Tag Archive for: Niles

POLAND GETS THINGS GOING EARLY

NILES OH – Poland opened the 2024 season with a conference win against Northeast 8 rival Niles McKinley with a 16-1 win.

Junior Olivia Horn earned the mound win over 5 innings in the circle hurling a no-hitter and adding 10 strikeouts.
The Lady Bulldogs pounded 13 hits with Sophomore shortstop Eliana Thompson adding 3 hits with 2 RBI’s including a double. Leanna Boccieri, Kyle Hudran, Leanne Williams and Olivia Horn each tallied 2 hits. Boccieri doubled with 2 RBIs, Horn tripled with 2 RBIs and both stayed perfect at the plate.  Williams doubled while Hudran and Freshman Cassie Blance each tripled.
The Lady Red Dragons and Lady Bulldogs return to NE8 action tomorrow at Poland.

DRAGONS SERVE UP A WIN FOR THE SENIORS

NILES OH- In a thrilling senior night showdown, Niles exacted revenge on Girard, securing a decisive 53-43 victory and splitting the season series with the Indians.

Leading the way for Niles was Anthony Budak, who delivered a stellar performance with 14 points, followed closely by Yoursene Blackmon contributing 12 points. Truth Carey-Hardin added 9 points, while Avon Fryer chipped in with 8 points to seal the win for the Red Dragons.

Despite a valiant effort from Girard, led by Ahmad Curd with 14 points and Kaiden Clare and Stephen Sims each contributing 8 points, they couldn’t overcome Niles’ determined performance.

With this crucial win, Niles improves their record to 5-14 and looks to build on their momentum as they face Newton Falls next Tuesday. On the other hand, Girard, now 2-16, will regroup and prepare for their upcoming matchup against Jefferson on Saturday.

MALITO KEEPS GIRARD’S HOPES ALIVE

By Matt Maher 


GIRARD, OH – The final conference game of the regular season for these two squads came on Senior Night for Girard where the teams sole member of the class of 2024, Mia Malito, led her team to an impressive 69-44 victory of the Red Dragons.

 

The first quarter showed to be very close with Girard putting up 14 to Niles 16. Mia Malito got the game started with a pair of made free throws but Niles responded quickly and often. Malito found herself with 9 points with three 2’s and 3-of-4 made free throws; this would be her most dominant frame of the night. Ally Gassman found 3 points while Mackenzie White found the remaining 2. Emily Macik had the midas touch this quarter with two made 3’s both seeming automatic with no doubt of where they were going to land and a nice mid-range jumper she couldn’t be stopped. Hannah Grimm was also impressive with 4-of-4 made free throws.

 

Girard kept the pace in the 2nd while Niles had their struggles and a 15-7 quarter solidified that. Niles had trouble from the free throw line where, as a team, they went 1-for-6. Grimm found her first 4 points from the field while Caroline Cornell found her first points with a nice put back jumper. Carley Wilkes come on down! Wilkes rose to superstar quality in the 2nd with 7 points all through traffic that would clog most other players up. Whistle and Gassman both scored 2 points while Malito found 1-of-2 free throws.

 

The Indians kept the ball rolling after halftime with another 15 point frame while Niles found a mere 2 points. Emily Macik would find the only bucket of the frame for Niles while Mackenzie White took the lead on the other side with 5 points (two 2’s and 1-for-2). Malito, Wilkes and Gassman all found 2 while Ivory Hewitt went 2-for-2 from the stripe.

 

if you love high scoring by both teams then the 25-19 4th quarter was the quarter for you! Niles found the 19 points with Kherington Stanford and Grimm both finding 6 points with Stanford finding two 3’s while Grimm had two 2’s and went 2-for-3 from the stripe. The remaining points came from the free throw line. Girard found the majority of their points from the field with White scoring 7 points while Malito and Wilkes both scored 5. While those three showed up, so did Ally Gassman, who found two very unexpected 3’s late in the quarter that showed us a glimpse of what we could see as her career continues. 

 

Girard played very well with Mia Malito leading all scorers with 17 points which was only fitting on her night of recognition! Hannah Grimm led the Red Dragons with 13 points with Emily Macik trailing her by only 3. Girard will finish in 2nd place in the NE8 1 game behind Poland but after the rocky start they had and the fantastic ending they found this team is going to be fun to watch come playoffs. Niles (7-14, 3-9) will finish off their season on February 8th when they travel to Badger for a 7:00PM tilt. Girard (12-8, 10-2) will play their last home game on February 10th when they host Ursuline at 2:30PM.

 

NO ONE LEADS LIKE HEINSELMAN

NILES OH- Niles senior Katie Heinselman has become a pivotal figure in the Dragons’ girls basketball program, contributing significantly to the team’s newfound success this season. In a remarkable turnaround, Niles is on the cusp of surpassing their combined win total from Katie’s last three seasons, needing just two more victories to achieve this feat.

One of Katie’s standout qualities is her leadership on and off the court. With a fairly young roster, she has played a crucial role in creating a positive and enjoyable atmosphere. Her ability to keep everyone loose and having fun has been instrumental in the team’s resurgence this year. Katie’s approach has not only alleviated pressure but has also fostered a sense of camaraderie among her teammates.

Balancing competitive drive with a lighthearted perspective is where Katie excels. While she is driven to win and loves the thrill of competition, she maintains a realization that basketball is just one part of her life. Her ability to keep the sport in perspective contributes to a healthy team dynamic.

Off the court, Katie is an exemplar in academics, taking all honor classes and approaching her studies with diligence. Her disciplined approach to academics is a reflection of her character – organized, focused, and always ensuring that tasks are completed promptly.

Katie’s success is not confined to the basketball court; she brings a winning attitude from the soccer field in the fall. This multifaceted approach contributes to the Dragons’ well-rounded performance and highlights Katie’s versatility as an athlete.

On the stat sheet, Katie’s contributions are evident with an average of 4.4 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. Her all-around skills make her a valuable asset on the floor, impacting both ends of the game.

Looking beyond her high school career, Katie has set her sights on Kent State, where she plans to pursue a career in piloting. With a family background in aviation, her passion for flying and love of travel have inspired her career choice. As Katie continues to soar on the court and in her academic pursuits, her journey exemplifies the true spirit of a student-athlete with a bright future ahead.

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POLAND STAYS ON POINT

POLAND OH- Poland continued their dominance in the NE8 with a convincing home victory on Monday night, defeating Niles 59-38.

Leading the charge for Poland, Elliana Thompson showcased her scoring prowess with an impressive 17 points. The team’s well-rounded effort saw contributions from Kylee Hudran with 8 points, Cassie Blanch with 7 points, and Sophia Generalovich and Leanne Williams each adding 6 points.

On the Niles side, Kherington Stanford led the scoring efforts with 10 points, followed by Gianna Wagner contributing 9 points.

With this win, Poland maintains their top spot in the NE8 with a record of 9-5. Looking ahead, they aim to stay undefeated in the league as they travel to face Lakeview on Thursday. Niles, with a record of 7-10, will venture outside of the conference on Thursday when they host East, seeking to regroup and secure a victory.

Game Photos HERE: https://ysn.smugmug.com/1-22-g-bb-poland-niles/1-22-g-bb-poland-niles/104EOS1D

RAMS ON THE REBOUND

By Matt Maher 


MINERAL RIDGE, OH – The Rams were on a mission, a mission to beat a team called McKinley and that’s exactly what they did in their 61-52 victory over Niles. After a disappointing loss to Sebring (also known as McKinley) on Friday night, the Rams were hungry for a win and beating Niles, while not directly or personally, was a nice bit of payback to our 25th Presidents last name. 

 

The first quarter was close and high energy with Niles narrowly winning it 11-10. After about 2 minutes of scoreless action, Nile struck first but Ridge stayed right behind them the whole time. Chase Moore was, well, Chase Moore and led his team with 6 points including 2 from under the hoop and 2-of-2 from the line. Jack Geddes also found a beautiful 3 to help out his team. Niles saw a more rounded out team effort with Avon Fryer, Anthony Budak and True Carey-Hardin all scoring 3 and Stef Dorsey adding 2.

 

Niles picked up the torch and scored 15 points to the Rams 10 in the second. For the Rams, Chase Moore continued to impress with another rebounded 2 and 2-of-4 from the line. Niles saw Anthony Georgalas hit a 3 off the bench, Hardin-Carey found 4 points in the paint and Dorsey and Yausene Blackmon both scored 2 points. The real headline came from Avon Fryer who took the ball from an inbound with 2 seconds on the clock and put up a why not type of shot from half court and buried it for a career highlight!

 

Niles kept up the pressure going up by 10 points early in the 3rd but the Rams saw that and came back and erased that lead with relative ease and came out with an impressive 22 point quarter. Niles saw Carey-Hardin score 6 points, hitting two 3’s while Fryer came back with another 3 (this time from much closer in). The Rams saw Moore, Geddes and Kaden Shaffer all put up 4 points while Blake Basista and Landon Bingham both found some nice scores from beyond the arc. 

 

The Rams continued to play with authority and came out with a 19-13 point 4th that would propel them over Niles. The Red Dragons saw Budak score 5 points including an and-1 while Dorsey found 6 more points with two 3’s. Ridge saw Chase Moore continue his dominance with 11 more points allowing him to finish with 25 points. Basista continued to add to the score sheet with 4 more points including making 2-of-2 free throw attempts. 

 

Hard work and concentration helped the Rams soar over the Red Dragons on Saturday night and gave them that much needed win to help them in their hunt for a playoff spot. Niles (4-11) are back home on January 23rd when they host Poland in another big NE8 matchup at 7:00PM, Mineral Ridge (5-9) will stay at home on January 23rd when they host McDonald for another pivotal MVAC matchup at 7:00PM.

GIRARD WINS AT THE BUZZER

By Matt Maher


GIRARD, OH – The day finally came! Girard earned their first win of the season over Niles Friday night by putting up a close score of 38-36. Ahmad curd had himself a nice night with 16 points and would be the hero Girard needed most.

 

Girard came out with the first 2 points of the game but Niles responded with 2 made 3’s from Anthony Budak and Niles went on to outscore Girard 8-4 after 1. Anthony Budak would put up all 8 for Niles while Stephen Sims found all 4 from within the paint for the Indians.

 

Things ramped up for Girard in the 2nd, scoring 13 points and limiting Niles to just 6 The Indians had the momentum they needed going into halftime leading 17-14. Niles saw True Cary-Harden score a long 3 while Yausene Blackmon found a nice layup down low. Girard saw the entrance of Ahmad curd to the floor with 6 points off of 2 made 3’s he had found the energy he needed. Kaiden Clare put up 5 points with a 2 and the 3 points that would give them the lead off of 3 made free throws he received after being fouled from shooting beyond the arc.

 

Niles had a hefty response in the 3rd with 15 points to Girards 9. Girard saw Ahmad Curd score 4 more points in the paint while Sims added 3 more from a 2 and 1 of 2 free throws made. Stefan Dorsey added some numbers to his stat sheet with 5 points including a contested 3. And Blackmon would add 4 more points to his total. 

 

The two teams played a close 4th with both teams trading 1 point leads before eventually seeing the game tied at 36. With 3 seconds left Girard called a timeout in order to receive an inbound closer to the hoop and from the inbound the Indians found Ahmad curd who would sprint down the court and push his way to the hoop and put in a gritty layup to seal the deal and send Niles home heartbroken! Harden put up 4 more points to finish with his team leading 10 while Girard saw most of their action from the free throw line where Dom Phillips went 4 for 8 and Curd went 2 for 6 while also finding two 2’s and finishing with his team leading 16 points.

 

It’s been a tough year for these young men but good things come to those who wait and work hard to achieve their goals and Girard certainly did both and they got to celebrate a big positive on this sour season. Niles (2-10) (0-6) will stay on the road when they face Lakeview on January 16th at 7:00PM and Girard (1-11) (1-5) will stay at home when they host South Range on January 16th at 7:00PM. 

GIRARD STAYS STRONG IN THE CONFERENCE

By Tim Corso


NILES OH- Girard’s girls’ basketball team rolled past Niles on Thursday 71-35 in a NE8 showdown.

The Indians’ suffocating full court pressure dominated the Red Dragon’s offense forcing countless turnovers en route to the win.

Junior Makenzee White led all scorers with 25 points and was the driving force behind the Indians’ victory.

White knocked down a pair of her game-high three triples in the opening frame, in which Girard took off 29-8 and never looked back.

White also secured double-digit rebounds.

Mia Malito (12) and Ally Grossman (13) finished in double figures as well on the night.

Malito got to the charity stripe numerous times where she converted eight of her ten attempts.

Niles’ Gianna Wagner and Hannah Grimm both led the Red Dragons with five points apiece in the setback.

Coach Bornemiss’ squad improved to a better than .500 record (7-6) with the win, while Niles McKinley drops to 5-8.

RAIDERS FINDING THEIR FORM

CANFIELD OH- South Range rebounded impressively on Tuesday, bouncing back from their previous defeat to Poland with a commanding 71-36 victory over Niles. The Raiders showcased their offensive prowess, leaving little room for Niles to counter.

Luke Rohan led the scoring onslaught for South Range, delivering a stellar performance with 25 points, including seven three-pointers. Dylan Turvey contributed 11 points, while Landon Moore, Nate Lewis, and Matt Singleton each added valuable points to secure the decisive win.

Niles, facing a tough challenge, had Stef Dorsey as their leading scorer with 10 points, closely followed by Anthony Budak contributing 7 points.

With this victory, South Range improves to a 7-4 record and enjoys a week off before their road matchup with Girard next Tuesday. On the other side, Niles (2-9) aims to bounce back as they face Girard on Friday in their upcoming contest.

RAIDERS CONTINUE GETTING HOT

NILES OH- South Range continued their winning streak with a convincing 50-21 victory over Niles on Monday night, securing their third consecutive triumph.

Gwen Lowry delivered a stellar performance with a career-high 23 points, leading the charge for South Range. Sophia Lucente contributed 10 points, and Sydney Penick added 5 points to solidify the team’s success.

Niles faced a tough challenge, with Kherington Stanford as their leading scorer with 10 points.

Looking ahead, South Range (5-7) aims to extend their winning streak to four games when they host Girard on Saturday. Meanwhile, Niles (5-7) is set to face Girard next on their schedule, hosting the Indians on Thursday as they seek to rebound from the defeat.