As the Poland Lady Bulldogs continue their journey of victories this season, they’ve been very reliant on the 2019 Senior Class. For leadership, for laughs, for guidance and most of all for their experience. Among those seniors is a young lady who is soft-spoken, yet hard-nosed. Her grit and determination on the court serve almost as a calling card for the Poland Girls Basketball Team.
For Elena Cammack, she is a self-admitted creature of habit, from her rituals prior to the game (slow-moving music, and having her mom wish her “good luck” before she leaves the house.) all the way to her intense focus on the floor that she can drown out a gym full of rowdy and screaming fans. Cammack is proving that her hard work is paying off in a big way.
YSN’s Anthony Hartwig sat down with Elena to discuss her vision on and off the court in this week’s Poland Basketball Player Profile: YES SHE CAMM.
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AUSTINTOWN, OH-The Poland Lady Bulldogs won their first district championship since 2000 tonight with a 65-51 win over Ursuline.
The Bulldogs set the tone quickly as Sarah Bury took the tip away from Ursuline and got a fast-break layup. Poland’s pressure defense forced 7 Irish turnovers in the 1st quarter. Dayshanette Harris fought tooth and nail to keep her team in it scoring the first 9 Irish points. Poland led after a quarter, 24-14.
Poland continued to pressure the Irish as the first half went on. They forced 6 more Irish turnovers in the 2nd quarter and seemed to be capitalizing on every single one. Jackie Grisdale starting to catch fire from the perimeter, she had a big three-pointer that stretched the Poland lead to 29-14. Poland held Dayshanette Harris to just 3 points in the whole second quarter, which is a big reason their lead ballooned to 37-22 at the half.
On the first offensive possession of the 3rd quarter, Harris took it into the lane and hit the deck hard. Irish fans held their breath as she stayed on the ground for a good 3 minutes being looked at by the trainers. She left the game, but Ursuline held strong with her, not on the floor. With about 5:00 to go in the 3rd Harris came back into the game, bandages wrapped on her left elbow. It had no effect on her as she immediately hit a pull up three. Seeing their star fight through an injury inspired the Irish and they went on a 19-11 run to end the 3rd frame, and only trailed 50-41.
The momentum was on the Irish side as the final frame began. The two teams traded a few buckets and then Ursuline cut the lead to seven. A very important moment in the game as the Poland defense made a few tough stops while their offense was trying to get back into a rhythm. Ursuline had to feel like this was their chance to take control of the game but Poland’s defense held strong. With the game at a tipping point, senior Kat Partika sidestepped a defender and hit a 15-foot jumper to put Poland’s lead back in double figures 54-43. Brooke Bobbey would then step up with back to back steals that would lead to layups, and just like that Poland was back up 60-45. Bobbey then hit her first three of the game that gave them a 63-47 lead and sealed the win for the Bulldogs. Poland would go on to win by a final score of 65-51.
The Irish were led by a gritty performance from Dayshanette Harris fighting through an injury to score 30 points. Anya Curd was also in double figures adding 10.
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The Bulldogs had 3 players get into double figure led by Sarah Bury with 17 points 8 rebounds. Jackie Grisdale added 13 points 7 rebounds and Kailyn Brown finished with 12 points 7 rebounds. Poland moves on to play Akron Buchtel on Tuesday, March 5th at 8:00 at Barberton High School.
Sarah Bury Interview:
Nick Blanch Interview:
Kailyn Brown Interview:
Jackie Grisdale Interview:
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Bulldog Pride is alive and well, and so is the winning streak for the Poland Lady Bulldogs.
Late season games can be tricky and tough, the focus turns from one season to the next. Mission accomplished during the regular frame, winning the first-ever NE8 Championship, and ranked atop the state rankings for the first time in program history.
How does Coach keep the girls focused on all the spinning plates? What does it mean to this team to be at the top of the AP Poll?
Our Anthony Hartwig sits down with Coach B for our fourth episode of Poland Coach’s Corner with Nick Blanch.
AUSTINTOWN, OH- The first-seeded Poland Bulldogs advanced to the district championship on Monday night with a 34-26 win over West Branch.
It was clear from the get-go that this game was going to be a defensive battle. Neither offense came out strong. For Poland in the first quarter, four different players got a bucket, and Ella Harrell had a free throw. That was it for the Bulldogs as they led 9-5 after 1 frame.
West Branch had their best quarter in the 2nd, they hit 4 three-pointers in the frame and ended the half on an 8-0 run to lead 21-17 at the break. Things seemed to be swinging the way of the Warriors.
Enter the Poland defense. The Bulldogs were every definition of a shutdown defense in the 2nd half, and in the third quarter especially. Poland outscores West Branch 11-0 in the third to jump ahead 28-21.
PHOTO CREDIT: GARY LEININGER
The defense didn’t go anywhere in the final frame, Poland continued to pressure and harass the Warrior ball handlers. West Branch only scored 5 points in the entire 2nd half, and those 5 points came in the final two minutes. Poland used their stingy defense to advance with a 34-26 win.
Leading the Bulldogs offensively was Sarah Bury with 7 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Kailyn Brown added 6 points 6 rebounds, and Marlie McConnell scored 6 points as well. Poland will play Ursuline in the District Championship Thursday at 7:00 at Austintown Fitch High School.
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In the midst of her Senior Season on the basketball floor, Marlie McConnell has tried to stop and take in some of the memories. However, out of all the memories being made- the best may be yet to come. The Poland Lady Bulldogs are continuing their trek as the area’s top team and now are locked into the top spot in the state.
A role model on the court, McConnell aspires to lead the younger generation as well. She tries to instill communication and defensive knowledge with the younger generation of Lady Dogs.
YSN’s Anthony Hartwig sits down with Marlie to discuss superstition, the coaching staff, vacation spots, and what it’s like to lead in a season full of success. This week’s Poland Lady Bulldog Player Profile is live and is entitled: MAC ATTACK
POLAND, OH- The Poland Lady Bulldogs advanced to the district semifinals Thursday night with a 73-20 win over Crestwood.
Jackie Grisdale got the offense rolling early scoring 10 points in 2 minutes of play. It helped Poland roll out to an 11-0 lead. Crestwood, however, would grab momentum in the first frame going on a 7-0 run to cut the Poland lead to 11-7. The 7 points were scored by a 4 point play and an old fashioned 3 point play. That little glimpse of momentum, however, would be the last Crestwood would get, as the Bulldogs answered with a 13-0 run and lead 24-7 after 1.
The perimeter shooting of the Bulldogs really helped keep their big lead. Six different players hit at least a three for Poland. The defense also kept Crestwood’s shooters in check allowing just 2 points in the first 7 minutes of the 2nd quarter. Crestwood would go on a 6-0 run to close the half but Poland still ballooned their lead to 45-15 at the break.
The Bulldogs defense didn’t let up one bit in the 2nd half as every rotation that coach Blanch put in was making it hard for Crestwood. The Devils would only score 5 points in the final two frames. Poland went on to win 73-20.
Jackie Grisdale led the Bulldogs with 18 points and 7 rebounds. Kailyn Brown was also in double figures with 11 points, she tallied 8 rebounds. Poland moves on to play West Branch in the district semifinals at Fitch High School Monday at 6:00.
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That’s the main word on the lips of the Poland Coaching Staff these days. The Lady Bulldogs have flexed their muscles, and shown their grace all season long, but the focus must remain to be something truly special at the end of the season.
Lead Dog, Nick Blanch has maintained through our first three episodes of Poland Coach’s Corner that his squad must remain focused on the task at hand each night, and to this point; they’ve done exactly that.
What other wisdom will Coach relay to his team this week and heading into the tourney? Find out as Anthony Hartwig sits down with Coach B for this week’s Poland Basketball Coach’s Corner: Episode 3.
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While it may serve as a surprise or shock to the area teams, and writers, the success of this year’s Poland Bulldogs Girls Basketball Team had been well-planned and worked for well before the season began. Co-Captain Kat Partika has led her team on and off the court, but specifically when it comes to being the emotional leader of this team. Partika is very much team-oriented and has used her veteran presence to boost her confidence and become more of an offensive threat in 2019.
Partika and company have climbed their way all the way to the top of the State Rankings, which is certainly a goal on the board, but Kat doesn’t see that as “Mission Accomplished.”
The Lady Bulldogs look to celebrate their freshly-crowned NE8 Championship for a few days before the tournament begins!
Find out the pre-game playlist, superstitions, and get inside the huddle with Co-Captain Kat Partika and YSN’s Anthony Hartwig in this week’s Poland Basketball Player Profile: IT’S REIGNING KAT’S AND ‘DOGS
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It’s hard to believe that someone so calm under pressure, and such a vital part of a team is only in her second year. However, for Poland Sophomore, Jackie Grisdale- it’s just another day at the office.
Grisdale is wise beyond her years, and that’s a big reason that she and her Lady Bulldog teammates have seen so much success in the 2018-2019 Campaign. That, and the fact that the selflessness and genuine love that these young ladies show for the game and for each other shines through in each passing second on the game clock.
A young lady who is not afraid to pass the basketball, and the spotlight. Jackie is learning from her freshman season, and with the help of her teammates and coaches- growing leaps and bounds!
So- What is the biggest difference between this year and last? What’s it like to be a coach’s daughter? How have her senior teammates impacted her on and off the floor? Our Anthony Hartwig sits down with Jackie Grisdale for this week’s Poland Basketball Player Profile: THE GRIZZLED PATH.
Resiliency. That is the word that best describes the Poland Lady Bulldogs on the basketball court at this point. The undefeated squad continues to sharpen the saw each and every week and is buzzing through NE8 competition this year with a tight defense and a tenacious offense.
The beat goes on this week as South Range and Struthers were the latest victims of the 2019 campaign for Coach Blanch and his troops.
What goes into the preparation on a weekly basis to keep this level? What does this team have to do to level up heading down the home-stretch? Can the Bulldogs stay focused and on routine? Also, find out what brought Coach Blanch into the coaching ranks!
All that and more on this week’s Poland Basketball Coach’s Corner with Nick Blanch (EP 2)
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