Tag Archive for: High school basketball

HOWLAND TAKES BATTLE OF THE TIGERS

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HOWLAND, OH – The Howland Tigers boys’ basketball team needed a signature win on Tuesday to start their home schedule. They would answer that call when they took on the Newton Falls. Howland used a 31-14 second-half (including a 19-6 third quarter) to take down the visiting Tigers by a score of 55-40. Coach Dan Bubon was happy with the way his team adjusted in the final sixteen minutes.

 

“We started making some shots,” he said. “In the first half, I thought we played, [but] we missed a lot of easy shots, and our defense actually got better. To hold that team to 40 points is a real testament to our defense. We gave up 26 points in the first half, which is not a lot, but, man the second half, we really shut them down and kind of wore them out, I thought, so it was a nice win.”

 

The host Tigers were not without their struggles, especially in the first half. Leading 24-18, Newton Falls went on an 8-0 run to close out the second stanza, all thanks to decent shooting from deep, in which they got seven three-pointers on the night. Bubon used the halftime break to make necessary adjustments and keep his guys focused.

 

“[I told them] to relax, because you can’t play offense if you’re tensed up and nervous. I thought on offense we passed up a lot of opportunities in transition. We weren’t sure if we were supposed to shoot, or pass, or what. I told them to relax and play and take the shots when they’re there and I kind of calmed us down. We’ve had a hard time finishing halves so far.”

 

Howland had a well-balanced attack with four players scoring in double figures: John Perry (15 points, seven rebounds), Alex Henry (14 points, three rebounds), Ben Bronson (12 points, one rebound), and Brandon Null (10 points, two rebounds). They also crashed the boards on defense, an aspect that was vital as Howland outrebounded Falls 17-14. Bubon likes how this is benefiting the team as a whole in the long run.

 

“[It’s] great, honestly great. It’s the second game in a row. Last game, we had four in double figures, and one with eight, so almost five in double figures. Four more today is great.”

 

Howland, with the win, will start their season 3-0 for the second year in a row. They will now have a big challenge heading their way on Friday when they welcome the Chaney Cowboys to town. The Cowboys gave the Tigers their first loss last season when they won 55-35 down in Chaney. Coach Bubon and his team will take on the challenge as he says that this is the one team that always has their number.

 

“They’re very good. They’ve been District Champs multiple times lately. They’ve had our number. Last year, we played them tough for a half, and then in the second half, they pulled away from us, so the kids know it’s a big game. They [Chaney] were District Champs last year, we were District Finalists last year, so if we want to get to their level, these are the teams that you’re going to have to start beating. They’re one of the few in the area that we haven’t beaten in the last few years. I think every other team around, I think Chaney and Boardman are the only two that we haven’t beaten at least once, so it’s a good challenge, and will let us know right where we’re at, and we’re looking forward to it.”

 

Newton Falls will drop their first game of the year as they drop to 4-1 on the year. They were led by Mac Haidet’s 13 points (including three threes and one rebound) while Dom Greathouse trailed with 10 points. They will take a 10-day break before trying to get back in the column on December 16th at Champion.

 

YSN’s Noah Ricks spoke with Howland head coach Dan Bubon following Tuesday’s contest. You can watch the full interview below.

*Contributed By YSN’s Noah Ricks

SALEM VICTORIOUS IN THE JUNGLE

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NEW MIDDLETOWN, Ohio –

Salem junior, Trent Fink, started the game off with his highest scoring quarter of the night, dropping 10 points in the first to pace the Quakers highest scoring period at 20. Springfield took a more balanced approached to start the game, having 6 different Tigers combine for an opening 14 points.

In the second quarter, the Quakers would dominate early gaining a lead as many as 16 points, before the Tigers would close the gap back down to 6. Another short Salem run would send the score into the break with the Quakers ahead by 10, 35-25.

Smothering defense and shots from long range was the story throughout the third quarter for Salem, allowing the Quakers to take a 14-pointlead into the final stanza. Fink would connect on two shots from deep in the quarter and Caden Swiger nailed a fadeaway three at the buzzer.

Down but not out, the Tigers came roaring back in the final period. Led by monster efforts from Dylan Sheely, Aiden Appel, and Seandell Gardner,the trio combined for all 22 of the Tigers’ fourth quarter points. Springfield was able to cut the Quaker lead from 14 all the way to a tie ball game with less than 3 minutes to play.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, the push to draw even would prove to be too much, as the Quakers would escape New Middletown with a victory, 63-59.

LEADING SCORERS –

SPRINGFIELD:

Dylan Sheely – 13 points

Seandelle Gardner – 11 points

Sean Guerreiro – 9 points

Aiden Appel – 7 points

SALEM:

Trent Fink – 25 points

Lance Bailey – 19 points

Caden Swiger – 8 points

Springfield– Already matching their loss total from last season at two, the Tigers will face their first road test of the season this coming Friday in Columbiana, against the Crestview Rebels (1-1). Since 2007, the Tigers hold a 23-1 record against Crestview. The last Rebel win came back in 2010.

Salem – After bouncing back from their losing effort against Alliance, the Quakers will finally have their first home game on the young season this Friday, in a bout with the Minerva Lions (1-1). The Quakers have won the last 5 matchups in a row.

*Contributed By YSN’s Jamie Thomson

WARRIORS ARE TOO SHARP TO HANDLE

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BROOKFIELD, OHIO- The Brookfield Warriors defended their home court tonight against a team just across the state line, the Sharpsville Blue Devils. The warriors fell behind qucikly to the fast paced blue devils offense and trailed by as much twelve points.

The warriors recovered during the second half and made a huge comeback. Matteo Fortuna and Isaiah Jones both had 16 points and Donovan Pawlowski chimed in 15 points. Jones attacked the interior of the blue devils defense, which included a breakaway dunk which changed momentum for the warriors as the defeated the blue devils 55-49.

The Warriors will be back in action on the road against the Mineral Ridge Rams next Friday.

 

*Contributed By YSN’s Matt Morrison

 

 

CARDINALS UP FOR THE TASK

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BOARDMAN, OH- Basketball season is underway as we are already seeing some big comebacks, like the one in Boardman as the Spartans hosted Cardinal Mooney Friday night. Boardman got the better start, but Mooney turned the tide as the first half came to an end. The momentum swing carried over into the second half as the Cardinals roared back in the third and stood tall in the fourth to come away with a 47-38 victory over the Spartans.
It seemed as if Boardman would be the better team from the start as Mooney was just behind cutting the lead various times within the first half. In the second, Mooney slowly turned the notch up and ended the first half with a buzzer beater to tie it up at 21 going into halftime. To start the second half, the roles reversed as Mooney came out and used the momentum to get a lead and Boardman was fighting to cut the deficit. The Mooney offense turned out to be too much for the Spartans in the fourth quarter as the Cardinals extended their lead out of the reach of Boardman.
For Mooney, Rocco Turner led the way with 14 points. Nick Pregibon added 11 for the Cardinals on the night.
For Boardman, David D’Altorio led the way with 14 points of his own.
Looking ahead, Mooney will be back in action at home Tuesday night as they will host Urban Academy. For Boardman, they will also be back in action Tuesday night as they go on the road and will travel to Hickory.

*Contributed By YSN’s Brendan Miller

LISBON GETS POSITIVE START TO CONFERENCE PLAY

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EAST PALESTINE, OH- In EOAC play Friday night, the Lisbon Blue Devils traveled to East Palestine to take on the Bulldogs. Lisbon controlled the majority of the game, but in the second half, East Palestine looked to make a comeback by capitalizing on some mistakes made by Lisbon. Ultimately, the Bulldogs would not be able to find a way back as the Blue Devils came away with a 49-39 victory.

Lisbon’s all around team play and scoring got the better of the Bulldogs overall. The Blue Devils were able to keep the Bulldogs to 10 points or under in each quarter. That eventually led to more scoring opportunities for Lisbon. Scoring 13 and 14 points in the 3rd and 4th quarters respectively helped the Blue Devils extend their distance from a hungry Bulldogs team.

For the Blue Devils, Logan Stauffer led the way with 19 points and 7 Rebounds. Luke Kraft finished with 10 points, and Trevor Siefke added 10 points and 5 assists.

For the Bulldogs, Weston Jones led the way with 17 points. Payton Elliot added 8 points, and Ryan Rosen contributed 6 on the night.

Looking ahead, Lisbon will be back home Tuesday night to host Columbiana. For East Palestine, the Bulldogs will also be back in action Tuesday night as they will travel to Valley Christian.

*Contributed By YSN’s Brendan Miller.

POTTERS CRUISE TO RIVALRY VICTORY

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​​EAST LIVERPOOL, OH- As we roll into basketball season, season-openers are always the best part to see who is going up against who to kick off the season. In this particular matchup between the East Liverpool Potters and the Beaver Local Beavers, the stakes were even higher between the two bitter rivals. The Potters traveled to Beaver Local on Friday night looking to make a statement, and what a statement they made. With a whole new look on the floor, the Potters had huge contributions from everyone. The Beaver would find a way to  cut the Potters leads multiple times, but turnovers and hot shooting from the Potters put a dagger in the comeback for the Beavers. East Liverpool would eventually walk away with a victory in the big season-opener on the road, 75-49.

The first half was full of back and forth runs for both squads. The Potters got out to a quick start, but the Beavers shut that down and ended the first quarter down by just 2 points. The second quarter was not much different, East Liverpool quickly went up 28-13 within the first few minutes of the second quarter. Again, the Beavers did not back down as they eventually cut the Potters lead down to 9 points, going into halftime with a 38-29 score.  In the second half, it was all Potters. The defensive shut down by East Liverpool to start the third quarter was the momentum swing the Potters needed. A 15-0 run and a 16-point lead helped the Potters extend their momentum into the fourth as the shooters for East Liverpool eventually locked this game up by knocking down a total of 11 threes on the night.

For the Potters, Marquise Glenn led the way with 24 points. Preston Kerr and Cohen Pease both finished with 11. Malachi Reed added 9 points on the night.

For the Beavers, Austin Cline and Owen Bzinak both led the way with 13 points on the night. Evan Stephenson contributed 10. 

Looking ahead, East Liverpool will play in the Lincoln Park Tournament Sunday, taking on Ambridge. Beaver Local will be back in action Tuesday night as they will travel to Harrison Central.

*Contributed By YSN’s Brendan Miller

HARDING DASHES PAST LIBERTY

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LIBERTY OH- Liberty continued their hard opening slate of games as following a tight loss to Cardinal Mooney earlier this week the Leopards played host to the Warren G. Harding Raiders on Friday night. The night belonged to the Raiders from start to finish as every shot they took seemed to find the mark for the majority of the game. It was a perfect night as every play that was drawn up created an opening for Warren.

After the first quarter it was clear that it would not be a game that Liberty was going to want to remember as they trailed 17-6, which included an 11-0 run to start the quarter. Harding continued to increase their lead in the second quarter as they pushed themselves out to a 37-9 lead going into the half thanks to a phenomenal effort from Patien Stevenson.

The Raiders forced a running clock in the second half as they took home a 64-27 victory over the Leopards who drop to (0-2) to start the season. Liberty will look to bounce back on the road on Tuesday against Lakeview before they return home on Friday to play host to Hoban.

*Contributed By YSN’s Alek Koberna

QUAKERS NAIL DOWN NILES

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NILES OH- Both teams suffered from losing seasons last year and were looking to bounce back in 2022, but only one would come out on top on Tuesday.  After a close first half which saw the Quakers only leading the Red Dragons by four, the tables would turn in the second half as Salem went on a three point streak winning by the final of 78-64. 

 

For coach Andres’ team, the leader was Caden Swiger who showed swagger on the court, dropping 23 points.  The next to lead the pack was Camden Sampson with 17, Trent Fink with 12, Lance Bailey scoring nine points, eight for Ross Davidson and six for sophomore Evan Jones.  Swiger and Sampson were dangerous behind the arc with Sampson hitting two in the fourth.  For Niles, Sam Perrone got the first points on the board during their opening 7-0 run, but soon collapsed in the second half.  Perrone finished with 16 points.  Stefon Dorsey finished with 12 points after being banged up in the later part of the game, Robert Strickland scored 12 points and Anthony Budak, the Olmstead Transfer and Niles quarterback studied up his basketball game and scored 13 off the bench.  

 

Salem will travel to their neighbors in Alliance on Friday, while Niles will host Champion on Friday at the Memorial Gymnasium.  After the game, Ian O’Brien caught up with coach Jeff Andres to talk about the big performance and what to expect against Alliance. 

 

*Contributed by YSNs Ian O’Brien*

A MILESTONE MOMENT TO START THE YEAR

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LOWELLVILLE OH- The start of a new season is always exciting. However in Lowellville the adrenaline was pushed to the max as Vinny Ballone went for 1,000 career points. The future Rocket hall of famed needed 14 points coming in to the night to seal the deal. He doubled that goal finishing with 28 in the Rockets 67-45 win over Crestview.

At halftime, Ballone went to the locker room with 13 points knowing his next bucket would be a special one. He didn’t have to wait too long as his next shot came to start the third quarter.  Ballone is now the 14th Rocket in the basketball program (boys and girls) to eclipse 1,000 points.

Lowellville is off until next week when they travel to Southeast. Crestview is back in action on Friday at Jackson Milton.

MOONEY GETS DRAMA FROM THE JUMP

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LIBERTY OH- Cardinal Mooney and the Leopards faced off in Liberty to start the season Tuesday night. Mooney comes into the year having won the district championship in each of the last two seasons. The Leopards were eliminated by Cardinal Mooney at home last season in the district semifinals. Each team had to replace a number of key players from a year ago as Mooney brought up five guys to the varsity program and Liberty brought up eight new players.

The lack of experience was evident early on in this one as neither team had much of a shooting rhythm in the first quarter as a tight defensive battle gave way to a 6-5 Mooney lead heading into the first break of the night. However, after such a slow start each team began to click as we reached the halfway point of the night as Nick Pregibon for Mooney led all scorers going into halftime with 8-points and for a few minutes had taken over the Cardinals offense. But the Leopards would not be denied from distance as they cashed in on five threes from Silas Robinson, Bra‘Sean Black, and Dearmani Franklin in the second quarter to take a 22-15 lead into the break.

With fresh legs and a revamped defensive scheme Mooney was able to retake control of the game out of the halftime break as Jibri Carter and Rocco Turner finally hit a switch after combining for just 3-points in the first half as they drained shot after shot. The Leopards went a little chilly from range in the third and that allowed Mooney to sneak right back in. They went into the fourth quarter in a 1-point game thanks to a buzzer beater three from Carter 34-33 with the Leopards still out in front. Both teams gave it their all in the final quarter of play as Kalen Turner got hot from deep. But the defending district champions would not be denied a win to start the season as they were able to hit clutch shots in the late stages and near perfect free throw shooting put them in position to win despite a late Leopards push.

Mooney took home the season opening win 47-43 over the Leopards who drop to (0-1) on the season. Both teams will look to continue to build the chemistry with their younger teams as the season rolls on as Mooney will stay on the road as they visit Boardman this Friday, and the Leopards will remain at home to host the Warren G. Harding Raiders on Friday. Player of the game went to Jibri Carter as he finished the game second on the team in points with 11 and was given the award for his outstanding shooting down the stretch that flipped the momentum away from the Leopards and gave his team all that they needed to take home the win. Rocco Turner led Mooney with 13 points and Kalen Turner led all scorers with 14 points.

*Contributed By YSN’s Alek Koberna