Tag Archive for: Featured

LADY SPARTANS WIN SEESAW BATTLE OVER HOWLAND

BOARDMAN, OH-In a highly anticipated AAC matchup, the Boardman girls’ basketball team secured a hard-fought victory against the Howland Tigers with a final score of 60-52. The Spartans displayed their resilience and skill, improving their season record to 10-4 (3-1 in the conference), while Howland moved to 10-4 with the loss.

Mackenzie Riccitelli led the Spartans with an outstanding performance, contributing a game-high 25 points, 19 of which came in the second half. Riccitelli showcased her all-around game, recording 4 assists, 5 rebounds, and 6 steals, and maintaining a perfect 7-7 from the free-throw line.

Sarah Bero continued her impressive season, securing another double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Bero maintained a perfect shooting record, going 7 for 7 from the field. Sam Duble added to the offensive firepower, connecting on three 3-pointers and finishing with 12 points.

Despite facing adversity, M.C. Werth delivered a gritty performance, scoring 5 points and grabbing 5 rebounds before leaving the game with an ankle injury. Tori Strines stepped up to match Howland’s size and contributed 2 points, hitting both of her free throws.

Ava Freeborough, leading the team in assists with 5, played a crucial role in the second half, limiting Howland’s star shooting guard, Alyssa Massucci, to just 8 points after an impressive 16-point first half.

Freshman guard Mikayla Rivera showcased ball-handling skills against Howland’s trap defense and secured two crucial rebounds late in the game. The Spartans demonstrated a collective effort, with each player contributing to the team’s success.

For Howland, Senior Alyssa Massucci had 24 points, with a 16-point effort in the first half alone.  Gia Hoso supplemented the scoring with eight of her own.

Looking ahead, Boardman gears up for a significant conference battle against the Canfield Cardinals on Saturday, with tip-off set for 2:30 pm. The Spartans aim to build on their recent victory and continue their strong performance in the conference.

PURCHASE GAME PHOTOS HERE

WRESTLING WEDNESDAYS WITH GARY ALTHISER (EP 7) FEATURING MARKY STANKORB

Wrestling season is really starting to heat up as teams get closer and closer to the ultimate goal in Columbus.  With huge tournaments popping up every weekend, YSN has Gary Althiser as your guide through the hectic last stretch of the season.  This week on Wrestling Wednesday it’s time to recap the Top Gun invitational hosted by Alliance. One of the bigger tournaments on the schedule, the Top Gun featured the area’s best teams.  Gary and the boys go over the results and who had the big weekends. The recap includes the inaugural girls division of the Top Gun where West Branch had three girls place. Many other YSN teams sent their girls wrestlers there for the experience on the mat.

In this episode the live guest comes from Austintown Fitch.  The Falcons have been talked about multiple times this season on the show, and it was about time we heard a voice from the nest. Marky Stankorb the pride of the wrestling room in Fitch joined the guys to talk about his career, his goals, and his drive to be the best in the sport.

Wrestling fans better buckle up because the season is downhill and fast paced from here. YSN will continue to have you covered every Wednesday at 1:00 on Running Point with the latest news from the sport with our very own guru, Gary Althiser.

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CANFIELD SEIZES THEIR SECOND CONFERENCE WIN

CANFIELD OH- Canfield notched their second conference win of the season on Wednesday night, securing a convincing 61-33 victory over Warren Harding.

Leading the scoring charge for Canfield, Camie Dill poured in an impressive 18 points, with Cami Hritz closely behind contributing 17 points. Carly Fleming and Jenna Triveri added 6 points each to the winning effort.

With this triumph, Canfield (9-5) sets their sights on reaching double-digit wins as they travel to Boardman on Saturday, aiming to build on their recent success and continue their strong performance in the conference.

EDWARDS STANDS OUT AMONG THE REST

EAST LIVERPOOL OH- East Liverpool’s junior standout, Reagan Edwards is a player who effortlessly commands attention every time she steps onto the court. It’s not just her distinctive arm and leg sleeves that catch the eye; it’s the seamless display of talent and comfort she exudes on the hardwood.

Behind the signature sleeves lies a story of resilience and adaptation. Born from an injury, these accessories initially served a practical purpose, providing comfort during play. Now, they’ve become an integral part of Reagan’s game, a symbol of her journey and determination.

This season, Reagan embraced a new number, donning the 0 on her jersey. The decision was more than a stylistic choice; it was a heartfelt gesture to share a number with her younger sister, who wears zero. The revelation was kept as a surprise for her family, with media photo shoots featuring her as number 12. The unveiling during her first game as number 0 marked a touching moment etched in her family’s memory.

On the court, Reagan’s passion for the sport is palpable, coupled with an unparalleled work ethic. She dedicates herself to both the physical and mental aspects of basketball, with an abundance of confidence that permeates her game. As a solid point guard, Reagan embodies selflessness, consistently creating opportunities for her teammates. Her adeptness is evident in her impressive average of 4.2 assists per game, showcasing her commitment to team success. While she scores when needed, Reagan’s willingness to sacrifice personal points for the benefit of her teammates defines her as a true team player, averaging 5.5 points per game this season. Reagan Edwards is not just a player on the court; she’s a symbol of resilience, family bonds, and unwavering dedication to the game she loves.

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VIKINGS OFFENSE PREVAILS OVER CRESTVIEW

LEAVITTSBURG, OH- The LaBrae Viking offense is worth the price of admission, and on Tuesday night- they showed why en route to an 85-46 win over MVAC rival, Crestview.

The Vikes splashed 28 points right out of the gate in the first quarter, only giving up ten, which set the tone for the likes of their three-headed monster in David Blackmon, Derek Wilson, and Austin Rowe- who accounted for 69 of the team’s 85 points on the night.  Wilson led the way with 31 points, followed by Rowe with 22, and Wilson with 16.  Jay McGarry had seven tallies, and Jaxson Lancaster and Owen Boone each chipped in four.

LaBrae would win every quarter’s scoring totals during the contest.

The Rebels were led by valiant efforts from Jonathan Best with 16 points, Justin McKee with a dozen, and Jameson English with seven points and four assists on the night.

LaBrae improves to 11-1 overall and 7-0 in the league, while Crestview is 3-9 and 3-4 in the MVAC.  The Rebels will play host to Liberty on Friday night.

 

HOWLAND TAKES CARE OF BUSINESS IN BOARDMAN

BOARDMAN, OH- The Boardman boys’ basketball team faced another setback on Tuesday night, extending their losing streak to ten games with a 52-42 defeat against Howland. Despite a strong start in the first quarter, Boardman couldn’t maintain the lead, as Howland rallied and dominated in the later stages of the game.

Boardman’s early 18-4 lead showcased their potential, but Howland made strategic adjustments to turn the tide. Howland’s press defense and offense began to click, erasing Boardman’s lead and putting them on the back foot.

With Boardman stuck at 34 points, Howland staged a comeback, scoring 13 unanswered points and taking the lead. Although Boardman showed resilience, narrowing the gap to a single point in the final quarter, Howland’s strategic play, including effective free-throw shooting, secured their victory.

For Howland, John Perry led the way with 17 points.

Grayson Eicher continued to shoot the ball well, with multiple 3’s on his way to 10 points. Nico Holzschuh and Jeffrey Markovitch both scored 7 points. Terrell McDowell and Noah Ziak each scored 6 points. Kaden Mayhew scored 4 points and Zach Haus rounded out the scoring with 2 free throws. Vince Butto, Sullivan Smith and Jayse Varley each contributed as well.

Looking ahead, Boardman will seek a turnaround as they face Canfield at home on Friday. Meanwhile, Howland (7-7) has an opportunity to build momentum with an upcoming game against Warren G. Harding on January 23.

PURCHASE GAME PHOTOS HERE

WARRIORS CHARGE COLUMBIANA

By Michael Ginocchi 


Beloit, OH
–  West Branch welcomed Columbiana for a non conference game to Beloit. The Clippers came in with a solid 9-3 record, hoping to give West Branch a good test. Unfortunately, it was all Warriors from the jump and Coach Loudens team cruised to a 74-47 victory. 

 

Once again, West Branch was excellent defensively. They were able to take away the three-ball, which is something Columbiana does well. Offensively, Joey Jackson was able to find his rhythm, scoring 18 points. He said, “I just continue to work hard, and It’s nice to see the results pay off. I keep getting better.”Jaxon Robb was once again  lights out. Robb connected on three triples to also score 18. Cooper Anderson and Gavin Gregory each scored 9 points, while Camden Lane dished out some sweet assists to help his teammates score.

 

It was a tough night for the Clippers as they struggled to rebound and score. Seth Struharik led his team with 12 points. Ian Less connected on 3 shots from beyond the arch to give him 9. Devin Daughtery scored 7 and Alex Euebio contributed 6 for Columbiana. 

 

With the win, West Branch improves to a red hot 11-2 on the season. The Warriors will stay unbeaten inside the EBC against a much improved 8-4 Minerva team on Friday. Columbiana drops to 9-4 with the loss. The Clippers look to bounce back against LIsbon at home in a tough EOAC matchup. The Blue Devils are currently 11-2 and sit atop of the conference.

 

 

GRIT PAYS OFF FOR DEVILS OVER SPRINGFIELD

McDONALD, OH- Senior Wyatt Wolford and sophomores Brady Klockner and Joey Cappuzzello each contributed 12 points to lead McDonald (7-6) to their seventh win of the season, matching their previous year’s total. Notably, this victory marks the Blue Devils’ first triumph over the Tigers since January before the pandemic.

The McDonald Blue Devils, led by a youthful roster of eight sophomores, appear to be finding their groove as they navigate the challenges of the season. The team’s recent hard-fought 57-54 home victory against the experienced Springfield Tigers is a significant win that they hope will fuel their momentum moving forward.

In a closely contested matchup, Springfield (9-3) held a slim 9-7 lead after the first quarter. However, McDonald kicked off the second quarter with a quick three-pointer from Klockner, sparking a pivotal 7-0 run for the Blue Devils. The teams traded blows, with Tigers junior Carson Cunningham scoring eight points in the second quarter, giving Springfield a 32-31 lead at halftime.

The turning point came in the second half, as McDonald’s Casey Miller hit a crucial three-pointer, and Cappuzzello made a pair of free throws to give the Blue Devils a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. A decisive 9-0 run, featuring clutch threes from sophomores Jonathan Black and Drew Zajack, kept the Tigers at bay until the final minutes.

For Springfield, Aiden Appel led the scoring with 13 points, while senior Sean Guerriero added 12. Dylan Sheely (11) and Carson Cunningham (10) also reached double figures.

McDonald Blue Devils now look ahead with confidence, building on this significant win as they continue their season journey.

CAMPBELL LEAPS THE LEOPARDS

By Matt Maher


LIBERTY, OH – The Leopards welcomed the Red Devils to town for another installment of MVAC boys basketball where the 2nd best team in Campbell took down the 7th best team by the final score of 55-45. Both teams showed some great skill on the court but it would be the Red Devils spectacular rebounding and the great efforts of  David Moore and Teyon Harris Jr. that would be the key differences in this game.

 

Liberty showed they could tango with Campbell in the first where they were able to find 10 points to Campbells 14. The Leopards were led by Evan Bates who hit two 2’s and went 2-for-2 from the free throw line, an area he would excel at all evening. Campbell saw Moore put up 5 including a spectacular 3 and 2 of 2 made free throws. Harris found 4 points in the paint as well for the Red Devils.

 

David Moore would keep up his dominance by scoring 10 points in the 2nd quarter all within the arc with five 2’s. Harris would add a hard fought 2 into the mix as well. Liberty saw Adam Huynh step up with 5 points including his team’s first made 3 of the night! Luke Bates and Dearmani Franklin would both score a bucket each to get Liberty to their 9 points. 

 

Liberty continued to stay close to Campbell after the break, scoring 8 points to Campbells 11, though their close quarters were still hurting Liberty’s chances. Evan Bates entered back on to the score sheet with 4 more points including 2 more made free throws. David Moore added 2 more points to his total and Harris found the other 9 points for his team with three 2’s and a decent 3-for-4 from the stripe. 

 

The 4th quarter was the closest quarter we saw with both teams scoring 18 points. Moore would add 4 more points and finish with a team leading 21 points on the night. Josue Rodriguez would have a nice frame as well, scoring 5 points for his team and Harris would score 4 more points including 2 more from the line, he would finish with 19 points. Liberty saw Julius Ferrell put up a 3 and Brashawn Hicks and Luke Bates both scored 2 points but the difference maker was Evan Bates who found three 2’s and went 5-for-5 from the line finishing with 21 points on the night and 9-for-9 from the line!

 

Despite the individual boost from Evan Bates, Liberty couldn’t find enough consistency in the scoring department to top the Red Devils. David Moore and Jeyon Harris Jr. both deserve standing ovations after their performances on Tuesday night. the Red Devils (9-4, 6-1) will continue their road trip when they take on Newton Falls on January 19th at 7:00PM and Liberty (3-11, 1-6) will hit the road when they take on the Crestview Rebels on January 19th at 7:00PM.

FORTUNA CARRIES BROOKFIELD HOME

In a compelling Tuesday night matchup, Brookfield showcased a strong offensive performance to secure a 64-52 victory over Garfield.

Matteo Fortuna was the standout for Brookfield, delivering an impressive 33 points, while Nevon Hoffman added 18 points to the scoring effort.

Garfield, though facing a tough challenge, displayed notable performances with Preston Gedeon leading the team with 17 points, Cade Rock contributing 13 points, and Nick Edic adding 8 points.

Looking ahead, Brookfield (5-7) aims to continue their upward trajectory as they host Champion on Friday. On the other side, Garfield (2-10) seeks to bounce back on Friday as they host LaBrae, eager to turn the tide in their favor.