Tag Archive for: Poland

POLANDS INCREDIBLE STREAK ENDS IN WARREN

/in /by

Coming in to the day the Poland Lady Bulldogs has not won 31 straight regular season games. They had not lost a game in the regular season since January 27th, 2018 at Struthers. Warren Harding brought it all to an end beating the Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon 48-39.

The Raiders set the tone early as they scored the first 9 points of the game putting Poland in an early hole. The Bulldogs did a good job to stable themselves after that, not letting the lead balloon, but they couldn’t find a way to chip in to the Raider lead in the first half. Poland was getting some quality looks but just couldn’t knock them down. Missing one of their best rebounders in Lizzy Herdman due to an illness, the Bulldogs struggled to get second chance opportunities. They went into the locker room trailing 30-18.

At the break Poland made some defensive adjustments and they worked marvelously. The Raiders could not get any solid looks from the floor as the Dogs slowly but surely ate away at the deficit as the second half went on. Jackie Grisdale and Brooke Bonney both hit some timely shots from the perimeter to storm Poland back. The Bulldogs got the game to 41-39 late in the fourth quarter. The Dogs had the ball in their hands but just couldn’t find a timely shot. The Raiders defense locked down the final two minutes of the game, and they hit seven free throws to solidify their 48-39 victory.

Jackie Grisdale led the Bulldogs in scoring with 12 points. Brooke Bobbey was also in double figures with 10.

Poland returns to action after a week off next Saturday as they host Canfield.

POLAND DOGS GIRARD

/in /by

POLAND, OH- Poland was in search of their first home win of the young season after beating South Range earlier in the week. Zach Kassem and the Bulldogs were able to find victory against the Girard Indians. The Bulldogs played tough man to man defense and only allowed 12 points in the first half.  Zach Kassem had over 11 points in the game along with Michael Cougras who added an 11 more in the winning effort.

First Quarter was all Poland with the Bulldogs only allowing 4 points in the opening quarter. Kassem had 8 points as Poland held a lead of 12-4. Second-quarter was assisted by a host of players off the bench including Bryce Barringer who helped to increase the Bulldog lead. The quarter was highlighted by a last-second buzzer-beater 3 pointer by Andrew Centofanti.
In the third quarter, the Indians would add some much-needed offense thanks to Christian Graziano’s aggressiveness. He finished the night with double digits in points. Michael Cougras would increase the Poland lead in the third, however. A few field goals by Cougras gave the Bulldogs a commanding lead. In the final quarter, the bench of Poland got some extended minutes and assisted in picking up the first victory at home for the Bulldogs. They beat the Indians 64-33.
Cougras finished with 13 and led the Bulldogs, but there were 11 players in all that contributed to Poland on the night.
For Girard, Christian Graziano led the way with 8 points.
Poland (2-1) will face Boardman on December 27th. Girard(2-5) will face Niles Mckinley in the new year.
*Story contributed by YSN’s Anthony Melone

GRISDALE LEADS POLAND PAST JEFFERSON

/in , /by

The Poland Lady Bulldogs kept on rolling Thursday night with a 42-24 victory over Jefferson.

Poland started in a hole trailing Jefferson 16-11 after one quarter, but their defense locked down after that only allowing eight points the rest of the game. That helped them cruise to a 42-24 win in Jefferson.

Jackie Grisdale shines with 22 points.

Poland returns to action Saturday as they travel to Warren Harding.

POLAND GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 4 WITH NICK BLANCH)

/in /by

It’s been a couple weeks since we got to catch up with Coach Blanch, and it’s been a busy week for the Bulldogs.  They’ve gone through a tough schedule unscathed and are sitting at on the season. With wins over South Range, Girard, and Boardman things are looking pretty good in Poland. Coach Blanch sees a lot of room for improvement among the success his team has enjoyed this year. They keep looking to take it one game at a time as they trek forward into games against Jefferson and Warren Harding. 

Anthony Hartwig headed down to Poland to get the scoop from Coach Blanch. They discuss the week that was, the upcoming games, and much more. Don’t miss the newest episode of Coach’s Corner with Nick Blanch.

BUSHAW AT HOME IN POLAND

/in /by

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.

BULLDOGS PUSH PAST RANGE

/in /by

CANFIELD, OH- The South Range Boys Basketball falls to 0-2 in the NE8 after the matchup with Poland 41-35 which moves the Raiders to 2-2 on the year. The Bulldogs would start strong and fast, South Range would fight through the 2nd. But Poland eventually took control of the game, an encouraging push back would help Raiders cut the lead lower until the final buzzer. Chris Brooks and Kris Scandy lead the push back for South Range. Michael Cougras and Zack Kassem led the Bulldogs to the league victory. Cougras added 5 3’s, and 21 of the 41 points came from 3 tonight for Poland. 

Brooks finished the night off with 13 points and 8 rebounds to lead the Raiders. Right behind him was Kris Scandy with 6 points, Dante Digaetano ended with 5 points and 2 rebounds. Eli Taylor, Nate Brown, Justin Marrie all contributed 3 points each and Jake Gehring finished with 2 points and 2 rebounds. Cougras lit the floor up with 3s and finished with 19 points and 3 rebounds. The Kassem twins would contribute 5 and 4 points with 4 and 2 rebounds, respectively, while Andrew Centifanti contributed with great defensive play with 7 points and 3 rebounds. Poland’s disciplined defense was too much for the Raiders, they struggled to get anything to fall and the Bulldogs capitalized.

The Raiders will travel to Hubbard on Friday looking for their first win the conference. Tip-off for the JV will be at 5:30. Varsity at 7:00. Catch it on YSN!

 

*Story contributed by YSN’s Brendan Miller

 

GAME PHOTOS: HERE

MASUCCI MASTERS LEADERSHIP

/in /by

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.

POLAND UNITED IN WIN OVER BOARDMAN

/in /by

POLAND OH- The Poland Lady Bulldogs hosted the United Way Classic Saturday and won their matchup on the day over Boardman 56-33.

The Bulldogs defense kept on their dominating as they held the Spartans to just 9 points in the first half. Boardman tried and tried to get open looks but it seemed every outside shot was highly contested. The Spartans did not shoot well from behind the arc. The Bulldogs complimented their strong defense with maybe their best offensive output of the season. They were up 30-9 at the break and their offense was starting to stay away from unforced turnovers. Connie Cougras was a big reason they had such offensive balance. She went 2 for 4 from three and gave the Bulldogs a great lift off the bench. The game was pretty much decided at the half. Coach Blanch used an opportunity to get younger kids into a big atmosphere. Almost everyone that got in the game was able to get on the scoreboard. And those that didn’t still get their name in the stat book with rebounds or assists. An entire team effort helped Poland cruise to a 56-33 win.

Jackie Grisdale led the Bulldogs with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Kailyn Brown was also in double figures with 12 points 8 rebounds. Connie Cougras finished with 9.

Poland returns to action Thursday as they travel to Jefferson.

POLAND VICTORIOUS IN CLASH WITH RAIDERS

/in /by

Two girls basketball powerhouses met in Poland on Monday as the Bulldogs hosted South Range. Last season these teams were one and two in the final NE8 standings, although both matchups between the two were double figure wins for Poland. That would not be the case this time as Poland scratched and clawed to a close 37-29 win.

It was a back and forth game of runs. Poland opened the game fast on a 10-2 run and looked to be cruising. The majority of the 2nd quarter belonged to South Range though as Bree Kohler got a couple of steals and fast break layups in a 14-5 run taking a 16-15 lead. Poland would not be silenced however as they ended the first half on a 7-0 run to take a 22-16 lead into the locker room.

The Raiders came out swinging to open the third. They spurted out to a 7-0 run themselves to go-ahead 23-22. Poland responded yet again however, they answered the Raiders run with an 11-0 one to close out the third frame.

With a ten point lead going into the final frame Poland looked poised for a win. But the scrappy Raiders team would not go away. They made it 33-29 closing quick before Poland’s defense locked down during the final stretch. Four free throws would seal the deal for the Bulldogs and they escaped a physical fight with the Raiders 37-29.

Jackie Grisdale led the Bulldogs with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Lizzy Herdman has a strong night on the boards with 9 rebounds. Morgan Kluchar was also in double figures with 12.

Izzy Lamparty was the statistical leader for the Raiders with 10 points 5 rebounds. Bree Kohler added 8.

South Range returns to action Thursday as they host Hubbard.

Poland gets back on the floor Saturday as they host Boardman as part of the United Way Classic. Their trip is scheduled for approximately 5:15.

BY THE BROOKE

/in /by

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.