Tag Archive for: Featured

EAGLES TURN UP THE THROTTLE IN THE SECOND HALF

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HANOVERTON OH- In a clash of two formidable teams each boasting seven wins, Warren JFK showcased a commanding offensive display in the second half to overpower United with an 85-49 triumph. The game held high stakes as both squads were evenly matched with seven victories apiece entering the contest.

The first half set the stage for an intense battle, with JFK holding a 39-30 lead at halftime. However, it was the explosive offensive surge in the second half that truly defined the game.

Leading the charge for Warren JFK were standout performances from multiple players. Ava Darney led the scoring onslaught with an impressive 22 points, while Didi Ryan contributed 18 points. Gianna Pompelia added 11 points to the tally, with Hannah Myers and Maria Saunders chipping in 10 and 9 points, respectively.

On the opposing side, United fought valiantly with Grace Knight leading the charge, amassing 21 points. Addy Blazer and Sam Lippiatt contributed 8 and 6 points, respectively, while Camryn Cody matched Lippiatt’s 6-point contribution.

The victory propels Warren JFK to an 8-2 record, setting the stage for an exciting upcoming matchup against Southeast at home on January 4th. Meanwhile, United, now standing at 7-2, will resume action on the same day with a game against East Palestine, looking to rebound from this challenging defeat. The clash between these two talented teams showcased the competitive spirit of high school basketball, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter in both Warren JFK and United’s seasons.

 

Game Photos HERE: https://ysn.smugmug.com/12-27-g-bb-united-jfk/12-27-g-bb-jfk-united/103EOS1D/

YOU WONT OUT WORK HOSO

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HOWLAND OH- This season has been special so far for Howland Girls Basketball.  Senior Gia Hoso stands tall as a cornerstone of leadership and unwavering dedication. A vital member of a seasoned senior class featuring five other players, Gia epitomizes the essence of hard work and mentorship that has defined her team for the past two years.

Remarkably, last season saw no seniors on the roster, thrusting Gia and her fellow seniors into the roles of seasoned veterans. This unique experience has shaped them into the guiding force behind the team, setting the tone for success both on and off the court.

At the heart of Gia’s influence is her unshakable work ethic, a guiding light for any aspiring underclassman. No one in the Howland roster matches Hoso’s commitment to self-improvement. Her tireless efforts provide a roadmap to success, inspiring teammates to follow suit in their pursuit of greatness.

Gia’s leadership extends beyond the confines of personal development. She is a vocal force on the court, consistently encouraging her teammates to reach their full potential. Not one to point fingers in moments of challenge, Gia exemplifies a leadership style that fosters unity and resilience. Her impact is palpable, contributing significantly to Howland’s mental fortitude throughout the season’s early stages.

As the 2023 season unfolds, Gia has already showcased her prowess, averaging an impressive 7.9 points per game and amassing a total of 63 points through eight games. These statistics, though impressive, only scratch the surface of her overall influence on the team.

Gia Hoso’s impending departure from Howland will undoubtedly leave a massive void, but her legacy alongside her senior teammates will endure. Their collective leadership ensures that the program will continue to uphold the standards set by Gia, maintaining a tradition of excellence for years to come. As Gia’s final chapter unfolds, she remains a beacon of inspiration, a symbol of resilience, and a driving force behind the success of Howland.

 

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BLUE DEVILS COME OUT SWINGING

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By Matt Maher 


MCDONALD, OH – Oh what a night to be in McDonald! The BlueDevils welcomed the Indians into their fortress for one of the most entertaining games of basketball you could’ve asked for. With a final score of 57-50 in favor of the Blue Devils we saw fight and heart from both sides of the court.

 

Girard would come out on top 12-10 after one quarter of action where the Indians saw Cam Herrick put up 5 points and Stephen Sims collect himself a nice 3-pointer. McDonald stayed right behind them with 6 points from Cappuzzello and a great 3 from Ragazzine. McDonald’s 3-point shooting would be their answer to Girard in the second quarter. 

 

McDonald came out swinging in the 2nd putting up a staggering 25 points to Girards 10, they not only took the lead they took command. McDoanld would see Klockner drain three 3-pointers to gain his first 9 points of the night while Wilford would put up 6 points and Black would snag 5. The Indians saw Clare find three points from an and-1 while Hess-Cardona, Rafferty and Curd would all put up 2-points each. 

 

With a huge scoring quarter from McDonald in the Books Girard came out playing much better defense and limited the Blue Devils to just 8 points with Zajack and Cappuzzello both finding 3 points and the other 2 coming from Wolford. Girard would see Curd score 4 points and Sims put up another 3 to help lead their team in the quarter. 

 

The 4th quarter was a heart stopper. With the score standing at 43-33 after three we all knew we were in for a response from Girard and oh boy did we get one. The Indians found themselves 17 points and later in the quarter a lead that would fizzle away due to an abundance of fouls called against Girard. Clare was the leader of the cause, finding 9 points all from beyond the arc while Rafferty and Herrick all helped out with 3 points of their own. While Girard found their groove from the field, McDonald found a cozy home in the free throw line where Girard sent them 7 times. Cappuzzello found 6 points with 4 made free throws and a 2 from the field while everyone else scored from the line and cemented their spot in the win column.

 

This was a game that everyone could get into and find some entertainment from and these kids played a very tough and close game that did not disappoint. Girard moves to 0-7 and will look for their first win when they host Badger on December 29th at 7:00PM and McDonald improves to 4-3 and look to keep the good time rolling when they travel to Heartland Christian on December 28th for yet another girl-boys doubleheader, their game starts 20 minutes after the girls which will tipoff at 5:30PM. 

GIRARD GETS THE UPPER HAND

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By Matt Maher 


MCDONALD, OH – The Indians came out ready to go Tuesday night when they beat the Blue Devils 28-39. Girard led with great defensive positioning that severely limited the Blue Devils up until the 4th quarter and their offense found some strides as well.

 

Makenzee White was brilliant in the first quarter racking up 7 points for the Indians including an opening 3 and two 2’s. Mia Malito found 2 points of her own and showed us early how great she was rebounding and creating chances as she led multiple rushes and helped get her teammates into position which also shows how much she has grown as a leader as well. McDonald really struggled to get across the starting line as they would only find 3 points total in the 1st with a 2 pointer from Cierra Shirley and a made free throw from Mariah Bregar. 



Both teams showed much improved defense in the 2nd quarter where Girard would openly put up 6 to McDonalds 2. The Indians found scoring from three different sources: Ally Gassman, Caylee Wilkes and Malito. McDonald’s lone 2 points came from separate free throw attempts where Gracie Callow and Shirley would both go 1-for-2. 

 

McDonald’s offense continued to struggle after halftime where Juliana Krumpak would put up a bucket and get the and-1 notching her and her team 3 points for the quarter. Girard found 9 points for the quarter including 4 points for Malito and 2 more for White.

 

When I said offense was limited for the Blue Devils until the 4th I wasn’t kidding, McDonald exploded with 21 points including 6 points from both Krumpak and Addison Grewell and 5 for Shiley. On the other side Girard found 13 more points including 4 more from White to allow her to finish with 13 points and 3 more for Malito finishing her night with 11 points. 

 

Despite a great offensive outburst in the final frame, Girard would have done enough to earn themselves the win against their nearby rivals. Girards record moved to 4-6 while McDoland settled at 4-4. Girard continues their road trip on January 4th when they visit Lakeview at 6:15PM and McDonald will hit the road when they take on Heartland Christian as part of another girl-boy doubleheader on December 28th at 5:30PM.

 

SALEM STRIKES QUICK FOR A WIN

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By Ty Bartell

GIRARD OH- Leading into the official winter break, a handful of girls basketball teams were in-action Saturday afternoon prior to the holiday. One of those matchups was a non-conference battle between the Eastern Buckeye Conference’s (EBC) Salem Quakers and the Northeast 8 Conference’s (NE8) Girard Indians. Both teams entered Saturday needing a win to pretty up the record and get some more confidence rolling in each respective program.

The Quakers wasted little time grabbing an advantage, after starting out the game down 2-0, Salem sprinted ahead off a 9-0 run to hold a 19-8 lead after the first quarter. The second quarter was a closer contest, but Salem still got the edge 14-10 to take a 33-18 leading into the halftime locker room.

The definitive point in the ball game came in the third quarter when The Quakers effectively extended their advantage once again off the backs of a 20-7 third quarter against Girard to take a commanding 53-25 lead into the final eight minutes of play. With more of the reserves in, Girard would be a bucket better than Salem in the fourth at 13-11, but it would do little to change the outcome with The Quakers claiming the win with a final of 64-38 over The Indians.

Player of the Game honors were charred amongst a pair of Quaker teammates with Rylee Hutton, who led the way with 20 points while simultaneously finding assists to her teammates in the win, and Lauryn Barton who finished with 17 points and was a rebounding rock for Salem. Following those two, Salem also had Riley Flikinger score 15 points and Maddy Andres score 8 points! For Girard, they were led in scoring by Ally Gassman who had 16 points followed by Makenzee White who finished with

Salem (3-7) will now set their weights back on EBC play as they travel to Alliance (3-8) to battle The Aviators in the new year on Wednesday, January 3rd. Meanwhile, Girard (3-6) will try to get back in the win column when they travel to McDonald (4-3) in a boys and girls doubleheader the day after Christmas on Tuesday, December 26th. Keep updated with both Salem and Girard basketball this season with live games, scores, stats, stories and more on YSN!

Game Photos HERE: https://ysn.smugmug.com/12-23-g-bb-girard-niles/12-23-g-bb-girard-salem/103EOS1D/

CHANEY WINS THE DAY

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By Matt Maher 


YOUNGSTOWN, OH – The Cowgirls lassoed in a litter of bulldogs Saturday when Chaney beat East Palestine 56-39 Saturday at noon. Chaney put together an offense built on speed which wound up being too much for East Palestine to handle and when you pair that with aggressive defense that wouldn’t let the opposition take a decent shot it’s no wonder Chaney walked away with 56 points. 

 

The Cowgirls’ speed was evident at tip when they came out fast and scored the first several points before the Bulldogs could get a layup. Chaney was led far and away by Alyssa Brown who served up 9 points in the quarter with four made 2’s and going 1-for-2 at the line. East Palestine was led by Alivia Magness who found 4 points in the quarter. Chaney would lead 12-8 after 1.

 

The offense wouldn;t give up as Chaney outscored their opponent 11-6 in the 2nd. Chaney saw Salsabeel Al-Kara’in and Jaziya Burley-Anderson both put up 4 points to help out with their lead and East Palestine would Gabby Andre lead their quarter in scoring with a lone 3-pointer. The Bulldogs did play better defense and were able to keep the scoring machine of Brown off the board. THe score at halftime saw Chaney on top 23-14.

 

The offense for Chaney kicked it into 2nd gear and put up 15 points while still holding East Palestine to single digits with only 6. Alexandria Pete would find 5 points in the form of a 2 and a 3 while Burley-Anderson found 4 more points on her night and Brown added 2 more points to her total. The Bulldogs saw two players put up 3 points each in the quarter with Leila Martin going 3-for4 from the line and Andre hitting a smooth 3. Chaney would lead 38-21 going into the fourth. 

 

Alyssa Brown was the main character in the fourth quarter as she found an impressive 15 points to cap off her day at 27 total points! Brown hit two 3’s, two 2’s and went 5-for-7 from the line. Burley-Anderson would also add 2 points to the score which allowed Chaney to find the final 17 points it needed. East Palestine would have an impressive scoring quarter putting up 16 and getting the lead down to single digits twice in the frame. Martin found 11 points to lead her team in the quarter including three 2’s a made 3 and went 2-for-3 from the line. 

 

Despite a resilient fourth quarter from the Bulldogs it would be Chaney who would prevail and improve their record to 6-3 while East Palestine moved to 5-4 on the season. East Palestine plays again when they host United on January 4th at 7:00PM and Chaney stays at home when they host Niles on December 30th at 12:30PM. 

WARRIORS GO INTO THE HOLIDAY BREAK HAPPY

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EAST LIVERPOOL OH- West Branch showcased their resilience and second-half prowess on Saturday morning, overcoming a slow start in East Liverpool to secure a comfortable 42-15 victory.

Chloe Dennison led the offensive charge for West Branch, contributing 11 points, including three successful three-pointers. Mikalyn Woods added 8 points, while Sophia Gregory and Livvie Showalter chipped in with 7 and 6 points, respectively.

The Warriors’ ability to adjust and dominate in the second half has become a defining characteristic of their success, maintaining an unblemished 9-0 record. With their eyes set on further triumphs, West Branch looks forward to their next challenge after Christmas, facing Olmstead Falls on December 28th at 10:00 am. The morning victory against East Liverpool solidifies West Branch’s reputation as a formidable force in the ongoing basketball season.

LADY SPARTANS BOUNCE BACK IN A BIG WAY

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BOARDMAN, OH- On a day when Mackenzie Riccitelli blew out 18 candles on her birthday cake, she and her teammates blew out Tallmadge on the scoreboard.  The Boardman girls’ basketball team showcased resilience and determination, securing a commanding 52-38 victory on Friday night. The game unfolded as a back-and-forth battle, with the Spartans overcoming halftime challenges to outscore the Blue Devils 22-5 in the final quarter, ultimately sealing a 14-point triumph.

The win served as a strong rebound for Boardman, coming off a tough loss to Aurora just days prior. With this victory, the Spartans improved their record to an impressive 5-2, while Tallmadge dropped to 6-3.

Mackenzie Riccitelli emerged as the star of the game, delivering a phenomenal performance with a game-high and career-high 28 points, showcasing precision from the free-throw line with a perfect 10-10 record. Riccitelli’s impact extended beyond scoring, contributing 7 rebounds and 4 steals. Ava Freeborough added 8 crucial points, including a pivotal three-pointer in the fourth quarter that helped solidify Boardman’s lead.

Despite facing foul trouble, Sarah Bero displayed resilience, finishing with 7 points and 5 rebounds. Tori Strines, coming off the bench, made a significant contribution with a key three-pointer in the first half. Sam Duble, M.C. Werth, and Mikayla Rivera each added 2 points to the tally, with Werth’s noteworthy hustle play late in the game earning an extra possession for the Spartans.

Boardman’s success at the free-throw line was a highlight, boasting an impressive 18-22 record in the game. The girls look ahead to their next challenge, returning to action in the South Range Holiday Classic next Thursday, where they are set to face the Struthers Wildcats.

SPARTAN COMEBACK FALLS SHY AGAINST TALLMADGE

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BOARDMAN, OH- Boardman’s late push was impressive, but ran out of gas against Tallmadge, the final score read 61-48 in favor of the Blue Devils. The game showcased an intense battle, with both teams giving their all across four quarters.

The scoreboard tells the story of a determined effort by Boardman, who faced a hot-shooting Tallmadge team throughout the night. Despite trailing, the Spartans managed to stay within striking distance until the late stages of the fourth quarter. In a pivotal moment, Boardman had a golden opportunity to cut the lead to just 3 points with a little over a minute remaining, but an unfortunate missed lay-up dashed their hopes. Tallmadge capitalized on the opportunity, sinking 8 out of 10 free throws in the final quarter to secure the victory.

Leading the charge for Boardman was Terrell McDowell, finishing the game with an impressive 13 points. Grayson Eicher showcased his long-range prowess by hitting three 3-pointers on his way to contributing 11 points, while Kaden Mayhew joined the double-digit club with a solid 10-point performance. Nico Holzschuh added 6 points to the tally, while Noah Ziak and Zach Haus each scored 4 and 2 points, respectively. Jeffrey Markovitch rounded out the scoring with 2 points.

Despite the hard-fought effort, Boardman now holds a 3-4 record for the season. The Spartans are gearing up for their next challenge and will be back in action on Friday, December 29, facing off against Warren JFK.

CRUZ WRITES HIS NAME IN RECORD BOOKS IN CANFIELD BLOW OUT

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CANFIELD OH- In a spectacular offensive display, Canfield dominated Collinwood on Friday, securing a commanding 88-15 victory. The team’s three-point shooting was particularly noteworthy, as they collectively sank an astounding 17 threes.

Highlighting the offensive showcase was Dom Cruz, who not only led Canfield with an impressive 37 points but also broke the program record for threes in a game, hitting an extraordinary 11 shots from beyond the arc. This feat surpassed the previous record of 10, showcasing Cruz’s exceptional shooting prowess.

Contributions were widespread for Canfield, with Roy McCune adding 9 points, Nico Biondillo contributing 8 points, and an impressive 13 different Cardinals making their mark on the scoreboard.

The resounding win improves Canfield’s record to 4-2, setting the stage for an exciting Battle of 224 matchup at home against Poland on December 28th. The Cardinals’ offensive explosion and Cruz’s record-breaking performance undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on their basketball campaign.