KINSMAN, OHIO- The high flying Badger Braves were back in action tonight at home taking on the visiting Champion Golden Flashes.
It was a full crowd tonight and the Braves had special uniforms on as they were representing autism awareness. The Braves immediately went to work with a 12-0 run to start the game. The Golden Flashes chipped away during the second quarter scoring 14 points as they trailed at halftime 35-18.
The Braves were led again tonight by Duncan Moy, who dropped 24 points tonight along with 2 powerful dunks. The Braves also had help from the “Magic Man”, Cole Burnett, who dropped 18 points on his way to a double-double night.
The Golden Flashes were led by Joey Fell, who was doing it all for the flashes tonight, scoring 13 points and as well as making multiple steals on defense. In the end Fell and the Golden Flashes fell tonight to the Braves 72-47.
The 8-0 Badger Braves team will be back in action Friday night against the St. Thomas Aquinas Knights and the 0-7 Goldens flashes will try and pick up their first win of the season against the Bristol Panthers at home on Friday.
*Contributed By YSN’s Matt Morrison
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/9J7A4921-scaled-e1672259311601.jpeg12792156Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2022-12-28 05:41:482022-12-28 05:41:48BADGER LOSES NO OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER OVER CHRISTMAS BREAK
Alliance OH- The West branch boys traveled 7 miles west to participate in the Mount Union Christmas Classic. The Warriors traditionally play in this Christmas Classic every season, and this year their matchup featured the Fairless Falcons.The Warriors walked away with a 50-30 victory and improved to 3-2 on the season.
West Branch started off strong defensively only giving up just ten points at the half. The offense in the first half wasn’t all that great, but it didn’t have to be because the defense was playing spectacularly. The offense picked up in the second half and Senior Thomas Egli had a large part to do with that. He had 13 points to go along with 15 rebounds. Egli used his size to dominate the boards playing against a smaller Fairless team.
Warrior guard Jaxon Robb also had a solid game with 9 points. He knocked down a couple of three pointers. Cooper Anderson added 7 points, while Joey Jackson and Jeremiah Thomas added 6 points. Once again, Thomas played well both offensively and defensively as he was able to collect a number of assists and steals.
Fairless struggled to find any offense as they only scored 34 points in the game. Fairless was without a couple of key players in the game for unknown reasons. Luke Schlabach led the way for Fairless with 12 points, knocking down four three pointers. Carson Colucci helped out with 6 points for the Falcons.
West Branch will travel to Canfield on the 27th to take on a tough Cardinals team. The Warriors are 3-0 in non conference games but are 0-2 inside the EBC. Fairless drops to 3-5 with the loss and will head back home for a matchup against East Canton on Dec.30th.
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/3EECC4B8-D912-4088-96C6-16808456DCD8-scaled-1.jpeg16372560Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2022-12-23 17:42:092022-12-23 17:42:09MOUNT UNION KIND TO THE WARRIORS
NORTH JACKSON,OHIO- The Badger Braves traveled to Jackson-Milton to take on the Blue Jays on Thursday night.
The Braves were led as usual by Duncan Moy and Brad Hamilton. Hamilton had a stellar night from the 3 point line as he hit 5 three pointers and finished the game with 21 points. Moy dropped 30 points, which included 3 dunks near the end of regulation. The Braves also had help from talented freshman, Lewis Flowers, who had 11 points and made some great defensive plays.
The Blue Jays were led by Aaren and Ryen Romigh. The Romigh brothers combined for 28 points and along with 6 three pointers made by Aaron Romigh.The valiant effort by the Romigh brothers was not enough as the Braves defeated the Blue Jays 78-39.
*Contributed By YSN’s Matt Morrison
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Badger-Braves-ball.png720960Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2022-12-23 17:30:412022-12-23 17:30:41BRAVES OFFENSE STILL DAZZLING
The Waterloo Vikings were able to capture a conference win on Friday, December 16th against McDonald. In doing so, it kept them within one game of conference leader, The Lowellville Rockets. Trying to keep pace with Lowellville, Waterloo welcomed in The Sebring Trojans Tuesday night. After The Vikings dropped their first conference game against Western Reserve, Waterloo Head Coach Jason Wise stressed the importance of winning home conference games to his team. On the other side, Trojans Coach Lee Knepp is back as the skipper of Sebring and the foundation has been set for the younger players.
The first quarter saw some good back-and-forth between the two programs. Waterloo was finding some success from distance, allowing them to take a 14-10 lead after the first eight minutes. The second quarter kept the same pace until Waterloo ended the half on a 10-0 run to give them a 12 point lead at halftime. From that run, The Vikings saw only blue skies ahead, as they did not relinquish the lead again. Outscoring The Trojans 27-13 in the second half to win the ballgame 54-38.
Anthony Podojil was the Player of the Game with his performance, scoring 21 points on the evening, and was the motor behind some big Viking runs that helped Waterloo clinch another victory. Interviews with both Podojil as well as Head Coach Jason Wise can be found below.
Following the win, Waterloo (4-2) will travel to Leetonia (0-8) in a battle with The Bears. As for Sebring (1-5) they will look to get back to winning ways, as they will return home to host The Fighting Herald of Ashtabula St. John (1-3). Both Waterloo and Sebring will wait till after the holiday to return to action, as both teams next games are slated for Tuesday, December 27th.
Liberty and Brookfield have become unlikely rivals over the last few years so a difference in records meant nothing going into their December matchup this past Tuesday night. Brookfield came in (4-1) after running the table against an easy slate of games to begin the year. Liberty on the other hand were (1-5) after being handed one of the most difficult schedules of the season.
Brookfield got the night started out well as they went on a little run to create some separation from the Leopards, but before they could blink the Leopards turned on the jets and created a handful of turnovers to take the lead 16-12 after the first quarter.
However, it was the Warriors who would take control going into the glad as Matteo Fortuna, Xzavier Witherow, and Donovan Pawlowski combined for 24-points in the first half to take a 30-29 lead into the halftime break. The Leopards were playing well as Evan Bates and Silas Robinson had a combined 19-points in the first half, but the rest of the team was struggling to find a rhythm.
Tempers would heat up out of the break as both of these teams were trying everything they could to pull away from their opponent, but neither could do it. As a result, these two teams got into a physical back and forth brawl that led to them exchanging the lead more than six times in the third quarter. Liberty would take the lead into the final quarter 48-44 over the Warriors.
The final quarter was closer than the final score would lead one to believe as the game ended with Liberty at the free throw line to stretch what was a five-point lead into an eleven-point victory. Brookfield had phenomenal efforts from Fortuna and Pawlowski who combined for 45-points in total Tuesday night.
Liberty’s upset of Brookfield was just their second win of the season as they totaled a season high 73-points behind a 27-point game from Evan Bates who took home player of the game honors. Liberty is back in action on Wednesday night as they travel back to Youngstown to visit East High School. Brookfield will look to get back to their winning ways on the road against Maplewood on Thursday.
*Contributed By YSN’s Alek Koberna
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/9B3364A3-5BC0-40A7-8A03-E9C0DFF3DEF7-scaled-1.jpeg13472560Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2022-12-21 20:19:202022-12-21 20:19:20DON’T SLEEP ON THE LEOPARDS
Since 2006, Niles has only one once against the Poland Bulldogs, coming in 2019. The Red Dragons under coach Doug Foster were looking for their fifth win of the season, but a fast first half slowly turned into a struggle second half with the Bulldogs pulling away and never looking back, winning by the final score of 50 to 37.
On Poland’s side it was JP Genova finishing with a high of 15 points and was followed by another double digit scorer in Noah Huda who had 10 points. Both Andrew Todd and Carson Maurer finished with a combined 10, six points for Danny Nittoli and two points for Luke Generalovich.
On Niles, they got off to a hot nine point run but fell. Sam Perrone finished with 13 points, never missing from the corner and Anthony Budak finished with 11 points. Robert Strickland finished with five points, Keyshon Talley with four and a combined four points for Stefon Dorsey and Matt Kozak. Niles will host the Mineral Ridge Rams after the break, while Poland will get ready after the break for the battle of 224 basketball edition against the Canfield Cardinals.
After the game, Ian O’Brien caught up with coach Eric Fender and player of the game JP Genova about the game and what to expect next.
*Contributed by YSNs Ian O’Brien*
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2C260D87-7A62-4D29-BBA1-E4810D347A27.jpeg10621976Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2022-12-21 19:07:192022-12-21 19:07:19POLAND’S DOMINANCE OF THE DRAGONS CONTINUES
BERLIN CENTER OH- The MVAC never shies away from putting on a show. Tuesday night was no exception as Western Reserve welcomed in Mineral Ridge for a big conference bout. Western Reserve would jump out to a big lead early, leading by as much as 10 in the first half. Mineral Ridge however would quickly make a game out of it, and would never go away after that. Fast forward to the final second of the game, with a one point lead 58-57 Western Reserve drew up a great inbound play to get Joe Serensky loose in the back court. He made a layup, got fouled and completed the three point play to seal a 61-57 win.
Srensky led the Blue Devils with an impressive 19 points. Luke Henning was also in double figures for Reserve finishing with 16 points. Luke Ramsey was able to chip in an important 11.
Mineral Ridge was paced by Jon Rozzi who finished with 18 points. Tristan Valley also got himself in double figures with 11 points. Trey Rigley contributed 9 points for the Rams.
Western Reserve hits the road on Friday for a non conference matchup with Leetonia. Mineral Ridge will be off until after Christmas as they return to the court Tuesday December 27 against Niles.
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/4AF58BD4-E40C-4E89-9967-D419B97C74ED.jpeg11851909Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2022-12-21 03:49:052022-12-21 03:49:05WESTERN RESERVE MAKES CLUTCH PLAYS TO GRAB VICTORY
In a rematch between two programs filled with great athletes, The Austintown-Fitch Falcons welcomed in The Massillon-Washington Tigers on Friday night! The last time the two schools squared off was back on September 23rd on the gridiron. The Tigers came away with a victory that night 49-28. Approximately 84 days later, the two schools met on the hardwood.
Consisting in a fair amount of back and forth scoring throughout the first half, Chris Knight of The Tigers, was a deadeye from distance, nailing down three triples in the first half alone! Washington’s Eli Farrington also established his presence from all areas of the court, impressively working from the inside, from the block to the elbow, eventually finding his shot from 20 feet out! The Falcons had a response, in the form of Gianni Maley and his mid-range shot that was, quite simply, unstoppable! While Maley had a great night scoring, he also was the motor for Fitch’s offense as the senior primarily handled the ball and distributed it nicely, ensuring the ball was always moving. The efforts from Maley in the first half enabled Austintown to cut their deficit by halftime, with Massillon leading 28-24.
Fitch utilized defense to dictate the tone to start the second half. Using their deepest bench of the season yet, The Falcons rotated eight players, consistently, throughout the night with all of them seeing significant time in the second half of play. Outscoring The Tigers 16-10 in the third quarter, Austintown made good on the turnovers they were able to force with fastbreak scores that spearheaded the comeback push in the second 16 minutes.
Having to deal with foul trouble to start the fourth quarter, Fitch had Massillon on the cusp of the single bonus to start the fourth. Also, The Falcons freshmen big Allen Hill, who was having a productive defensive night, fouled out in the final quarter of play. However, a combined effort from Cecil Fidram, who was called on to start the game and Cam Jaros, who both stepped up on the defensive end, as well as the rebounding department.
During crunch time, in the final minutes of the fourth, Marcel Finkley showed why he is a cold man! With ice in his veins, confidence in his heart and determination in his eyes, Finkley found the bottom of the net to put Fitch up 48-47! The Falcons defense came up big once again, forcing a turnover and subsequently forcing Washington to send Austintown to the free-throw stripe.
That is when Carter Owens was tasked with salting the game away. “The Perfect 10” had the perfect release, twice, on the 1-and-1 opportunity. Thus giving Fitch a little breathing room, leading 50-47 with 2.4 ticks left in the game. One final defensive stop from The Falcons was all that was needed as they prevented The Tigers from taking a game-tying shot to walk away with the slim three point win!
The win sends Fitch (4-1) to game three of a brutal five game stretch. As they will head to Canton GlenOak (5-0) on Tuesday, December 20th. Interviews with Gianni Maley, Marcel Finkley and Head Coach Brian Beany can be found below!
Scoring (Austintown)
Gianni Maley: 21 PTS.
Marcel Finkley: 14 PTS.
Carter Owens: 6 PTS.
Trevor Fidram: 5 PTS.
Allen Hill: 4 PTS.
Scoring (Massillon)
Eli Farrington: 23 PTS.
Chris Knight: 19 PTS.
Carlen Greene: 3 PTS.
Drew Stitt: 2 PTS.
Scoring by Quarter
Q1: Fitch 8 – 7 Massillon
Q2: Fitch 16 – 20 Massillon
Q3: Fitch 16 – 10 Massillon
Q4: Fitch 10 – 9 Massillon
Final: Fitch 50 – 47 Massillon
*Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/21D0D59B-2F48-49FA-8CE3-14FFDB1C37E5-scaled-1.jpeg16092560Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2022-12-18 04:22:112022-12-18 04:22:11FITCH FINDS A WAY
NILES OH- One point in the game, you’re nearly up by 30 points with the momentum on your side. Then next thing you know, a scare happens and your opponent comes soaring back. That is what happened in this Northeastern 8 classic rivalry at the Veterans Memorial Gymnasium between the Niles McKinley Red Dragons and the Struthers Wildcats. The first half was all Niles making shot after shot, barely missing a beat while Struthers could not score on offense nor make a defensive stop. What helped too was the technical fouls on Struthers that led to Sam Perrone free throws.
However the second half was a different story. Niles could not score as Struthers was guarding the paint. For the most part, it was that defense that coach Wernicki used back when he was the assistant at YSU. The Wildcats were led by Nick Delgratta who finished with an impressive 35 points, half of those in the second half. Rocco Garchar would put up 10 points for the Wildcats, with Chance Laczko scoring nine. A combined six points would be made then by Nico Farina who was the cause of the technicals, Austin McCullough, and Sincere Miller. Brady Clyde who fouled out late finished with two.
Almost the whole squad on the Red Dragons side scored in double digits. Even with foul trouble, Doug Foster’s squad never backed down. Sam Perrone scored 15 points, 14 points for Keuyshon Talley, combined 36 points for Anthony Budak, Stefon Dorsey, and Robert Strickland. Matt Kozak did foul out but had six points and a free throw for Alex Fernandez. Niles would hang on to win 72 to 62. After the game, Ian O’Brien caught up with coach Foster and Sam Perrone.
*Contributed by YSNs Ian O’Brien*
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/7EEA2FD0-C6F6-4118-A789-C910FEFDD92B-scaled-1.jpeg15772560Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2022-12-18 04:07:052022-12-18 04:07:05NILES PUTS AWAY THE WILDCATS
YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO- The Canfield Cardinals traveled to Cardinal Mooney to take on the Cardinals. In the first both offensive side struggled to produce as the score at halftime was just 13-10 Mooney lead. After both teams just scored 6 points in the 3rd quarter, the 4th quarter is when Mooney heated up. Mooney scored 18 points in the 4th quarter, led by Ashton O’Brien who led the way with 16 points.
Jake Schneider and Ben Weaver both had a productive night, each scoring 9 points but it wasn’t enough as the Canfield Cardinals fall to the Cardinal Mooney Cardinals 39-29.
Mooney will look ro be back in the win column again when they face off against Urban Scholars tomorrow night. Canfield will look to get back on track against Marlington on Monday.
*Contributed By YSN’s Matt Morrison
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/FAC3C754-CBC2-4F73-B5AC-DA1D75DB5771-scaled-1.jpeg16572560Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2022-12-18 03:55:132022-12-18 03:55:13MOONEY DEFENSE STEALS A VICTORY
