Tag Archive for: Featured

VIN FOR THE WIN! NARDUCCI’S 29 LEADS TO HERALDS FIRST WIN

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Southington, OH- In a NAC matchup on 1/5/24, the St. John Heralds clashed with the Chalker Wildcats in a game that had it all. The Heralds managed to secure their first hard-fought victory of the season with a final score of 64-55, showcasing their resilience and skill throughout the four quarters.

Quarter Scores:

  • St. John Heralds: 14 | 14 | 23 | 13 – Total: 64
  • Chalker Wildcats: 6 | 13 | 18 | 18 – Total: 55

Player Stats:

St. John Heralds Total Points:

  • Vin Narducci: 29
  • Anthony Severino: 15
  • Aj Henslee: 8
  • Brady Cole: 8
  • Anthony Petrochello: 3
  • Donald Crawford: 1

Chalker Wildcats Total Points:

  • Tanner Kelson: 19
  • Zack Pack: 11
  • Andrew Kirkland: 10
  • Daniel Kellar: 6
  • Ryan Hardman: 5
  • Nick Karr: 4

The standout performance of the game came from Vin Narducci, who led all scorers with an impressive 29 points, including a remarkable 14-point second quarter that played a crucial role in the Heralds’ success.

The St. John Heralds, now standing at 1-6, are set to play at home against the Maplewood Rockets (1-8) on 1/9/24. The Rockets will be entering the matchup fresh off a game played on 1/6/24, adding an extra layer of anticipation to the clash.

On the other side, the Chalker Wildcats (2-5) will be hitting the road for their next game against the Heartland Christian Lions (5-4) on 1/9/24. The Lions, despite a recent 71-58 loss to the Newton Falls Tigers, remain a formidable opponent, setting the stage for another thrilling contest.

As the Heralds celebrate this victory and prepare for upcoming challenges, the fans eagerly anticipate more exciting basketball action in the games to come.

SPARTANS COME UP SHY AGAINST MASSILLON

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BOARDMAN, OH- In a challenging home matchup, the Boardman boys’ basketball team faced a formidable opponent in Massillon Washington and came up short with a final score of 70-25. The game saw Massillon Washington dominating from the start, leaving Boardman with a tough loss on their home court.

Terrell McDowell led the scoring for the Spartans, contributing 7 points to the team’s total. Jayse Varley followed closely with 5 points, while Grayson Eicher and Jeffrey Markovitch each chipped in with 4 points. Noah Ziak and Vince Butto added 2 points apiece, and Kaden Mayhew rounded out the scoring with a free throw.

Despite the challenging outcome, the Spartans displayed resilience and continued to compete throughout the game. The Massillon Washington team’s strong performance, particularly in the second and third quarters, proved to be a significant factor in the final score.

Looking ahead, Boardman will regroup and turn their focus back to conference play. The Spartans are set to face Austintown in their upcoming game next Tuesday, aiming to bounce back and showcase their competitive spirit in the conference matchups.

INSTANT KLASIC: RESERVE SHOOTS PAST MCDONALD

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BERLIN CENTER, OH- To say that Josh Klasic was in the zone on Friday night is a bit of an understatement.  In a game where points were at a premium, the Western Reserve posted a double-double en route to a victory in Reserve’s barn over McDonald to the tune of 38-27.

Klasic led the way for Reserve with 20 points and 14 rebounds, while he was supplemented by seven points from the big man, Andrew Hendricks, and a four-point effort from Connor Cochran.

For McDonald, their offensive efforts were highlighted by nine points from Chris Ragazzine and Brady Klochner’s six points.  Senior, Wyatt Wolford chipped in four points in the effort as well.

Western Reserve improves to 2-8 overall and gets their first MVAC victory, while McDonald suffers their first league loss, and stands at 5-5 on the year.

 

CARDINALS WIN STREAK STILL GOING

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AUSTINTOWN OH- In a thrilling matchup, Canfield showcased resilience to extend their winning streak to eight games, holding off a late rally by Fitch. The game hung in the balance until the final moments, and Canfield emerged victorious with a 51-48 win.

Tony Russo and Sam Castronova each contributed 12 points for Canfield, playing key roles in the team’s offensive efforts. Fitch’s Marcell Finkley delivered an outstanding performance, claiming the game-high with 20 points, while Carter Owens added 17 points in a commendable effort.

Fitch managed to seize a late one-point lead, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. However, Canfield responded with poise, sinking crucial shots and free throws down the stretch to secure the hard-fought victory.

With this win, Canfield continues their impressive streak and will enjoy some well-deserved time off before facing Green on January 14th. Fitch, determined to bounce back, will host Boardman in their upcoming matchup on Tuesday.

BULLDOGS BACK RANGE INTO A CORNER

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POLAND, OH- In a highly anticipated Northeast-8 clash, the Poland Bulldogs boys’ basketball team faced off against the South Range Raiders, both vying for the top spot in the league. The Bulldogs, with an unblemished record in the NE8, knew they were in for a tough challenge from the Raiders.

Despite the Raiders giving their best shot both figuratively and literally, the Bulldogs secured a 61-49 victory, maintaining their dominance in the league with a 5-0 mark and improving their overall season record to 7-2.

Tied at 26-26 at halftime, the Bulldogs made crucial adjustments in the second half, finding their shooting rhythm and tightening their defense on Landon Moore who finished with .

Despite the Raiders’ efforts to cut the deficit, Poland maintained control in the final quarter, securing the 12-point victory. Coach Carden acknowledged the Bulldogs’ physicality and rebounding prowess, highlighting the challenges his team faced.

The Raiders now look ahead to a crucial NE8 matchup against the Niles Red Dragons on Tuesday.

As for the Bulldogs, they continue their journey with a non-conference game against Howland on Tuesday, aiming to extend their success in the quest for league glory.

CLIPPERS KEEPING UP THE PACE

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COLUMBIANA OH- In an authoritative performance on Friday night, Columbiana showcased their strength at home, securing a commanding 61-18 victory over Leetonia in EOAC action.

Seth Struharik led the Clippers’ scoring effort with an impressive 17 points, demonstrating his offensive prowess on the court. Supported by a well-distributed team effort, Columbiana had eight other players contribute to the scoring column, emphasizing their depth and collaborative play.

Maddox Brown (11 points) and Ian Less (10 points) also made significant contributions to Columbiana’s offensive output, underscoring the team’s balance.

Leetonia faced a tough challenge against the Clippers’ defensive prowess, with Carson Brock (5 points) and Ashbee Merritt (4 points) providing notable offensive efforts for the Bears.

With this resounding victory, Columbiana improves to a 7-3 record and looks ahead to their next matchup at home against East Palestine on Tuesday. Leetonia (2-9) will regroup for their upcoming game on the road against Southern on Tuesday.

CARDINALS WITH A STATEMENT WIN

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EAST LIVERPOOL OH- In a high-stakes showdown on Friday night, Cardinal Mooney showcased their prowess on the road, securing a convincing 66-51 victory over East Liverpool. The Cardinals left a lasting impression, particularly with a dominant second quarter where they outscored their opponents 28-11.

Ashton O’Brien led the charge for Mooney, contributing an impressive 21 points to the team’s scoring effort. Nick Pregibon and Jibri Carter also played pivotal roles, adding 15 and 11 points, respectively.

Despite a formidable effort from East Liverpool, featuring strong performances by Preston Kerr (15 points), Cohen Pease (13 points), and Nate Birch (9 points), Mooney’s second-quarter surge created a gap that proved challenging to overcome.

 

WARRIORS FIND A WAY TO STALL ALLIANCE

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By Michael Ginocchi


Beloit, OH–   The West Branch boy’s basketball team hosted conference rival Alliance in a key matchup inside the EBC. Both teams came into the contest 2-0 in the conference and the winner of the game would remain in first place. Alliance got off to a fast start which propelled them to a 27-16 lead at halftime. Aviator forward K’Vaughn Davis caught fire towards the end of the second knocking down 3 big three pointers.

 

In the second half, West Branch turned the tide and flipped all the momentum. The Warriors held Davis to just 2 second half points and outscored Alliance 28-24. Both the offense and defense stepped up ultimately propelling West Branch to a thrilling 56-51 win.

 

For West Branch Jaxon Robb finished with a smooth 19 points. He also was money from the free throw line finishing 8-10. Gavin Gregory finished with 13 points, while grabbing some key offensive rebounds to help seal the win. Cooper Anderson continued his great play scoring in double figures with 10, while Camden Lane put in 9 for the Warriors.

 

Alliance had two players score in double figures. Both K’Vaughn Davis and JR Jackson finished with 16 points each. While Davis did most of his damage throughout the first half, Jackson continued his steady play throughout the game. Sam Gress added 8 points to help keep Alliance in the game late.

 

With the win, West Branch improves to 8-2 (3-0 EBC) on the season. The Warriors are in sole first place and will look to continue that success when the host Carrollton this Tuesday at 6:45 p.m. Alliance drops to 3-5 (2-1 EBC) with the loss. The Aviators will look to bounce back on Tuesday vs Minerva.

BEAVERS USE A STRONG FINISH TO PULL AWAY

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EAST LIVERPOOL OH- In a thrilling basketball matchup on Friday, Beaver Local demonstrated their prowess with a powerful fourth-quarter performance, ultimately securing a 79-68 victory over Cambridge.

Austin Cline led the charge for Beaver Local, delivering a standout performance with 23 points, earning him the game-high scoring title. Supported by a well-rounded effort from the team, which included notable contributions from Luke Rettos (13 points), Owen Hill (13 points), Hunter Warrick (11 points), and Keaton Heddleston (10 points), Beaver Local showcased their depth and scoring versatility.

The pivotal fourth quarter saw Beaver Local outscore Cambridge 22-12, underscoring their ability to finish strong and seize control of the game.

With this impressive win, Beaver Local advances to a 5-5 record and looks forward to their next challenge at home against Brooke on Monday.

LAKERS RIDE WAVE PAST BOMBERS

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Photo Credit: Kelly York Summers

Windham, OH- In an classic NAC battle, the Pymatuning Valley Lakers displayed their resilience and skill as they emerged victorious against the Windham Bombers with a final score of 66-60. The game, played on 1/5/24, showcased the Lakers’ determination and teamwork, ultimately solidifying their standing with a record of 7-3.

Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown:

1st Quarter:

  • Pymatuning Valley Lakers: 16 points
  • Windham Bombers: 11 points

The Lakers started the game strong, setting the tone with a solid lead in the opening quarter.

2nd Quarter:

  • Pymatuning Valley Lakers: 17 points
  • Windham Bombers: 22 points

The Bombers mounted a comeback in the second quarter, outscoring the Lakers, but Pymatuning Valley maintained their edge.

3rd Quarter:

  • Pymatuning Valley Lakers: 17 points
  • Windham Bombers: 12 points

The Lakers continued to build on their lead in the third quarter, maintaining control of the game.

4th Quarter:

  • Pymatuning Valley Lakers: 16 points
  • Windham Bombers: 15 points

In a closely contested final quarter, both teams fought hard, but the Lakers held on to secure the victory.

Top Performers:

Pymatuning Valley Lakers:

  • Blake Krznaric: 28 points
  • Zane Neczeporenko: 16 points
  • Caydense Wiser: 9 points

Windham Bombers:

  • C. Brenton: 23 points
  • Nick Hopper: 16 points
  • A. Wiley: 6 points

Upcoming Matches:

The Pymatuning Valley Lakers (7-3) will face the Fairport Skippers (5-2) on the road in a highly anticipated matchup scheduled for 1/9/24. The Skippers, coming off a dominant 90-54 win over the Mathews Mustangs, will pose a tough challenge for the Lakers.

Meanwhile, the Windham Bombers (4-5) are set to play at home against the Mathews Mustangs. The Mustangs are looking to bounce back from a 90-54 loss to the Fairport Skippers, setting the stage for an intriguing clash between the two NAC members.