Tag Archive for: Irish

PAYNE BRING IN 2023 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

YOUNGSTOWN OH- Ursuline head coach Keith Gunther is one of the area’s biggest legends on the sidelines. One of the first things that comes to mind when you think of a coach Gunther team is their defense. He’s not shy about the fact that he is a defensive minded coach. No matter how much offensive talent the Irish end up having on offense, they always seem to be one of the best defensive teams in the area. So it should not surprise anyone that they hold one of the best defenders in the area. At 6’7 Ursuline’s Jaden Payne is what you’d call a problem.  He is the great Irish walk that stops just about anyone from getting to the rim. Because Payne is under such a great coach that focuses on defense, he has been driven to master his craft. Watching Jaden play defense is nothing less than satisfying to any of the pure basketball fans out there.  He also has done all of it against a top notch schedule that Ursuline continues to put together.

We at YSN want to congratulate Jaden and his teammates on a fantastic season. It is our honor to announce that Jaden is the recipient of the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year Award!

URSULINE BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH KEITH GUNTHER

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO- What a magnificent season it has been for the Ursuline Irish men’s basketball team. Even though it has been a magnificent season, Ursuline has kept their eyes on one main goal, a state title. The man that has been guiding these young men and inching them closer and closer to that goal is Head Coach Keith Gunther. Gunther has kept these men focused on their journey to a state title and it their journey started as soon as they lost to Howland in the Division II tournament a year ago. Gunther has done well with his squad as he and his team are just one win away from a district championship. The only team that stand in their way is Gilmour Academy, who they will take on this Saturday night at 7.

Coach Gunther has the time to talk to YSN’s Matt Morrison about the wonderful journey this team has been on and as well objectives that they still face. Check out this exclusive interview only on YSN!

*Contributed By YSN’s Matt Morrison

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IRISH STILL RUNNING STRONG

CHARDON OH- Ursuline used their talented roster to impose their will on Edgewood Wednesday night in a dominant 87-53 victory over the Warriors. After leading at the end of the first quarter 26-12 and cooling off in the second quarter, Ursuline really put the game away in the third quarter, erupting for 30 points as a team.

Leading Ursuline in scoring was Jayden Payne with 22 points. Terrance Pankey had a very solid game on the offensive end as he totaled up 19 points for the Irish. Ursuline will now await the winner of Girard vs. Gilmour Academy. Girard was blown out by Ursuline 70-38 in the first game of the regular season.

The Irish will be back in action on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin in Chardon.

*Contributed By YSN’s Michael Wolfgang

IRISH STEP OVER SECTIONALS AND ONTO DISTRICTS

YOUNGSTOWN OH- Number one seeded Ursuline opened up tournament play last night hosting Streetsboro and the Irish proved why they are the real deal! Ursuline walked away with an impressive 61-28 victory. 

 

Both teams started off sloppy with some turnovers and the Irish only led 12-10 after the first quarter. Coming into the second quarter, that’s when Ursuline ramped up the pressure and only allowed three points in the quarter. That defensive intensity carried over throughout the rest of the game forcing Streetsboro to continuously turn the ball over. 

 

For Ursuline Vinny Flauto was the star of the night! He was scorching hot from beyond the arch knocking down six three pointers and leading the team with 20 points. Jaden Payne also had a solid night with 14 points, and Will Burney contributed 7 points for the Irish. Ursuline is very gifted offensively and any player can light up the scoreboard on any given night. 

 

Streetsboro struggled all night to find their offense. Joey Hoffman, Micah Schuleter, and Jackson Gula all had 6 points. Turnovers really hurt the Rockets throughout the game. They handled the Irish pressure well in that first quarter, but struggled to keep up with Ursuline’s athleticism.

 

With the win, Ursuline will advance to play Edgewood in the District Semi-Finals. The Game will take place on March 1st at 7 p.m at NDCL.

*Contributed By YSN’s Michael Ginocchi

 

URSULINE GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 2) WITH BERNARD SCOTT

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO- The Ursuline Lady Irish will begin their tournament quest tonight as they gear up to take take on Aurora in round one of the Division II girls basketball tournament. The Ursuline girls have been preparing for this tournament all year long with their amazing strength of schedule. The girls have been guided by head coach Bernard Scott who has led them to a 15-7 record and with some impressive wins as well against like East and Girard.

Coach Scott has done a great job at keeping his squad very calm and collective throughout the season and he had the opportunity to sit down with YSN’s Matt Morrison to talk about the season the girls have had and as well as the upcoming tournament play. Check out this exclusive interview only on YSN! 

*Contributed By YSN’s Matt Morrison

Presented By:

URSULINE SECURES STEEL VALLEY SUPREMACY

YOUNGSTOWN OH- One of the first goals on Ursuline’s team list this season was to win the Steel Valley Conference.  Over the last couple years the conference had ran through Mooney, they were the team to beat.  On Saturday it came down to the Irish and the Cardinals in a game for first place.  Ursuline could win and secure an outright title, and Mooney was looking for a share of the crown.  After a dominating 3 quarters from Ursuline, Mooney made a major comeback attempt. It fell just short though, and Ursuline walked away with a 48-44 win.

The Irish were led by Alayna Smith with a big 19 points most of which came in the paint. Lilly Scott played well on both ends of the door scoring 9 points, and grabbing the game clinching steal.  Chelsea Johnson was also in double figures for Ursuline with 10 points

 

Maria Fire had the game of her career as she tried to Will Mooney back in the game. She scored a game-high 30 points.  Sophia Diorio battled foul trouble, and still came away with 7 points.

Ursuline will stay on the road Thursday as they travel to Hubbard out of the NE8.  Mooney will host Poland on Saturday.

URSULINE’S TRIUMPH OVER COWBOYS GETS GUNTHER TO THE TOP

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Terrance Pankey and Jaden Payne combined for twenty-five points to move Keith Gunther into first place as Ursuline’s all-time winningest head coach. The win is number 278 in coach Gunther’s incredible career.  

Ursuline (15-1) dominated the first half holding a double digit lead for half of the first and almost all of the second quarter. The Irish held a fifteen point lead on two separate occasions, and would end the half of a 6-0 run to take a 36-21 lead into half.

Coming out of the break, Chaney (9-7) would start the third on a 5-0 run to cut the lead to ten. After an Ursuline bucket, the Cowboys would respond with a 13-0 run to take their first lead of the game with a little more than a minute to play in the quarter. The two teams would trade buckets and Chaney would take a one-point lead into the final quarter. Chaney outscored Ursuline 20-4 in the third.

Just seventeen seconds into the fourth, Jayden Payne would hit a pair of free throws to give Ursuline the lead, which they would never relinquish. The Irish would go on to outscore Chaney 22-13 in the final seven minutes and forty-three seconds to give Ursuline the win, 66-54.

TOP PERFORMERS

URSULINE:

Terrance Pankey – 19 points

Jaden Payne – 16 points

Vinny Flauto – 14 points

CHANEY:

Jason Hewlett – 21 points

Jashaun Holcomb – 11 points

WHAT’S NEXT –

Ursuline: Now winners of their last eleven, the Irish will travel to take on the Howland Tigers (9-8). Howland won last season’s matchup 59-50, but the Irish have won 5 of the last 7.

Chaney: Following their second loss of the season to the Ursuline Irish, the Cowboys will look to bounce back with a home matchup against another SVC foe, in the rival East Golden Bears (8-8). Chaney dominated the Bears earlier this month, winning 61-34 on the east side. The Golden Bears will come in on a three-game losing streak.

*Contributed By YSN’s Jamie Thomson.

IRISH MAKE STATEMENT AGAINST MASSILLON

YOUNGSTOWN, OH- Every

coach this time of year is looking for their “signature win” in the season, and on Friday night Ursuline not only found their groove, but may have found that signature win headed down the stretch on the Irish’s season in a 67-46 victory.

Vinny Flauto led the attack for the Irish on offense with 21 points, that included five long distance shots from beyond the arc.  At one point in the first half, Flauto hit triples on three consecutive possessions.  In the second half, Urusline big man, Jaden Payne took over registering 10 of his 20 total points on the night.  Terrance Pankey notched 7 on the night, but balanced out the offense, and led the defense throughout the night.  Dashaun Will and Geno Lucente chipped in 6 points apiece, while Will Burney had 7.

Elijah Farrington led Massillon with 22 points on the night, while Chris Knight supplemented with 16 points, shooting 57% from the field on the night.

Ursuline (14-1) will take on Chaney on Tuesday in a matchup among SVC foes.

PURCHASE GAME PHOTOS HERE

SALEM BOTHERED, NOT BEATEN

YOUNGSTOWN OH- To say that the size that Ursuline brings to the table had no effect on Salem on Saturday would be lying.  The Irish have more size than a lot of teams that pop up on Salem’s schedule. The inside presence of Aaliyah Smith, and Trinity Lamb was a factor. The important thing however for Salem is they made sure it wasn’t a deciding factor. Did they get some shots blocked? Yes. Did they give up some points in the paint? Yes. But if you thought that was enough to break Salem’s spirit you are sorely mistaken. Salem found their ways t score, and played tremendous defense especially in the times that counted the most.  All of that led to a 44-32 win.

Abbie Davidson was right along with her average scoring 18 points on the day to lead the Quakers.  Rylee Hutton was also in double figures managing to put in 12 points.  Lauryn Barton added 6 points to the Quaker cause.

Ursuline was led by their post presence. Smith racked in double figures scoring 16 points.  Lily Scott gave the Irish a perimeter threat on her way to 10 points.

It’s officially time for Salem to focus on their biggest rival as they go to West Branch next.  Ursuline stays home on Wednesday to host East in the Steel Valley Conference show down.

IRISH PROVE TOO TOUGH FOR INDIANS

YOUNGSTOWN OH- It was an intriguing non conference matchup on tap Saturday afternoon as Ursuline welcomed in a strong Girard team.  After facing some adversity early, the Irish put their heads down and ran through the Indians 57-47.

Alayna Smith led the Irish charge as she scored a game-high 19 points for them. Trinity Lamb was also in double figures for Ursuline with 11 points.  Chelsea Johnson was just one off the double figure pads as she scored 9.  Meredith Gray added 8 points to the cause.

Girard led by 10 at halftime and it had a lot to do with Sieasia Triplett’s 11 points in the first two frames. She would finish with 14.  Allison Durkin was 6/8 at the free throw line on the way to 12 points.  Abbie Rafferty was also in double figures for Girard with 10 points.

Ursuline gets back to it next Saturday as they host Salem.  Girard gets back to NE8 play on Monday as they play at home against Hubbard.