Tag Archive for: Panthers

SALEM CANT FIND THEIR FOOTING

SALEM OH-  Salem ran into trouble Saturday and couldn’t dig out, falling to Massillon Perry 12-1 after an eight-run explosion in the fourth inning flipped the game on its head.

Perry got on the board early, taking advantage of a dropped third strike and a groundout to plate two in the top of the first. They tacked on two more in the third with a double and a fielder’s choice to make it 4-0.

Then came the fourth. Salem couldn’t stop the bleeding as Perry strung together three hits, mixed in a few freebies, and took full advantage of a couple defensive miscues. When the dust settled, eight runs had crossed the plate, and the Quakers were suddenly staring down a 12-0 hole.

Salem got one back in the bottom half thanks to a Colin Riesen RBI, and Bairon Exline chipped in a perfect 2-for-2 day at the plate, but it wasn’t nearly enough to close the gap.

Braydon Van Dyne got the start and battled through 3.2 innings, striking out three but running into trouble in that big fourth frame. On the flip side, Perry’s starter went the full five innings, holding Salem to just one run on four hits without a walk.

Perry finished with nine hits and played clean defense, while also swiping four bags on the basepaths. The Quakers now regroup and look ahead to a road trip to Girard on Monday.

LADY HERALDS GRAB FIRST SEASON WIN OVER PANTHERS

Ashtabula, OH — Isabelle Holler delivered a dominant performance in the circle on Friday evening, striking out 12 batters to lead the Saint John Heralds to a 6-4 victory over the visiting Bristol Panthers in Northeastern Athletic Conference (NAC) action.

Holler went the distance for the Heralds, allowing 11 hits and four earned runs over seven innings while walking just two. Her command and composure on the mound helped Saint John battle back from an early deficit and hold off a late push from Bristol.

The Panthers broke through in the top of the fourth inning. M. Workman singled to bring in the game’s first run, and A. Atchinson followed with a two-run double to give Bristol a 3-0 lead.

Saint John answered in the bottom of the fifth. A wild pitch allowed a run to score, then Maddie Holler came up clutch with a bases-clearing double that gave the Heralds a 5-4 advantage.

Gianna Torres added a spark for the Heralds, ripping a triple and scoring twice on the night to help fuel the comeback. Her aggressive base running and timely hitting proved to be key in a close contest.

Isabelle Holler also contributed offensively, driving in three runs and going 1-for-1 at the plate. Caitlyn Carney helped set the tone at the top of the lineup, collecting two hits in four at-bats.

Workman took the loss for Bristol, pitching five and one-third innings while allowing five runs on four hits. She struck out seven and walked three. At the plate, she led the Panthers with a 4-for-5 effort. Atchinson chipped in with a 2-for-4 performance and two RBIs.

Bristol finished with 11 hits and was sharp defensively, committing no errors. S. Gibson led the team in the field with eight chances.

The Heralds (1-0) will look to stay unbeaten as they hit the road Monday for another NAC matchup against Bloomfield.

HERALDS START NAC PLAY WITH A WIN

Photo Credit: Joclyn Nicholas

Ashtabula, OH – Senior Ryan Williams turned in a stellar all-around performance, collecting three hits, driving in three runs, and pitching a scoreless inning in relief to lead the Saint John Heralds to an 11-1 victory over the Bristol Panthers in NAC conference action Friday at Smith Field.

Bristol got on the board early in the top of the first inning after Kaiden Kohler grounded out to bring home a run. But the Heralds wasted no time responding in the bottom half, as Ezra Campbell drove in the tying run with a groundout before Williams gave Saint John the lead with a sharp RBI single to center.

Williams stayed hot in the sixth inning, capping a five-run outburst with a two-run double that put the game out of reach for the Panthers.

The Heralds steadily built their lead throughout the game. Campbell singled home a run in the second, Aaron Wychock added an RBI single in the third, and Campbell doubled in another in the fifth. A wild pitch, an RBI single by Will Anderson, and Campbell’s third RBI hit of the day helped spark the sixth-inning explosion before Williams delivered the dagger.

Wychock earned the win on the mound, limiting Bristol to one hit and one run over five innings while striking out five and walking two. Williams closed out the game with a strong inning of relief, striking out one and allowing just one hit.

Offensively, Williams and Campbell led the charge with three hits apiece, combining for seven RBIs. Anderson, Anthony Severino, and Dyln Newsome also recorded multi-hit games, contributing to the team’s 15-hit offensive outburst. Severino and Williams drew two walks each, helping Saint John to a total of six free passes on the day.

The Heralds were aggressive on the base paths, racking up seven stolen bases. Newsome and Gus Petros each swiped multiple bags to keep the pressure on the Panthers.

Kaiden Kohler and Croc Thorp each collected one hit for Bristol, with Kohler also driving in the Panthers’ only run. Kohler took the loss on the mound, surrendering six runs on 12 hits over five innings, striking out four and walking four.

Saint John will look to keep the momentum rolling when they travel to face Chalker on Wednesday.

HERALDS LOSE HEARTBREAKER IN FINAL MOMENTS

Saybrook, OH- In a competitive NAC matchup on January 31, 2025, the Saint John Heralds (7-7) hosted the Bristol Panthers (12-6) at Saint John High School in Ashtabula, Ohio. Both teams entered the game seeking a key conference win as the regular season winds down.

Game Summary:

The Heralds came out firing in the first quarter, fueled by an energetic crowd and sharp offensive execution. They put up an impressive 23 points while holding the Panthers to 15. Sophomore standout Chase Newsome showcased his scoring prowess early, setting the tone for the Heralds’ strong start.

Bristol, however, would not be rattled. The Panthers rallied in the second quarter, outscoring Saint John 19-9 behind a dominant performance from Jack Berry, who proved to be a scoring machine throughout the night. By halftime, the Panthers had seized a narrow 34-32 lead.

The third quarter saw both teams struggle offensively as defenses tightened. Bristol edged Saint John 9-6 in the frame, extending their lead to 43-38 heading into the final quarter. Despite trailing, the Heralds refused to back down.

Saint John mounted a valiant fourth-quarter comeback attempt, with senior guard Vin Narducci and sophomore Chase Newsome leading the charge. They combined for key baskets, cutting into Bristol’s lead. The Heralds scored 15 points in the final frame, but the Panthers’ balanced scoring and clutch free throws secured a hard-fought 56-53 victory.

Key Performers:

Saint John Heralds:

  • Chase Newsome: 16 points
  • Vin Narducci: 12 points
  • Dyln Newsome: 10 points
  • Grayson Petros: 9 points
  • Aaron Wychock: 5 points
  • Gus Petros: 1 point

Bristol Panthers:

  • Jack Berry: 23 points
  • Kaiden Kohler: 13 points
  • Brody Smith: 10 points
  • Diesel Williams: 9 points
  • Croc Thorp: 1 point

Jack Berry’s 23-point performance was instrumental in Bristol’s win, as he consistently found ways to score against Saint John’s defense. Kaiden Kohler and Brody Smith provided solid secondary contributions for the Panthers.

Looking Ahead:

Saint John (7-8) will look to bounce back quickly as they host fellow NAC member Maplewood Rockets on February 1, 2025. Bristol (13-6) will aim to maintain their momentum when they return home to face the Chalker Wildcats on the same night.

Despite the loss, the Heralds’ resilience and balanced scoring highlighted their growth as a team. With key contributions from both upperclassmen and underclassmen, Saint John continues to be a formidable presence in the NAC.

PERRY PUTS ON A DEFENSIVE CLINIC

CANFIELD, OH — The Massillon-Perry Panthers earned a significant win over the Warren JFK Catholic Eagles, posting a 53-44 victory on Saturday night during the South Range Holiday Hoops Classic.
The Panthers came out strong, leading 16-12 after the first quarter and extending their advantage to 26-16 by halftime. A dominant third quarter saw Perry push their lead to 41-26. Though Warren JFK mounted a late comeback effort in the fourth quarter, the Panthers maintained control to seal the nine-point win.

Lila Kleve led Perry’s offensive charge with 22 points. Tatianna Evans added eight, while Katelyn Randulic and Jenna Haynes contributed seven and six points, respectively. Riley Minor chipped in six points and recorded three critical blocks to anchor the defense.
For the Eagles, Didi Ryan and Gianna Pompelia each tallied 14 points, with Addy Odille adding five. Despite their efforts, JFK was unable to overcome Perry’s balanced attack and defensive intensity.

Massillon-Perry (8-3, 3-2 Federal League) returns to Federal League action on Saturday, January 4, facing the league-leading Green Bulldogs (7-1, 5-0) at 1:15 p.m. Warren JFK (9-2, 2-0 Portage Trail Conference) will aim to rebound against the undefeated Maplewood Rockets (7-0, 4-0) on Friday, January 3, with a 1:45 p.m. tip-off.

PANTHERS PUT TOGETHER STRONG FINISH

CANFIELD OH- Perry came up clutch down the stretch to take down Fitch, 55-47, on Friday at the South Range Holiday Hoops Classic. The Panthers leaned on a strong finish to seal the deal in a hard-fought battle.

Lila Kleve led the charge for Perry with 21 points, while Riley Minor added 17 to keep the offense rolling. Alivia Randulic chipped in 6 to round out the scoring.

For Fitch, Liz Spalding dropped 14 points, and the duo of Sam Severn and Rachel Spalding each added 10, but it wasn’t enough to match Perry’s late surge.

Both squads are back in action Saturday at South Range. Perry will face Warren JFK, while Fitch looks to rebound against St. Vincent-St. Mary.

HERALDS STUMBLE LATE IN SEASON OPENER

Bristolville, OH — The Saint John Heralds opened their 2024-25 basketball season on Tuesday night with a road matchup against the Bristol Panthers. Despite a strong offensive effort led by their senior core, the Heralds couldn’t keep pace with Bristol’s fast transition game, ultimately falling 77-57.

Bristol relied on their speed and relentless transition offense to gain the upper hand, outscoring Saint John 14-10 in the first quarter. The Heralds responded with a strong 22-point second quarter, but Bristol maintained control by matching their scoring output and heading into halftime with a 40-32 lead.

Both teams traded buckets in a balanced third quarter, each putting up 16 points, but Bristol’s pace overwhelmed the Heralds in the fourth. The Panthers closed out the game with a 21-9 run, using fast breaks and quick ball movement to seal the victory.

Senior Dylan Newsome led the Heralds with 13 points, showing his scoring versatility. Fellow seniors Grayson Petros and Vin Narducci each added 11 points, with Narducci connecting on one of the team’s four three-pointers. Senior Aaron Wychock chipped in three points, playing a solid role on defense.

Sophomore Chase Newsome added 11 points, including two three-pointers, and Junior Don Crawford contributed six points, rounding out Saint John’s offensive efforts.

The Heralds hit four three-pointers in total, with two from Chase Newsome and one apiece from Dylan Newsome and Vin Narducci. While the scoring was well-distributed, Saint John struggled to match Bristol’s tempo in transition, which proved to be the difference in the game.

The loss drops the Heralds to 0-1, but they’ll look to regroup quickly as they head back on the road to face the Horizon Science Academy Dragons on Saturday, December 14.

PIRATES TAME PANTHERS ON THE ROAD IN WEEK 2

Euclid, OH- The Perry Pirates delivered a powerful performance in Week 2, overwhelming the Euclid Panthers with a 42-0 shutout victory. From the opening drive, Perry set the tone, displaying a relentless offensive attack that kept Euclid on their heels throughout the game. With a strong showing on both sides of the ball, the Pirates made it clear they are a force to be reckoned with this season.

The Pirates wasted no time establishing their presence, with Walter Moses capping off a strong opening drive with a 1-yard touchdown run just 11:31 into the first quarter. The successful extra point gave Perry an early 7-0 lead.

Perry’s momentum didn’t wane, as they marched down the field again, this time with Owen McKoon finishing the drive with another 1-yard touchdown run at the 7:24 mark. With the extra point splitting the uprights, the Pirates extended their lead to 14-0.

As the first quarter neared its close, Perry delivered a decisive blow with just 15 seconds remaining. Derreon Howard powered his way through the Panthers’ defense for a 14-yard touchdown run, pushing the lead to 21-0 following another successful extra point.

In the second quarter, Perry continued to showcase their offensive onslaught. At 8:05, quarterback Walter Moses executed a perfect 2-yard sneak into the end zone, bringing the score to 28-0 after the extra point.

The third quarter saw more of the same from the Pirates. With 9:00 on the clock, Chris Bezzeg bulldozed his way into the end zone from 3 yards out, and with the extra point, Perry found themselves up 35-0.

The Pirates capped off their dominant performance with a final touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, sealing a 42-0 shutout victory over Euclid.

With this win, Perry improves to 2-0 on the season, setting up a highly anticipated Week 3 matchup against the equally undefeated Kirtland Hornets. The Euclid Panthers, now 0-2, will look to regroup as they prepare to host the Whetstone Braves (0-2) in their next game.

PANTHERS POUNCE ON HERALDS

Photo Credit: Joclyn Nicholas Photography

Bristolville, OH- The St. John Heralds faced a tough challenge against the Bristol Panthers and suffered an 11-1 defeat on Monday, marking their first loss since April 6th.

Bristol wasted no time establishing their dominance, scoring early in the second inning with an unearned run followed by a double from Fran Jimenez, bringing in two more runs.

The Panthers extended their lead in the third inning after capitalizing on errors by the Heralds and another timely hit from Jimenez, resulting in two more runs.

Brady Cole took the mound for the Heralds but struggled against the Panthers’ offense, allowing 11 runs (five earned) over four and two-thirds innings.

Kaiden Kohler started for the Panthers and held the Heralds to just one run over five innings, striking out five.

Despite the loss, Ezra Campbell and Will Anderson stood out for the Heralds with two hits each, while Campbell drove in their lone run of the game.

Bristol’s offense was led by Mikey Burbach, who drove in two runs, and Jimenez, who went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate.

Defensively, the Panthers were flawless, committing no errors throughout the game.

Looking ahead, the Heralds aim to bounce back as they face the very talented Warren JFK Eagles on Wednesday on the road.

SMOOTH SAILING FOR LAKERS IN WIN OVER BRISTOL

Bristolville, OH- The Pymatuning Valley Lakers delivered a stunning offensive surge in the top of the seventh inning, rallying for five runs on five hits to secure a commanding victory. Mackenzie Kribbs ignited the rally with a powerful solo home run to center field, setting the tone for the Lakers’ late-game heroics. Kendall Gray’s clutch single drove in another run, while Mckenna Jordan’s double plated two more, and Haines contributed with a groundout to add another run to the Lakers’ tally.

Saige Payne led the charge from the pitcher’s circle, pitching a complete game and earning the win for the Lakers. Despite conceding seven hits and seven runs (six earned), Payne showcased her resilience, striking out nine batters and walking just one.

For the Bristol Panthers, Mackin endured a tough outing on the mound, surrendering nine runs (three earned) over three and two-thirds innings, resulting in the loss. Despite tallying three strikeouts, Mackin struggled to contain the Lakers’ potent offense.

Offensively, the Lakers dominated the game, amassing an impressive 16 hits. Clark, Jordan, and Gray each contributed three hits apiece, while Payne and Kribbs also made significant contributions with multiple hits. The Lakers’ disciplined approach at the plate was evident, as they accumulated eight walks throughout the game.

Despite the loss, Bristol found some success at the plate, with Mackin driving in two runs and M Workman leading the team with two hits.

On the basepaths, Imhoff showcased his speed with two stolen bases for the Lakers, while Bristol managed to swipe four bases in the game.

Looking ahead, the Lakers will carry their momentum into their next home game against Conneaut on Tuesday, aiming to continue their winning streak and maintain their dominance on the field.