Tag Archive for: spartans

HERALDS SCORCH THE NETS IN WIN OVER SPARTANS

SAYBROOK, OH – The Saint John Heralds (12-8) continued their strong season with a commanding 70-31 victory over the Conneaut Spartans (1-18) on Wednesday night at Saint John High School. The Heralds overwhelmed the Spartans with their sharpshooting, knocking down 11 three-pointers en route to a wire-to-wire win.

From the opening tip, Saint John established their offensive rhythm, Dyln Newsome knocking down a 3 pointer to start the Heralds 20 points in the first quarter while holding Conneaut to 13. The Heralds’ defense intensified in the second quarter, allowing just five points as they extended their lead to 36-18 at the half. The second half was more of the same, with Saint John outscoring Conneaut 20-7 in the third quarter before closing out the game with a 14-6 fourth quarter.

Heralds’ Offensive Showcase

Senior Dyln Newsome put on a scoring display, leading all players with 27 points, including three three-pointers. Newsome was aggressive in transition and capitalized on his outside shot to fuel the Heralds’ offensive attack. Fellow senior Vin Narducci was also a key contributor, finishing with 21 points while draining four shots from beyond the arc.

Senior Aaron Wychock had an electric night, tallying 11 points while connecting on three triples. Freshman Gus Petros added four points, while senior Grayson Petros chipped in three points with a three-pointer of his own. Sophomore Chase Newsome and junior Donald Crawford rounded out the scoring with two points each.

Conneaut’s Struggles Continue

The Spartans had difficulty establishing a consistent offensive rhythm against Saint John’s relentless defense. Jordon Kulko led Conneaut with 12 points, followed by Devante Harris with seven. Luis Cedeno and Hamilton Spero each added three points, while Noah Hamm, Caden Webb, and Jacob Thompson each finished with two.

Scoring Summary

Saint John Heralds

  • Dyln Newsome – 27 points (3 three-pointers) 
  • Vin Narducci – 21 points (4 three-pointers)
  • Aaron Wychock – 11 points (3 three-pointers)
  • Gus Petros – 4 points
  • Grayson Petros – 3 points (1 three-pointer)
  • Chase Newsome – 2 points
  • Donald Crawford – 2 points

Conneaut Spartans

  • Jordon Kulko – 12 points
  • Devante Harris – 7 points
  • Luis Cedeno – 3 points
  • Hamilton Spero – 3 points
  • Noah Hamm – 2 points
  • Caden Webb – 2 points
  • Jacob Thompson – 2 points

With the victory, Saint John improves to 12-8 on the season and will hit the road for their next game against the Crestwood Red Devils on February 14. Meanwhile, Conneaut will look to regroup as they return home to face the Maplewood Rockets on February 15.

DINAPOLI DIVING INTO THE DEEP

BOARDMAN OH- In a heartfelt conversation with YSN, Anthony Hartwig sat down with Gina DiNapoli, a spirited senior from Boardman High School, to discuss her illustrious swimming career. As DiNapoli reflects on her journey, she expresses profound gratitude toward her support system, including family, friends, and legendary coaches like Carlo, Mark, and Chelsea. Identifying confidence as the catalyst in her evolution from a freshman to a formidable senior leader, she credits her sophomore year as monumental in embracing her capabilities.

The camaraderie at Boardman is palpable; Gina notes the robust leadership among her peers that alleviates the pressures of her role as a senior captain. This team spirit, underscored by the community that stands firmly behind its athletes, propels Boardman swimmers to embrace an underdog mentality, turning it into an exhilarating drive for excellence.

Despite juggling the academic rigors of high school and college courses, along with participating in track, Gina shines as a beacon of disciplined time management. Her aspirations extend beyond the pool, envisioning a future in physical therapy to remain close to the sports world that shaped her life. With district championships on the horizon, Gina DiNapoli stands poised to leave a lasting legacy, her story a testament to the power of perseverance, community, and passion.

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MIHOK MAKING WAVES

BOARDMAN, OH—In the latest YSN Player Profile, sophomore swimming sensation Zac Mihok discussed his burgeoning career with interviewer Anthony Hartwig. Mihok has already made waves by qualifying for districts, a remarkable achievement for an underclassman at Boardman High School.

Reflecting on his journey, Mihok credits his swift ascent in the swimming world to the experience gained from last year’s rigorous competition schedule. “This year has been just a reflection of what happened last year,” Mihok noted, emphasizing the importance of learning and passing knowledge onto his teammates. Mihok’s dedication to swimming is unparalleled, as he pours all his energy into the sport. He finds satisfaction in the daily grind of practice, believing that perseverance in the face of challenges is what propels him forward. “When you know that you can do it, that’s what takes you to the next place,” he shared. His confidence in the pool stems significantly from the trust he places in his coaches, Carlo Gordon, Mark Brooks, and Chelsea, whom he describes as pivotal figures in his development. “They push me to limits where I don’t really even think I would be able to find,” Mihok said of the coaching staff’s influence.

Beyond the pool, Mihok maintains a stellar academic record, boasting a 4.0 GPA. His love for learning, particularly in mathematics, has been nurtured by influential educators like his middle school math teacher, Mrs. Hatch, who supported him through challenging times. Looking ahead, Mihok dreams of a future in aerospace engineering, captivated by the prospect of modeling spaceships and missiles. Nevertheless, swimming remains a passion he hopes to pursue post-high school. As the Tokyo Olympics brought swimming into the spotlight, Mihok appreciated the widespread attention on the sport he loves. Inspired by legendary swimmer Michael Phelps, whom he watched compete in Rio in 2016, Mihok aspires to reach similar heights in his career. Concluding the interview, Mihok expressed gratitude to his family for their unwavering support, particularly his parents, Jennifer and Jeffrey, and his grandparents, who have all played crucial roles in his life. With two years of high school remaining, this rising star continues to navigate the dual demands of athletics and academics, embodying a commitment to excellence in both arenas.

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AMENDOL ACE IN THE POOL

BOARDMAN OH- In the latest YSN Player Profile, Boardman High School senior Matthew Amendol shared insights into his swimming career and academic achievements. As he approaches the end of his high school journey, Amendol discussed his experiences, leadership roles, and future aspirations.

Amendol’s love for swimming began at the age of six. With the guidance of coach Barb Sisko, he honed his skills and advanced to swim at district levels. “My starts, especially for relays, have been working really well for me this season,” Amendol noted, emphasizing the strength of his technique. A leader in both the pool and the classroom, Amendol discussed his 4.0 GPA and the challenges of balancing academics with athletics. AP Chemistry, taught by motivator Ms. Berkey, was among his toughest yet most rewarding classes.

Looking to the future, Amendol has been accepted to Ohio State, with hopes of attending Notre Dame. He plans to major in environmental engineering, joining a swim club and participating in orchestra, a passion influenced by his father, an orchestra conductor. With gratitude, Amendol acknowledged his family, coaches, and friends for their unwavering support. As he looks forward to the next chapter, Matthew Amendol leaves a legacy of dedication and excellence at Boardman High School.

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2025 GIRLS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT CENTRAL

COLUMBIANA OH-  It is officially tournament time in Ohio Girls Basketball! It’s the best time of year for hoops fans, and it’s when the great get separated from the good.  It has been an exciting regular season with plenty of teams making statements along the way.  All 22 games preparing each squad for this moment when it’s win or go home.  In this article you will be able to easily find the tournament matchups that are coming up, and the road ahead for your favorite team in the YSN Family.  Until the District Finals, all higher seeds will be the host schools of tournament games.

DIVISION II

There is only 1 Division II team in the YSN family and that honor belongs to Austintown Fitch.  They are the 15 seed in the Northeast District.  Because of the size of their bracket they will start their tournament run in the district semifinals on Wednesday February 19th against 27th seeded Euclid at home.  The 2 seed Olmstead Falls is on the other end of the bracket, and they are favorites to get into the district final, and most likely who Fitch will have to conquer if they win against Euclid.

DIVISION III

Sectional Finals: February 15th

Northeast 6 Bracket: #23 Louisville vs #41 Wooster. 2:00

Northeast 1 Bracket: #4 Akron Archbishop Hoban vs #42 Bedford 7:00

Northeast 2 Bracket: #15 Chaney vs #27 Akron Garfield 7:00

Northeast 4 Bracket: #43 Lakeside @ #11 Akron Ellet 7:00

Northeast 5 Bracket: #16 Howland vs #24 Bay 7:00

Northeast 5 Bracket: #19 Boardman @ #14 Kent Roosevelt 7:00

Overciew: Division III is full of talented teams with deep rosters as most higher divisions are.  This means that more so than other divisions the middle seeds can be very dangerous.  For example Chaney is the 15 seed but they also feature one of the highest scoring players in the YSN family in sophomore Alyssa Brown, who can wreck anyone’s tournament dreams.  Even 19 seeded Boardman has shown how dangerous they can be with a balanced offense led by senior Sarah Bero.  The 4th seeded Hoban Knights are the highest seeded YSN team in the division, and they have earned every ounce of that seed.  The Knights play a very strong independent schedule and they’ve come out of it with a nearly spotless record.  The Knights have plenty of offensive weapons but they’re headlined by their fantastic defense that has held almost all of their opponents under their season average.  The Knights had an early exit to the tournament last season, and they are hungry to make a run this year.

DIVISION IV

Sectional Finals February 13th

East 1 Bracket: #11 Beaver Local @ #10 Minerva 7:00

East 1 Bracket: #6 East Liverpool @ #5 Maysville 7:00

Sectional Finals  February 15th

Northeast 6 Bracket: #27 Niles @ #26 Akron Springfield 1:00

ALL Following Games 7:00 start

Northeast 1 Bracket: #24 Hubbard vs #28 Lutheran West

Northeast 2 Bracket: #19 Lakeview vs #30 Woodridge

Northeast 2 Bracket: #25 Ursuline @ #14 Cloverleaf

Northeast 3 Bracket: #9 Perry vs #39 Akron Coventry

Northeast 3 Bracket: #29 Struthers @ #22 Salem

Northeast 3 Bracket: #6 West Branch vs #44 Cleveland East Tech

Northeast 4 Bracket: #35 Orange @ #11 Field

Northeast 5 Bracket: #33 Conneaut @ #18 Villa Angela – St Joseph

Northeast 6 Bracket: #12 Edgewood vs #17 Firelands

#1 Canfield advances to the District Semifinal by forfeit by Jefferson.  They are in the Northeast 2 Bracket.

Overview:  Division IV is filled with YSN teams that made big strides as the season went on.  Their seeds might not indicate how good they actually are, or how good they’re playing at the moment.  25th seeded Ursuline may not have all the results they want in their regular season record, but a monster schedule has prepared them for any kind of basketball they’ll see. 19th seeded Lakeview has had to navigate the most competitive conference in the area in the NE8.  They are the definition of battle tested.  The Bulldogs can score in many different ways which makes them a lot to handle.  Sophie Irwin is deadly from beyond the arc, but players like Mack Stowe, and Izzy Isenberg force you to protect the paint as well.  West Branch is the highest seeded team in the YSN family in the division.  Like many Warrior teams before them, defense is the Warriors calling card.  Their defense has allowed just 1 team to get over 50 points and it was Fitch with 51.  Their opponents have been under 40 in 20 out of their 22 games. Canfield is top seed, and although they have a week to wait before they start, there will be no rust on the Cardinals.  They have been able to take an almost brand new roster from a year ago, and they’ve out done anyone’s expectations.

DIVISION V

Sectional Semifinals February 12tb ALL Games 7:00 Start

Northeast 1 Bracket: #21 Champion @ #7 Chippewa

Northeast 2 Bracket: #12 Pymatuning Valley vs #18 Triway

Sectional Finals Saturday February 15th

Northeast 2 Bracket: #10 South Range vs #12 Pymatuning Valley / #18 Triway winner 1:00

ALL Following Games Start at 7:00

Northeast 2 Bracket: #11 Girard @ #9 Southeast

Northeast 2 Bracket: #15 Garrettsville Garfield @ #14 Wickliffe

Northeast 3 Bracket: #26 Liberty @ #1 Crestview

Northeast 3 Bracket: #13 Poland vs #17 Fairview

Northeast 3 Bracket: #20 Cardinal Mooney @ #3 Canton South

Overview: There are some very interesting matchups that come out of the Division IV Sectionals.  We see a 9 vs 10 matchup as Girard travels to Southeast.  Girard has had a program defining season as they won the NE8 for the first time.  Their three headed offensive monster of Ally Glassman, Caylee Wilkes, and Makenzee White make them a hard team to defend.  Southeast has made a tough journey through the MVAC where they’ve had to play both the first seeded Crestview in Division V and the 7 seed in Division VI LaBrae both twice.  They split with LaBrae, and although they dropped both contests to Crestview, they made their presence felt in both contests.  Crestview is the top seeded team in Division V, and after an early exit last season, the Rebels have beefed up their schedule to hopefully make them even more prepared to get through a district.  Addison Rhodes will lead them along the way as the statistical leader of the team, and most of the YSN family.

DIVISION VI

Sectional Semifinals February 12th ALL Games Starting At 7:00.

Northeast 1 Bracket: #7 LaBrae vs #27 Hillsdale

Northeast 3 Bracket: #24 Newton Falls @ #8 Canton Central Catholic

Northeast 2 Bracket: #20 United @ #18 McDonald

Sectional Finals February 15th

Northeast 2 Bracket: #32 East Palestine @ #14 Dalton 1:00

ALL Following Games Start at 7:00

Northeast 1 Bracket: #11 Grand Valley vs #27 Hillsdale or @ #7 LaBrae

Northeast 2 Bracket: #18 McDonald / #20 United winner @ #6 Columbia

Northeast 3 Bracket: #30 Brookfield @ #9 New Middletown Springfield

Northeast 3 Bracket: #15 Waynedale @ #4 Columbiana

Northeast 4 Bracket: #35 Campbell Memorial @ #2 Smithville

Northeast 4 Bracket: #19 Southern vs #26 Medina Christian

Mineral Ridge has advanced to the district semifinals by forfeit from Our Lady Of The Elms.

Overview: The Northeast 3 Bracket in Division VI might just be the most intriguing bracket in the whole tournament.  Mineral Ridge, Springfield, and Columbiana all find themselves in the mix.  They have all played each other, and every game has been a close finish.  It is possible that Columbiana could play Springfield in the District Semis, and then have to meet up with Mineral Ridge in the finals if both teams get there.  Although some tough non YSN teams will be in the way of that.  Canton Central Catholic is on Mineral Ridge’s side of the bracket, and their schedule gives them a ton of high level basketball experience, Canton South will be Columbiana’s first obstacle and although they haven’t had the most eye popping record, they are a young and talented team.

DIVISION VII

Sectional Finals February 15th

Northeast 2 Bracket: #16 Sebring @ #12 Wellsville 1:00

Northeast 1 Bracket: #14 Lisbon vs #19 Mathews 3:30

Northeast 2 Bracket: #24 Ashtabula St John @ #2 Mogadore 5:00

ALL Following Games Start at 7:00

Northeast 1 Bracket: #23 Leetonia @ #1 Warren JFK

Northeast 1 Bracket: #13 Badger @ #9 Lowellville *MOVED TO 4:00*

Northeast 2 Bracket: #18 Windham @ #4 Maplewood

Northeast 3 Bracket: #20 Valley Christian @ #10 Heartland Christian

Northeast 3 Bracket: #5 Western Reserve vs #21 Lake Ridge Academy

Overview: Division VII has just as much interest as any of the divisions above.  Warren JFK is the 3rd YSN team to have to top seed in the division.  Their offense has been rolling on full cylinders all season.  They are dangerous everywhere on the floor.  Maplewood as the 4 seed is having a huge turnaround season. They have improved their win total by 8, and won the NAC.  Western Reserve is a strong sleeper in Division VII.  As a 5 seed they are placed in a pretty good draw.  They battled mostly higher division teams inside their conference, and competed well.  The Blue Devils are a team that can score from the outside and inside which makes them hard to prepare for.

WPIAL Class 4A

Round Of 16 February 17th: #5 Beaver vs #12 Freeport (PA)

 

Tournament time is always exciting! YSN is determined to have the best coverage possible.  The live broadcast of any tournament games will need to be sponsored to offset the OHSAA fees in place.  If you are interested in sponsoring a team’s tournament games reach out to us on socials, or email us at [email protected].  Good luck to all the teams starting their postseason journey this week!

WARRIORS ROLL PAST SPARTANS IN CONFERENCE WIN

 

Story by: Larry Jennings

East Ashtabula, OH – The Edgewood Warriors delivered a dominant performance on Friday night, overwhelming the Conneaut Spartans 66-34 in a Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division showdown.

Edgewood (6-13, 4-6 CVC) wasted no time seizing control, exploding for a 27-8 lead in the first quarter. A well-balanced offensive attack saw eight different Warriors contribute to the early scoring spree, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

The momentum carried into the second quarter, where Edgewood outscored Conneaut 21-11. By halftime, the Warriors held a commanding 48-19 advantage, effectively putting the game out of reach.

While the Spartans (1-16, 0-10 CVC) managed to find some offensive rhythm in the second half, scoring 15 points in the final two quarters, they couldn’t chip away at the Warriors’ lead. Edgewood tallied 18 points in the second half to maintain their cushion and close out the convincing win.

One of the biggest disparities in the game came from beyond the arc, where Edgewood knocked down nine three-pointers compared to just one for Conneaut— a fourth-quarter shot from Cayson Hayes.

The Warriors were led by JJ DuFour and Sevion Chapman, who each finished with 12 points. Geno Measel added 11, Dallas Patterson contributed 10, and Devin Christine chipped in nine.

Conneaut’s Jordan Kulko led all Spartan scorers with 11 points, while Alden Goudge added seven.

With the victory, Edgewood gains momentum heading into a tough matchup against Ursuline on Saturday, February 8. Meanwhile, Conneaut will look to regroup and snap their losing streak when they travel to face Grand Valley on February 11.

TIGERS GET A TASTE OF REVENGE ON SENIOR NIGHT

WARREN OH- Howland made the most of senior night, flipping the script on Boardman with a hard-fought 51-44 win. After falling to the Spartans 47-31 in their last matchup, the Tigers came in hungry for payback—and they got it in a back-and-forth battle.

Maya Kubanscek led the charge with 17 points, while Talia Rishel added 11. Mia Thomas put up 10, and Sophia Powell chipped in 6 to help seal the deal.

Boardman got a strong night from Sarah Bero, who dropped 14, while Mikayla Rivera added 12. Ava Freeborough finished with 8, and Jocelynn Torres had 7, but the Spartans couldn’t close the gap late.

Up next, Howland hosts Marlington on Saturday, while Boardman wraps up the regular season on the road at Lake.

SPARTANS RALLY PAST FALCONS IN AAC SHOWDOWN

By Ty Bartell

 

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio — The Boardman Spartans secured a hard-fought 74-70 road win over All-American Conference (AAC) rival Austintown-Fitch on Tuesday night in a back-and-forth battle that came down to the final minutes. 

The game opened with a tightly contested first quarter, as the teams were deadlocked at 18-18. Boardman edged ahead by halftime, building a 38-33 lead behind balanced scoring efforts. However, the third quarter saw a surge from Fitch, led by a dominant performance from Marcel Finkley, who tallied a game-high 27 points. The Falcons outscored the Spartans 19-7 in the period to take a 52-45 advantage into the fourth quarter. 

The Spartans responded with resilience in the final frame, rallying with a 29-point explosion to retake the lead and secure the victory. Boardman was paced by Kaden Mayhew’s 18 points, with Terell McDowell contributing 16 and Grayson Eicher adding 14. Jerry “Trey” Smith and Zach Haus chipped in 9 and 8 points, respectively, to round out the balanced offensive attack. 

Despite Finkley’s standout performance, the Falcons couldn’t maintain their third-quarter momentum. Carter Owens added 16 points, and Anthony Waller scored 11 for Fitch in the loss. 

The win moves Boardman to 9-5 overall and 2-2 in AAC play. They’ll face a tough test on Friday, January 31, when they travel to take on state-ranked Warren G. Harding (13-3, 5-0 AAC) at 7 p.m. Meanwhile, Austintown-Fitch, now 7-10 overall and 1-4 in the AAC, will look to bounce back as they host the Howland Tigers (7-8, 0-6 AAC) on the same night.

HERALDS TAKE ROAD WIN OVER THE SPARTANS

 

Conneaut, OH- The Saint John Heralds secured a key road victory Friday night, defeating the Conneaut Spartans 72-63 in a game filled with offensive firepower. Senior Dyln Newsome led the way for the Heralds with a commanding 27-point performance, helping Saint John improve to 6-6 on the season.

The first half saw the Heralds establish control early, using a balanced offensive approach and strong perimeter shooting. Saint John edged out Conneaut 15-12 in the opening quarter and extended the lead to 34-25 by halftime. The Heralds’ sharpshooting from beyond the arc proved to be a decisive factor, as they drained 9 three-pointers, three of which came from senior Vin Narducci, who finished the night with 13 points.

The Spartans (1-13) found their rhythm in the third quarter, led by standout Jordan Kulko, who tallied a game-high 23 points. Conneaut outscored Saint John 22-16 in the period, closing the gap and setting the stage for a competitive fourth quarter. Davonte Harris and Noah Hamm contributed 15 and 12 points respectively, giving the Spartans a strong offensive push.

However, the Heralds responded with composure, erupting for 22 points in the final frame to secure the victory. Sophomore Chase Newsome provided key contributions with 13 points, while senior Grayson Petros added nine. Freshman Gus Petros chipped in seven points, and senior Aaron Wychock rounded out the scoring with three.

Despite the Spartans’ determination and offensive spark, Saint John’s ability to execute down the stretch preserved their lead and earned them a much-needed win.

Looking ahead, the Heralds will remain at home for a matchup against the Cardinal Huskies on January 29. The Spartans will seek redemption when they host the Lakeside Dragons on January 31.

CARDINALS DODGE A SPARTANS UPSET

CANFIELD OH- Canfield and Boardman squared off for round two Wednesday night, with the Cardinals taking the win again, 43-35. Boardman came out strong, but Canfield battled back and sealed it with an 8-0 run to close the game.

Jenna Triveri led Canfield with 13 points, while Aleen Barakat added 11. Sofia Castronova chipped in 8, and Carly Fleming finished with 5. For Boardman, Mikayla Rivera scored 11, Jocelynn Torres added 10, and Sarah Bero finished with 8.

Canfield, now 16-1, stays in league play Saturday, hosting Fitch. Boardman will hit the floor Monday at home against East.