Tag Archive for: High school basketball

RESERVE CANT FIND A CHINK IN THE SPARTANS ARMOR

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By Matt Maher 


AKRON, OH – It’s safe to say that Western reserve has seen enough of Richmond Heights over the past few days. After the girls lost to the Spartans in disappointing fashion on Saturday, the boys were looking to avenge their classmates in their district Semi-finals matchup against the Spartans. While the game was played pretty sloppily by both teams off the opening tip, The Spartans would rally together and turn on the electricity to surge past the Blue Devils 62-26.

 

Both teams had their struggles in the first but Western Reserves was that they had too many empty possessions and couldn’t put up a single basket where Richmond earned 24 points. Demaris Winters Jr. found an impressive 11 points for the Spartans to lead his team in this dominant first frame. 

 

The Blue Devils had some fight in them at the start of the second with Peyton Hartzell tossing a dime from beyond the arc to find the first score of the quarter and of the night for Western Reserve. The scoring continued for the Blue Devils and they managed to find 11 points while the Spartans stayed the course and scored 25 more points to lead 49-11 at halftime. 

 

Hartzell led Reserve with 5 points in the second quarter including that opening 3 and a layup later on while Andrew Hendricks found 4 points with two in the paint and the other two from the free throw line. Winters added another 8 points to his and his team’s total.

 

Richmond Heights scoring was slowed down by the running clock that was implemented at the start of the second half. Richmond was able to secure 10 more points and held Western reserve to 6 points in the frame. Josh Klasic would lead the Blue Devils in scoring with 4 points all from the line going a perfect 4-for-4, Hendricks added another 2-point bucket to round out their scoring.

 

The 4th quarter belonged to the Blue Devils where they outscored Richmond 9-3. While the small victory of winning a quarter against this giant finally came about, the battle itself was already lost for Western Reserve. Jackson Young would lead his team this quarter with 4 points, 2 from the paint and 2 from the line, while Gavin Thake put up a long shot from beyond the arc. 

 

The Blue Devils showed resilience in the second half but with the running clock in the half their big time scoring never came and the first half woes ended up to be too much to handle in the end. Peyton Hartzell ended with the most points for the Blue Devils with 7 points while Andrew Hendricks and Josh Klasic both earned 6 points each. Demaris Winters Jr would finish atop of all scorers with 21 points.

 

Western Reserve played some great games this postseason and were able to win their sectional against McDonald which was very impressive knowing how good those Blue Devils were this season. Unfortunately for Reserve, the Spartans were too powerful and knew how to move around the court without traveling or getting called for too many fouls. Western Reserve finished their season 9-13 in the regular season, 7-7 in conference play and 2-1 in tournament games and shocked many by advancing to the district round as a 22 seed!

NOTHING SLOWING MOONEY DOWN YET

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SALEM OH- In a dominant display of basketball prowess, Cardinal Mooney left no room for doubt in Monday’s district semifinals at Salem High School, overpowering Mapleton with a commanding 82-32 victory. From the opening tip-off to the final buzzer, Mooney asserted their dominance on both ends of the court, showcasing their skill and determination.

Leading the charge for Mooney were standout performances from Jibri Carter, who led the team with 16 points, and Nico Genova and Ashton O’Brien, who each contributed 13 points. Eddie Nieves also made his presence felt with 11 points, adding to the team’s impressive offensive output.

With this convincing win, Cardinal Mooney punches their ticket to the district championship, where they eagerly await the outcome of the matchup between South Range and Perry. Set to take place on Friday at 7:00 at Salem High School, the championship game promises to be another thrilling contest as Mooney looks to continue their quest for postseason glory.

As the anticipation builds and the championship showdown draws near, Mooney’s players and fans alike are filled with excitement and determination. With their sights set on victory, the Cardinals are ready to leave everything on the court as they strive to capture the district championship and make their mark on the postseason stage.

EAGLES CUT THROUGH TO THE FINALS

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ORWELL OH- Warren JFK continued their relentless pursuit of a state tournament berth with a commanding performance on Monday, cruising past Hillsdale with an emphatic 81-49 victory. Displaying their offensive prowess and defensive tenacity, the Eagles left no doubt about their determination to advance further in the postseason.

Leading the charge for Warren JFK were standout performances from Nick Ryan, who poured in 22 points, and Nico Ciminero and Michael Condoleon, who each contributed 16 points to the scoreboard. With a balanced scoring attack and contributions from players like Jaden Rishel, who added 9 points, the Eagles proved to be a formidable force on the court.

With this convincing win, Warren JFK advances to the district championship, eagerly awaiting the outcome of the matchup between Heartland Christian and Bristol. Set to take place on Friday at 7:00 at Grand Valley High School, the district championship game promises to be another thrilling contest as Warren JFK looks to continue their journey towards the state tournament.

As the Eagles prepare to face their next challenge, fans can’t help but feel the excitement and anticipation building as Warren JFK aims to make their mark on the postseason stage. With their sights set on victory, the Eagles are determined to soar to new heights and achieve their ultimate goal of state tournament glory.

POTTERS PUNCH THEIR TICKET TO DISTRICTS

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EAST LIVERPOOL OH- East Liverpool showcased their prowess on the court in a thrilling sectional final showdown on Saturday, securing a decisive 79-59 victory over Zanesville to advance further in the tournament. With an impressive offensive display and solid teamwork, the Potters left their mark on the hardwood.

Leading the charge for East Liverpool were standout performances from Preston Kerr, who tallied 15 points, and Preston Dawson, who contributed 14 points. Quinton Conrad added 13 points to the scoreboard, while Cohen Pease chipped in with 11 points, bolstering the team’s offensive output.

With this important win under their belt, East Liverpool now sets their sights on the district semifinals, where they are slated to face off against John Glenn. The upcoming matchup promises to be a fierce battle, as both teams vie for a chance to advance further in the tournament.

The district semifinal clash is scheduled to take place at Harrison Central on Wednesday, with tip-off set for 7:00. As East Liverpool prepares to take on their next challenge, fans eagerly anticipate another thrilling display of basketball prowess from their determined squad.

CANFIELD HAS FUN IN FINAL HOME GAME

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CANFIELD OH- Canfield delivered an electrifying performance in their final home game of the season, dominating the sectional final against Conneaut with an impressive 97-29 victory. With their sights set on the District Tournament, the Cardinals left no room for doubt as they showcased their offensive firepower and defensive prowess on their home court.

Led by a balanced scoring effort, Canfield saw standout performances from multiple players. Bryce Roberts led the charge with 20 points, followed closely by Ben Weaver with 14 points, Dom Cruz and Nico Biondillo each contributing 11 points, and Jake Delisio adding 10 points to the scoreboard.

With this commanding win, Canfield secures their spot in the district semifinals, where they are set to face the eleventh seed, Northwest. The upcoming matchup promises to be another thrilling contest as Canfield looks to continue their postseason journey.

The district semifinal clash is scheduled to take place at Louisville High School on Thursday, with tip-off slated for 7:00. As Canfield prepares for the challenge ahead, fans eagerly anticipate another exhilarating display of basketball excellence from their beloved Cardinals.

RESERVE WINS THIRD IN A ROW OVER MCDONALD

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MCDONALD OH- In a thrilling district quarterfinal showdown, Western Reserve solidified their dominance over McDonald, securing a crucial 40-36 victory to advance to the semifinals of the tournament. With this win, Western Reserve completed a perfect three-game sweep against McDonald this season, showcasing their resilience and determination on the court.

The game began with both teams trading baskets in a closely contested battle, setting the stage for a tense and exciting matchup. As the game progressed, McDonald launched a late-game surge, mounting a formidable 9-0 run to close out the third quarter and narrow the gap on the scoreboard. However, Western Reserve refused to relinquish control, swiftly regaining the lead in the final frame and holding firm until the final buzzer sounded.

Leading the charge for Western Reserve was Josh Klasic, whose impressive performance saw him tally 14 points, guiding his team to victory with his scoring prowess and leadership on the court. Klasic’s contributions proved pivotal in securing the win for Western Reserve, as he led by example and stepped up when it mattered most.

Despite the defeat, McDonald’s Drew Zajack delivered a standout performance, finishing with a game-high 20 points in a valiant effort to rally his team. Zajack’s exceptional skill and determination were on full display throughout the game, as he battled tirelessly to keep McDonald within striking distance of their opponents.

With their ticket punched to the district semifinals, Western Reserve now sets their sights on their next challenge against Richmond Heights. Scheduled to take place on Monday at Firestone.

SECOND HALF SPELLS TROUBLE FOR RED DEVILS

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CAMPBELL OH- In a dramatic sectional finals showdown on Friday, Lake Catholic orchestrated a remarkable second-half rally to bring an end to Campbell’s season, clinching a hard-fought victory with a final score of 58-41. Despite a valiant effort from the Red Devils, it was Lake Catholic’s dominant performance in the latter half of the game that ultimately sealed their fate.

The game began with both teams showcasing their prowess on the court, setting the stage for a closely contested battle. However, as the second half unfolded, Lake Catholic seized control of the momentum, outscoring Campbell 37-12 to secure a commanding lead and secure the win.

Leading the charge for Campbell was Josue Rodriguez, whose stellar performance saw him contribute 14 points in a commendable display of skill and determination. Supported by the efforts of David Moore, who added 12 points to the scoreboard, and Aziyah Flores, who chipped in with 9 points, the Red Devils fought bravely until the final buzzer sounded.

Despite falling short in their quest for victory, Campbell’s players showcased their resilience and grit throughout the game, leaving everything on the court in a display of true sportsmanship and determination.

As the season comes to a close for Campbell, the team can hold their heads high knowing that they battled fiercely until the very end. While the outcome may not have been in their favor, the Red Devils’ commitment and dedication to the game serve as a testament to their unwavering passion for basketball.

WARRIORS WORK THEIR WAY TO DISTRICTS

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BELOIT OH- In a thrilling tournament matchup, the West Branch Warriors showcased their resilience and determination as they powered past the East Tech Tigers with a final score of 62-49. Despite trailing 9-7 after a closely contested first quarter, the Warriors quickly shifted gears, seizing control of the game to claim a 23-16 lead by halftime.

Leading the charge for West Branch was Jeremiah Thomas, whose stellar performance saw him net an impressive 19 points, guiding his team towards victory. Supported by the dynamic efforts of Gavin Gregory with 13 points and Jaxon Robb contributing 12 points, the Warriors’ offense proved to be a force to be reckoned with throughout the game. Additionally, Copper Anderson’s nine points further bolstered West Branch’s commanding performance on the court.

With this hard-fought win under their belt, West Branch now sets their sights on the OHSAA District Tournament at Notre Dame Cathedral Latin. The Warriors’ next challenge awaits them in the form of the Revere Minutemen, whom they are scheduled to face on Thursday, March 7th at 7 PM.

BULLDOGS KEEP THE CATS IN THEIR CAGE

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By Matt Maher 


POLAND, OH – The Bulldogs welcomed the Canton South Wildcats to town for a high energy defensive brawl in the OHSAA playoffs!. The Bulldogs used their defense in the 2nd quarter and let their offense soar in the second half in their 59-49 round 2 victory. 

 

The Wildcats jumped out to a hot start with Tavon Castle and Julius Kimbrough lighting up the hardwood with a combined 17 points. Poland struggled in the opening frame and only recorded 9 points. Carmine Tukalo hit a long 3 for the Bulldogs and Danny Nittoli notched 4 hard fought points under the rim. The Bulldogs began slow and the Wildcats thought they had set the tone but boy did the Bulldogs have a huge response coming.

 

Poland may have only scored 10 points in the 2nd quarter but those 10 points look fantastic when compared to the 2 points Canton South was able to muster. The 2 points for the visiting Wildcats came from the charity stripe with Poochie Snyder sinking both of his shots. The Poland defense stood very tall and allowed for Tukalo to add another triple along with Andrew Todd’s monstrous three as well. 

 

The low scoring was left to the first half and Poland exploded with offense after the halftime break and put up 22 points to Canton Souths 13. Castle added to his already impressive night with two doubles while the other 9 points all came from beyond the arc. Carmine Tukalo unlocked and unloaded a tsunami of offense with 10 big points all from under the hoop with two of the tallies drawing fouls and allowing him to turn the 2 into 3. Todd continued to impress with two made 3’s and Oliver McCully added 4 points to his total. 

 

The 4th quarter saw a much tighter defensive game from the Wildcats and seemed to do a good job boxing out the Bulldogs but, while it was good, it wasn’t great because Poland still found their way around the traps and put up 18 points to South’s 17. Castle added a triple to end his night with 13 while Kimbrough entered the score sheet again with 5 more points to cap off his night with 16 points. Tukalo continued to amaze with 7 more points to finish off his team leading and game leading 23 point night. As a team Poland went 9 for 11 from the stripe and sealed this game.

 

While Canton South came out sprinting, Poland maintained a steady pace and then made their move near the end and never looked back as they crossed the finish line and advanced to the next round. The Bulldogs will have this big win in their back pocket as they look towards Valley Christian Academy who will try to stop the Bulldogs on March 6th in North Hill in Akron at 7:00PM. 

BOARDMAN PULLS OFF THRILLING ROAD UPSET

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In a heart-stopping battle on the road, Boardman pulled off a stunning upset against Massillon Perry, clinching a nail-biting victory with a final score of 58-57. The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams leaving everything on the court in pursuit of the win.

Leading the charge for Boardman was Terrell McDowell, whose heroic performance included sinking the game-winning shot with just 6 seconds remaining on the clock, sealing the fate of the match. McDowell’s clutch play earned him 18 points on the night, cementing his status as a key player in the team’s success.

Contributing to Boardman’s triumph was Grayson Eicher, who delivered a solid performance with 16 points, showcasing his scoring prowess when it mattered most. Additionally, Nico Holzschuh added 9 points to the scoreboard, demonstrating the team’s depth and resilience.

With this momentum-boosting win, Boardman advances to the next round of the tournament with their sights set on further glory. They are set to face off against Hoban on Saturday at 7:00, where they will look to build upon their recent success and continue their journey towards postseason triumph.