Tag Archive for: Girls Basketball

POLAND GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP10 WITH NICK BLANCH)

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The regular season is coming to a close for the Bulldogs. They are fresh off their second consecutive undefeated NE8 season. The new champions then took it to Howland in their home finale. They now look to find revenge on their rival Canfield who beat them by four earlier this season. A loss that Coach Blanch still is sour about. He feels they left the win out on the court and is excited for another shot at the Cardinals. 

Anthony Hartwig went down to Poland and caught up with Coach Blanch after their win against Howland. They discuss going through senior night, the Poland Canfield rivalry, and much more. Gear up for the regular season finale with Episode 10 of Coach’s Corner with Nick Blanch.

SOUTH RANGE GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP10 WITH JEFF FISHEL)

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The Raiders are going through some down time at the moment. They have 12 days off before their regular season finale at Jefferson. Last week, the Raiders sent Emily Irons off on her senior night with a win over Girard, and fell short of an amazing comeback at Mooney. Now it’s all about staying sharp as they spend a lot of time in the gym between now and their first tournament game on February 22nd. 

Anthony Hartwig made the trip to the Range this week. Coach and him talk about that Mooney loss, staying fresh in time off, and much more. Don’t miss out on more Lady Raider insight in Episode 10 of Coach’s Corner with Jeff Fishel.

THE FORSYTH TO MAKE SOMETHING GREAT

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The transition between being an eighth grade student athlete, and a high school one is not always easy. The game is faster, it demands more dedication and focus, and school work demands more time. For Poland freshman Sarah Forsyth the transition took a little bit of time to adjust to, but once she did she hit the ground running. Coach Blanch says it’s hard sometimes for players to immediately make the change over to the high school level. He says once Sarah figures it out she quickly grew as a player. Sarah also says that initially she felt the pressure of coming in to a program that had so much success last season. The family bond that this program has built quickly did away with any pressure she had about being on the team. Now she gets to just be herself go out and know that her entire team is behind her. That is a freeing feeling for the freshman. Foresight is defined as the ability to predict future events, and Coach Blanch has the foresight to know something great is on the horizon with Sarah Forsyth. 

Anthony Hartwig sat down with Sarah this week after the team’s big win over Howland. They discuss coming into the program as a freshman, first interactions with Coach Blanch, and much more. The regular season is winding down but the player profiles are heating up. Enjoy the latest one in the Poland series The Forsyth To Make Something Great.

MOONEY GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP4 WITH JASON BAKER)

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Coming off their biggest win of the season, a nail biter against the South Range Raiders, the Lady Cardinals had won three of their last four. The sole loss coming at the buzzer against McDonald. Coach Baker has his girls playing their best basketball when they absolutely need too, and yet he still preaches his message of unselfish, disciplined team play. At 12-8, the Cardinals are as a dangerous of a team that you will find in the tournament.

Our own Nate Keiper caught up with Coach Baker prior to their senior night game against Boardman to discuss that big win over South Range, the season as a whole and what Coach Baker is most proud of when it comes to his girls. It’s time for another episode of the Coach’s Corner, sponsored by MP Vivo.

SPARTANS STAND TALL, SWEEP THE CARDINALS

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Prior to the game against Boardman, a touching moment for those in attendance at Cardinal Mooney. The two seniors for the Cardinals, Catie Perry and CJ Sapp, were escorted across the court by their families. But that wasn’t all. CJ, who tore her ACL in the previous matchup against the Spartans, came out in full uniform as a starter. Still recovering and wearing her brace, Sapp lined up for the tip off against Maria Torres. Sapp tipped the ball to Perry, a timeout was called, and hugs and tears were shared by both teams. Sapp walked off to a standing ovation and more embraces from her teammates. A beautiful moment for a phenomenal athlete who saw her senior athletic season cut far too short.

The emotions of the night were high, and the Cardinals used it to jump to an early lead. Perry and Gia Diorio hooked up for a few transition buckets, and the Cardinals defense held their own. An 8-3 lead was established, but the Spartans immediately responded. Reagan Burkey got plenty of opportunities from the free throw line, and the front court duo of Torres and Emma Tokarsky shut down the Cardinals offense for most of the first half. Following their early lead, Mooney would go over eight minutes of game time without a field goal. It wasn’t until Gia DiVincenzo hit a corner 3 pointer that Mooney would spring to life offensively. Despite Boardman’s dominance, they held only a one point lead at half, 22-21.

The second half, however, became a demonstration on the importance of free throws. Most impressive was the feat of Reagan Burkey, who finished a perfect 14/14 from the line, with 20 points overall. Boardman as a team shot 22/24 from the line. Maria Torres, held scoreless in the first, scored 6 points in the third. And the Cardinal’s offense struggled mightily, scoring only 4 points in the third quarter. The lead grew to 16, and Mooney would fail to mount any sort of comeback. The Spartans complete the sweep of their rival by a final score of 47-39.

Mooney will be on the road for their final regular season game, a makeup game against Valley Christian this Wednesday. The Spartans will be on the road against the Quakers from Salem.

NOT TOO SHABBY, ABBY

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The transition between freshman and sophomore year is a crucial time in a player’s development.  They go from being a newcomer welcomed by the group, to being a greeting party for the next incoming freshman. For Poland sophomore Abby Farmer that transition was seamless. She says that seeing how welcoming last years team was to her last season made it easy to return the favor to the new faces this year.She couldn’t say enough about the senior leadership on the team, and how emotional their senior night will be for all of the younger players.  It is something that Coach Blanch stresses as a tentpole of their program. The family mentality, and the idea that no one is more or less important than the person next to them. As far as basketball goes Abby is on the rise. She set personal goals this year to get better on defense, and to get her shot improved. Coach Blanch says she is relentless on defense with an attitude to never get beat. It’s her work ethic that has taken her this far. She buys in to every standard the program sets. Coach Blanch expects amazing things from this sophomore in the years to come, and so do the Poland faithful. You can hear them chattering in the stands when Farber makes a play “that’s not too shabby” 

Anthony Hartwig made the trip to Poland this week to talk to Abby. They discuss her transition from freshman to sophomore, what senior night will be like for her, and much more. Get a nice snack and listen to the latest Poland Lady Bulldog Player Profile Not Too Shabby, Abby. 

POLAND GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP9 WITH NICK BLANCH)

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Another week has come and gone for the Poland Lady Bulldogs. It was another week of wind in the NE8. They took a game over Jefferson, and then followed that up with a win at Hubbard in their last road test in the league. Now they look forward to senior night on Thursday as they welcome in Niles. Nick Blanch says senior nights are very bitter sweet. He can’t wait to recognize four players who have given so much to the program, but knows time with them is counting down. 

Anthony Hartwig went to Poland this week to catch up with Coach Blanch. They discuss the week that was, senior night, and much more. You won’t want to miss this one, get ready for Episode 9 of Coach’s Corner with Nick Blanch. 

*** NOTE: YSN will broadcast senior night live Thursday night. It is set to begin at 6:30.

CARDINALS SURVIVE VALIANT COMEBACK AGAINST RANGE

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Mooney came out red hot to start the game. South Range locked in during the fourth. And two great teams put on an unbelievable show last night.

The vaunted Lady Cardinal defense was on full display early on, as South Range went a full five minutes without any points. Even Izzy Lamparty, the Raider who recently eclipsed 1000 career points, could not seem to find a bucket. Gia Diorio and Katie Hough played give and go basketball, while Diorio showed beautiful touch on a high arching layup that somehow fell. Only one basket for South Range came from the floor in the quarter, a 3 pointer from Emma Cunningham. All the rest came from Izzy at the free throw line, and the Cardinals would lead 16-7 after one.

Maria Fire, a freshman for Mooney, had quite possibly her best game of the season. Coming in off the bench, Maria dominated the painted area with 15 points and 5 rebounds. 7 of those came from the free throw line, an area where Maria has struggled at times. Each shot that fell drew the team, and the crowd, to their feet. The Cardinal’s defense remained tight, and despite the efforts of both Lamparty sisters, Izzy and Gabby, the lead only extended by the end of the third quarter. Mooney went into the final frame up 46-29, but the Raiders finally began to wake up.

The following six and a half minutes were worst case scenario for Coach Baker and the Cardinals. They scored 0 points, barely made it past half court, and turned it over almost a dozen times. Gabby Lamparty’s defense forced 3 of those turnovers back to back to back, and she and her sister clawed the Raiders back into the game, cutting what was a 17 point deficit down to 3. Izzy finished with 17 points, Gabby with 11, and Lexi Giles hit a huge 3 to make it a one possession game. The Cardinals needed someone to step up. Enter Katie Hough, who found herself at the free throw line 4 straight times. After an initial miss, Katie, who sports an always perpetual smile, sank 6 straight free throws. She had 14 on the night, to go along with 4 rebounds and an assist. On the ensuing possession for South Range, Diorio stepped in front of a pass and found Alaina Scavina down the court. After not scoring for almost 7 minutes, Mooney scores 10 to close out the game and pick up a huge win against South Range.

Mooney goes to 11-8, and the Raiders go to 15-6.

SOUTH RANGE GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP9 WITH JEFF FISHEL)

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It’s been a hectic week for the Lady Raiders as they have had to persevere through two tough starts in their last two games. First, tied with Hubbard at halftime on the road the Raiders has to find energy to run away from the Eagles. Then, in Struthers the Wildcats had them down by ten at half, and the Raiders used some much needed depth to mount a furious comeback victory. Now the Raiders look ahead to a road trip to Niles where they have to contend with Nae Fryer. Fryer and Izzy Lamparty both have opportunities to score 1000 career points. After that, the Raiders return home for senior night against Girard. They’ll honor their lone senior Emily Irons, a night that Coach Fishel has been thinking about more and more. 

Anthony Hartwig caught up with Coach Fishel this week after practice. They discuss tough starts on the road, finding much needed depth, and much more. Check in on the Lady Raiders with Episode 9 of Coach’s Corner with Jeff Fishel.

A FRESH PAIR

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They say great things come in two. For the South Range Lady Raiders, they have a pair of freshman who bond off the court is as strong as ever. Emma Cunningham and Taylor McClish are two rising stars of the Raiders program. Emma Cunningham came into this year with eyes already on her. As a Cunningham, everyone around South Range basketball knee her name. Her brother Mike did wonderful things for the Raiders in his career. When Coach Fishel asked coach Cullen if he knew anything about her his response was simply “she’s a Cunningham what else do you need to know?” Emma says that seeing her brother go through his career was a great inspiration for her. Now it’s her time to shine. But she couldn’t do it without her partner in crime Taylor McClish. McClish came into the program much more off the radar than Emma, but she caught Coach Fishel’s eye real quick. He says she plays with such intensity and physicality. He says she’s a straight up basketball player, and no one has told her that before. Now that both Taylor, and Emma are full of confidence they are starting to make impacts on the varsity floor. In the Raiders last game against Struthers while trailing by ten at half they were both asked to provide quality minutes. They did just that as they gave their team a solid boost off the bench and helped them come back to win in Struthers. Sharing that moment together is something they will never forget. This tandem truly feels like they can do anything, as long as they do it side by side. Friendship forged by basketball, but lasting beyond the court. 

Anthony Hartwig got the chance to sit down with both Emma and Taylor earlier this week. They discuss their friendship, gaining confidence through the season, and much more. So join us for this special edition of Lady Raiders Player Profiles A Fresh Pair.