also pitched in 4 points.

On offense, the Bulldogs were powered by the hot shooting of Landyn Cope, who racked up 17 points, including five three-pointers that electrified the home crowd. Teammate Owen Jurjavcic added 12 points, making key shots to keep the Bulldogs in control, while Drew Bycroft’s 11 and Kyler Bourne’s 10 provided East Palestine with balanced scoring across the board.

Leetonia remained within striking distance for much of the contest thanks to timely buckets from Carson Brock (8 points), CJ Faulkner (3), and Ethan Mathias (4). However, each time the Bears seemed ready to close the gap, Cope’s outside shooting and the Bulldogs’ interior defense shut down any momentum.

As the fourth quarter wound down, East Palestine’s steady offense and tight defensive play sealed the win. With conference play heating up, both teams will look to build on the lessons from this matchup. The Bulldogs continue their push in the EOAC, while the Bears regroup and prepare to chase their first conference victory of the season.

LISBON SHAKES OFF SLOW START

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EAST PALESTINE OH- Lisbon shook off a slow start Friday night, bouncing back from a 20-16 first-quarter deficit to take down East Palestine, 67-52. By the end of the third, Lisbon had flipped the script, leading 48-38 and cruising to the finish line.

AJ Ramgeet was on fire, dropping 30 points to lead Lisbon’s charge. Blaine Barnes added 13, while Aiden Ramgeet chipped in 10. Luke Kraft and Tim Brandon each added 7 to keep the offense rolling.

For East Palestine, Owen Jurjavcic led the way with 17 points, with Kyler Bourne adding 14. RJ May and Drew Bycroft each pitched in 6, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace.

Lisbon hits the road again on December 28th for a matchup with Tuscarawas Central Catholic. East Palestine gets back at it on December 27th at home against the Academy of Urban Scholars.

LADY BULLDOGS GET GRITTY AGAINST LEETONIA

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EAST PALESTINE, OH= It wasn’t the prettiest game, but it sure was gutsy. The East Palestine Lady Bulldogs fought their way to a 32-23 victory over Leetonia on Tuesday night, clawing back after a sluggish first half. With only six players available due to injuries, the Bulldogs leaned on heart, hustle, and some sharp decision-making from Head Coach Rick Gates to pull off the win.

The game didn’t start in East Palestine’s favor. Leetonia’s scrappy defense kept the Bulldogs off rhythm in the first half, and East Palestine trailed 15-12 going into the break. But Coach Gates wasn’t rattled. He expertly rotated his shorthanded roster to keep fresh legs on the court, and his adjustments paid off in the second half.

The Bulldogs flipped the script in the third quarter, outscoring Leetonia 7-3 to reclaim the lead. Sophomore Marley Blythe led the charge with a relentless effort on the boards, pulling down seven rebounds and giving East Palestine second-chance opportunities. Her dominance in the paint sparked the Bulldogs’ offense, while Sydney Javorsky found her rhythm, dropping in 12 points to lead all scorers.

By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Bulldogs were in control. Liv Magness was a force defensively, snagging four steals and turning them into fast-break opportunities. East Palestine closed the game strong with a 13-point final quarter to seal the deal.

Leetonia couldn’t muster much offense in the second half, scoring just eight points as East Palestine’s defense tightened the screws. The Bulldogs showed poise and grit, playing smart basketball to protect their lead and secure their second win of the season.

Jacklyn Ogle led the way in points for EP with 12, but was accompanied by a half dozen by both Emma Gingher, and Marley Blythe.  Alyvia Magness and Sydney Jurjavcic each had four points.

For Leetonia- Taylor Chapman led the way with eight, but the scoring was spread out after that with six from Starr Neel, and four points from Carli Simms.

Game Notes:

  • Player of the Game: Marley Blythe, for her rebounding dominance and key energy plays.
  • Coach’s Highlight: Rick Gates’ masterful substitution strategy kept the team fresh despite the short bench.
  • Next Up: East Palestine takes on Lisbon at home this Saturday at noon.

The Bulldogs improved to 2-6 overall and 1-4 in league play, proving that even with a thin roster, they’re not backing down from a fight.  The Lady Dogs will now prepare for another EOAC battle at home on Saturday against Lisbon.  Tipoff is at Noon on YSN.

COLUMBIANA TURNS ON THE JETS ON CROSS TOWN RIVAL

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COLUMBIANA OH- Columbiana took control of a backyard rivalry Tuesday night, cruising to a 52-27 win over East Palestine in EOAC action. The Clippers set the pace early and never let up.

Seth Struharik was unstoppable, dropping 27 points to lead the way. Cooper Brown and Luca Cagliuso each added 9 to round out a strong team effort for Columbiana.

East Palestine was led by Kyler Bourne with 10 points, while Owen Jurjavcic chipped in 7, but the Bulldogs couldn’t keep up with Columbiana’s firepower.

The Clippers hit the road Friday to take on Southern, while East Palestine will look to bounce back at home against Lisbon.

BULLDOGS LEAVE THEIR MARK IN PENNSYLVANIA

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WILMINGTON PA- East Palestine crossed the state line Wednesday night and made a statement at the Wilmington Tip-Off Classic, crushing Environmental Charter of Pittsburgh 66-27. The Bulldogs set the tone early and never let up.

Kyler Bourne was a beast, dropping 27 points and grabbing 12 boards to lead the charge. RJ May added 10 points, while Owen Jurjavcic chipped in 6 points and pulled down 7 rebounds to round out the effort.

The Bulldogs jump back into EOAC action Friday, hosting United.

BULLDOGS BOUNCE BACK AGAINST JCC

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EAST PALESTINE, OH-The East Palestine Bulldogs showed resilience Tuesday night, shaking off a tough loss to Wellsville with a commanding 71-35 victory over the Jefferson County Christian Royals.

From the opening tip, the Bulldogs took control, outscoring the Royals 19-8 in the first quarter and never looking back. Their relentless pace extended through all four quarters, as they piled up points and kept the Royals in check defensively.

Leading the charge for the Bulldogs were the seniors  Owen Jurjavcic with 21, Kyler Bourne with 20, and Landyn Cope, who lit up the scoreboard with 12 points, displaying a knack for hitting key shots in crucial moments.  Michael Chestnut and Will Dixon chipped in with 7 and 4 points, respectively, showcasing the depth of East Palestine’s roster. Isaac Cozza and Clark Rutledge had 4 points, and 3 points respectively.

On the defensive side, the Bulldogs were relentless, forcing turnovers and making life difficult for Jefferson County Christian’s shooters. They held the Royals to just 17 first-half points, effectively sealing the game by halftime.

The Royals struggled to get much going offensively, but they had a few bright spots with three players hanging nine points apiece in Lee Gump, Jack Anderson, and Wyatt Hervey.

East Palestine’s relentless effort on both ends of the floor was evident as they coasted through the second half, putting the finishing touches on a dominant performance. With this victory, the Bulldogs move to 1-1 on the young season and will look to carry this momentum into their next matchup.

CLIPPERS LOOK STRONG IN THE EOAC

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COLUMBIANA OH- Columbiana wasted no time flexing their muscle Monday night, dominating East Palestine from start to finish in a lopsided 62-5 blowout. The Clippers set the tone early and never let up, overwhelming their conference rival on both ends of the floor.

Annah Clemmer led the charge with 15 points, while Ava Heinrich added 9. Megan Moser and Lexi Davis chipped in 8 points each, and Evy Rapp and Sydney Spaite contributed 6 apiece in a balanced team effort.

East Palestine’s lone bright spot came from Jacklyn Ogle, who scored 4 of their 5 points, but the Bulldogs couldn’t find any answers for Columbiana’s relentless play.

Columbiana will look to keep rolling Thursday when they hit the road to face Southern, while East Palestine will try to regroup at home against Lisbon.

THE MARK VINCENT PELINI FOUNDATION ANNOUNCED THE CENTER OF EXCELLENCE AWARD

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The Mark Vincent Pelini Foundation Announces the Inaugural Center of Excellence Award
“Work hard and always stay the good path” Mark Vincent Pelini, AUGUST 27, 1991 – OCTOBER 2, 2022
Mark Vincent Pelini, a former Cardinal Mooney High School and University of Nebraska Center, exemplified discipline, courage, faith, and integrity. A leader on and off the field, Mark’s legacy continues to inspire through the initiatives of the Mark Vincent Pelini Foundation.
In honor of his life and values, the foundation is proud to introduce the MVP Center of Excellence Award, which recognizes an exceptional Senior Offensive Lineman (Center) from Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, Summit, and Stark Counties. The award celebrates individuals who excel in athletics, academics, and community service—upholding the leadership, courage, compassion, and integrity that defined Mark Pelini.
As a teammate, he was a leader, a challenger, a fierce competitor and a friend. As a son of God, he was spiritual, fair, kind and inquisitive. As a son and brother, he was loyal and loving and invested.
In paying homage to Mark’s legacy, the Mark Vincent Pelini Foundation is proud to add the MVP Center of Excellence Award to its list of initiatives in line with their mission to impact the community and the youth of tomorrow in Mark’s name.
The MVP Center of Excellence Award will be presented to an outstanding Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, Summit and Stark County Senior Offensive Lineman (Center) who excels on the field, in the classroom and in the community. He should be a leader. He should have courage and compassion, faith and integrity. He should excel on the field, in the classroom in the community.
2024 MVP Center of Excellence Finalists
Each high school coach in every classification was invited to nominate one Senior Center. The 12 Center of Excellence finalists were nominated by their head coaches and considered by a selection committee The Selection Committee includes Bo Pelini, Michael Zordich, Alex Zordich, Donald D’Alesio, Zach Larson, Tom Velasquez, Tim Marlowe, Nico Mancuso.
• Dalton Johnson, East Palestine (Head Coach: Michael Demster)
• Mikey Eckman, Salem (Head Coach: Ron Johnson)
• Hayden Martin, West Branch (Head Coach: Tim Cooper)
• Weston Little, Sandy Valley (Head Coach: Brian Gamble)
• Andrew Brian, South Range (Head Coach: Dave Rach)
• Teigan Essig, Jackson (Head Coach: Jay Rohr)
• Nolan McKendry, Green (Head Coach: Mark Geis)
• Ethan Laslo, JFK Catholic (Head Coach: Damon Buente)
• Nate Cross, Archbishop Hoban (Head Coach: Tim Tyrell)
• Matthew DeSciscio, Walsh Jesuit (Head Coach: Nick Alexander)
•Jymier Burrage, Valley Christian (Head Coach: Andrew Hake)
•Deandre Campbell, Buchtel (Head Coach Bryan: Williams)
Award Breakfast Details
The Center of Excellence Award winner will be revealed at the MVP Center of Excellence Award breakfast on December 14, 2024.
Center of Excellence Award Breakfast
Presenting Sponsor: Zabel’s Restaurant Equipment and Supplies
Date: Saturday December 14, 2024
Location: St. Luke Roman Catholic Parish
5225 South Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio
Time: 11:00am-1:30pm
Master of Ceremonies: DJ Yokley
Guest Speaker: Bo Pelini
Benefiting the Mark Vincent Pelini Foundation
Enjoy a breakfast honoring 12 COE Finalists and the Center Of Excellence Trophy Presentation
Business Attire
Tickets & Sponsorship Opportunities
Tickets for the breakfast are available at www.markvincentpelinifoundation.org/coe-page. Both individual tickets and full tables are available for purchase. Sponsorship opportunities are also encouraged to support this meaningful initiative.
About the Mark Vincent Pelini Foundation
The Mark Vincent Pelini Foundation was established to honor the life and values of Mark Pelini by fostering programs and initiatives that support youth development, education, and community engagement. Visit www.markvincentpelinifoundation.org to learn more.

LEETONIA BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH MICHAEL HEIN

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LEETONIA OH- In the heart of Leetonia, anticipation is mounting as the Bears boys basketball team, led by head coach Michael Hein, prepares to embark on what promises to be an exhilarating season. With a veteran roster and a renewed sense of purpose, the Bears are ready to take the EOAC by storm.

Coach Hein, who is entering his fourth year with the program and second year as head coach, has been a cornerstone in the development of this team. Hein’s familiarity with the players, many of whom he’s mentored since they left middle school, adds an extra layer of confidence as they aim high this season. Hein emphasizes the importance of senior leadership, resilience, and a hard-nosed defensive approach, qualities that he believes will propel the Bears into the upper echelon of the EOAC.

“Our strength lies in our resilience,” Hein remarked. “The last few seasons have been tough, but the mental toughness we’ve developed will serve us well. We’re pushing to be not just competitive, but a top contender in our conference.” The Leetonia community is abuzz with excitement, especially after seeing the resurgence in participation, including the reformation of a freshman team for the first time in over a decade. Hein attributes this to the dedicated support from parents, teachers, and community members.

As for the league outlook, Hein is realistic yet optimistic. He acknowledges formidable opponents like East Palestine, Valley, and Columbiana but is determined to see the Bears finish in the top half of the league. “Every game is a challenge, but with our experience and determination, we believe we can succeed,” he said. The Bears open their season on December 3rd at home against Urban Scholars, and Hein is hopeful the community will come out in force. “These young men embody the spirit of Leetonia—small town, big heart. We’re ready to make you proud.” While Hein and his team focus on the hardwood, he’s also looking forward to some Thanksgiving traditions, admitting a particular fondness for turkey and stuffing. With the season tip-off just around the corner, all eyes in Leetonia will be on the Bears, as Coach Hein’s squad aims to surprise and impress, carrying the hopes of a community on their shoulders.

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EAST PALESTINE GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH RICK GATES

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East Palestine, OH – The East Palestine High School has ushered in a fresh era for their girls’ basketball program by appointing Rick Gates as the new head coach. Gates, who boasts a storied coaching career in the region, is set to lead the Bulldogs through an exciting journey this season.

Gates, renowned for his successes with both boys’ and girls’ programs, joins East Palestine after a beneficial stint assisting Tristan Reynolds with the boys’ team. His transition to the girls’ side comes with high hopes and notable enthusiasm. “I’m just excited to get started on my new journey and our team’s new journey with the girls program at EP,” Gates remarked during a recent episode of YSN’s “Coach’s Corner” with Anthony Hartwig.

Taking over the program in August, Gates faced immediate challenges due to a late start and the no-contact period of fall sports. His focus swiftly moved to instilling a solid foundation, emphasizing fundamentals and team culture. Despite limited initial contact, Gates expressed optimism about the team’s potential. The Bulldogs’ roster features two juniors, five sophomores, and one freshman, setting a stage for a youthful yet promising team. Key players like juniors CamI Kridler and Liv Dyke are expected to take on leadership roles, guiding their younger teammates through the season.

Without seniors and with only eight players in the squad, Gates adopts a unique coaching strategy. “We need all eight of them to contribute every single night in practice,” he emphasized. “We don’t have a superstar, so we need eight solid players that are all going to fill in their roles.” The Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference (EOAC) presents a significant competitive challenge. Gates acknowledges the strength of teams like Columbiana, Southern, and United but remains confident that his team can also vie for success. “We have a shot to play competitively with [them],” he noted. Non-conference games will serve as essential trials for Gates’ Bulldogs, aiming to prepare the squad for intense league matches and the upcoming postseason.

Joining Gates in this new chapter are assistants Jill Baird, Jocelyn Fristake, Addison Glavin, Alexis Gates Hauser, Carson Rotledge, and Kevin McKinstry. The diverse and experienced staff aims to foster growth and success within the program. “We have really had this take a step back and go fundamentals first,” Gates revealed, highlighting the collaborative and developmental focus of his staff. This comprehensive approach underscores the promising direction in which Gates intends to steer the East Palestine girls’ basketball program. YSN’s Anthony Hartwig concluded with optimism for the team and appreciation for Gates’ leadership: “Congratulations on the job. We know you’re going to do great things in East Palestine.” As the new season tips off, East Palestine fans eagerly anticipate the evolution and successes ahead under Rick Gates’ experienced leadership.

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