Tag Archive for: Panthers

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.

HERALDS LEAVE MYRTLE ON A HIGH NOTE WITH A WIN OVER ABBEVILLE

Photo Credit: JJ Pawlowski

Myrtle Beach, SC- Looking to shake off a shakey start to their first ever Myrtle Beach baseball trip, The St. John Heralds found success on the diamond, securing a solid 5-2 victory over the Abbeville Panthers (SC) this past Sunday.

Despite Abbeville’s early push, with Grady Overholt’s clutch single in the first inning, the Heralds swiftly responded. An error by the Abbeville Varsity Panthers allowed St. John to level the score at one apiece in the bottom of the second inning.

The momentum swung firmly in St. John’s favor in the third inning, as Ryan Williams and Aaron Wychock each delivered sacrifice flies, propelling the Heralds into a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Will Anderson led the charge on the mound for St. John, showcasing resilience through five innings of work, allowing only two runs on five hits while striking out four. Williams provided reliable relief pitching, shutting down Abbeville’s offense with two innings of scoreless ball.

Offensively, Ezra Campbell, Kyle Hejduk, and Anderson contributed hits for the Heralds, while Wychock, Williams, and Anderson each drove in a run. Brady Cole’s speed on the basepaths was evident, swiping two bases, contributing to the team’s collective five stolen bases. Notably, the Heralds’ defense remained sharp, committing no errors throughout the game, with Williams making six key defensive plays.

For Abbeville, players like Easton Townsend, Lohen Nickles, and Dayne Botts notched hits, while Overholt and Thomas Booth drove in runs.

Looking ahead, the St. John Heralds will carry this victory’s momentum into their next matchup at home against Lordstown on Tuesday, aiming to continue their winning streak on familiar turf.

LADY HERALDS WIN OVER BRISTOL IN FINAL HOME GAME

Saybrook, OH- In a thrilling girls’ basketball matchup, the St. John Heralds emerged victorious against the Bristol Panthers with a final score of 43-31. The game, which took place at the St. John gymnasium, saw intense action from both teams as they battled it out on the court.

Team 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Total
St. John Heralds 14 7 8 14 43
Bristol Panthers 9 12 0 10 31

 

Game Recap

The Heralds started the game strong, taking an early lead in the first quarter with a score of 14-9. Led by standout performances from Mickey Zheng and Alyssa Cevera, the Heralds maintained their momentum throughout the game. Zheng showcased her scoring prowess, contributing 17 points to the team’s total, while Cevera added 11 points of her own.

However, the Panthers fought back in the second quarter, outscoring the Heralds 12-7 to narrow the gap. Bri Hingersmith led the Panthers’ offensive efforts, scoring 8 points in the game. Despite their efforts, the Panthers struggled to contain the Heralds’ offense in the second half, allowing St. John to secure the win.

Player Stats

  • St. John Heralds Total Points:
    • Mickey Zheng: 17
    • Alyssa Cevera: 11
    • Grace DiSalvatore: 8
    • Izzy Holler: 4
    • Alexa Jordan: 3
  • Bristol Panthers Total Points:
    • Bri Hingersmith: 8
    • Payton Brock: 7
    • Sam Mansfield: 6
    • Lauren Church: 4
    • Destiny Crass: 6

Looking Ahead

With this win, the St. John Heralds improve their record to 11-9 and will head into their final game of the regular season on the road against the Mathews Mustangs on 2/10/24. Meanwhile, the Bristol Panthers (9-11) will face off against the Garfield G-Men (3-16) in their next game on 2/15/24.

The Heralds will aim to carry the momentum from this victory into their upcoming matchup, while the Panthers will look to bounce back and secure a win in their next game.

Stay tuned for more exciting basketball action as the season progresses!

PANTHERS POUNCE ON HERALDS

Photo Credit: Mickey Zheng Photography

Bristolville, OH- In a tough road game for the Heralds, the Bristol Panthers dominated the St. John Heralds with a resounding victory, closing the game with a staggering scoreline of 77-20.

The first quarter saw a stark contrast in performance, with St. John struggling to find their footing and amassing a mere 8 points. Meanwhile, Bristol showcased their offensive prowess, securing a commanding lead with 23 points.

As the game progressed, Bristol continued to assert their dominance, scoring 24 and 16 points in the second and third quarters, respectively. St. John fought valiantly, but the relentless pressure from the Panthers limited their offensive opportunities.

Individual performances from standout players highlighted the game. Jayden Miller led Bristol with an outstanding 22 points, supported by a balanced contribution from his teammates, including Jack Berry and Mikey Burbach, who each scored 14 points.

On the St. John side, Aaron Wychock showcased his skills, contributing 7 points. However, the collective efforts of the Heralds were insufficient to overcome the relentless defensive pressure imposed by Bristol.

The key to Bristol’s triumph lay in their ability to press effectively, forcing an impressive 23 turnovers in the first half alone. This defensive prowess translated into 22 crucial points from transition baskets, setting the foundation for their comprehensive win.

Looking ahead, the St. John Heralds, with a current record of 0-3, will face the formidable Conneaut Spartans (2-0) in their next matchup on 12/09/23. The Spartans, coming off a 72-65 victory over the Northwestern Wildcats, will pose a challenging test for the Heralds.

As for the undefeated Bristol Panthers (3-0), their next challenge awaits against the Maplewood Rockets (1-1) on 12/12/23. The Rockets, fresh from a 69-34 defeat to the Mathews Mustangs, will look to bounce back, setting the stage for an intriguing matchup against the Panthers’ relentless offensive and defensive prowess.