Tag Archive for: Player of the Year

RHODES NAMED 2021 YSN BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

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EAST PALESTINE, OH- Salem’s Lane Rhodes has been named 2021 Your Sports Network Baseball Player of the Year.

Rhodes has led his Quakers on both sides of the diamond to a 26-3 record and has Salem believing in the “Quaker 9” in 2021.  Rhodes’ selection is more than just numbers on a stat sheet, it’s what he’s done, and who he’s been for this team during his senior campaign.  However, make no mistake about it, The Quaker Captain has been nothing short of impressive along the way.

On the bump, Rhodes has posted a 7-0 record over his opposition, which includes 55.1 innings pitched, a .88 ERA, striking out 66 batters, and posting a pair of complete-game tournament victories at the time of publication.  Oh, and not to mention a no-hitter against his team’s top rival, West Branch.  Defensively, Rhodes also played all over the infield, and wherever he was needed with stints at third base, shortstop, and at first base as well.

Offensively, “Big Game Lane” showed up, and showed off to the tune of a .384 batting average, with 33 hits, with nearly half of those going for extra bases (12 doubles, 2 triples, and 1 home run.)  Rhodes also served as a table-setter in the 3-hole this season, scoring 33 times, driving in 20 runs, and stealing 11 bags along the way.

Again, although the stats are outstanding, it’s the intensity and leadership that Lane Rhodes provides that set him apart this season from each nominee.

While Lane looks to continue his Quaker career in Akron, his next steps will be toward Youngstown as he will join the roster of the YSU Penguins this Fall to continue his academic and athletic career.

Congratulations to Lane Rhodes for a great high school baseball career, and best of luck in all he does moving forward!

YSN WELL REPRESENTED IN THE COLUMBIANA COUNTY GIRLS VOTING

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COLUMBIANA, OH – The Columbiana County girls basketball player of the year and team voting is complete! Below are the selections for the players of the year and the first and second team selections!

 

Player of the Year:

Kyla Jamison – Salem

 

First Team Selection:

Grace Witmer – Columbiana

Krista Perry – Crestview

Mikayla Reed – East Liverpool

Joclyn Fristik – East Palestine

Madi Matthews – Heartland Christian

Taran Ferry – Leetonia

Kyla Jamison – Salem

 

Second Team Selection:

Jordan Palmer – Beaver Local

Tori Long – Columbiana

Mara Halas – Crestview

Payton Sherry – East Palestine

Ella Gregorino – Leetonia

Parker Henthorne – Lisbon

Abbie Davidson – Salem

Madison Kibler – United

YSN WELL REPRESENTED IN THE COLUMBIANA COUNTY BOYS VOTING

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COLUMBIANA, OH – The Columbiana County boys basketball player of the year and team voting is complete! Below are the selections for the players of the year and the first and second team selections!

 

Co-players of the Year:

Blayne Brownfield – Lisbon

Drew Weir – Salem

 

First Team Selection:

Drake Golden – Crestview

Cole Dailey – East Liverpool

Jonathan Bertovich – Heartland Christian

Joey Donofrio – Heartland Christian

Blayne Brownfield – Lisbon

Drew Weir – Salem

Luke Green – Wellsville

 

Second Team Selection:

Skylar Pappas – Beaver Local

Nick Million – Columbiana

Zavea Green – East Liverpool

Ian Davis – Leetonia

Ryan McCullough – Lisbon

Hunter Griffith – Salem

Keaton Baker – United

Jaxon Brewer – Wellsville

HOFFMAN NAMED YSN/BAIRD BROTHERS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

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STRUTHERS, OH- There have only been two things consistent this summer: Rain, and the leadership performance of Astro Falcon shortstop, Josh Hoffman.

The Beaver graduate continued his ambush on Class B opposition this year to the tune of a .414 average that consisted of 16 runs scored, 3 doubles, 3 walks, 13 RBI, and 15 stolen bases.  That run also ignited the Astro Falcons to their first Class B Championship in 5 years.

Hoffman is set to join Manager Dan Bertolini and Youngstown State in the Fall and looks to help the Penguins compete for a title in 2020.

For his outstanding numbers, his character on and off the field, Josh has been named the 2019 YSN/Baird Brothers Player of the Year for the Youngstown Class B League.

Congratulations to Josh on a stellar season, and best of luck as he continues his student-athlete career at Youngstown State University.

BIG DOGS OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED

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With over 410,000 votes during the final poll, the first-ever Baird Brothers/YSN Big Dogs of the Valley Players of the Year were awarded during intermission of the YSN All-Star Game last night.  The award was based on three separate pieces of data which were weighted and scored.

For the girls, Beaver Local’s Jenna Riccardo will wear the crown for 2019.  Riccardo won the Week 1 vote for BDOV, and was nominated 11 out of the 12 weeks the contest was held.  In only her junior season, Jenna became the all-time leading scorer for the Beavers.  She also averaged a double-double this year with 23 points, and 13.3 rebounds per game alongside her 2.6 steals and nearly two blocks to boot.  She also was recognized for being the Columbiana County player of the year, and most recently was named third-team All-Ohio.

PHOTO CREDIT: JILL RICCARDO

Taking home the award for the guys is Lisbon Senior, Justin Sweeney.  A young man who’s battled through many obstacles just to be on the court this season.  However, when he stepped back on the floor, he owned it.  After returning to the court less than 3 months after reconstructive knee surgery, Justin came back to average 21 points per game with 8 rebounds in 2019 while becoming Lisbon’s All-Time Leading Scorer.  Sweeney took home the Week 4 honors for BDOV, and had nominations in each week thereafter.  Earlier this week, Justin was named to the Division IV All-Ohio team.

PHOTO CREDIT: JKB PHOTO

Congratulations to both Jenna and Justin from all of us at YSN, and on behalf of Baird Brothers.  An extraordinary season for both players, and well-deserved accomplishments this season from many outlets.