Tag Archive for: Leopards

GARFIELD MAKES IT A THREE PEAT

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GARRETTSVILLE OH- Many people doubted the realistic ability for Garfield to win a third straight championship coming in to this season.  The skeptics were not hard to find, but neither was the work ethic of the G-Men. All season long they took those doubts from the outside, and turned them in to motivation to thrive.  After winning an MVAC championship in the regular season, Garfield worked their way to a district championship. Standing in their way of a third straight trophy was another reigning district champion. Liberty was hungry to get back to regionals, and they were more healthy than ever before.

Garfield started the game off quick and jumped out to an early lead.  The G-Men set the tone with a couple of early threes from Laura McCoy and Zoey May.  By the time a few minutes went away in the second quarter Garfield built a 16-8 lead.  That’s when Liberty stepped back in the frame. Scoring 9 of the next 11 points the Leopards cut their deficit to 18-17.  Garfield was able to barely hold on to their halftime lead 20-17.  Out of the break it was Garfield’s turn to make a run.  They jumped back ahead by ten 28-18.  Yet once again the Leopards came roaring back ending the third quarter on a 9-1 run.  The final push however belonged to the G-Men. Down the stretch Garfield made all the right plays.  Garfield used their poise to walk away with a 43-37 win.

McCoy would not be denied on the night as she ran her way to 17 points.  In her first district championship game of her career, Mandy Cardinal was also in double figures with 13 points.  Zoey May put together 9 points to help out the cause.

Liberty was paced by Aaliyah Foster who tied for the game-high in points with 17 points.  Cianna Smith gathered 10 points for the Leopards in her final game of her high school career.  Demi Watson contributed 6.

Garfield won their third consecutive district championship and advances to the Division III regional semifinal on Wednesday.  They’ll be paired up against Laurel.  That game is slated to tip off at 6:00 in Cuyahoga Falls.

LIBERTY GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH DEIDRE WATSON

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LIBERTY, OHIO- The the Liberty Lady Leopards have had a hard fought, rollercoaster ride of a season. The Leopards have been led by he Head Coach Deidre Watson. Watson and the Leopards won a disrtict title just a year ago and are looking to repeat this year. This year has been a little different as Watson has been without one of her star players, Cianna Smith, all year due to injury. Other players such as Demi Watson, Mia Parker, and Aaliyah Foster have stepped up and have filled serious gaps for the Leopards.

Fortunately, Smith has since been able to return for the Leopards just as they began their quest for another district championship in the Division III girls tournament. In what is going to be the final year of coaching for Watson as she will retire at the end of the season, her squad is doing everything they can to keep the memorable season going. After taking down the third seeded Poland Bulldogs, the Leopards will square off against the Lakeview Bulldogs in the District Semi-Finals on Wednesday night. Deidre Watson had the opportunity to sit down with YSN’s Matt Morrison to talk about the amazing career she has had and what goals still needed to be accomplished. Check out this exclusive interview only on YSN!

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LEOPARDS STILL HAVE PLANS TO RUN IT BACK

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POLAND OH- Saturday’s Division III Sectional Final in Poland between the Bulldogs and Liberty might have seemed like a mismatch if you look at seeding. Poland was the third seed in the district, and Liberty came in on twelve.  How quickly some people forgot that Liberty is still the reigning district champions.  Now a fully healthy Liberty roster has their sights locked on back to back titles.  They didn’t let Poland stand in their way. After an exciting back and forth first half, the Leopards kicked it into high gear in the second half to run away with a 64-43 victory.

Demi Watson led the Leopards on the day with a big 23 points.  Aaliyah Foster was right behind her scoring 22 points in the Leopards onslaught.  Cianna Smith was also in double figures racking in 14 points. The Leopards have been without Smith for most of the season.  She has returned to the lineup to help her Leopards try to repeat.

Mary Brant led the Bulldogs on the day scoring 12 points. Katie McDonald finished off her basketball career by chipping in 9 points for Poland.

Liberty will advance to the District Semifinals on Wednesday. They will be matched up with Lakeview. They’ll be the 2nd game of the night at Struthers high school.  Tip off is scheduled for approximately 8:00.

LEOPARDS PROVE BIGGER THAN TIGERS

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MASSILLON, OHIO- The Louisville Leopards took on the Massillon-Washington Tigers in a Tuesday night matchup of High School boys basketball.

In what was a close battle, the Leopards were led by Will Aljancic, who dropped 25 points. The Leopards also had help from Brayden Gross with a double-double performance with 12 points and 10 rebounds, and from Beau Siegfried, who scored 8 points and had 8 assists. Hayden Nigro also chipped in 11 points as the Leopards sneaked past the Tigers 72-66.

The Leopards will finish off the regular season this Thursday when they take on Canton Central Catholic.

*Contributed By YSN’s Matt Morrison

 

WRESTLING WEDNESDAYS WITH GARY ALTHISER (EP 8) FEATURING QUINTIN BURNS

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LIBERTY OH- The path to the State Duals has started as many YSN teams competed in their own regionals looking to advance as a team to the state championships. What teams shined the brightest on the biggest stage? What teams fell just short? Gary Althiser our resident wrestling expert has you covered. In the latest episode of Wrestling Wednesdays we see which grapplers has what it takes to lead their team to state, and how much some of them have to look forward to.

Our special guest this week is Quintin Burns from Liberty. Quintin is the latest Baird Brothers Big Dog Of The Valley Winner. He has had a tremendous career in Liberty. He is approaching the program record for wins in a career.  Gary and Anthony talk to him about all that and more on the latest episode of Wrestling Wednesdays with Gary Althiser.

SPARTANS BRING THE FIGHT TO LIBERTY

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YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO- The Boardman Lady Spartans went into Liberty to take on the Lady Leopards, in what seems to be the final home game for Leopards Head Coach, Deidre Watson.

The Lady Leopards were led by Aaliyah Foster, who dropped 21 points. Demi Watson also helped the Leopards cause by scoring 16 points that kept the Leopards close, but Gia Triveri made that difficult as she finished the game with 20 points, including 6 three pointers and pushed the Lady Spartan passed the Lady Leopards 57-48.

Both teams will now get prepared for tournament play that starts Saturday when Boardman will take on the Austintown-Fitch Lady Falcons and Liberty will take on a tough Pymatuning Valley Lady Lakers team next Wednesday.

*Contributed By YSN’s Matt Morrison

 

GARFIELD KEEPS PROVING THEMSELVES

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GARRETTSVILLE OH- Garfield continued their rampage through the MVAC on Thursday as they muscled their way past a talented Liberty team.  It was a big 20 point second quarter that paved the way for the G-Men. They outscored the Leopards 20-5 in that frame to siege control of the game. They continued their grip on the game through the second half in a 59-42 win.

Mandy Cardinal scored 12 of her points in that second quarter, and she led Garfield with a total of 21.  Nora Trent was also in double figures for Garfield putting in 12 points.  Laura McCoy was still a factor contributing 8 points to the cause.

Aaliyah Foster was her dominant self as she scored a game-high 28 points.  Demi Watson also found herself in double figures with 10.

Garfield will continue their season on Monday as they travel to Newton Falls.  Liberty returns home on Monday as they’ll host LaBrae.

LEOPARDS SHINE ON SENIOR NIGHT

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LOUISVILLE OH- Senior nights always bring up a vast array of emotions for every program. That is no different with Louisville. The Leopards honored their seniors on Monday night the best way they knew how, by beating a really tough opponent. A solid Strongsville came to town and had every intention on spoiling the party.  The Leopards however would not be denied as they rushed off to a 53-46 win.

Brooke Haren put together another strong night as she scored 20 points. 7 of those points came in the final quarter.  Taylor McCully was also in double figures with 16 points.  Taryn Miglich was able to chip in 11.

Louisville hits the road again next as they travel to Akron East on Thursday.  The varsity start time is set for 6:30.

BROOKFIELD ANSWERS THE CALL

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LIBERTY OH- The MVAC picture was going to get a little more clear on Thursday in Liberty. Brookfield came in to the game in a three way tie for first place, while Liberty came in just one game back of the teams in the top spot.  Neither team could really afford a loss. You could feel the desperation to win in the air as both teams scrapped it out all night long.  The second quarter was the big difference as the Warriors outscored Liberty 17-7 to take a 28-14 lead in to the break.  The Leopards battled their way back in the game, but could never fully regain control. Brookfield kept pace at the top with a 52-42 win.

Katie Logan and Sophia Hook were a great tandem as they both led Brookfield with 13 points each.  Mikenzie Jumper put in a solid night with 8 points.  Cailey Wellman was all over the place in the stat book as she finished with 7 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Liberty was led by Demi Watson who was able to put in 15 points. Aaliyah Foster was also solid for the Leopards with 14 points.  Makayla Beckett contributed 6 points to Liberty’s cause as well.

Brookfield will take the win and continue in MVAC as they host Crestview in a battle of first place teams on Monday.  Liberty will be on the road as they visit Newton Falls.

HAREN HELPS LOUISVILLE WIN AT HOME

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LOUISVILLE OH- There is no rest for the weary with the schedule Louisville has put together. The Leopards know that all too well as they welcomed in a tough Canton Central Catholic team on Wednesday.  Every quarter of the game was competitive, except the second. That was when the Leopards made their move. They outscored the Crusaders 18-8 in that frame and played clean basketball the rest of the way.  That’s how they walked away with a comfortable 62-49 win.

Louisville got another fantastic effort from Brooke Haren who dropped 25 points on the night.  Taylor McCully had a great night for the Leopards as well putting in 13.  Taryn Miglich was also in double figures on the night with 11.  McCully and Miglich combined for 6 shots from behind the arc.

Louisville continues their tough schedule on Saturday as they travel to Western Reserve Academy.  Tip off for that contest is set for 1:30.