Tag Archive for: Featured

WRESTLING WEDNESDAYS WITH GARY ALTHISER (EP 3) FEATURING ADAM HECKMAN

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HOWLAND OH-  The wrestling season is officially underway at YSN! With a ton of action on the mats over the last week, the boys on Running Point have plenty to talk about this week. From West Branch’s big win over United in the dual meet, to Beaver Local winning their first tournament of the season, everything gets touched on in the latest episode of Wrestling Wednesdays.

It is also time for Wrestling Wednesdays to start welcoming on guests! We strive to shine a light on the best wrestlers in the area. Our first special guest of the season comes from Howland and is currently ranked second in the YSN Wrestling Rankings.  Adam Heckman finished 4th in the state last season and this year he has his eyes on a top 3 finish in Columbus,  with his work ethic and determination, Heckman has a solid shot to accomplish every goal he puts in front of himself.  Check out Episode 3 of Wrestling Wednesdays with Gary Althiser only on YSN!

Presented By:

MOHAWK MUSTERS UP A MIDWEEK WIN

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NEW CASTLE OH- In a hard-fought contest on Wednesday night, Mohawk secured a well-earned victory against a resilient Beaver Area Bobcats team, emerging with a 46-31 win.

Leading the way for Mohawk was Erynne Capalbo, who delivered an impressive performance with 19 points. Kiera Julian and Anicka Young each contributed 9 points, showcasing a balanced offensive effort.

For the Beaver Area, Annsley Baker led the scoring with 13 points, and Lauren Nesbella added 7 points in their determined effort.

WARRIORS END FOUR GAME SKID AGAINST SALEM

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by Ty Bartell 

BELOIT OH- In the world of high school sports, very few rivalries run as deep between two programs that encapsulate their communities like The West Branch Warriors and The Salem Quakers do! You know the rivalry means business when it’s not just one, but all sports under the programs banner share the same rival. In the recent chapters of Salem versus West Branch on the girls basketball side, it has been The Quakers who have drafted recent history. Winning the last four consecutive games against The Warriors, Salem was looking to carry the streak into the new season. Meanwhile, West Branch was looking for their first win against Salem since February 10th, 2021. With a storied rivalry that writes itself and a great crowd on hand in Beloit to witness the next chapter of Quakers and Warriors!

The opening quarter looked very similar to the recent installments between the two squads, with defense being the focal point as a low-scoring opening quarter ensued. With points at a premium, The Warriors managed to grab a 4 point lead at 11-7 after a quarter. Scoring did not pick up in the second quarter either, as both defenses forced plenty of turnovers both in the transition game and the half court, making offense difficult to set-up. West Branch managed to hold a slim advantage 19-18 at halftime, as it looked like a wild finish was going to be in the books for Beloit!
However, the second half was very unkind to The Quakers and The Warriors took full advantage!

Outsourcing Salem 30-5 in the second half of the game with a 16-3 third quarter and a 14-2 fourth quarter! The Warriors routed Salem in the second half to pick up their first win over The Quakers in almost three years with a 49-23 final!

Sophie Gregory was magic once again! A player of the Game performance for Gregory in which she scored 25 points with 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 blocks and 4 steals she more than made an impact in every facet of the game. Also a notable performance from Chloe Dennison who heated up in the second half scoring all 10 points on the night during crunch time while knocking down a pair of triples! Audrey Eaton also made contributions, nailing down a pair of threes as well and finishing with 6 points. Lauryn Barton was the leading scorer for Salem, finishing with 8 points followed by Rylee Hutton with 5 points.

West Branch (6-0)(5-0) now has firm control of the Eastern Buckeye Conference (EBC) with a perfect record the first time through. The Warriors next contest will be a former conference foe when they host The Louisville Leopards (5-1) on Saturday, December 16th. For Salem (2-5)(1-4) they will now look ahead to Canfield (2-2) in a home bout with The Cards at The Cab, also on Saturday! Keep updated with all West Branch and Salem winter athletics with live games, scores, stats, stories and more on YSN!

BEAVER FALTERS AGAINST SOUTH FAYETTE

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By Noah Doughty


BEAVER PA- The Beaver Bobcats took on South Fayette last night in boy’s basketball and even though they were able to go on a couple runs it saw them ultimately fall 66-56. 

 

The Bobcats started out down 7 early but with South Fayette getting into some 1st quarter  foul trouble they were able to end the 1st up 16-14. However South Fayette got some great production from their bench with Gavin Orosz and Tyson Wright. The Lions were able to expand the lead out to 14 in the 3rd quarter. However the Bobcats had one last run in them and was able to cut the deficit down to 3 but the Lions were able to get Beaver into foul trouble and took advantage at the line to secure a late victory.

 

For the Bobcats the lead scorer was Brady Mayo who had 23 points. Ty Butler and Nick Krzeczowki each contributed 10 points as well.

 

The Bobcats next stop is Saturday, December 16th as they head to Rocket Mortgage Field House to take on West Carrollton. Beaver is now 2-3 on the season and is looking to bounce back. West Carrollton is 2-0 on the season and coming off a 43-34 win over Piqua. 

TIGERS RISE TO CHALLENGE

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YOUNGSTOWN OH- In a closely contested matchup, Howland faced a significant test on Wednesday night against Ursuline, and they rose to the occasion with a tight 52-50 victory on the road.

Alyssa Massucci led the scoring for Howland with an impressive 21 points, supported by Mia Barrish contributing 10 points, and Gia Hoso adding 7 points. Jesse DeSalvo chipped in with 6 points to round out the Tigers’ offensive effort.

Ursuline’s Lily Scott had a standout performance with a game-high 28 points, showcasing her scoring prowess. Kennedy Carpenter contributed 11 points, while Carly Casey added 6 points.

With this hard-fought win, Howland improves to a 4-1 record and looks to continue their success at home on Saturday against Chardon. Ursuline, aiming to bounce back, will face West Branch at home on Wednesday, December 20th.

SPARTANS STREAK STOPPED IN PERRY

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Perry, OH- In a tough road game for the Spartans, the Perry Pirates asserted their dominance against the Conneaut Spartans with a resounding victory, finishing with a commanding final score of 75-39. The game, played in four quarters, showcased Perry’s prowess in both offense and defense, leaving Conneaut struggling to keep pace.

First Quarter: Perry Sets the Tone

The Pirates wasted no time setting the tone for the game, outscoring Conneaut 20-7 in the opening quarter. The offensive charge was led by Vincent Tomasic, who contributed 13 points, and Desmond Malone, who added 16. Perry’s early lead provided them with a significant advantage that would prove difficult for the Spartans to overcome.

Second Quarter: Perry Extends Their Lead

Perry continued to build on their momentum in the second quarter, adding 23 more points to their tally. The scoring was distributed across the team, with notable contributions from Brayden Richards, Allen Morris, and Josh Zentrgaf. Conneaut struggled to contain Perry’s offensive onslaught, with the halftime score reflecting a substantial 43-16 lead for the Pirates.

Third Quarter: Conneaut Attempts a Comeback

Despite facing a considerable deficit, the Conneaut Spartans displayed resilience in the third quarter. However, Perry maintained control of the game, adding 18 more points to their total. Conneaut’s Chance Loomis emerged as a standout performer for the Spartans, scoring 19 points in the effort to close the gap. Nevertheless, Perry held a comfortable 61-27 lead heading into the final quarter.

Fourth Quarter: Perry Secures the Win

The Pirates sealed their victory in the fourth quarter, adding 14 more points to finish with a decisive 75-39 triumph. Conneaut fought hard, with contributions from players like Ryan Turner and Noah Hamm, but Perry’s balanced scoring and defensive efforts were too much for the Spartans to overcome.

Player Highlights:

  • Perry’s Desmond Malone led the scoring with an impressive 16 points.
  • Conneaut’s Chance Loomis showcased his skills with 19 points.

Upcoming Games:

The Conneaut Spartans (3-1) will look to bounce back as they host the Harvey Red Raiders on 12/16/23. Meanwhile, the Perry Pirates (1-1) will hit the road to face the Madison Blue Streaks on 12/20/23, aiming to build on their momentum from this convincing win. The Blue Streaks, coming off a recent victory, will provide a challenging matchup for the Pirates. Basketball enthusiasts can anticipate an exciting clash as both teams strive for success in the upcoming matchups

WARRIORS SHOW GRIT IN WIN OVER RED RAIDERS

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Painesville, OH- In a tough road game, the Edgewood Warriors maintained their undefeated streak, securing a 61-55 triumph over the Harvey Red Raiders. The game, played with intensity and skill on both sides, showcased the Warriors’ determination and teamwork.

The first quarter set the tone for the game, with Edgewood claiming a narrow 17-16 lead. As the match progressed, the Warriors continued to demonstrate their offensive prowess, led by standout performances from Jacob Ernst, Logan Kray, and Brady Andrejack. Ernst’s 22 points reflected his scoring ability, while Kray and Andrejack contributed 18 and 13 points, respectively, solidifying Edgewood’s lead.

The Harvey Red Raiders fought valiantly throughout the game, with notable performances from Chase Goines and Armani Hall, who scored 16 and 15 points, respectively. However, the Warriors’ defense held firm, limiting Harvey’s scoring opportunities.

As the final buzzer sounded, Edgewood celebrated their hard-fought victory, maintaining a perfect 3-0 record for the season. Looking ahead, the Warriors are set to face the Geneva Eagles (2-2) in a home game on 12/16/23. The Eagles, coming off a loss to the Madison Blue Streaks, will be eager to bounce back, setting the stage for an exciting matchup.

On the other side, the Harvey Red Raiders (2-1) will hit the road to face the Conneaut Spartans (3-1). The Spartans, seeking redemption after a 75-39 loss to the Perry Pirates, will pose a tough challenge for Harvey. Basketball enthusiasts can anticipate another thrilling showdown as these teams continue their journey through the 2023 season.

FALCONS SOAR PAST DRAGONS FOR FIRST CVC WIN

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Ashtabula, OH- In a high-scoring showdown, the Jefferson Falcons soared to a commanding 68-40 triumph over the Lakeside Dragons. The Falcons showcased their offensive prowess, particularly from beyond the arc, en route to their first conference victory of the season.

Quarter by Quarter Recap:

  • First Quarter: The game kicked off with both teams battling fiercely, but the Falcons managed to edge ahead with a 15-13 lead.
  • Second Quarter: Jefferson continued to build momentum, outscoring Lakeside 19-13 in the second quarter. The offensive effort was led by sharpshooter Anthony Covetta, who contributed significantly to the Falcons’ growing point total.
  • Third Quarter: The Falcons dominated the third quarter, posting an impressive 21 points while holding Lakeside scoreless. The Lakeside Dragons faced a challenging defensive effort from the Falcons.
  • Fourth Quarter: Although Lakeside fought back in the final quarter, the Falcons maintained their offensive prowess, securing a 68-40 victory by the end of the game.

Top Performers:

  • Jefferson Falcons:
    • Joey DeGeorge was the standout performer for the Falcons, contributing a staggering 30 points to the team’s total.
    • Anthony Covetta showcased his sharpshooting skills, knocking down four crucial three-pointers and finishing the game with 16 points.
    • Robbie Pisano also played a key role, adding 9 points to the scoreboard while creating extra possesions with multiple steals.
  • Lakeside Dragons:
    • Connor Mead led the Lakeside team with 13 points, showcasing his scoring ability.
    • Jay Lopez and Dylan Newsome also made valuable contributions, with 8 and 7 points, respectively.

Beyond the Arc: The Falcons’ success beyond the arc was a defining factor in the game, as they sunk a total of seven three-pointers. Anthony Covetta, in particular, proved deadly from long range with four successful three-point shots.

Upcoming Matches:

The Jefferson Falcons, now boasting a 1-3 record, will look to build on their success as they face the Conneaut Spartans on December 22, 2023. The Lakeside Dragons, with a 1-2 record, will aim to rebound at home against the Madison Blue Streaks, who are coming off a victory over the Geneva Eagles. The upcoming matchups promise to be intense battles as both teams seek to make their mark in the conference standings.

OHSAA STUDYING EXPANSION OF TOURNAMENT DIVISIONS IN MULTIPLE SPORTS

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COLUMBUS, OH- The Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Directors and staff have been discussing expanding tournament divisions in several sports, Executive Director Doug Ute has announced. The OHSAA will hold statewide meetings in January to present data and gather feedback on the topic, which seeks to address the wide enrollment differences from the top to bottom of the current divisional structure. Changes could mirror the OHSAA’s current football model, which puts a smaller number of the state’s largest schools in Division I.

Of note, the proposal does not add any additional tournament games and would be expected to be a revenue neutral expansion. The Board of Directors could act on a proposal as soon as early 2024. The sports currently being discussed include the sports of girls volleyball, girls and boys soccer, girls and boys basketball, softball and baseball.

Currently, more than 200 schools enter the postseason tournament in some divisions to compete for a state championship.

“Almost since day one when I became executive director (in September 2020), many administrators and coaches have expressed interest in expanding tournament divisions in several of our sports,” Ute said. “As everyone knows, we have seven tournament divisions in the sport of football, so why not give student-athletes, schools and their communities the same, or at least comparable, opportunities to compete for a state championship in some of our other sports.

“The Board of Directors has been very supportive when discussing this, and I have been pleased that we seem to be on the same page and could possibly have a proposal in front of the Board in the very near future,” Ute said. He added that the OHSAA will discuss adding tournament divisions in other sports in the future.

While the OHSAA Board of Directors has not recently been asked to act on formal proposals specifically on expansion, the Board has heard proposals that addressed the enrollment disparity between the schools at the top to the bottom of Division I in both 2006 and 2019. The only modification the OHSAA currently has in place addressing that issue is in football, where Division I is comprised of the top 10 percent of schools based on enrollment and the other six divisions are divided as evenly as possible. Currently in the sports of baseball, basketball, soccer, softball and girls volleyball, the enrollment difference from the top to the bottom of schools in Division I is an average of 939 students, with highs of 955 in boys soccer (an enrollment range of 346 to 1,301); 954 in boys basketball (346 to 1,300); 944 in baseball (356 to 1,300) and 940 in girls volleyball (319 to 1,249).

The OHSAA has studied the number of tournament divisions and formats in other states and has found that several states, including many that have fewer schools, have more tournament divisions than Ohio. Other than football, the OHSAA has not expanded divisions in team sports since the 1980s. Ute also said that as many schools throughout the state have lost enrollment, the trend has been for those schools to leave their conferences or leagues and join ones that more closely resemble them from an enrollment standpoint. Placing schools into tournament divisions with those that have similar enrollments is one of the key elements that would be addressed by expansion.

“Our No. 1 goal is to do what’s best for the student-athletes,” Ute said. “We believe our member schools and their participants would support this. From a financial standpoint, we would not be playing more contests overall, we simply would be putting the same number of teams into more divisions. So, our initial thought is this would not have an impact on the OHSAA financially one way or the other.”

School administrators will be sent information on the statewide meetings in January, and the OHSAA will also continue to collect input from the various state coaches associations.

Any proposed changes in the number of tournament divisions would need to be approved by the OHSAA Board of Directors, as those guidelines are part of the OHSAA General Sports Regulations, not the OHSAA Constitution or Bylaws. Any changes to the OHSAA Constitution or Bylaws would require a vote of the membership.

RANGE ROUTES GIRARD AT HOME

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CANFIELD, OH- On the opening night in the NE8 Play, South Range quickly were able to point out how much difference a year could make in a 63-38 victory over conference rival, Girard.

The biggest change was senior Dylan Turvey’s willingness and determination to establish himself as a post player for Pat Carden’s offense.  South Range, admittedly undersized relied heavily on their game going inside-out on Tuesday night.  Turvey scored 15 points, which all came in the paint or at the line.  Leading all scorers was Landon Moore with 22 points, Luke Rohan posted 9 points for the Raiders as well.

The veteran presence shined through for South Range as there were multiple breakout passes up the floor resulting in points and odd-man advantages for the Raiders that kept the Indians on their heels throughout the contest.

Ahmad Curd’s 16 points kept South Range honest throughout the night, but it was Nick Rafferty’s sharpshooting on the outside that gave Girard a chance in the early going before finishing with nine points.  Dom Phillips posted seven points for the Indians as well.

With the victory, South Range goes to 3-1 on the year (1-0) and Girard is left still looking for their first victory at 0-3.