Tag Archive for: Featured

BREAKING BETS, AND CUTTING NETS

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If you were to go back and discuss the outlook from top to bottom of the roster for the South Range Lady Raiders Basketball team, there was so much anticipation on what lied ahead with the stars aligned.

With so much elite talent on one team, it’s tough to embrace being a role player.  However, on this team, every player has a role.  It takes each player doing their job to achieve the level of success Coach Matisi is having with his team right now.  When nobody would bet on the season the Raiders are putting together, South Range bet on themselves.

Today, we highlight two Juniors who have embraced and flourished in their positions.  Sometimes when you’re making history, you have to break a few records along the way.

This week’s Raider Player Profile: Bri Modic and Brooke Sauerwein: Breaking Bets, and Cutting Nets

COACH CONFIDENTIAL: JEFF WILSON (CRESTVIEW)

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Well, my first season coaching the Rebels of Crestview has ended by
way of our defeat at Rootstown in a great effort by the boys. It’s always tough when the season ends for a variety of reasons. The near misses, the could’ve
been’s, or the games won or lost. But, this season has brought much more. The Varsity and JV records improved. The margins of defeats drastically shrunk, but
more than victories or defeats, this season has come down to one word for me as a coach, Progress. Progress in how we carry ourselves, how we react to
adversity, how we win, how we lose, how we have each others’ backs, how we talk, how we play, and how we practice. The progress these young men have
made since May is astronomical. The culture they have created has progressed through the season and has created an expectation for the next batch of REBELS.

It all starts with our Senior leader, Scotty Murray. He has shown the young Freshmen and Sophomores how to be a coachable, hard-working, never-
say-die young man. The young guys have bought into this, and if Scotty didn’t buy into it, it would have been hard to sell to the young guys. So for that and much
more, thank you to my players. You 13 boys are the greatest kids I’ve been
around in almost 20 years of coaching.

Thank you to my staff. Greg, Joey, Brad, and Eric, you guys care about
these young men, and I truly appreciate you. I couldn’t have picked a better group
of guys to turn this program around.

Thank you to all who make our program possible. Thank you to Mr. Manley, Coach Cusick, Mrs. Nappi, and Mrs. Dixon for entrusting us with these
fine young men. Mellisa Gentry, thank you for dealing with my emails. Our custodial staff, especially Tom, Mr. B, the best announcer around, Mrs. Finch, and
Mr. Hughes for their work at the scorer’s table. Thanks to Coach Blatch and the girl’s staff, what a nice group of people. Amie Cope and our Cheerleaders,
AWESOME job! Jerry DeJane and Jack at Fine Tune Fitness, thanks for working with our guys with their speed and strength! DJ and Rocky at YSN, thanks for all
of your coverage, support, and kind words. You guys rock!

Thank you to our parents, especially those who have volunteered their time to help the program. Also, thanks to our Booster Club and the Athletic
Booster Club. Without you, we couldn’t look good or take part in activities to help us get better.

Thank you to my wife, Jenn, and my son, Paddy, for lending me out during the season (love you guys so much) and for their and my mom and in-laws support.

 

Thank you to my dad, who lived to see me get this job. I physically lost you in July
and, I wish you could have physically seen our games, but I know you were sitting
next to me every game!

I miss you and love you, Papa.

We start back up on April 2. We will make more progress this Spring and
Summer and for years to come. We will get stronger in the weight room, become
better players and a better team! Our progress will eventually lead to prosperity,
and I cannot wait for that day.

GO REBELS!

 

Coach Jeff Wilson

Crestview Boys Basketball

LADY REBS LEAVE THEIR MARK

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The season may be over for the Crestview Lady Rebels Basketball team, but these friendships will last a lifetime.

YSN’s Rocky Brown goes in-depth with the Seniors during their week leading up to their final game and discusses past, present, and future with the four Rebel Senior Hoop Stars.

This week we highlight Donna Finch, Haley Derringer, Emma Smith, and Kyrah Schultz!

SOUTH RANGE COACH’S CORNER (EP 12) WITH TONY MATISI

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Coach Matisi sits down with Anthony Hartwig to discuss the much-anticipated rematch (part 3) of Salem vs. South Range.

Get your updates straight from the bench on this edition of South Range Coach’s Corner with Tony Matisi

PASSING OF THE SWORD

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With just weeks left in her Senior season, Maddie Durkin is ready to leave her legacy in the halls and on the court on the campus of South Range.  Luckily for her, it’s the impact she leaves with her teammates, coaches, and teachers that will keep her legacy moving well after she’s gone to Shawnee State.

For Gianna Cicchi, the basketball experience has been an amazing one, and it’s her close friend Maddie that has been one of her top fans all along the way!

Gianna and Maddie sit down with Anthony Hartwig this week for the Raider Player Profile!

SOUTH RANGE COACH’S CORNER (EP 11) WITH TONY MATISI

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In this second round edition of Coach’s Corner, Anthony Hartwig sits down with Coach Matisi to discuss the victory over Canton Central Catholic, and the upcoming matchup against Brookfield.

Step up to the free-throw line and take your shot at this week’s South Range Coach’s Corner!

PATRONE SHARPENS IRONS

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It isn’t often that you can sit down two teammates, and they gush over what each of them has done to make the other better on the court.  Anthony Hartwig sits down with Senior Samantha Patrone and Sophomore Emily Irons in this week’s Raider Player Profile.

Let’s just say that these two have a bond that can never be broken on or off the basketball court!

SOUTH RANGE COACH’S CORNER (EPISODE 10) WITH TONY MATISI

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In our tenth episode, Anthony and Coach Matisi sit down to discuss the upcoming playoff run and look back on the regular season that was.

What’s the key to a Raiders victory in Round 2?  What was the key to getting the girls ready for the Central Catholic?

All that and more on this week’s episode of South Range Coach’s Corner.

 

KICKING IT IN CRESTVIEW

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With soccer season well over with, and with the signing period for athletes playing at the next level reaching its final days.  We were approached about doing an interview that highlighted 3 of the most top-tier soccer players to ever wear a Rebel jersey.  It just so happens that they are the top scorer, assist leader, and save leader in Crestview history.  (You may also find them in the OHSAA record books also.)

Oh yeah- they’re the best of friends off the pitch as well.

YSN Founder, DJ Yokley catches up with Rebel Seniors: Donna Finch, Jillian Beard, and Kassity Miller for this week’s featured story: Kicking it in Crestview!

SOUTH RANGE COACH’S CORNER (EPISODE 9) WITH TONY MATISI

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YSN’s Anthony Hartwig catches us all up on the last few games on the Lady Raiders’ schedule.  Coach Matisi walks us through the thought process, as well as the mindset that’s been facing the squad.

Do they have what it takes to make a run?  Are they just scratching the surface?

Find out on this week’s South Range Coach’s Corner with Coach Matisi!