Tag Archive for: ohio

YOUNGSTOWN STATE BASEBALL COACH’S CORNER W/ DAN BERTOLINI (EP 2)

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The season opener has come and gone, and the YSU Penguins Baseball Squad held their ground in the battle against one of the nations top teams, Mississippi State.  Coach Bertolini and the boys led No. 9 Mississippi State heading into the bottom of the sixth but ultimately fell 14-3 in game one of a three-game series at Dudy Noble Field.

In his first game as a Penguin, senior first baseman Trevor Wiersma went 2-for-4 with a single and a two-run home run while driving in all three YSU runs. Web Charles doubled in the contest while Cameron Murray and Jeff Wehler each singled.

During the second game of the series, Junior- Blaze Glenn hit his first home run of the season.  Overall, the ‘Guins showed that they can and will stand toe-to-toe with any team in the country and that the offense is potentially one of the most dangerous in the conference with flashes of incredible defense and untouchable pitching.

All Photos Courtesy of YSU Athletics

As the Boys of Spring get ready for another test against a nationally ranked opponent, we caught up with Coach Bertolini to discuss takeaways from the first series, as well as what we can expect against and from Florida State.

Oh, you might also want to hang around for the last question, it’s a pretty powerful answer.

Episode two of Youngstown State Baseball Coach’s Corner with Dan Bertolini is LIVE! 

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THE WIZARD OF IZ

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Everyone is familiar with the great story and film “The Wizard of Oz.”  The tale about a young lady losing her way in a faraway land, only to find friends she lends a hand to provide them with finding themselves, while she finds a piece of herself along the way.

This story isn’t much different.

South Range Sophomore Izzy Lamparty has stepped out from the shadows of her freshmen year, overcome a devastating injury, and has come out playing better than she ever has.  Albeit, she’s had to undergo more sacrifice than ever before and has had friends help her find herself again.  All while making her friends and teammates better while she’s on the floor.

With the courage of a lion, the heart of a tin-man, and the brains of the scarecrow.  Izzy Lamparty is able to bring her multi-faceted attack to gyms all winter long and now prepares for a long run in the state playoffs where the Lady Raiders have earned the right to click their heels together and say “There’s No Place Like Home.”

Our Anthony Hartwig sat down with this week’s focus for the South Range Basketball Player Profile- THE WIZARD OF IZ.

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BEAVERS BURN CAMBRIDGE LATE, ADVANCE TO NEXT ROUND

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EAST LIVERPOOL, OH- The late Jim Valvano once described NCAA basketball tournament as ‘survive & advance’ in terms of proceeding through the tournament. This phrase accurately describes the Beaver Local Girls Basketball Team.

After trailing for most of the game, the Beavers fought hard to earn a come from behind 45-44 over Cambridge in the East District opening round OHSAA Tournament game on Monday Night.  With a team dominated by underclassmen, it was Senior Madison Ours that provided the Beavers with the winning points off of a 3 point field goal with 35 seconds remaining. That was the only points scored by Ours the entire game.  ‘I thought I overshot the ball’ Ours said after the game. ‘I heard someone yell not to shoot it right when I let it go. I think Coach (Stephanie Coie) wanted the ball to be passed inside.’  Ours went on to say ‘That was the biggest shot I’ve ever made. If that shot doesn’t go in, we go home.’

Junior Jenna Riccardo, who became the school’s all-time leading scorer last week, lead the Beavers with 21 points, but only 8 points came in the first half. Riccardo said after the game the defense Cambridge played in the first half created problems for her & her team during the first half.  ‘They (Cambridge) switched from a 2-2 zone to a 1-3-1 zone & we couldn’t score” Riccardo said.

The Beavers were able to overcome a 19-14 halftime deficit to take a 35-34 lead after 3 quarters. Riccardo went to the free throw line with 1:33 remaining in the 4th quarter down 43-42 with a chance to either give her team the lead. She missed both free throws.  ‘I wasn’t nervous’ Riccardo told me after the game. ‘I just didn’t get my legs into either free throw & that’s why both hit the front of the rim.’

After Alexis Wilkinson made 1 of 2 free throws to give the Bobcats a 44-42 lead, it was Ours that gave her team the lead that the Beavers never surrendered. Taylar Slaughter had the ball for Cambridge in the closing seconds but was called for traveling with 4 seconds left. Elizabeth Kolkowski was immediately fouled on the Beavers next possession but missed the front end of a 1 in 1. Alyssa Ball of Cambridge was unable to secure the ball after touching it as Beaver Local Freshman Jensen Britt took control & held the ball in the near corner as time expired, securing the win.

Also contributing to the Beaver Local victory was Freshman Elizabeth Kolkowski with 10 points & 4 rebounds, Junior Riley Britt with 3 points & 4 steals, & Freshman Jensen Britt with 4 points & 2 rebounds.

The Beavers, the 12 seed in the East District, improve to 14-8. They advance to play against the 3 seed Zanesville Maysville Panthers Wednesday Night at 7 PM. Maysville finished their regular season with a record of 16-5.

The Cambridge Bobcats, the 15 seed in the East District, were lead by Taylar Slaughter with 30 points, including 5 shots from beyond the 3 point line. Their season concludes with a 6-16 record.

 

  • STORY BY YSN’S JASON HANNUM

DARE TO BE DARLINGTON

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There’s a quiet confidence that has been building in East Palestine over the past few years, and now it’s ready to explode in the 2019 OHSAA Tournament.  Leading the way for the Bulldogs has been Senior- Stephen Darlington.

Darlington is the guard that sets the pace for the Bulldog offense.  He coordinates the pick and rolls and barks out instruction for the post players.  Darlington will be the first to tell you that he attributes his success to watching his older brother play in the Brown and White.

PHOTO CREDIT: LEGACYSTUDIOSBYJJS

Known best for his smooth stroke from the field, the Bulldog shooting guard is geared up to make East Palestine history during the playoff run.

YSN’s Tim Figley sits down with this week’s focus of our East Palestine Basketball Player Profile: DARE TO BE DARLINGTON.

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ACTION JAXON

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Dripping with swagger, South Range Senior-Jaxon Anderson has shown maturity in his efforts on and off the court.  Normally, it’s Anderson’s smirks or bubbly personality that gets under the skin of opponents- but this year Jaxon is leading in a different way: that of a veteran presence.

Still one of the top point-scorers, and ball-handlers for the Raiders, Anderson has evolved into a more complete leader for the underclassmen.  There are times on the court where Jaxon will throw his arm over a teammates shoulder and crack a joke one second, and talk strategy the next.  Leadership is an influence, and Jaxon Anderson is the ultimate influencer for this Raiders Squad.  Although, he’ll never shy away from a little “discussion” with his “friends” of a different uniform.

All the great things that he does on the court, doesn’t even hold a candle to what he’s doing away from it.  Anderson’s Senior Project is based around Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation; a non-profit organization that helps families and children dealing with childhood cancer.  Anderson has pointed to his performance on the court to help raise money and awareness for this cause.  In March, the senior will partner with YSN to hold a charity All-Star game with all proceeds of ticket sales and souvenirs going back to ALSF.

YSN’s Brent Bigelow caught up with the Raider Senior for this week’s South Range Player Profile: ACTION JAXON

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THE TORONTO TRAILBLAZER

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In Toronto, Ohio- the baseball team is the heart of the town.  Immaculate facilities, great fans, and is almost always the case- a great product on the field.

A few years ago, a young man named Blaze Glenn graduated from Toronto High School after earning four letters in baseball and captaining the team for two years.  He was named the OVAC Player of the Year three times over as well as three-time First Team All-State with Ohio Player of the Year tabs in two of those years.  If that’s not enough, he STILL holds (and may for a while) the Toronto High School batting average record at .583.

PHOTO CREDIT: YSUSPORTS.COM

After graduation, Glenn attended Sinclair Community College, where to no surprise to those who knew him, batted nearly .400 as a Freshman with double-digit home runs, and led his team to a conference championship, and All-Conference honors.

Then it was his moment to shine.  As Blaze would make the shift, and play Division 1 baseball by joining YOUR Youngstown State Penguins.

Business (his major) was booming as Blaze would light the ‘Guins lineup on fire by starting all 56 games as a Sophomore.  Glenn would reach base safely in 46 of those games, and would lead the team in batting average (.325), hits (64), RBI (43), slugging percentage (.558), and OBP (.445.)  However, the most impressive trait that we found about Blaze Glenn, he’s still getting better.  One of the hardest working athletes you’ll find, Glenn is always taking extra reps.  You can often time find him in the cage before AND after practice driving himself and his teammates to be the best they can possibly be.  Oh, and he’s not bad in the classroom, either.  We mentioned before about his Business Administration major, Blaze, and his teammates were recently recognized for a team GPA of over 3.3.

Truly impressive.

The best is yet to come this year, though.  All you have to do is ask the fire-starter, himself.

YSN General Manager, Steve Leslie sits down with Blaze Glenn after practice for this week’s YSU Baseball Player Profile- THE TORONTO TRAILBLAZER

BIG DOGS OF THE VALLEY WEEK 11 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

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With OVER 30,000 votes cast between Sunday at 7 PM and Wednesday at midnight, the Week 11 Winners have been chosen for Baird Brothers’ Big Dog of the Valley.

 

Congratulations to East Palestine’s Dom Posey (8,425 votes) whose 23 Points against Leetonia to earn the Week 11 reward.

PHOTO CREDIT: LEGACYSTUDIOSBYJJS

 

Congratulations to Crestview’s Haley Eskra (12,249 votes) who posted 14 Points/6 Rebounds/6 Assists in her game against Edgewood, and got the Week 11 nod for the ladies.

PHOTO CREDIT: CAROLYN BYERS BLATCH

POLAND BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER WITH NICK BLANCH (EP 3)

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Focus.

That’s the main word on the lips of the Poland Coaching Staff these days.  The Lady Bulldogs have flexed their muscles, and shown their grace all season long, but the focus must remain to be something truly special at the end of the season.

Lead Dog, Nick Blanch has maintained through our first three episodes of Poland Coach’s Corner that his squad must remain focused on the task at hand each night, and to this point; they’ve done exactly that.

What other wisdom will Coach relay to his team this week and heading into the tourney?  Find out as Anthony Hartwig sits down with Coach B for this week’s Poland Basketball Coach’s Corner: Episode 3.

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IT’S REIGNING KAT’S AND ‘DOGS

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While it may serve as a surprise or shock to the area teams, and writers, the success of this year’s Poland Bulldogs Girls Basketball Team had been well-planned and worked for well before the season began.  Co-Captain Kat Partika has led her team on and off the court, but specifically when it comes to being the emotional leader of this team.  Partika is very much team-oriented and has used her veteran presence to boost her confidence and become more of an offensive threat in 2019.

Partika and company have climbed their way all the way to the top of the State Rankings, which is certainly a goal on the board, but Kat doesn’t see that as “Mission Accomplished.”

The Lady Bulldogs look to celebrate their freshly-crowned NE8 Championship for a few days before the tournament begins!

Find out the pre-game playlist, superstitions, and get inside the huddle with Co-Captain Kat Partika and YSN’s Anthony Hartwig in this week’s Poland Basketball Player Profile: IT’S REIGNING KAT’S AND ‘DOGS

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RAISING THE BARR: CRESTVIEW’S FOOTBALL STANDOUT SIGNS WITH WALSH

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“I just wanted to make sure I made the right choice for me.”

Crestview Senior Football Player and all-around athlete, Stephen Barr has made things official on the day before Valentine’s Day.  He’s going to trade in his musket for a pair of swords as he joins the Walsh Cavaliers in the fall.

While Barr made the announcement on Twitter during last week’s signing day, he put the pen to paper this afternoon.

Barr will join Coach John Fankhauser’s defensive side of the football, and serve as a playmaker in the Cavalier backfield.

We caught up with Stephen following his crossing of the “t’s” for a quick breakdown of the process.  We want to congratulate The Barr Family, as well as Crestview for producing a stellar product on and off the field.  We at YSN wish you all nothing but the best!  Go Cavs!