Tag Archive for: MVAC

CAMPBELL NAMES PAOLO DEPASQUALE NEW HOOPS COACH

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CAMPBELL, OH- Campbell Memorial is turning to a familiar face to lead the next chapter of Red Devil basketball. Paolo DePasquale has officially been named the new head coach of the boys basketball program.

DePasquale has put in the work behind the scenes for the last four years as an assistant on the Memorial bench, helping guide the program to two district titles and three MVAC championships. His promotion keeps the momentum rolling with someone who knows the culture and the grind that built it.

Before joining Campbell, DePasquale logged time on the sidelines at McDonald, where he played a key role in their district championship run. He also had one-year assistant stints at Struthers and Lowellville, gaining valuable experience in some of the area’s most competitive programs.

DePasquale’s coaching roots go beyond the hardwood. He’s also been an assistant with the Red Devils’ track and field squad for the last four seasons, showing his commitment to helping student-athletes grow across multiple sports.

Off the court, DePasquale is just as locked in. He’s entering year five as a Social Studies teacher at Northeast Ohio Impact Academy, where he’s known for being a difference-maker in the classroom.

The Red Devils are in good hands with a coach who knows the program, lives the work ethic, and is ready to lead from the front. Congratulations to Coach D — Campbell basketball is in for a strong ride.

REBELS ROLL PAST JACKSON MILTON

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NORTH JACKSON, OH- Crestview got hot at just the right time, rallying past Jackson Milton to snag an 8-3 road win on Tuesday in North Jackson.

Jackson Milton struck first, plating a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning. Caden Ruby laced an RBI single down the left-field line, followed by Jaiden Scott smacking an RBI double to center.

But the Rebels weren’t fazed—far from it. Crestview erupted in the top of the third, flipping the script with a seven-run outburst off five hits. The key knock came from Luke Julian, who hammered a bases-clearing double to drive home three, putting Crestview up for good.

Isaac Unkefer got the job done on the mound, pitching six strong innings for Crestview. He gave up just five hits and two runs while striking out three and walking just one. Brayden DeCenso came on in relief, sealing the deal for the Rebels.

At the plate, Crestview was relentless, piling up ten hits. Julian paced the attack, going a perfect 2-for-2 with those crucial three RBIs. Kyle Booth also chipped in two hits to bolster the Rebels’ offense. Crestview was aggressive on the bases, swiping four bags, and backed their pitchers up with solid defense, turning a nifty double play.

Jackson Milton saw Landon Workman lead their lineup, finishing 2-for-4. Scott, Ruby, and Jaidyn Henry each knocked in a run for the Blue Jays, but it wasn’t enough to counter Crestview’s third-inning explosion.

Crestview now sets its sights on postseason action, hosting Berkshire on Friday at 5 PM in an OHSAA sectional showdown.

MCBETH TAKES HER PLACE WITH THE GREATS

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NORTH JACKSON OH- In the heart of North Jackson, the home of the Blue Jays, Brena McBeth has emerged as a pillar of excellence on and off the softball field. Just a junior, McBeth’s impressive batting average of .525 has been a driving force for the 6-1 Jackson Milton Blue Jays, prominently positioning them as contenders in the MVAC.

During a recent interview on the YSN Live podcast, McBeth, who plays both as a pitcher and a hitter, shared insights into her strategic approach, emphasizing her ability to predict pitches based on her pitching experience. “It helps me a lot… as a pitcher I can realize [what the opposing team might pitch],” McBeth explained. The Blue Jays’ journey last year, which saw them make a significant tournament run by upsetting rivals like McDonald, has fueled their confidence this season. McBeth highlighted the mental resilience her team has developed, noting, “It gave us a lot of confidence for this season… to know that we’re just going to be, if not like the same or better.”

With aspirations of enhancing her pitching skills specifically through mastering her curveball, McBeth is focused on both personal growth and leading her team to a conference title. She credits the supportive community and her family, including her twin sister Ivy, for fostering a nurturing environment that encourages both competition and camaraderie. Outside of softball, McBeth has her sights set on the future, aiming to study psychology at Kent State, with a heart set on helping others. Her motivation and dedication on the field seamlessly translate to her academic and career ambitions. With players like McBeth at its core, the future looks bright for Jackson Milton, as they continue to soar with high energy and strong leadership.

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WILLIAMS TAKES TALENTS TO ALLEGHENY

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CAMPBELL, OH- Some athletes shine in one sport, but a select few dominate in multiple. MiLeena Williams is one of those rare talents, and she just took the next step in her journey, signing her commitment to Allegheny College to continue her academic, volleyball, and softball career.

Williams has been a force on the volleyball court, putting up 305 kills, 36 aces, 29 blocks, and 234 digs during the 2024-25 season. Her dominance at the net has led her to surpass the 500 career kills milestone while earning 1st Team All-MVAC and 1st Team All-District honors.

When spring rolls around, she trades in the volleyball for a bat and proves she’s just as lethal in the batter’s box. In the 2023-24 softball season, Williams posted an eye-popping .506 batting average with 41 hits and 4 home runs. She’s already topped 100 career hits and was named 1st Team All-MVAC as a catcher, along with an All-District Honorable Mention nod.

Her impact goes far beyond stats—Williams is a competitor, a leader, and now, a future Allegheny Gator. Congratulations to MiLeena as she takes her talents to the next level!

TIGERS SQUEEZE BY RESERVE

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BERLIN CENTER OH- In a Thursday night thriller, the Springfield Tigers edged out MVAC rival Western Reserve, clinching a 51-49 victory. The Tigers held a slim two-point lead at halftime and managed to keep their noses in front until the final buzzer.

Carson Cunningham led the charge for Springfield, dropping 19 points, while Isaac LaMorticella added 12 to bolster the offense. On the flip side, Western Reserve’s Dom Ricciardi put up 16 points, with teammates Connor Cochran and Josh Klasic contributing 11 and 10 points respectively.

Looking ahead, Springfield is gearing up for tournament action, hitting the road to face Valley Christian on February 21st. Meanwhile, Western Reserve wraps up their regular season on Saturday, traveling to Indiana to take on East Palestine in the iconic Hoosier Gym.

CRESTVIEW BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER WITH LOU MATEO 2/10/25

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COLUMBIANA OH- In a thrilling match over the weekend, the Crestview Rebels pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the year, defeating the previously undefeated in the conference LaBrae Vikings 66-62 in a league matchup. Coming into the game as underdogs, the Rebels, under the leadership of first-year head coach Lou Mateo, showcased resilience and strategic gameplay to seal the victory.

Coach Mateo, who joined from Struthers, has instilled a strong foundation focused on fundamentals and grit since taking over the program. Despite initial challenges in gaining player trust and integrating new systems, his influence has been evident in the team’s growth. “Our focus has been on building fundamentals and trust,” Mateo explained, reflecting on the journey so far. Though the Rebels don’t feature a single dominant scorer, their balanced offense shone through, with multiple players stepping up when needed. Key to their victory over LaBrae was their defensive strategy, encouraging perimeter shots while limiting entry into the paint. There were also standout performances, such as senior Hayden Petrone, who made critical contributions from beyond the arc.

This victory marks a significant milestone for Mateo and the Rebels, who continue to build momentum heading into the postseason. The Crestview community has shown robust support, a fact not lost on Mateo, who credits this backing as vital to the team’s spirit and performance. As the Crestview Rebels continue to evolve, fans are optimistic about the team’s trajectory in the upcoming tournaments. Coach Mateo remains focused on maintaining their competitive edge, ensuring his players stay hungry and laser-focused on each game, underpinning his vision of fostering excellence not just in sports but also in life.

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CRESTVIEW CAPS ANOTHER PERFECT CONFERENCE SEASON

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By Ty Bartell 

COLUMBIANA, Ohio – The Crestview Rebels closed their regular season in dominant fashion on senior night, routing the LaBrae Vikings 74-34 in a decisive Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference (MVAC) victory Thursday night. A commanding second half propelled the Rebels to their 37th consecutive conference win, cementing their unbeaten league record (14-0 MVAC) and improving their overall mark to 18-3.

Crestview jumped out to an early lead, finishing the first quarter up 21-17. The Vikings managed to stay within striking distance at halftime, trailing 32-25. However, the Rebels surged in the second half, outscoring LaBrae 21-7 in the third quarter to pull away with a 53-32 advantage heading into the final period. Crestview’s defense clamped down in the fourth, allowing just two points as the Rebels outpaced the Vikings 21-2 to seal the blowout win.

Addison Rhodes led the Rebels with a game-high 27 points, while Luvrain Gaskins contributed 18 points, and Ava Bucey added eight. On the LaBrae side, Angel Scruggs scored 19 points, with Marissa Levensky chipping in nine. LaBrae (16-5, 11-2 MVAC) will look to regroup as they host Mogadore (17-4, 3-4 PTC) in a non-conference matchup on Saturday, February 8, with tip-off scheduled for noon.

RIDGE’S FINAL FRAME PUSHES THEM TO A TITLE

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MINERAL RIDGE OH- With the MVAC title on the line, Mineral Ridge and Springfield squared up for a high-stakes rematch Monday night. The packed house knew what was at stake—winner takes all. When the dust settled, Mineral Ridge delivered in crunch time, using a monster fourth quarter to secure a 61-49 win and make history with their first-ever outright MVAC championship.

Mineral Ridge got a huge night from Ava Hulett, who dropped 23 points and etched her name into program history, moving into second on the all-time scoring list. She now trails only Alexis Harkins (1,420 career points) and even passed her own head coach, Amy Harrison (1,330). Sullivan Sandy was clutch with 21 points, while Kadence Conaway (7) and Lily Merolillo (5) chipped in to seal the deal.

Springfield’s Jameka Brungard led all scorers with 27, putting up a fight to keep the Tigers in it. Kendall Maughan added 7, and Kristina Vecchione sparked a late push with all 6 of her points in the fourth. Mariana Tuscano added 5.

Up next, Mineral Ridge wraps up the regular season with a non-conference matchup at home against Champion on Wednesday. Springfield gets a quick turnaround, heading to Campbell for their final conference game.

Game Photos Can Be Found HERE 

RAMS SURVIVE SCARE FROM ORANGE

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MINERAL RIDGE, OH – The Mineral Ridge Rams extended their winning streak to four games, surviving a furious fourth-quarter comeback from the Orange Lions to secure a 64-62 victory on Saturday night.

The Rams wasted no time setting the tone, using strong outside shooting and stifling defense to grab a 14-7 lead by the end of the first quarter. They maintained control through the second, heading into halftime with a 25-20 advantage despite Orange’s efforts to close the gap.

Mineral Ridge seemed to take full command in the third quarter, outscoring the Lions 20-16 to build a comfortable lead heading into the final frame. With just six minutes remaining, the Rams held a 14-point advantage, but Orange refused to go down without a fight.

Major Calhoun led the late-game charge for the Lions, finishing with a game-high 18 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter alone. Alex McCulloch also came alive in the final stretch, scoring all 7 of his points in the last period as Orange stormed back into contention.

With just 19 seconds remaining, Calhoun was fouled on a three-point attempt, giving him a chance to tie the game at the free-throw line. The tension in the gym was high, but he managed to convert just one of the three shots, leaving Mineral Ridge clinging to a 62-60 lead. The Rams capitalized on the miss, hitting two clutch free throws to push the lead to 64-60. Orange quickly responded with a field goal in the closing seconds, but time ran out before they could complete the comeback.

Chase Moore led the way for Mineral Ridge with 21 points, while Kaden Shaffer added 20. Derrick Hester chipped in 10 points, and Jordan Moore contributed 6, including key free throws down the stretch.

Despite the loss, Orange showed tremendous heart in their fourth-quarter rally and will look to build on that momentum when they host Cleveland East Tech on Monday at 6 p.m. Meanwhile, the Rams set their sights on Tuesday night’s matchup against Springfield, where they’ll seek revenge. JV action tips off at 5:30, followed by varsity at 7:00.

WITH CONFERENCE CROWN WITHIN REACH, CRESTVIEW SHINES AGAIN

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WARREN, OH – Crestview’s dominance in the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Gray Division continued Thursday night as the Rebels cruised past Champion 66-15. With the victory, Crestview remains unbeaten in league play at 12-0 and improves to 17-3 overall, inching closer to securing the conference title.

Addison Rhodes powered the Rebels’ offense with a game-high 29 points, lighting up the scoreboard from all areas of the court. Luvrain Gaskins also made an impact, contributing 10 points to the team’s commanding win. Ava Bucey added 9 points, while Myer Miller and Kerrigan Miller combined for 12, helping Crestview maintain control from start to finish.

Champion struggled to generate offense against Crestview’s relentless defense. Caldwell led the Golden Flashes with 6 points, while Kennedy McKee, Kylie McKee, and Woods each chipped in 2 points. Doan added 4 points, but the team was unable to keep up with the Rebels’ fast-paced attack.

Crestview wasted no time building a commanding lead, jumping ahead 23-6 after the first quarter and extending it to 48-12 by halftime. The Rebels continued to apply pressure in the second half, allowing just three points over the final two quarters to seal the dominant victory.

The Rebels’ junior varsity squad also secured a win, defeating Champion 24-14. Isabella Schaper led the way with 10 points, while Lainey Milhoan added 7.

Crestview will look to keep its perfect league record intact when it travels to Garfield on Monday, while Champion aims to regroup in its upcoming matchups.