Tag Archive for: Featured

SPRINGFIELD STAYS PERFECT IN THE MVAC

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By Ty Bartell

BERLIN CENTER OH- In the second edition of Springfield Tigers against Western Reserve Blue Devils in girls basketball this season, the question remained, could the two teams live up to the drama in the first matchup? Back on December 11th, The Blue Devils pushed The Tigers to their limit in The Den, but Springfield still emerged victorious 42-41, courtesy of a winning bucket by Jameka Brungard. The Tigers went into Thursday undefeated in the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference’s (MVAC) Scarlet Division, as they look for their second consecutive conference crown! However, this time they would take the battle to Berlin Center in The Devils’ Lair!

Springfield got the three ball working early, with three different Tigers finding the mark from distance, helping them to an early advantage, 15-11 over Western Reserve after the first quarter. Scoring would subsequently slow down in the second quarter, as both squads were held to single digit scores through the next eight minutes of play. Springfield would have the edge by a bucket at 9-6 over Reserve in the second to hold a 24-17 halftime lead!

Opening up the second half, the first four minutes looked similar to the second quarter, with points coming at a premium for both teams’ offense. The Blue Devils would eventually wake up and catch fire from the perimeter, nailing down four 3-point shots in the quarter, outscoring Springfield 13-7 in the third and effectively cutting the Tigers lead to a single point at 31-30 heading to the final quarter of regulation. The quarter saw both teams lock it down on defense and neither was able to get separation from one another with the game tied 35-35 in the closing minutes of the fourth. Then with 2:45 remaining in the game, Karigan Mullen, like a certain Mullen before her, hit a big 3-point shot with ice in her veins to put the Tigers up and never look back! Winning the ball game 40-39 as Springfield with a flair for the dramatic, claimed their second win of the season by a single point over Western Reserve.

Jameka Brungard was a catalyst on the court, both on the boards and with her scoring, finishing with a game-high 16 points. Mariana Tuscano followed her with 8 points and Kendall Maugh had 6 points. Quincy Miller led the way for Reserve with 12 points followed by Angelina Cappabianca who had 11 points. Interviews with Jameka Brungard, Karigan Mullen and Springfield Head Coach John Matisi can be found below!

Springfield (11-4)(8-0) stays undefeated inside the conference as their next contest will come on Saturday, January 20th when they hit the road to do battle with The Columbiana Clippers (12-2). Meanwhile, Western Reserve (8-5)(4-2) will travel to their rival The Jackson Milton Blue Jays (7-6)(3-4) for the first time in almost two years in girls basketball on Monday, January 22nd. Stay updated with MVAC basketball all season long with live games, scores, stats, stories and more on YSN!

Game Photos HERE: https://ysn.smugmug.com/1-18-g-bb-reserve-springfield/1-18-g-bb-springfield-reserve/104EOS1D

 

TIGERS PUT THE HURT ON SOUTHERN

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SALINEVILLE OH- Wellsville delivered an electrifying performance in the EOAC on Thursday night, dominating the Indians with a resounding 71-30 victory.

Tyrell Watkins led the scoring charge for Wellsville, contributing an impressive 18 points, closely followed by Richie Dowling with 17 points and Elijah Douglas adding 14 points. Landon Ramsey also chipped in with 9 points to bolster the team’s offensive prowess.

Southern’s Noah Chase showcased a commendable effort with 14 points, but it wasn’t enough to withstand Wellsville’s relentless attack.

With this emphatic win, Wellsville (7-6) looks to maintain the positive momentum on Tuesday as they host Columbiana. On the other hand, Southern (1-13) moves on to face the Academy of Urban Scholars on Saturday, seeking to regroup and bounce back from the challenging defeat.

STRUTHERS FINDS THEIR FIRST NE8 WIN

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STRUTHERS OH- In a notable turnaround for Struthers, they shifted their basketball approach in recent weeks, and on Thursday, it translated into a significant victory. Facing a tough opponent in South Range, Struthers showcased a complete team effort, securing a 47-39 win.

Emma Morris led the scoring charge for Struthers with an impressive 14 points, complemented by Gianna Martin and Ava Croyle each contributing 9 points, and Natalie Adams adding 7 points.

On the South Range side, Maddie Dado led the scoring effort with 9 points, while Sydney Penick and Devin Sauerwein chipped in with 8 and 7 points, respectively.

With this newfound momentum, Struthers (4-11) looks to carry it into their next matchup on Monday at home against Hubbard. South Range (6-9) aims to bounce back on Saturday as they host Edgewood, seeking to regroup and return to the winning column.

WILLIAMS GIVES BULLDOGS FIRST PLACE AT THE BUZZER

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GIRARD OH- In a crucial matchup for first place in the NE8, Poland and Girard engaged in a back-and-forth battle on Thursday night. Both teams entered the game with only one loss in the conference, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown. In a dramatic conclusion to the closely contested affair, Poland’s Leanne Williams delivered a buzzer-beating shot from the block, securing a thrilling 43-41 victory and sole possession of first place.

Mary Brant led the scoring charge for Poland with an impressive 16 points, while Williams contributed 9 points, and Avery Jakubovic and Sophia Generalovich each added 8 points.

On the Girard side, Mackenzie White delivered a standout performance with a game-high 19 points, supported by Ally Gassman with 11 points and Mia Malito adding 7 points.

With this hard-fought win, Poland (8-5) will return home on Monday to host Niles, looking to maintain their position at the top. Girard (7-7) will host Mooney on Monday, aiming to rebound from the narrow defeat and stay competitive in the conference race.

SPARTANS BLAST PAST HERALDS AT ROCKET MORTGAGE FIELDHOUSE

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1/17/24

Cleveland, OH- In an exciting encounter that took center stage at the iconic Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, the Conneaut Spartans and St. John Heralds delivered a spectacle that will be etched in the memories of basketball enthusiasts in Ashtabula County. The game, played on the same court as the Cleveland Cavaliers, provided a unique experience for both teams, leaving fans cheering from begining to end.

1st Quarter:

  • St. John Heralds: 12
  • Conneaut Spartans: 18

The game kicked off with both teams showing their offensive prowess, with the Conneaut Spartans taking a slight lead after the first quarter.

2nd Quarter:

  • St. John Heralds: 8
  • Conneaut Spartans: 15

The Spartans continued to build on their lead in the second quarter, outscoring the Heralds and showcasing a well-rounded performance on both ends of the court.

3rd Quarter:

  • St. John Heralds: 10
  • Conneaut Spartans: 14

The third quarter saw a competitive battle, with both teams exchanging baskets. The Spartans maintained their lead, heading into the final quarter with confidence.

4th Quarter:

  • St. John Heralds: 6
  • Conneaut Spartans: 16

In the crucial final quarter, the Conneaut Spartans turned up the heat, extending their lead with a strong offensive and defensive showing. Bella Fix’s standout performance, especially in the fourth quarter, played a key role in securing the victory for the Spartans.

Final Score: Conneaut Spartans – 62, St. John Heralds – 36

Player Stats:

St. John Heralds:

  • Alyssa Cevera: 16 points
  • Mickey Zheng: 11 points
  • Alexa Jordan: 5 points
  • Grace DiSalvatore: 4 points

Conneaut Spartans:

  • Bella Fix: 21 points
  • Kayla Farley: 16 points
  • Alexis Kiser: 11 points
  • Alexis Warner: 6 points
  • Addison Kennedy: 5 points
  • Finley Evans: 3 points
  • Adia Ingram: 1 point

Game Highlights:

The star of the night for Conneaut was undoubtedly Bella Fix, who dominated the court with an impressive performance. Fix’s scoring prowess was on full display as she notched up a total of 21 points, with 8 crucial points coming in the fourth quarter alone. Her dominance extended beyond scoring, as she asserted control in the paint, securing numerous rebounds and making impactful defensive plays with blocked shots.

On the opposing side, the Heralds were led by the dynamic duo of Alyssa Cevera and Mickey Zheng. Cevera finished with 16 points, showcasing her scoring ability, while Zheng contributed 11 points and displayed finesse with multiple steals and eye-catching finishes in the face of tight defense.

Upcoming Matches:

The Conneaut Spartans (5-9) are set to hit the road for their next challenge against the Cardinal Huskies (2-11) on 1/22/24. The Spartans aim to build on their momentum following this convincing victory. Meanwhile, the St. John Heralds (5-9) will return to their home court for a clash against the Fairport Harding Skippers (4-10). Both teams are hungry for success, looking to bounce back from recent defeats and secure a positive outcome in their upcoming matchups.

As the Spartans continue their season, the thrilling performance at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse serves as a testament to their determination and skill. Basketball enthusiasts can anticipate more excitement and competitive action as the Conneaut Spartans aim to make their mark in the remainder of the season.

MILL CREEK GOLF COURSE OPENS INDOOR TRAINING FACILITY

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BOARDMAN, OH- The Mill Creek golf community celebrated the grand opening of its highly anticipated golf simulator facility, a project culminating from a ten-year capital improvement strategy. Golf Director Brian Tolnar and local sports streaming personality DJ Yokley co-hosted an engaging episode of the “YSN Power Hour” to discuss the innovative features and promising future of the new establishment.
The modern facility, initially delayed by the pandemic and soaring construction costs, promises golf enthusiasts a year-round golfing experience—augmented with winter activities such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, alongside gourmet dining.

“We’ve transformed what was once an underutilized space into a vibrant profit center,” said Brian Tolnar, detailing the journey from concept to completion through collaborative efforts with architects and building professionals.

This state-of-the-art simulator not only allows players to simulate some of the world’s most iconic golf courses but also provides detailed data analytics and video capabilities, leveraging TrackMan simulator technology.

“With these simulators, your performance is right there in the numbers—it’s precise, it can be a bit humbling, but it really shows you where your game is at,” shared Tolnar with host DJ Yokley, who expressed his own fascination with the technology’s educational benefits.

The facility’s popularity isn’t just in its golfing but in the inclusivity of the sporting environment. “It’s a pressure-free zone where anyone from seasoned players to first-timers can enjoy themselves,” Yokley remarked.
Tolnar, commenting on the professional golf landscape, predicted an uncertain but compelling future with possible shifts in televised golf if major tours consider merging, reflecting rising competition and changing player loyalty.
Between the diverse recreation opportunities at Mill Creek Metro Parks and the state-of-the-art facilities such as the golf simulator, the local area is solidifying its position as a regional hub for sports and leisure.

For those interested in reserving time at the new simulators, bookings are available by calling the golf shop or visiting the Mill Creek Metro Parks website. Whether you’re looking to hit the links virtually or simply enjoy a good meal and the great outdoors, Mill Creek’s latest addition is a hole-in-one for the community.

Find more sports stories and episodes of the “YSN Power Hour” at ysnlive.com.

POTTERS GET THE JOB DONE ON SENIOR NIGHT

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EAST LIVERPOOL OH- In a thrilling senior night celebration, East Liverpool secured a hard-fought victory over Southern with a final score of 46-44. Despite leading by double figures for most of the game, the Potters had to withstand a furious comeback from Southern to clinch the win.

Cate Davis led East Liverpool’s scoring efforts with 11 points, supported by Aynsley Galeoti with 8 points, and Reagan Edwards, Dacianelle Andrews, Kenzie Headley, and Kenzie Walker each contributing 6 points.

Southern’s Ashley Shroades delivered an outstanding performance, tallying an impressive 24 points, with Alyssa Shroades adding 11 points to the scoreboard.

With this hard-earned victory, East Liverpool (9-7) looks forward to their next challenge, hosting United on Saturday morning at 11:00. Meanwhile, Southern (7-5) aims to bounce back as they host Wellsville on Thursday.

TIGERS TAKE DOWN WARRIORS

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Photo by MAVG Photography

Story by Larry Jennings:

1/18/24, East Ashtabula, OH- In a match held at Edgewood High School, the visiting Howland Tigers showed their prowess, defeating the Warriors by a score of 46 to 23.  Howland won 8 of the 11 matches, with both teams having a forfeit.

For Howland, Pins were recorded by Bryden Cortese, Patrick Neff, Adam Heckman, Joey Gajski, and Chris Mijavec, and decisions by Aiden O’Donnell, Deacon Mock, and in the last match of the night, Noah Swope got a takedown as time expired in the third period to win a hard fought match, 2 -0 over Ben Wolfe.
 
The Warriors got all their wins by pins: Gregory Helmbright III, Kyle Vencil, and Zeke Lucas, all recorded falls.
 
In an exhibition match, Madison Burns won over Peyton Corrigan.
 
The Warriors’ next event is January 26 and 27, when they travel to Beachwood for the CVC Championships, while Howland will be hosting their own 56th Howland Invitational Tournament, this coming Saturday, January 21

BEARS BEAT CHANEY TO THE PUNCH

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By Matt Maher 


YOUNGSTOWN, OH – The Golden Bears welcomed the CowGirls to their side of town for another installment of Steel Valley girls basketball where the 2nd best team in Campbell took down the 4th best team by the final score of 44-37. Both teams showed some great skill on the court but it would be the Golden Bears spectacular grit and the great efforts of  Alyssa Crankfield and Johniqua Clay that would be the key differences in this game.

 

Chaney showed they could tango with East in the first where they were able to find 8 points to Campbells 9. The Cowgirls were led by Alyssa Brown who scored all of Chaney’s points in the quarter with two made 2’s and 4-of-4 made free throws. East saw Clay put up 4 all in the paint and Crankfield found 5 points in the paint as well for the Golden Bears including a successful and-1.

 

Johniqua Clay would keep up her dominance by scoring 5 points in the 2nd quarter all within the arc with two 2’s and a made free throw. Crankfield would add an impressive 3 into the mix as well and make 2-of-2 free throws. Chaney saw Madonna Jones step up with 3 points from beyond the arc and Iysis Harmon would add a bucket to give Chaney another score. 

 

Chaney continued to stay close to east after the break, scoring 13 points to East’s 12, though their close quarters were still hurting Chaney’s chances. Alyssa Brown entered back on to the score sheet with 12 more points including 3 more made free throws, a 3 and three 2’s. Brianna Wright added 6 points to her total and Crankfield found 8 points for herself with three 2’s and another great trip to the line with both shots hitting from the stripe. 

 

The 4th quarter was another close quarter, with East putting up 12-11. Brown would add 7 more points and finish with a team leading 20 points on the night. Jaziya Burley-Anderson added another 3 to the mix and Alexandria Pete would find her first point in the form of a free throw. East saw Clay find 4 more points with a nice layup and hitting 2-of-2 shots from one of her trips to the line. Crankfield continued to impress with 8 more points including three 2’s and another great trip to the line with both shots connecting, she ended 5-for-5 from the line and with 20 points on the night!

 

Despite the individual boost from Alyssa Brown, Chaney couldn’t find enough consistency in the scoring department to top the Golden Bears. Johniqua Clay and Alyssa Crankfield both deserve standing ovations after their performances on Wednesday night. The Cowgirls (10-5, 2-3) will be back at home when they face Campbell Memorial on January 20th at 2:45PM and East (7-6, 1-3) will travel to Harding on January 22nd at 7:00PM.

 

ALL FLIGHTS CANCELED IN WEST BRANCH

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By Ty Bartell

BELOIT OH- The West Branch Warriors girls basketball team has been the talk of the town and beyond. Getting attention far and wide, beyond the reaches of local coverage, The Warriors have garnered attention from state media! Sporting an impressive 12-2 record heading into Wednesday night, West Branch looks to, once again, be a stronghold in Division II this season! Members of the very tough Eastern Buckeye Conference (EBC) The Warriors are looking to claim a conference crown for the first time in a few years. Starting off on tack, West Branch has compiled an unblemished 7-0 conference record prior to their Wednesday matchup with The Alliance Aviators.

Despite school being canceled in the day due to the frigid temperatures of Northeast Ohio, The Beloit Brigade came out in bunches to cheer on their Warriors! West Branch gave plenty to cheer about as well, with The Warriors Chloe Dennision lighting it up from distance in the first half. A 20-6 lead for West Branch after the first, only got larger in the second with an emphatic 37-13 lead for The Warriors at halftime. Six shots found the bottom of the basket from beyond the arc in the first half for The Warriors as Dennison clipped five of them herself!

Out of the second half, The Aviators were not allowing the game to go to a running clock and showed plenty of fight to avoid the possibility of that occurring! Hitting a few threes in the second half, The Aviators scrapped and fought tooth and nail to prevent a run away by The Warriors. West Branch would inevitably be able to put away Alliance by a final of 59-35 behind a great scoring tandem of Chloe Dennison and Sophia Gregory, who put up over a combined 40 points on the night!

Both Dennison and Gregory earned Player of the Game honors as Dennison scored a new career-high 22 points off the back of six 3-pointers while Sophia Gregory continued to pace The Warriors with 21 points of her own while filling up the box score in other categories as well! Carter Shepherd and Ellie Tucker were lockdown on defense for West Branch and continue to maximize their role on this edition of The Warriors team and are described by Head Coach Walt DeShields as “The glue who holds everything together.” DeShields said. Find interviews with Coach DeShields as well as players Sophia Gregory and Chloe Dennison below!

The win for West Branch (13-2)(8-0) now sets them up for another EBC bout, this time against another group of Warriors when The Carrollton Warriors (13-3)(6-2) make the trip up to Beloit on Wednesday, January 24th. West Branch got the better of Carrollton 65-36 in their first matchup this season on December 9th. Meanwhile, Alliance (4-12)(3-5) will look to get back to winning in the conference when they host Minerva (4-10)(0-7) on Wednesday, January 24th. Stay updated with West Branch basketball all season long, with live games, scores, stats, stories and more on YSN!