Two more games, two more wins for Coach Cullen and the Raiders. Get the in-depth analysis on South Range, and learn about Coach C’s mentors that he looked to as leaders on his way to becoming one himself.
All that, and more on this week’s South Range Coach’s Corner with John Cullen!
When it comes to South Range’s version of Toy Story, there are no cowboys or space rangers to choose from. Just a supercharged Ferrari of an athlete who gets things done on the football field, on the basketball court, and in the classroom.
Brennan Toy cuts loose on this episode of the Raider Player Profile and tells us his ‘Toy Story.’
YSN’s Rocky Brown sits down for his weekly discussion with the Head Ball Coach of the Crestview Rebels, and gets inside the huddle.
Get beyond the whistle with this week’s Crestview Coach’s Corner with Jeff Wilson.
For those of you that aren’t familiar with Edmund Halley’s most famous discovery, it is known as arguably the most famous comet. Making its appearance in the Earth’s vicinity about every 75 years, Halley’s comet is unique.
While spelled completely different, Crestview’s Haley Eskra is just as unique. Her scrappy style of play and outstanding leadership is something that doesn’t come along very often, but when it does, it’s a sight to behold.
YSN’s voice of the Rebels, Rocky Brown, sits down with the Rebel Junior in this edition of Rebel Player Profile: Haley Eskra.
In her first year to the Lady Raider Program, Senior Ashley McKee brings a new vantage point to Coach Matisi’s squad that is vital.
YSN’s Anthony Hartwig sits down with the 4th year student-athlete and discusses how to juggle sports, and time management.
Following the New Year, it’s time for the Coach Matisi and the Lady Raiders to get back to work! YSN’s Anthony Hartwig sits down with Coach, and helps focus in on what lies ahead on the back stretch of this season.
All that and more on this edition of South Range Coach’s Corner!
The Raiders faced their biggest test of the season so far as they went in to McDonald to play the undefeated Blue Devils. The Raiders were able to get out with a 57-49 victory and remain perfect on the season.
The Blue Devils set the pace in the first quarter, running their full court press like a well oiled machine. They quickly jumped out to a 10-0 lead within the first 2 minutes thanks to a bundle of Raider turnovers caused by the pressure of the Blue Devil defense. Mike Cunningham got the Raiders on the board with an old fashioned three point play and those points slowed the game down. The Raiders were able to escape the first quarter with just a 15-7 deficit.
Mike Cunningham dominated the 2nd quarter, with 4:30 left in the half he got into double figures with his 11th point and cut the Devil lead to 20-16. Cunningham hit another bucket just before the end of the half to make the Raider deficit 27-22 at the break.
The Raiders kept pushing in the 3rd quarter and with 2:30 left in the frame the Raiders were able to cut the Devil lead to 34-32, and Chris Brooks went to the line to try and tie the game with two foul shots. He split the pair of free throws but on the miss Brady White fought for the offensive rebound and put back to give the Raiders their first lead of the game at 35-34. The Raiders would lead 39-36 after 3 quarters of play.
The 4th quarter stayed back and forth, the Blue Devils couldn’t break into the Raider lead. With 6:00 left the Raiders held a 41-38 lead and desperately needed some space from the Blue Devils. Brady White hit a three pointer to give them that space, and a 44-38 lead. With 4:00 left it looked like the Raiders were in control with a 46-38 lead but the Blue Devils would not go away. They went on a quick 5-0 run in 30 seconds to cut the Raider lead to 46-43. Both teams struggled to score the next couple possessions but with 2:00 left Brandon Youngs hit a big shot to push the Raiders back up to a 48-43 lead. He then returned with an old fashioned three point play the next trip down the floor to make it 51-43. The Raiders never looked back and would go on to escape McDonald with a 57-49 win.
Mike Cunningham lead the way with a game high 25 points while Brady White added 9. The Raiders move to 11-0 and will return to action Saturday as they travel to Lowellville.
The Lady Raiders got all they wanted from Circleville Saturday to finish their time in Teays Valley. The Raiders escaped with a 44-43 victory.
To say the Raiders started on the wrong foot would be an understatement. The first quarter came and went, and the Raiders were still looking for their first points from the floor. Their only 3 points of the frame came from the foul line. It was clear this game would be won by defensive effort, which despite the offensive struggles only allowed 12 first quarter points.
As the second quarter started the Raiders desperately needed to see a shot fall. Senior Sam Patrone stepped up with a three-pointer to give the Raiders their first field goal of the game still trailing 12-6. After that shot fell the offense began to find a good enough rhythm to get back in the game. Trailing 16-11 Bri Modic hit a three and Izzy Lamparty hit a jump shot. Just like that the 12-3 deficit was a 16-16 tie. The Raiders took their first lead of the game off another Bri Modic three making it 21-18 that would end up being the score at the break.
Although the Raiders stormed back to take the lead in the 2nd quarter they couldn’t seem to find enough offense to separate themselves in the second half. The zone of the Circleville Tigers was having a noticeable effect on the Raider offense. Their defense, however, helped them hold on to a 33-28 lead after 3.
The Tigers would not go away in the fourth and final frame. They managed to tie the game for the first time in the 2nd half with 5:00 to go at 36-36. Time kept ticking away and with a little over 3 minutes left the game was still tied 38-38, each team struggling to capitalize on defensive stops. The Tigers took a 40-38 lead with under 3 minutes to go. Senior Maddie Durkin took the ball to the hoop and quickly tied the game back up at 40-40, and she was fouled. Unable to complete the old-fashioned three-point play, Dani Vuletich cleaned up the offensive rebound and got a bucket to put the Raiders back on top 42-40. The next Tiger possession Sam Patrone came up huge with a steal and a fast break layup to make it 44-40. The Tigers resilient as ever would find a way to make it 44-43 with 38.9 seconds remaining. After an empty Raider possession, the Tigers got the ball back with 8 seconds to work with. Everyone in the gym was ready to eagerly watch a final shot go up in the air, everyone except Bree Kohler that is. Before the Tigers could get off a last-second attempt, Kohler snatched the ball away for her 5th steal of the game and 11th of the weekend, ran the other way, expiring the clock and the hopes of Circleville. The Raiders held on to win 44-43
Dani Vuletich led the Raiders offensively with 12 points while Maddie Durkin was also in double figures with 10. Durkin also led the team in assists with 5. The Lady Raiders have 9 days off before they return home to host Mooney on January 8th.
The infamous words uttered by Doc Brown have never been more realized than by Wellsville standout, Garrett Scott.
With his legendary brother’s (now Tiger Coach) eyes firmly focused on him. Little brother, Garrett is looking to forge his own path to success.
This week’s Tiger Player Profile: Garrett Scott
In this edition of Wellsville Coach’s Corner, YSN’s Michael Reiner discusses some key points in the career of Coach Bug Thompson from both a coaching and player standpoint.
They also discuss some of the accolades and accomplishments that Wellsville and Coach continue to stack up.
All that, and more, on this week’s Wellsville Coach’s Corner!