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RICCIARDI PARTY

BERLIN CENTER, OH-  Western Reserve basketball player Dom Ricciardi sat down for an insightful interview. The junior leader, known for his athleticism and leadership qualities, discussed his transition from football to basketball, his leadership style, and the challenges faced by the basketball program.
Ricciardi’s smooth transition from football to basketball, attributing his success to the physical conditioning gained from football and his dedicated coaches, highlights his versatility and adaptability as an athlete.

When asked about his leadership style, Ricciardi credited his strong upbringing, emphasizing the importance of being a leader and not a follower. He also addressed the challenges faced by the basketball program, expressing a resilient and optimistic outlook.

Having faced adversity throughout his athletic career, Ricciardi emphasized the importance of finishing strong and remaining undeterred by the team’s early season record.

The podcast also touched upon Ricciardi’s family and personal traits, shedding light on his upbringing and the values instilled in him by his parents. He highlighted his aspiration to pursue a career in the engineering field, showcasing his depth and ambition beyond the world of sports.

Ricciardi’s unwavering commitment to his community and his appreciation for the support he and his family have received reflect his gratitude and strong sense of community. His dedication to becoming a positive role model for younger generations was evident throughout the interview.

Dom Ricciardi’s interview with YSN provides a rare glimpse into the mind and heart of a dedicated athlete and community leader, leaving a resonating impact on listeners.  As an added bonus, we were able to sit down with Dom’s younger brother, Mason to pick his brain about his older brother- and were treated to a bit of a surprise!  Don’t miss it!

 

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WESTERN RESERVE BOY’S BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 2) WITH JOE SERENSKY

BERLIN CENTER, OH- In a recent episode of the YSN podcast, “Western Reserve HSBB Coach’s Corner (EP 2) with Joe Sorensky,” head basketball coach Joe Sorensky opened up about his team’s progress, challenges, and the unwavering support they have received from the community.

The episode delved into the team’s current season, which has unfortunately seen them starting with an 0-5 record. Sorensky emphasized the positive aspects, drawing attention to the team’s effort and willingness to push through tough games. Despite the daunting record, he remains confident in the team’s potential for a breakthrough.

Additionally, Sorensky highlighted the leadership qualities of players Dom Ricardi and Andrew, recognizing their role in maintaining positivity and focus within the team. In discussing the program’s significance to him, Sorensky expressed his gratitude for the support received from the community, noting his deep roots in the area, having attended school in Western Reserve and with his family’s ties to the land on which the school now stands.

The article also touched on Sorensky’s three years as head coach of the program, with the interviewer noting his apparent longevity in the role. Sorensky voiced his appreciation for platforms like YSN, allowing his players to share their experiences and connect with the wider Mahoning and Trumbull county communities.

The episode concluded with a lighthearted segment where Sorensky discussed his Christmas wishes, humorously mentioning a desire for “some points” to be brought down the chimney for the team. The coach also shared his favorite Christmas movie, “Christmas Vacation,” conveying his holiday spirit and adding a personal touch to the conversation.

The insightful episode showcased Sorensky’s dedication to his team and the pride he takes in representing Western Reserve High School. It not only offered a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of the basketball program but also provided an opportunity for the coach to express his appreciation for the community’s enduring support.

 

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EDGEWOOD USES DOUBLE OVERTIME TO STAY PERFECT

PERRY OH- Edgewood maintained their unbeaten record on Friday night with a thrilling double-overtime victory against Perry, securing a hard-fought 56-50 win. The game featured a dramatic end to regulation as Katie McCollister sunk a pair of free throws, knotting the score at 42.

McCollister was the driving force for Edgewood, delivering a standout performance with 23 points. Annie May Johnston contributed 10 points, while Leigha Guyton and McKenna Vencill added 9 and 6 points, respectively.

The closely contested battle saw both teams scoring 4 points in the first overtime before Edgewood pulled away in the second extra frame to clinch the victory.

With this triumph, Edgewood maintains their flawless 6-0 record and now sets their sights on hosting Jefferson in their upcoming matchup on Tuesday. The double-overtime thriller against Perry adds another exciting chapter to Edgewood’s undefeated season.

POTTERS PLACE THEMSELVES AHEAD OF BOARDMAN

BOARDMAN OH- In a classic defensive showdown on Friday night, Boardman and East Liverpool clashed in a hard-fought battle, with East Liverpool emerging victorious with a final score of 54-42.

East Liverpool’s offensive efforts were led by Preston Kerr, who contributed an impressive 20 points, supported by Cohen Pease with 12 points and Quintin Conrad along with Malachi Reed, each adding 6 points.

On the Boardman side, Nico Holzschuh stood out with a notable 17-point performance, while Noah Ziak and Grayson Eicher combined for 13 points.

The win propels East Liverpool forward as they prepare to face Steubenville on Saturday afternoon. Boardman, on the other hand, will hit the road on Tuesday, heading to Cardinal Mooney, aiming to bounce back from the hard-fought battle and secure a win in their upcoming matchup.

CANFIELD ON TOP IN THE CLASH OF THE CARDS

By Ty Bartell 

CANFIELD OH- As the holidays are rapidly approaching, many high school basketball teams are trying to string together some momentum in what some coaches call the first half of the season, before the new year. Two of those teams trying to get their groove going are The Cardinals and…well…The Cardinals. The Canfield Cardinals boys basketball team is coming off a shared All American Conference (AAC) crown with Warren Harding a season ago and The Cardinal Mooney Cardinals, despite a lower finish in the Steel Valley Conference (SVC), had a nice tournament run last season that extended into March once again. Both those squads would meet at John Cullen Court in Canfield on Friday night in a clash of The Cardinals!

Feeling the energy of the home crowd, Canfield came out clicking! Finding some good looks and knocking ’em down early, putting Mooney at an early deficit with The Canfield Cardinals leading it 15-4 after a quarter. Down double digits, The Cardinal Mooney Cardinals were fired up in the second quarter nailing five shots from distance, three from Nico Genova and two from Ashton O’Brien, outscoring Canfield 27-12 in the second to flip the script and hold a 31-27 lead at the half.

Out of the half, Canfield was now the team with the hot shooting hand as they nailed down five 3’s in the third, four of which came from Dom Cruz! Off the backs of a 15-11 third quarter, Canfield would effectively tie the ballgame up with Mooney at 42-42 heading into the final quarter of regulation. In crunch time, both teams had big buckets that sent a packed crowd into frenzies back-and-forth! However, Canfield leading by a point got a key turnover on an inbound pass from Mooney that later translated into a Ben Weaver slam, helped put the finishing touches on a close and competitive 58-54 win for Canfield, proving to be top card in this battle!

Player of the Game honors went to Ben Weaver who scored 19 points with three 3’s, stayed competitive on the glass and had an emphatic dunk to help close out the game! Dom Cruz was also a sharpshooter in the game, scoring 20 points while hitting six 3’s! Tony Russo also had a nice night for Canfield with 11 points and going 5 of 6 at the free-throw line. Mooney was led by Nico Genova who had 16 points followed by Jibri Carter with 14 points and “A.O.B.” Ashton O’Brien with 13 points.

Canfield (2-2) will now look ahead to hosting Marlington (2-2) on Tuesday, December 19th in a battle with The Dukes. Mooney (2-3) will try to get back in the win column when they take on another AAC team, hosting The Boardman Spartans (3-2) also on Tuesday. Stay updated with both AAC and SVC basketball this season with live games, scores, stats, stories and more on YSN!

LISBON RETURNS TO THEIR EXPLOSIVE WAYS

LISBON OH- Lisbon’s offense reclaimed its explosive form on Friday night, dominating Leetonia in an impressive 72-37 victory within the EOAC.

Leading the scoring charge for Lisbon, Trevor Siefke poured in an outstanding 20 points, while Alex Schreffler contributed 13 points and Luke Kraft added 10 points. Hunter Dailey and Austin Dailey also played crucial roles, chipping in 9 and 8 points, respectively.

Leetonia, facing a tough challenge, saw notable performances from Ashbee Merritt with 14 points and Carson Brock with 13 points.

With this convincing win, Lisbon extends their undefeated streak to 6-0, showcasing their prowess in the league. The team is set to carry this momentum on the road as they travel to Southern on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Leetonia, now at 1-4, will aim to regroup at home, facing Valley Christian in their upcoming matchup on Tuesday.

TIGERS ROLL IN MVAC MATCHUP

NEW MIDDLETOWN OH- In a standout MVAC performance on Friday night, Springfield showcased their basketball prowess, securing a convincing 48-34 victory against Western Reserve.

Dylan Sheely led the scoring charge for Springfield with an impressive 14 points, complemented by Drew Miller’s 13 points and Aiden Appel’s 7 points, contributing to a well-rounded offensive effort.

On the Western Reserve side, Luke Henning and Josh Klasic each tallied 8 points, but it wasn’t enough to thwart Springfield’s dominant performance.

With this noteworthy win, Springfield continues to make an impact in the league. The team’s cohesive effort on both ends of the court proved instrumental in running away with the game.

JFK KEEPS SHOWING THEIR STRENGTH

WARREN OH- Warren JFK continues to make a strong statement on the basketball court, reinforcing their prowess with an impressive 72-43 victory over Mogadore on Friday.

Leading the charge for JFK, Michael Condoleon showcased his scoring prowess with an outstanding 23 points, closely followed by Nick Ryan contributing 21 points and Jaden Rishel adding 13 points to the team’s dominant performance.

With this latest triumph, Warren JFK maintains an unblemished record at 4-0, underscoring their status as a formidable force in the league. Looking ahead, they are set to continue their season on Tuesday, hosting Lutheran West, with eyes on extending their winning streak and further solidifying their reputation.

IRISH DOMINATE DOWNTOWN RIVAL

By Tim Corso


YOUNGSTOWN OH- Ursuline rolled past Youngstown East 82-57 in its Steel Valley Conference and home opener Friday Night.

Keith Gunther’s Fighting Irish entered Friday night winning 21 straight games inside the Cafaro Gymnasium and on the hardwood of the Lyden Family Court.

They were looking to make it 22 tonight and improve to 5-0; they did just that.

The Irish got out to a fast start that included a 19-6 lead and finished up 27-8 after the first eight minutes. Freshman Noah Bell was the player to spearhead that start with 7 points.

Bell wasn’t the only freshman to pull his weight (and then some).

Jaylen Gunther and Jace Riccardo showed why the trio of Gunther, Bell, and Riccardo headlines what is regarded as one of the best freshman classes in Northeast Ohio.

Gunther finished with 14 points and 7 assists, while Riccardo added 7 and hauled in numerous clutch rebounds.

It was all gas and no brakes going into the intermission for Ursuline as they led 49-16.

However, the Golden Bears wouldn’t go away.

East scored 16 in the third quarter, already matching its first half total.

That scoring spark in the third sparked a team comeback that got the Irish lead down to just 16 halfway through the fourth, in thanks to Isaiah McCoy’s hot shooting and Tyris Davis’ thunderous slam that almost blew the roof off the building.

McCoy and Davis paced the Golden Bears with 18 and 13 points, respectively.

The fight the Bears showed wasn’t reflected in the final score as Ursuline went on a 14-5 run from that point to put the game to rest.

Two other Irish players reached double figures, in Junior Jared Klucinec (10) and Sophomore Myles Miller (15).

Miller hounded the boards for double-digit rebounds for the game.

Seniors Jayden Payne and Geno Lucente added 9 points each in the effort as well.

East’s Kevin Pullen reached double figures in the setback with 10.

Ursuline (4-0) will travel to Massillon Washington (2-0) on Tuesday, December 19 to take on the Tigers at 7:30 p.m.

For East (3-2), they’ll also be back in action on Tuesday when they host Howland (3-3) at 7 p.m.

Game Photos HERE: https://ysn.smugmug.com/12-15-b-bb-ursuline-east/12-15-b-bb-ursuline/103EOS1D/

 

 

CAMPBELL PUSHES THROUGH THE TIGERS

CAMPBELL OH-?Campbell’s basketball squad is gaining momentum, securing a significant victory over Newton Falls on Friday night with a final score of 47-40. The team showcased their consistency by winning three out of the four quarters, setting the stage for an impressive overall performance.

Heading into the fourth quarter with just a 3-point lead, Campbell unleashed a strong offensive effort, scoring 14 points to seal the win. David Moore led the charge with an impressive 16 points, while Josue Rodriguez contributed 10 points, and Aziyah Flores added 8 points to the scoreboard.

On the opposing side, Newton Falls saw notable performances from Landon McGregor and Cameron Huff, each contributing 11 points, with Carson Howard adding 7 points to the mix.