Tag Archive for: High School Girls Basketball

LAKERS SEIZE A SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE FINAL SECONDS

PYMATUNING OH- In a thrilling contest that came down to the wire, Pymatuning Valley seized the opportunity to showcase their prowess on their home court, edging past Poland in a heart-pounding 50-48 victory. The Lakers, buoyed by a raucous home crowd, delivered a performance to remember, capped off by sophomore standout Sadie Paul’s clutch game-winning layup with just 2 seconds remaining on the clock.

Leading the charge for Pymatuning Valley was Zoey Painter, who poured in a staggering 30 points, dominating the offensive end with her scoring prowess. Paul contributed 6 points, while Taryn Tisch also chipped in with 6 points to bolster the Lakers’ attack.

Despite the formidable challenge posed by Poland, led by Sophia Generalovich with 15 points, Leanne Williams with 11 points, and Elliana Thompson with 9 points, Pymatuning Valley remained resilient and composed, ultimately securing the hard-fought victory.

With the win, Pymatuning Valley advances to the District Semifinals, where they will eagerly await the outcome of the Warrensville Heights versus Northwestern matchup. The highly anticipated semifinal clash is scheduled to take place on Wednesday at 6:00 at North Ridgeville High School.

CEVERA SOLIDIFIES HER LEGACY

ASHTABULA OH- In the history of St. John’s rich basketball history, there are few players who have left an indelible mark quite like senior standout Alyssa Cevera. Heralded as a once-in-a-generation talent, Cevera’s remarkable journey on the court has mirrored the rise of St. John’s as a powerhouse in girls’ basketball.

For Cevera, basketball isn’t just a sport; it’s a passion that runs deep within her veins. Throughout her illustrious career, she has epitomized the essence of leadership, determination, and sheer talent, becoming the cornerstone of Herald’s success on the hardwood.

However, Cevera’s journey to greatness was not a solitary one. She followed in the footsteps of her older sister Emily, whose stellar career at St. John set the stage for Alyssa’s own rise to prominence. With Emily’s legacy as an 1000-point scorer at the school serving as both inspiration and motivation, Alyssa was driven to carve out her own path and etch her name into the annals of St. John’s basketball lore.

In January, Cevera achieved a monumental milestone, notching her 1000th career point and cementing her status as one of the program’s all-time greats. Her prolific scoring prowess and unwavering dedication to her craft have propelled St. John to unprecedented heights, establishing her as the program’s all-time leading scorer by season’s end.

As Cevera’s high school career draws to a close, the question of her future at the next level looms large. While the path forward may be uncertain, one thing remains abundantly clear: the invaluable lessons and experiences gained at St. John will serve as a guiding light, empowering Cevera to excel in whatever endeavors lie ahead. Whether she continues her basketball journey or ventures into new arenas, Alyssa Cevera’s legacy as a beacon of excellence at St. John High School will endure, inspiring generations to come.

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KNIGHTS BUST THEIR WAY OUT OF THE SECTIONALS

AKRON OH- In a dominating performance, Hoban cruised to victory in their sectional final clash against Valley Forge on Thursday, securing a resounding 65-12 win. Led by a balanced offensive effort, Hoban left no doubts about their superiority on the court.

Mackenzie Edingburgh showcased her scoring prowess, leading the charge with 14 points, while Devin Harris contributed 10 points to the scoreboard. Makenzie Grant, Finley Kennedy, and Zoey Hodge each added 8 points, demonstrating the team’s depth and versatility.

With this emphatic victory, Hoban punched their ticket to the district semifinals, where they are set to face off against Akron Ellet, seeded 20th. The upcoming showdown promises to be another thrilling encounter, slated to take place at Ravenna High School on Tuesday at 6:00 PM. As they continue their quest for championship glory, Hoban remains focused and determined to extend their winning streak.

RECORDS FALL IN LOUISVILLE RAMPAGE

LOUISVILLE OH- In a Sectional Final matchup that showcased their prowess on both ends of the court, the Louisville delivered a commanding performance to secure a resounding 74-37 victory over Chaney. The win not only propels Louisville to the district round but also ties the program record for the largest margin of victory in a tournament game, highlighting their dominance on the hardwood.

Leading the charge for Louisville was Brooke Haren, whose outstanding performance saw her pour in a game-high 27 points, setting a Louisville tournament game record in the process. Alongside her, Courtney Barwick added 22 points, surpassing her 1000th career point milestone in a memorable fashion. Their combined offensive firepower proved too much for Chaney to handle, as Louisville surged ahead and never looked back.

Contributing to Louisville’s balanced scoring effort was Taylor McCully, who chipped in 7 points to help bolster the team’s offensive output and extend their lead.

With this impressive win under their belts, Louisville now sets their sights on the district semifinals, where they will face off against Mentor on Tuesday at 7:30 at Valley Forge. As they prepare for their upcoming matchup, Louisville celebrates their dominant performance in the Sectional Final while remaining focused on the challenges that lie ahead in their pursuit of postseason success. With their sights set on a deep tournament run, Louisville is poised to continue their winning ways and make a statement on the road to the district title.

Game Photos HERE: https://ysn.smugmug.com/2-22-g-bb-channey-louisville/2-22-g-bb-louisville-channey/105EOS1D

FITCH FINALLY PUNCHES THROUGH TO DISTRICTS

By Ty Bartell 

AUSTINTOWN, OH— The Austintown-Fitch Falcons girls basketball team delivered a commanding performance in the sectional final matchup against the Canton McKinley Bulldogs, securing a resounding 57-35 victory on Thursday night.

In a clash between the Falcons, representing the All American Conference (AAC), and the long-tenured Federal League member Bulldogs from Canton McKinley, Austintown-Fitch emerged as the dominant force.

The Falcons wasted no time asserting their dominance, starting the game with a fast-paced offensive onslaught to seize a double-digit lead by the end of the first quarter, holding a commanding 16-6 advantage over the Bulldogs. Fitch continued their stellar defensive performance in the second quarter, keeping Canton McKinley’s offense at bay while extending their lead with a 14-2 period to hold a commanding 30-8 lead at halftime.

Although the Bulldogs managed to play the game more evenly in the second half, with Fitch holding a narrow 12-11 edge in the third quarter, the Falcons maintained control with a 42-19 lead heading into the final period. Austintown-Fitch then put the finishing touches in the fourth quarter, securing the victory despite Canton McKinley outscoring them 16-15 in the final period.

Player of the Game honors were awarded to both “Ace” Ayla Ray and Rachel Spalding. Ray led all scorers with a game-high 15 points, while Spalding contributed 11 points to help pace the Falcons. On the opposing side, Kylonee Foster led Canton McKinley with 14 points, followed by Sha’Rayia Hall with 9 points.

With the win, Austintown-Fitch improves to a 14-9 record on the season and advances to the Division 1, Region 1, Northeast 1 brackets district semi-final at Massillon Perry, where they will face another pack of Bulldogs in Stow-Munroe Falls (19-5) on Tuesday, February 27th. Canton McKinley concludes their season with a record of 9-14.

For the latest updates on Austintown-Fitch Falcons basketball and more, including live games, scores, stats, and stories, fans can stay tuned to YSN throughout the season.

CHAMPION COMES ALIVE DOWN THE STRETCH TO ADVANCE

WARREN OH- In a thrilling sectional semifinal showdown on Wednesday night, Champion faced off against Cardinal Mooney in a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer. Despite an early deficit, Champion used a late surge to avoid an upset, pulling away to a hard-fought 48-35 win over Cardinal Mooney.

The game began with Cardinal Mooney jumping out to a quick 8-0 lead, catching Champion off guard and putting them in an early hole. However, Champion refused to back down, clawing their way back into the game and narrowing the gap to just one point by halftime. With the game hanging in the balance, Champion kept it close enough in the third quarter for their offense to come alive down the stretch.

Leading the charge for Champion was Bella Meyer, whose outstanding performance saw her pour in a game-high 25 points, providing the offensive spark her team needed to secure the win. On the other side, Sophia Diorio led Cardinal Mooney with 17 points, showcasing her scoring prowess and determination to keep her team in the game.

In the end, it was Champion’s resilience and determination that proved to be the difference maker, as they outscored Cardinal Mooney 21-6 in the fourth quarter to seal the victory and punch their ticket to the sectional final.

With this crucial win under their belts, Champion now sets their sights on the sectional final, where they will face a tough test against Columbiana on Saturday at 1:00. As they prepare for their upcoming matchup, Champion celebrates their hard-fought victory while remaining focused on the challenges that lie ahead in their pursuit of postseason success.

WARRIORS TAKING IT ONE STEP AT A TIME

BELOIT OH- In a highly anticipated tournament matchup, the West Branch High School basketball team wasted no time asserting their dominance on the court as they dispatched Coventry with a commanding 56-18 victory. From the opening tip-off, West Branch showcased their skill and determination, leaving no doubt about their intentions in postseason play.

Leading the charge for West Branch was Sophia Gregory, whose stellar performance saw her rack up an impressive 22 points, setting the tone for her team’s offensive onslaught. Audrey Eaton contributed 11 points, while Chloe Dennison added 7 points to bolster West Branch’s scoring effort and help secure the win.

Defensively, West Branch stifled Coventry’s offense, holding them to just 18 points for the entire game. The team’s tenacity and cohesion on defense proved to be a key factor in their victory, as they effectively shut down their opponents and controlled the pace of the game from start to finish.

With this convincing win, West Branch advances to the sectional final on Saturday with their sights set on further postseason success. Their next challenge will come in the form of Hubbard, whom they will host at 7:00 in what promises to be another thrilling matchup.

 

IRISH FAST OUT OF THE TOURNAMENT GATES

By Matt Maher 

 

YOUNGSTOWN, OH – Some nights are just your night and the fighting Irish came out and brought the pain against a tough Bombers team who, at times, looked very similar in play style and skill to Ursuline but those few glimpses weren’t enough for Kenston to overcome to giant that is Ursuline and the Irish found themselves with a massive 48-29 victory in round 1 of the OHSAA playoffs!

 

Ursuline came out with a fast start in the first and used that momentum to carry them toa 12-7 lead after the frame. The Bombers had two players score in this frame but the one who stood out the most was Morgan Cicero who found 3 points including a made free throw and a gritty 2 through a lot of traffic, she would be the main playmaker for her team as well and showed good ball movement throughout the game. Kennedy Carpenter led by example in this game, with 4 first quarter points she was on her way to a dominant night. Carly Casey found the first triple of the night while Lily Scott went 1-for-2 from the stripe and found 2 more points in the paint.

 

The Bombers played a much more locked down defensive 2nd quarter and ended up outscoring Ursuline 5-4 and only trailed at halftime by 4 points. Cicek added her team’s first three of the night and led her team with 6 points at halftime. Nia Burney and Brooklyn Brown combined for the 4 points for Ursuline both with 2 points within the arc. Ursuline was contributing from all parts of the court and had done a good job of defending against some quick attacks from Kenston, the Irish would also be the benefactors of several turnovers that helped them maintain possession.

 

Ursuline came out off the break energized and ready to rumble and their 13-8 3rd quarter proved that their offense was rejuvenated but their defense still needed some tweaks. Cicek would add 2 more points to her team leading total but couldn’t get past the long arms of Ursuline which was a common theme throughout the night. Carpenter found 5 huge points for her team with two 2’s and 1-of-2 made free throws while Lily Scott smashed a long 3 right through the basket. 

 

Ursuline went into the 4th quarter wanting to leave no doubt that they belong in this playoff tournament and with 8 minutes to prove that they were the better team the Irish pulled together their best offensive frame of the night with 19 points and held Kenston to just 9. Cicek would add another 2 pointer and would finish as the only Bomber in double digits with 10 points. Kennedy Carpenter was pure magic with an impressive 10 points in the quarter she would be the sole leader in points scored with 19 on the night! Meredith Gray found her first 4 points of the tournament while Carly Casey added 3 more points with a double and 1-of-2 made free throws. 

 

Ursuline showed some fantastic bouts of offense throughout the night and used Kennedy Carpenter’s fantastic night to propel them past the Bombers and move on to the next round. Kenston showed good offensive possessions but left many empty due to either overshooting the ball or the Irish defense getting in the way and to be fair Ursuline also had some trouble shooting the ball in this game too but found ways to tighten up their offense and get the job done. The Bombers finish their season in Youngstown with a 8-15 overall record while Ursuline improves to 13-10 overall and gets ready for a huge showdown up in Ashtabula on Saturday when they take on the 3rd seed Edgewood at 7:00PM.

TIGERS MIGHTY ROAR HEARD THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT

By Noah Ricks

 

HOWLAND CENTER, OH – The Howland Lady Tigers were dominant right from the opening tip-off to start postseason play. They would roar to a 78-9 victory over visiting Ravenna in the Sectional Semifinal to advance to the next round.

 

The offense was in sync all night for the Tigers, as they were able to score the game’s first 21 points. Senior leader Alyssa Massucci would pile up 15 of the team’s 29 points in the first quarter, as she would end up leading all scorers with 25. Mia Barrish and Sophia Powell also contributed 8 apiece for the Tigers. All but one player for Howland was able to get on the board throughout the course of the night, with the bench compiling 41 points in total. 

 

Despite being held to single digits, Ravenna showed fight in the fourth, outscoring the Tigers in the final quarter 5-3. Shamyah Henderson led the Ravens with 5 points. Miriyha Sandifer and Abby Schofield each cashed in a bucket to add to the team’s total.

 

Howland (17-6) advances to the Sectional Final, where they will welcome Tallmadge on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is slated for 1:00 P.M. as the Tigers seek their third consecutive Sectional title. Ravenna closes their season with a 4-19 mark.

 

You can watch interviews with Howland head coach Aaron Pounds and YSN Live Player of the Game Alyssa Massucci below.

VASJ UNDOES UNITED’S SEASON

HANOVERTON OH- In a highly anticipated tournament matchup, United basketball team saw their hot start unravel as they fell to visiting VASJ with a final score of 57-43. Despite jumping out to an early lead of 15-6 after the first quarter, United struggled to maintain their momentum as VASJ mounted a comeback and ultimately secured the victory.

Leading the scoring effort for United was Addy Blazer, who contributed 14 points in a valiant effort to keep her team in the game. Grayson Kidder added 9 points, while Grace Knight and Katie Dees each chipped in 8 points to bolster United’s offensive output.

Despite their best efforts, United was unable to contain VASJ’s relentless attack, as they fell short in their quest for postseason success. With the loss, United concludes their season with a commendable record of 15-8, with plenty of highlights and memorable moments along the way.

As for VASJ, their victory propels them to the next round of the tournament, where they will travel to face South Range on Saturday.