Tag Archive for: Lions

LIONS ADVANCE TO PROGRAM’S FIRST DISTRICT FINAL

COLUMBIANA OH- Heartland Christian made program history by advancing to their first-ever district championship game, stunning the second-seeded Bristol with a sensational 55-43 victory. The win not only propelled the Lions to new heights but also marked a significant milestone for head coach Josh Scott, who celebrated his 200th career win in memorable fashion.

Fuelled by a collective determination to defy expectations, Heartland Christian delivered a standout performance on both ends of the court, showcasing their resilience and grit in the face of adversity.

Leading the charge for Heartland were standout performances from Jake Walker, who led the team with 16 points, and Isaiah Mathews, who contributed 12 points to the scoreboard. Brody Conaway added 9 points to the Lions’ offensive effort, while Will Morgan chipped in with 7 points, highlighting the team’s balanced scoring attack.

With this historic win, Heartland Christian punches their ticket to the district championship, where they are set to face top-seeded Warren JFK. The upcoming matchup promises to be a thrilling showdown between two determined teams, as both vie for the coveted district title. Set to take place on Friday at 7:00 at Grand Valley High School, the district championship game holds immense significance for Heartland Christian.

TIGERS ONE STEP CLOSER TO REPEAT

NEWMIDDLETOWN OH- In their quest to defend their regional championship title, Springfield took a significant stride forward on Saturday with a commanding 59-43 victory over Heartland Christian, advancing to the district round of the tournament. With their sights set on postseason glory, Springfield showcased their talent and determination on the court, leaving no doubt as to their capabilities.

Leading the charge for Springfield was Jameka Brungard, who delivered a standout performance with an impressive 24 points, leading the team’s offensive charge with her scoring prowess. Ava Vecchione also made significant contributions with 19 points, while Mariana Tuscano added 10 points to bolster Springfield’s offensive firepower.

Despite a spirited effort from Heartland Christian, Springfield’s relentless attack proved too much to handle, as they secured the decisive victory to continue their postseason journey.

With the win, Springfield advances to Wednesday’s district semifinal, where they are set to face off against Badger. The highly anticipated matchup is scheduled to take place at Mineral Ridge at 6:00.

WARRIORS TAKE A STANCE

By Michael Ginocchi 


Beloit, OH-
The West Branch Boys’ Basketball team won their final game before tournament play by defeating Heartland Christian 64 to 42. West Branch finished the regular season with an 18-4 record and were EBC champs. 

 

The Warriors led 35 to 23 at the half, but Heartland showed a lot of heart by cutting the lead to eight points in the second before the Warriors pulled away. West Branch will play at home on Tuesday against the 13-9 Youngstown East Golden Bears in the first round of the state playoffs. The matchup between the two teams should be an exciting first round game. West Branch won the first meeting 73 to 71 in overtime a few weeks ago.

 

Leading the Warriors’ offense was Jeremiah Thomas with 16 points and Gavin Gregory with 10 points. Jaxon Robb contributed 9 points and Cooper Anderson and Joey Jackson each had 8 points.

 

The Heartland Lions were led in scoring by Will Morgan with 12 points and Jake Walker with 11 points. Their regular season record ends with a 13-9 record. The Lions will face Southington Chalker at home on Tuesday at 7 pm. in the first round of the state basketball playoffs. 






HEARTLAND’S HISTORIC RUN CONTINUES

COLUMBIANA OH- In another remarkable display of their historic season, Heartland Christian’s basketball team continued their record-breaking journey on Wednesday, overpowering Lordstown with an emphatic 62-21 victory. With each win, Heartland adds to their legacy, surpassing previous milestones to establish new standards of success for the program.

Leading the charge for Heartland were Rylee Shadowens and Rachel Reynolds, who each contributed 14 points to the scoring onslaught. Sarah Reynolds added 10 points to the scoreboard, while Mackenzie Lightly chipped in with 6 points, highlighting the team’s balanced offensive effort.

Looking ahead, Heartland prepares for another challenge as they hit the road to face Valley Christian on Friday.

LATE GAME PUSH LIFTS LIONS OVER HERALDS

Photo Credit: Mickey Zheng Photography

2/1/2024

Cleveland, OH- The St. John Heralds battled hard but fell short against the St. Martin de Porres Lions in a closely contested game that ended with a final score of 46-53. Despite a valiant effort, the Heralds couldn’t overcome the Lions’ strong performance in the final quarter.

Quarter Scores:

  • St. John Heralds: 3 | 10 | 20 | 13 | 46
  • St. Martin de Porres Lions: 13 | 6 | 12 | 22 | 53

Player Stats:

St. John Heralds Total Points: 46

  • Vin Narducci: 15 points
  • Anthony Severino: 14 points
  • Brady Cole: 9 points
  • Donald Crawford: 4 points
  • Anthony Petrochello: 2 points
  • AJ Henslee: 2 points

St. Martin de Porres Lions Total Points: 53

  • Terrence Davis: 23 points
  • Lemone Edwards: 9 points
  • Messiah Swopes: 7 points
  • Kaiden Schneider: 5 points
  • Elijah Robinson: 4 points
  • Exzavier Scott: 2 points
  • Demarcus Gresham: 2 points
  • James Palmer: 1 point

Despite the loss, standout performances from Vin Narducci and Anthony Severino showcased the Heralds’ fighting spirit. Terrence Davis led the Lions with an impressive 23 points, contributing significantly to their victory.

Upcoming Games:

The St. John Heralds (2-11) will regroup for their next game against the Lordstown Red Devils (0-13) at home on 2/3/24. The Red Devils are coming off a tough 91-41 loss to the Heartland Christian Lions. It’s a crucial matchup for both teams looking to bounce back.

Meanwhile, the St. Martin de Porres Lions (7-5) are set to face the Wickliffe Blue Devils (3-11) on 2/5/24. The Blue Devils are coming off a challenging 71-27 loss to the Independence Blue Devils. Both teams will be eager to secure a win and improve their standing in the league.

LIONS POUNCE ON THE URBAN SCHOLARS

COLUMBIANA OH- In a commanding performance on Friday, Heartland Christian demonstrated their dominance over the Academy of Urban Scholars, securing a resounding 68-22 victory.

The scoring leaders for Heartland were Collin Kalaher with an impressive 18 points, closely followed by Jake Walker contributing 16, and Tyler Rarick with 11. Brody Conaway added 6 points to the team’s well-rounded effort.

With the win, Heartland Christian advances to a 10-4 record and will aim to maintain their momentum as they face Lordstown on Wednesday. The comprehensive victory not only showcases Heartland’s scoring prowess but also sets a positive tone as they continue their basketball campaign.

ORANGE FOOTBALL IS MAKING THE GRADE

PEPPER PIKE, OH- In a remarkable achievement, the Orange Lions’ 2023 football team has been named Academic All-Ohio by the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association, solidifying their commitment to excellence both on and off the field. This prestigious honor places them among the top 20% of the 711 football-playing schools in Ohio, highlighting the team’s exceptional academic prowess.

To qualify for Academic All-Ohio recognition, the Lions had to meet stringent criteria set by the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association. Specifically, the team GPA of the top 22 student-athletes, as determined by their individual grade point averages (GPA), needed to be 3.6 or higher during the first quarter of the academic year.

This achievement underscores the Orange Lions’ dedication to balancing the demanding rigors of football with a strong commitment to academic excellence. Not only have these student-athletes showcased their skills on the gridiron, but they have also excelled in the classroom, demonstrating the values of discipline, time management, and hard work.

The coaching staff, school administration, and parents alike are undoubtedly proud of the Orange Lions for this significant accomplishment. Achieving Academic All-Ohio status is a testament to the culture of academic success that has been fostered within the team, reflecting positively on the student-athletes’ character, work ethic, and their ability to prioritize their education while engaging in high-level sports competition.

This recognition is not only a cause for celebration within the Orange Lions community but also serves as an inspiration to aspiring student-athletes across Ohio. It emphasizes the idea that success in sports and academics is not mutually exclusive but can be pursued simultaneously with dedication and a strong sense of purpose.

As the Orange Lions bask in the glory of their Academic All-Ohio title, they set a standard for excellence that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the school’s athletic and academic legacy. The recognition serves as a reminder that these student-athletes are not only competitors on the football field but also scholars in the classroom, embodying the true spirit of a well-rounded student-athlete.

OBERSTER NAMED MVP OF MLK TOURNEY

RICHMOND HEIGHTS, OH- Congratulations to Orange junior Rachel Oberster as she earned game MVP at the MLK Tournament at Richmond Heights High School on Sunday.  Her 22 points led the Lions to a 40-36 win over Euclid.  Oberster had 2 three-pointer of her 7 field goals and made 6 of 10 from the foul line.

LIONS WIN IN FINAL SECONDS OVER GEAUGA

PEPPER PIKE, OH- In a game that went back and forth all night, the Orange Lions with key foul shots by Mi’Kya Fleshman and Courtney Norton in the final minute gave the Lions a 46-44 win.

Orange opened the game with 12-1 run to take an early lead.  Scoring by Rachel Oberster and Kynnade Bates got the Lions going in the first quarter.  But West Geauga would battle back in the second quarter and would cut the Lions lead to 21-20 at the break.  Faelynn Bectrest scored 11 of her team-high 19 points in the quarter for West Geauga.The second half became a battle of lead changes.  The Wolverines would take a 34-32 lead going into the final frame.  The Lions would battle back and take a 44-42 lead heading into the final minute of play.  Scoring for the Lions were Oberster and Olivia Jackson.  The Lions would put the game away with foul shots by Norton and Fleshman.  West Geauga would have one last chance when Bectrest drove in the lane but could not tie the game.

The Lions were led by Rachel Oberster with 20 points and Kynnade Bates with 12 points.  The Lions will be back in action on Sunday when they travel to Richmond Heights to take on Euclid High School in an MLK Weekend game.

West Geauga

Michaela Platt  1-0-0-2

Faelynn Beckrest  8-2-5-19

Ava Borz  1-1-2-3

Callie Kormos  1-0-0-2

Elsa Henderson  1-0-0-3

Maggie Furst  5-5-10-15

3 Point FG‘s (Bekrest-1, Henderson-1)

 

Orange

Kynnade Bates  6-0-2-12

Rachel Oberster  9-2-6-20

Courtney Norton  1-1-2-3

Mi’Kya Fleshman 2-1-2-5

Olivia Jackson  3-0-0-6

3 Point FG’s (None)

 

*Article written by Tim Porter via ohslions.com

NEWTON FALLS OVERWHELMS THE LIONS

COLUMBIANA OH- On Tuesday night, Newton Falls took their potent offense on the road and secured an impressive 71-58 win against Heartland Christian. The game showcased Newton Falls’ scoring prowess as they executed effectively to emerge victorious.

Jabriel Rufai led the offensive charge for Newton Falls with an outstanding 25-point performance, highlighting his scoring ability. Carson Howard added 12 points, and Ethan Powell contributed 10 points to the Tigers’ well-balanced scoring effort. Zach Stinson chipped in 7 points, further bolstering Newton Falls’ offensive production.

Heartland Christian put up a commendable effort, with Jake Walker leading their scoring with 16 points. Will Morgan contributed 15 points, and Collin Kalahee added 11 points for the Lions.

With this road win, Newton Falls moves to a 4-4 record and will shift their focus back to MVAC play as they host Crestview on Friday. Heartland Christian, now standing at 5-4, looks ahead to their next matchup at home against Chalker on Saturday. The game demonstrated Newton Falls’ offensive firepower and sets the stage for both teams as they navigate the challenges of the season.