Tag Archive for: Player Profile

PEANUT LEADS THE WAY

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When you think of what you want in a basketball player, consistency and a leader usually come to mind. Junior, Ryan “Peanut” McCullough, is one of those players for the Lisbon Blue Devils, as he has not missed a single game in his three years as a player. Not only is Ryan a consistent player, but he is also the fuel that makes the Lisbon boys basketball team run. The confidence he has built up over the past two seasons is what makes him a true leader this year for the Blue Devils as he was named one of the team captains for the first time in his high school career. When asked what makes Peanut the player he is, his response is simply “the team around me.” Peanut is always the first person to give credit to his surrounding cast and build his teammates up before he takes the credit for himself. His playing style is identical to that as well, as he is one to get everyone involved on and off the floor as a leader and great teammate.

D.J. Yokley took some time to catch up with the junior guard this morning as they talked about his goals, what his personal multi-sport success can do on the basketball court as well as the football field, his plans for after high school, and much much more. Learn all about the man they call “Peanut” in this player profile with Lisbon Blue Devils star, Ryan McCullough!

THE THUNDERING HERD

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Lizzy Herdman is one of the new faces to a Lady Bulldog team that returns four out of five starters from the 2018 season. Lizzy’s position was not handed to her. She has worked her way up in the program over the last two seasons. Putting her time in on the JV level and constantly growing. That time is something Coach Blanch respects in a player. Herdman doesn’t have the need of instant gratification, she understands everything has to be earned. Coming in to this summer she was determined to take her place at the varsity level. The coaching staff saw pretty quickly how much of an asset Herdman was going to be. She was rewarded a starting role and in the first game of the season, she showed she belonged by leading the team in rebounds against a physical Champion squad. Lizzy still isn’t satisfied with just getting to start, she says her personal goal as the season goes on is to become more of an offensive impact for her team. She also understands that now as a junior she needs to be a leader of this team. Strong leadership has been a pin of the program over the years and Herdman is determined to continue that trend. It’s been a long time coming for this junior, she’s been building her skills and waiting for her time. Now nothing can stop the thundering herd from dominating down low. 

Anthony Hartwig went down to Poland to talk to Lizzy. They discuss earning her new spot, what she expects from herself going forward, and much more. Get your fix of Lady Bulldog basketball with the latest Player Profile The Thundering Herd.

GILES IN CHARGE

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Every basketball team has a player or two they trust to handle the ball on every single possession. For the Lady Raiders that player has been Lexi Giles for the last two years. A strong point guard that has come in and brought organization to an already highley athletic offense. With a year under her belt Giles has already found herself more confident on the floor this season. She feels a much greater part of the team this season. When asked what her personal goals were for the season Giles simply said, to be more of a team player. Lexi is the kind of player that simply wants to make her team better. She has done just that this season. Lexi is giving the Raiders a huge lift as the second year point guard is always in charge of the floor. One of the things that really got Giles talking was the community outreach program the team has put in place this season. They’ve already made several trips to hospitals donating their time and effort. Giles wants to make an impact on the community and show that her team is more than just basketball players. 

Anthony Hartwig went down to South Range to catch up with the sophomore point guard. They talked about personal goals, the team’s community outreach, and much more. Learn all about one the Raiders premiere players in the latest profile Giles in Charge.

IT’S ALWAYS SONNY AT CARDINAL MOONEY

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You’ll be hard pressed to find a more versatile player on the Cardinals than Sonny Rodriquez. Spot up from 3, defend the opponent’s best guard, or run the point, Mooney’s sixth man leads by example and lets his play do the talking.

Sonny, however, did do some talking prior to Mooney’s showdown against rival Boardman with our own Nate Keiper. In this installment of the Player Profile, sponsored by MP Vivo, Nate and Sonny discuss the Cardinals’ start to the season, what sort of things they’ve been working on in practice, as well as Sonny’s favorite Christmas gift and his biggest role model.

JACKIE OF ALL TRADES

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Jackie Grisdale is the definition of someone who can do it all. She is on pace to receive 20 varsity letters when her career at Poland is over. That would be a school record. But the question remains how does Jackie avoid fatigue. She says she’s never really had to deal with it. She handles the small breaks she gets, and makes sure her body is always well rested. A true example of an all around athlete. 

As far as basketball season goes, Jackie came in knowing she’d be asked to do more than she was a season ago. She worked all summer on her ball handling and court awareness. As a captain on the team she is also being asked to become a stronger leader on the floor than ever before. As a daughter of coaches, understanding the game has never been a problem for Jackie. She  uses her strong knowledge of the game to strengthen her leadership abilities. She gets her teammates in the best position to score. 

Anthony Hartwig traveled to Poland to catch up with Jackie and talk about her multi sport ability, new leadership tools, and much more. Learn all about one of the Lady Bulldog captain in the latest Player Profile Jackie of All Trades.

PUMPIN UP THE PARTY

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Izzy Lamparty is officially an upperclassman. South Range fans have watched Lamparty dazzle on the basketball court for two seasons. Now they will see her lead a team as a captain in her junior season. Izzy is fully focused this year knowing that more responsibility is on her shoulders as a vocal and emotional leader of the team. 

Izzy’s personal goal this season had to do with leadership. Being able to rely and trust in her teammates. She has definitely set the tone early in the season, Izzy is averaging 20 points per game already this season and has gathered several double-doubles.  Those stats are things Raiders fans expect from Lamparty after watching her for two seasons, what’s new is her ability to bring leadership on the court. Coach Fishel can trust her to be an extra coach on the court. Helping her teammates get in the best position possible for success.  

Anthony Hartwig went down to South Range to chat with Izzy. They discussed changes coming into her junior season, being a leader, and much more. Learn all about the life of the Raider party in the latest Player Profile Pumping Up the Party.

BUSHAW AT HOME IN POLAND

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Poland Lady Bulldog senior Sarah Bushaw can describe her team in one word. Family. And what else can can describe a family than a place where you feel at home. Sarah is a person who has moved a bit in life, but came back to Poland and found her home on the court. This season Sarah has found new confidence in a role as an emotional leader. Whether from the bench or on the floor you can always see Sarah boosting up her teammates with positive energy. Coach Blanch says that Bushaw’s positive attitude is second to none. She can turn any situation around and that could help the team down the road if the find themselves in a tough situation. Sarah says she couldn’t have found that confidence without the senior leaders that came before her. That’s why she switched her number to 0 this season. It’s to honor past leaders in the program Bella Gajdos and Elena Cammack. She wears the number 0 as a badge of honor. 

Anthony Hartwig went down to Poland to chat with Sarah. They discuss what the team means to her, a special moment in Struthers, and much more. Catch up with another Poland senior in the latest Lady Bulldog Player Profile Bushaw At Home in Poland.

MASUCCI MASTERS LEADERSHIP

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Poland Lady Bulldog senior Katie Masucci has put extra importance on her senior season of basketball. She knows what the seniors last year put in to this program to put it on the map, and she wants to make sure this group continues that. An admiringly shy person, Katie says that being forced to be a leader has really gotten her to come out of her shell. Of course, having her sister on the same team helps out with that as well. Katie says that having this season with her sister has brought them both closer than ever before. 

Katie has waited her time to be a marquee player at the varsity level. That is a quality that coach Blanch puts above anything else. She spent three years developing, playing out her role, and now she is being rewarded by getting quality minutes in big time situations. The program thrives on knowing and accepting your role as a player, and Katie is someone that is a grand example of that philosophy.

Anthony Hartwig went to Poland to catch up with Katie. They discuss her leadership growth, playing with her sister, and much more. Learn all about the Bulldog senior on the latest Poland Lady Bulldog Player Profile Masucci Masters Leadership.

BY THE BROOKE

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Poland Lady Bulldog Senior Brooke Bobbey has had quite the wave of attention in the last couple weeks. She has signed to play softball at St Bonaventure, she has continued to excel in the classroom, and she now leads a basketball team poised to build off of a 26-1 season. 

It’s only fitting that the girl who is number one in her class would wear the number one on her jersey. Time management has been a skill that Bobbey has all but mastered, lettering in all 3 sports she plays while maintaining her 4.0 GPA.  Brooke seems to find herself near the top of everything she ventures in to. But if you ask her, it’s not about being at the top for her, it’s simply about doing everything she does to the best of her ability. That’s how she was raised. She is now a senior leader, and captain to a team that was a couple steps away from punching a ticket to Columbus last season. She looks to lead her team not just in games, but also in practice making sure the intensity level stays up throughout the season. Brooke has set a personal goal to improve her offensive output while keeping focused on her shutdown defense. Coach Blanch says early in the year he can already see a difference in her game. She is shooting lights out right now heading into the start of the season. Everyone in the program is surely hoping that continues. 

Anthony Hartwig caught up with Brooke to talk about this basketball season. They also discuss changes to the team, her support system, and much more. Get your fix of Lady Bulldog basketball with the latest Player Profile By The Brooke.

THE OBP MACHINE

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What makes a great multi-sport athlete is their ability to transition from season to season effortlessly. Their desire and toughness pushing them through each season, directly into the next.

Catie Perry takes the court this season as only one of four seniors, but for her, the season never ends. Nicknamed during softball season as “The OBP Machine”, due to her incredible on base percentage, Perry has little time to think about her previous accomplishments as she’s setting new ones each and every day.

Nate Keiper caught up with Catie earlier in the week, prior to the Lady Cardinals game against rival Boardman, to see what the current goals for her and her team might be, as well as discuss favorite Christmas gifts. This week’s player profile has been a much anticipated one, with Catie Perry, The OBP Machine!