Tag Archive for: United

UNITED LOOKING AHEAD

LEETONIA OH- United took the court Thursday night in Leetonia looking to quickly take care of business as they set their sights on their second straight EOAC title. The Eagles wasted little time showing why they are the class of the league coming away with a dominating 59-21 victory.

The United defense would frustrate the Leetonia offense forcing 17 first half turnovers creating numerous transition baskets on their way to a 37-10 halftime lead. The halftime deficit in the end would be too much for the undermanned Bears to overcome.

Grace Knight turned in a stellar performance in victory for United tallying 24 points and 6 rebounds. Madison Kibler contributed to the onslaught adding 13 points and 4 assists. Taylor Cope & Sam Lippiatt each came through with 8 points on the night for the Eagles.

Ella Gregorino would add 10 points for Leetonia, teammate McKendra Cole tallied 8.

Leetonia (3-12, 0-9) will host East Palestine on Monday. United (10-5, 9-0) has a big test on their way towards a conference crown repeat as they travel to second place Southern on Monday.

*Contributed By YSN’s Chris Sigler

WRESTLING WEDNESDAYS WITH GARY ALTHISER (EP 4) FEATURING TYLER LEITZA

It’s been a little of time since we’ve had the chance to catch up with our in house wrestling expert Gary. After the holiday break we are back with Wrestling Wednesdays on YSN! There was a lot to catch up on as plenty of wrestlers have taken big steps towards their goals. What teams have really impressed? What wrestlers have kept up their big expectations? These are questions that had to be answered. You’ll find it all in this week’s episode. Also featured this week is an interview with the head coach of the United Girls Wrestling squad. Tyler Leitza has taken a growing program under his wing in the first season where girls wrestling is sanctioned by the OHSAA as a state sport.  United had already been building their name in the girls wrestling scene.  Tyler talks to us about what makes United a special place for these young athletes to shine. Learn more about the Lady Eagle grapplers in the latest Wrestling Wednesdays with Gary Althiser.

 

POLAND REFUSES TO LOSE

POLAND OH- It was only two days ago that Poland suffered their first conference loss to Girard. They were happy that they didn’t have to sit on a loss for long, but they also understood the United team coming to town was no pushover.  The Eagles gained everyone’s attention as they led most of the way through three quarters. Although their biggest lead of the day was only 5, the Eagles never gave in to Poland throughout the day. That was until the final frame.  Trailing 31-29 heading into the last 8 minutes, the Bulldogs outscored the Eagles 13-4 and walked away with a 42-35 win.

Sarah Forsyth paced Poland on the day with a hard fought 13 points. Katie McDonald played an excellent 4th quarter and finished in double figures with 11 points.  Mary Brant contributed 6 points to the Poland offense.

United was led by Grace Knight with 12 points. Maddie Kibbler had a solid day getting in to double figures with 10 points.  Taylor Cope chipped in with 7 points on the day.

Poland returns to NE8 play on Thursday as they host Niles.  United will also get back to their conference on Thursday as they travel to Leetonia.

EAGLES KEEP THEIR PERCH AT THE TOP

HANOVERTON OH- United came into Monday night’s game with Lisbon looking to maintain their undefeated record in the EOAC through the halfway point of conference play. The Golden Eagles responded after a sluggish start to top the Blue Devils 43-23 and solidified their spot atop the perch in the EOAC.

Lisbon came to Hanoverton ready to play as the Devils brought the intensity on the court matching whatever United threw at them as the teams were tied 7-7 after one quarter. United would begin to separate themselves in the second quarter scoring 8 unanswered behind Samantha Lippiatt and  Grace Knight 3 point shots building the Eagles lead to 15-7. Lisbon would simply refuse to lie down as a Lylah Brown layup would complete a 6-0 run bringing the Devils within 15-13. The momentum would be short lived as the Eagles would finish the half in a flurry as a Knight runner in the lane would make it 23-15 at the break.

Grace Knight would go on to finish the evening recording a double double recording 15 points and 14 rebounds. The second half would prove to be the Blue Devils demise as the Eagles behind Madison Kibler’s 7 third quarter points separated themselves from their opponents building the lead to 37-20. The United defense would limit Lisbon to just 3 points in the 4th quarter sealing the victory.

Madison Kibler contributed 9 points in victory for United, teammate Addyson Blazer added 8 points and 5 steals for the victors. Lylah Brown led the way for Lisbon with 8 points, Morgan Lively added 7 points and 10 rebounds for the Blue Devils. Lisbon (3-8, 2-4) will look ahead to a home contest Thursday as they take on East Palestine. United (7-4, 6-0) will make the trip north to take on Valley Christian as well on Thursday.

*Contributed By YSN’s Chris Sigler

EAGLES PROTECT THE NEST ON FEATURED NIGHT

HANOVERTON, OH- It was a very special night in the Eagles Nest on Friday night as United hosted their EOAC rivals, East Palestine.  The second annual Dunks for Downs game took place, and honorary captain Tucker Anderson was indeed the star of the show in United’s 43-38 win over East Palestine.

United would start out quickly with a 17-7 lead in the first quarter, only to be matched by a tremendous Bulldog comeback when EP went on a 10-1 run to take the lead at 19-18 in the second quarter.  The Eagles would tirelessly come back to have the lead at half 25-21.

East Palestine wouldn’t be down for long as they once again came out firing on offense, and recaptured the lead 33-32 after some big stops on defense and opportunistic conversions on the other side of the floor.

However, the Eagles outscored EP down the stretch 11-3 to close out the victory and nailing down their fourth win of the year, and third in the conference.

Luke Courtney led United on the floor and played the majority of the second half in foul trouble while pacing all scorers with 20 points.  Courtney was supplemented by Nevin Hahlen’s 11 points, and Grant Knight’s 7 tallies.

The Bulldogs were led by Weston Jones’ smooth jumper that accumulated 14 points, and Owen Elliott’s six points.

East Palestine (2-7, 1-3) will now turn their attention to Columbiana on Tuesday for the traveling trophy, while United will host Lisbon on 1/10.

MILLER HITS 1000; REBELS ROLL

COLUMBIANA, OH- Kirkland Miller has been a key for the Rebel Basketball program since his freshman campaign, and last night he etched his name in the record books forevermore.

Miller becomes only the sixth Rebel in program history to score 1,000 points for the Black and Gold.

Kirkland and his teammates would add on to the historic moment with an emphatic victory over United 59-35 on Tuesday night.

Miller, would lead the way with 30 points on the night along with nine boards.  The newest Big Dog of the Valley, James Best chipped in six points and six helpers, and Matt Lindsay would rip down eight boards in the contest.

For United, Grant Knight returned to score 16, and Nevin Hehlen tossed up four three-pointers, to help out the Eagles.

Crestview (6-3, 2-0)will host Brookfield on Tuesday, and United (2-6) will host Lordstown to start 2023 on Tuesday as well.

REBELS COMPLETE SOLID ROAD VICTORY

HANOVERTON OH- Crestview took some time out of the conference on Wednesday to travel to United.  This matchup of top 10 YSN power ranked teams Crestview controlled the tempo. They ran away with a 59-27 win.

Addison Rhodes was dominant as ever as she put together a double double finishing with 24 points and 14 rebounds.  Ava Bucey was also in double figures for Crestview with 13 points.  Luvrain Gaskins also had a double double for Crestview with 10 points and 16 rebounds. United was led by both Grace Knight, and Taylor Cope scoring 8 points each.

Crestview will look ahead to the new year as they return to league play on January 2nd against Campbell. United will have another matchup with a MVAC powerhouse as they matchup with Springfield on December 28th.

SALEM’S DEFENSE TELLS THE STORY

The Salem Lady Quakers came into Monday looking to rebound off of their first defeat of the season on Saturday. Standing in their way was a United squad, winners of six straight, looking to cement their status as one of the area’s best teams. The Quakers behind a strong first quarter outlasted the upset minded Eagles 36-25 in Hanoverton on Monday.

Salem, behind a hounding man to man defense, led by their guard duo of Abbie Davidson and Rylee Hutton dictated the pace early as the Quakers raced out to a 12-4 lead. United guard Addyson Blazer would help gather the Eagles offense in the second quarter as her squad would outscore the Quakers in the frame making it 19-13 at the break. Each team came out of the locker room looking to separate themselves early. The separation came by way of the offensive rebound for Salem.

The Quakers opportunities in the second half would come off of countless second and third chances to score. Despite the rebounding difference, Salem would struggle to score as United stayed within striking distance 30-23 heading to the fourth quarter.  That would be as close as the Eagles would come the rest of the way as the United offense just could not capitalize on opportunities in the fourth quarter.  Salem, only having made 3 field goals the entire second half, did their job from the free throw line during the game shooting 16-21 and ultimately sealing the victory. Abbie Davisdon converted from the line all night going 8-11 leading the way for Salem with 13 points. Rylee Hutton contributed 12 points, 6 rebounds and 6 steals in victory.

Addyson Blazer led United with 11 points and 6 rebounds. Grace Knight added 5 points and 6 rebounds for the Eagles. Salem (7-1, 4-1) continues their tough schedule as they travel to Canfield on

Wednesday. United (6-2, 5-0) will take on another tough out of conference opponent on Wednesday as they welcome Crestview to Hanoverton.

*Contributed By YSN’s Chris Sigler

UNITED KEEPS UP THEIR DOMINANCE OF THE EOAC

COLUMBIANA OH- United traveled to Columbiana Thursday looking to cement their place at the top of the EOAC standings. Despite a late rally by the Clippers, the Eagles survived 47-38 claiming their 6th straight victory.

UnIted started off quickly behind the inside play of Taylor Cope. Cope scored 8 of her 10 points on the night in the 1st quarter helping build the United lead to 20-12  The 2nd quarter was quite the struggle for both offenses. Neither team could find their groove, Grayson Kidder would provide the lone highlight as the junior hit a buzzer beating bank shot for three as the Eagles took a 27-14 to the locker room. United came out of the locker room with a purpose, building their lead to 38-20 as the game was quickly getting away from the Clippers.

The offense for the Clippers came alive in the final frame. Back to back three point baskets by Alaina Johnston and Ellie Venezia to start the quarter quickly brought the Clippers faithful to life down 12.

The Eagles offense, plagued by many turnovers in the quarter, was kept on life support by Grace Knight. Knight, 16 points & 7 rebounds, would be the source offense in the 4th keeping the lead at double digits. The Clippers behind Averi Marshall, 12 points & 8 rebounds, would storm back cutting the deficit to just 5 points, 43-38 with 2 minutes to go. That would be as close as the Clippers would come as the Eagles would seal their fate closing out the victory at the free throw line. Alaina Johnston and Ellie Venezia contributed to the Columbiana rally posting 10 points each respectively.

The Clippers (4-4, 2-2) have a big test on Monday as they travel to Springfield. United (6-1, 5-0) will close out December with a tough non conference slate starting Monday as they host unbeaten rival Salem.

*Contributed by YSN’s Chris Sigler

UNITED STREAKS PAST IRISH

YOUNGSTOWN OH- Road wins in the game of basketball are always a key component to a successful basketball season. United accomplished just that as they traveled to Youngstown and came away with a big non conference win defeating Ursuline 40-35.

The Eagles fresh off a deceive win over Southern on Thursday were looking to keep that momentum going on Saturday. Out of the gate United did just that, matching the Irish physical play behind inside play Taylor Cope (9 points / 7 rebounds), as she put the Eagles ahead 8-5. Ursuline would answer as Lily Scott hit a clutch shot from downtown evening the score at 8-8. Each team would trade baskets evening the score at 10 after 1 quarter of play. Defense dictated the 2nd quarter as both squads failed to gain anything consistent on the offensive end. Ursuline would do just enough to gain a 16-15 halftime advantage.

Ursuline came out of the locker room looking to separate themselves from United. Alayna Smith would lead that charge consistently hitting the offensive glass for opportunities helping extend the Irish lead to 26-19 midway through the 3rd quarter. Smith would finish the day with 11 points and 9 rebounds. United would claw their way back into the game as Grace Knight would provide the spark her team needed scoring back to back buckets as the Irish lead was 27-25 heading to the 4th quarter. Knight stepped up for United on the day scoring a game high 17, 13 of which came in the 2nd half. “She did not have her best game the other night against Southern, however great players show up in big moments.

“She is the ultimate teammate doing whatever it takes to win as she proved today with her efforts all over the floor. I was very proud of her performance” United Coach Cory Leek.   The 4th quarter saw the momentum turn to the visitors from Hanoverton. Tied at 29-29 a Grace Knight runner in the lane would put the Eagles on top 31-29. Ursuline’s Lily Scott would answer with a huge 3 pointer putting the Irish back on top 32-31. Scott would finish the day with 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. The next possession saw emotions get in the way as a held ball led to a technical foul being assessed to Ursuline. Senior Madison Kibler, held scoreless to that point, stepped to line calm and collected, nailing both attempts putting the Eagles back on top 33-32.

The free throw line decided the outcome as United was able to finish off the Irish in the final minute hitting their final 6 free throw attempts sealing the important road win. United guard Addyson Blazer turned in a solid performance on the day for the victors as well adding 7 points, 8 rebounds & 4 assists. Leek on his team’s impressive road win “This is a great win for us, to be able to come here and defeat a D2 school on the road really sets the tone moving into next week.

“Our schedule will continue to get tougher as we move deeper into December. A win like this provides us with a ton of confidence moving forward.” Ursuline (2-3) will continue to be tested as they travel to Warren Harding on Wednesday. United (4-1, 3-0), winners of 4 straight, continues the road trip as they travel to EOAC foe Wellsville on Monday.

*Contributed By YSN’s Chris Sigler