Tag Archive for: Howland

SENIOR NIGHT BRINGS VICTORY FOR WEST BRANCH

BELOIT OH- West Branch found themselves in another defensive grind Monday night but did just enough to pull out a 39-32 win over Howland. The victory was even sweeter as the Warriors celebrated their seniors.

Audrey Eaton led the charge with 10 points, while Mati Hawk knocked down three triples on her way to 9. Hallie Vie Burton also chipped in 9 as West Branch found key buckets when they needed them.

With the regular season in the books, the Warriors now turn their focus to the postseason, hosting East Tech on Saturday. Howland also kicks off tournament play that night, welcoming Bay Village Bay.

THOMAS TAKES THE POINT

HOWLAND, OH – The Howland girls basketball team is turning heads this season, driven by the impressive performance of its rising star sophomore, Mia Thomas. Known for her poise and leadership on the court, Thomas has embraced her role as the team’s point guard, a position that comes with significant responsibility.

In a recent interview with Anthony Hartwig on YSN, Thomas shared her journey of growth and her excitement for the future of Howland girls basketball. “From the start of the summer, we knew it was going to be tough because we graduated five starters,” Thomas noted. She credited Coach Pounds for placing trust in her and her teammates, which has helped her step confidently into her role, despite being one of the youngest players on the team. Thomas describes her team’s dynamic as close-knit and resilient. Despite challenges early in the season, the team has found its rhythm, thanks in part to its cohesive spirit. “We all just work 10 times harder each day because we don’t have the oldest team. It’s hard to compete with older teams, but we’re pushing for each other,” Thomas explained.

Off the court, Thomas balances her academic life, expressing a particular interest in English and history while admitting that mathematics isn’t her favorite subject. She highlights the unwavering support of her family and the inspiration she draws from her grandfather, a former Clemson basketball player. This familial guidance propels her motivation and work ethic both in sports and in life. As Thomas continues to hone her skills, she remains focused on enjoying the game and building a legacy with her fellow underclassmen. With her leadership and determination, the future looks promising for Mia Thomas and the Howland Tigers.

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SHE VILLWOCK YOU

HOWLAND, OH – As the Howland High School girls basketball team concludes another promising season, senior Rylie Villwock reflects on her journey and leadership alongside her fellow senior, Sophia. In a recent interview with YSN’s Anthony Hartwig, Villwock detailed her experience as one of the team’s key leaders, sharing insights into her growth both on and off the court.

With only two seniors in the team this year, Villwock acknowledged the significant leadership responsibilities she and Sophia had to shoulder. “We knew we would both have to take on a huge responsibility,” Villwock explained, emphasizing the tight-knit bond and friendships within the team that made their leadership role more manageable. She further described her leadership style, noting, “I push the girls every day in practice… I just like to push the girls to practice so we can get [to] full potential.” Villwock also spotlighted the young players who are set to carry the torch after her departure, naming sophomores Mia Thomas, Mike Banzik, Tegan Bell, and Abby Henry as future leaders. Looking to the future, she hopes these teammates will remember her for pushing them in practice and always being there for them.

As she prepares to graduate, Villwock expresses her gratitude for the trust and guidance of Coach Pounds, who has been pivotal in boosting her confidence throughout her high school career. “He puts a lot of trust into me and Sophia… It means a lot because we feel like we have a say in what happens,” she shared. Outside of basketball, Rylie Villwock has exciting plans to attend Ohio State University and major in business. Inspired by her family’s background in insurance, she looks forward to possibly continuing the legacy by entering that field. “My dad owns an insurance business, so I’ve been around that my whole life,” Villwock noted, describing her career aspirations.

Looking back at her high school years, Villwock beams with pride at her accomplishments, both academically and athletically, and appreciates the unwavering support of her family, friends, and teammates. “I don’t remember the last time my parents have missed a game,” she remarked with gratitude. Villwock’s journey may be reaching a close at Howland, but her impact on the basketball court and her team will be lasting. As she paves her way into the next chapter, all eyes are on this promising student and athlete, eagerly anticipating what she’ll achieve next.

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THE POWER OF POWELL

WARREN OH- Howland’s girls basketball team faced a season of transition, but senior captain Sophia Powell rose to the challenge, showcasing resilience and leadership. In an exclusive interview with YSN, Sophia shared her journey with host Anthony Hartwig, reflecting on her vital role alongside her fellow senior, Riley Vilwalk, in guiding a youthful squad.

“We definitely knew going into it that it was going to be hard because there are only two of us,” Sophia acknowledged about stepping into a leadership position. Despite initial setbacks, including her early-season back injury, she and her team maintained focus and positivity. “In practice, we continued to go hard and push each other, and I think that we knew it would pay off,” she said with determination. Sophia highlighted the invaluable trust placed in her by Coach Pounds, empowering her and Riley to guide and mentor their teammates actively. “He always comes to us first, like with anything on the team, and he always makes sure we have a say in what we’re doing,” she noted, demonstrating the supportive environment fostered by the coaching staff.

Reflecting on her senior night emotions, Sophia expressed both pride and nostalgia, acknowledging her long basketball journey from fourth grade to her final high school games. “It’s crazy to think about,” she shared, realizing the end of an era with teammates she’s long cherished. As Sophia prepares for her next chapter studying biology at Kent State University, her dedication to the game and her team leaves a lasting impact. Her aspirations to become a physician assistant highlight her continued commitment to serving others, a testament to her years at Howland.

The unique spirit Sophia brings to the game was evident even in their pregame rituals. “Sometimes before the games, we’ll make TikToks, and I think that really loosens us up,” she shared, emphasizing the importance of staying relaxed and having fun. Her journey is one of growth, camaraderie, and a lasting legacy within the Howland community, inspiring her teammates and future leaders every step of the way.

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VILLWOCK SET TO KICK IT AT JOHN CARROLL

WARREN OH- Howland’s Gracie Villwock is taking her game to the next level, officially signing to continue her soccer career at John Carroll University. She plans to study exercise science and business while competing for the Blue Streaks.

Villwock leaves behind an impressive legacy at Howland. A senior captain, she was a key piece of two conference championship teams—winning outright as a sophomore and going undefeated her senior year. Her trophy case includes three straight first-team all-conference and all-district honors, plus a second-team all-district nod as a sophomore. She also earned the senior academic award. Over her career, Villwock racked up 114 points, scoring 45 goals and dishing out 24 assists.

TIGERS GET A TASTE OF REVENGE ON SENIOR NIGHT

WARREN OH- Howland made the most of senior night, flipping the script on Boardman with a hard-fought 51-44 win. After falling to the Spartans 47-31 in their last matchup, the Tigers came in hungry for payback—and they got it in a back-and-forth battle.

Maya Kubanscek led the charge with 17 points, while Talia Rishel added 11. Mia Thomas put up 10, and Sophia Powell chipped in 6 to help seal the deal.

Boardman got a strong night from Sarah Bero, who dropped 14, while Mikayla Rivera added 12. Ava Freeborough finished with 8, and Jocelynn Torres had 7, but the Spartans couldn’t close the gap late.

Up next, Howland hosts Marlington on Saturday, while Boardman wraps up the regular season on the road at Lake.

CANFIELD CLAIMS CONFERENCE CROWN

By Ty Bartell 

HOWLAND, Ohio — The Canfield Cardinals clinched the All-American Conference (AAC) girls basketball championship on Wednesday night, defeating the Howland Tigers 42-37 in a hard-fought matchup. The victory marks Canfield’s first AAC title since the 2022-2023 season. 

The Cardinals set the tone early, jumping out to a 12-5 lead in the first quarter. Howland tightened the gap by halftime, trailing just 19-15, but Canfield maintained its composure and carried a 30-24 advantage into the final quarter. 

Jenna Triveri and Sofia Castronova powered Canfield’s offense, each scoring 13 points. Maya Kubancsek led the Tigers with a game-high 18 points but couldn’t lift Howland past the top-ranked Cardinals. 

With the win, Canfield improves to 18-1 overall and 7-0 in AAC play. The Cardinals will host the West Branch Warriors (16-1, 10-0 EBC) on Saturday, February 1, for senior night in a clash of one-loss teams. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. 

Howland, now 7-10 overall and 3-3 in the AAC, will look to bounce back at home on Friday, January 31, when they face the Maplewood Rockets (15-1, 7-0 NAC) at 6:30 p.m.

 

HOWLAND FINDS FOOTING AGAINST NILES

By Ty Bartell 

HOWLAND, OH— The Howland Tigers boys basketball team ended their six-game losing streak in commanding fashion on Wednesday night, cruising to a 61-38 victory over the Niles McKinley Red Dragons. The win brings Howland back to .500 on the season at 8-8. 

The Tigers started strong, building a 10-6 lead in the first quarter and extending their advantage to 23-18 at halftime. A dominant third quarter saw Howland outscore Niles 17-8, pulling away with a 40-26 lead before sealing the win with a 21-point final period. 

Anthony Chieffo and Darren Douglas each scored 12 points to pace the Tigers, while Frank Hoso added 9 and Luca Naples contributed 7. Niles was led by True Carry-Hardin, who finished with a game-high 17 points in the loss. 

Howland (8-8, 0-6 AAC) will look to build momentum as they travel to Austintown-Fitch (7-10, 1-4 AAC) on Friday, January 31, for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off. Niles (6-10, 3-5 NE8) will aim to rebound at home on Saturday, February 1, against Lakeview (7-9, 3-4 NE8) at 7 p.m.

 

TIGERS TAKE SOME LESSONS IN BATTLE WITH POWERHOUSE GREEN

WARREN OH- Howland took on one of the region’s top teams Wednesday night, welcoming Green into the Tiger’s Den for a non-conference showdown. Despite some solid moments from the Tigers, Green proved too much to handle, rolling to a 64-42 win.

Mia Thomas led Howland with 13 points, while Mary Moy added 12. Maya Kubanscek chipped in 9, and Sophia Powell finished with 7.

Howland gets back to AAC play Saturday, heading to Warren Harding with a shot at a season sweep. Tipoff is set for 2:30.

FITCH LOCKS IN WHEN ITS AAC PLAY

WARREN OH- The Falcons traveled to Howland on Tuesday night in search of their first conference victory of the season.  Fitch was hitting on all cylinders offensively, jumpin out to a 16-4 first quarter lead and extending it to 33-14 at halftime on their way to a 64-49 victory over the Tigers.  In the process, they evened their overall record to 7-7 and moved to 1-2 in All American Conference league play.

Marcel Finkley, Carter Owens and Anthony Waller helped the Falcons get out to a fast start offensively.  Finkley and Owens each had 5 points in the first quarter with Waller adding 4 points of his own.

Finkley helped the Falcons keep their foot on the gas in the second quarter, with another 6 points in the 2nd quarter while E.J. Giles scored 4 points and Waller added another 3 points to help the Falcons to a 19-point lead at halftime.

In his biggest scoring output of the season, Waller added another 5 points in the third quarter, and had support from a Brady Evans three-pointer and Giles going 4-for-4 from the free throw line to help the Falcons put the game out of reach (52-31) heading into the fourth quarter.

Rocco Ferreri scored 4 points in the fourth quarter while Finley and Evans both added three to put the game on ice before both teams emptied their benches.

Finkley scored 17 points, Waller followed with 12 points and Giles contributed 8 points. The Falcons got big points from their bench as Evans scored 9 points and Braeden Sallee added 7 points.  Owens finished with 5 points, Ferreri had 4 points and Al-Tahire Illuno scored 2 points to account for the Falcon’s points.

The Falcons will host Medina Highland in a non-conference game on Saturday, January 18 at 7:00 PM on Greenwood Chevrolet Court.  Howland stays in conference play on Friday as they travel to Boardman.

*Contributed By Russell Houser at austintownathletics.com