Tag Archive for: Warren G Harding

PALUMBO PACKS A PUNCH

HUBBARD, OH – Senior standout Jillian Palumbo embodies the spirit of dedication and resilience, straddling multiple sports while excelling academically at Hubbard High School. Known for her tenacity on both the volleyball and basketball courts, Jillian offers a snapshot into her final year as an Eagle and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Starting with her aspirations, Jillian revealed her disappointment from her final volleyball season served as a catalyst for a stronger basketball season. “I wanted to make sure I had a good final season,” she said. Determined to give her all, her leadership has been pivotal to the team’s strong 3-0 start. Jillian’s leadership isn’t just confined to game time; it extends to mentoring younger teammates, following the example of past seniors like Grace Narcom, Mary Frangos, and others. “I think letting everyone know where they need to be on the court and explaining to them that it’s okay to make mistakes is important,” she shared, reflecting on her journey from a nervous freshman to a seasoned senior leader.

Balancing volleyball, basketball, and eventually softball, Jillian acknowledges the challenges of rigorous schedules. Transitioning swiftly from volleyball to basketball without a break, she admits, “I’ve been told to give my body a break, but I immediately jump to the next sport to not miss any opportunity.” Academically, Jillian has navigated her senior year with relative ease, thanks to a lighter course load. “Everything else, I kind of went easy this year,” she stated, allowing more focus on her athletic pursuits while still maintaining strong grades.

Looking ahead, Jillian eyes Penn State Shenango, where she hopes to pursue volleyball and possibly basketball, with future ambitions to become a pharmacist. Reflecting on her journey as a Hubbard Eagle, Jillian expressed pride in representing her school across all sports seasons. “I’m proud to show our school that people can be three-sport athletes and be determined to do better.” As the season progresses, Jillian remains determined to lead her basketball team through a memorable final season before transitioning to spring sports. With her eyes set on collegiate athletics, Jillian’s story continues to inspire and set a high standard for future Hubbard Eagles.

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SHEPAS NAMED AD AT HARDING

COLUMBIANA, OH- In a recent episode of YSN “Coach’s Corner,” DJ Yokley sat down with Rick Shepas, the newly appointed athletic director at Warren G. Harding High School. Shepas, a veteran in the realm of high school sports administration and coaching, shared his insights and vision for the new role, emphasizing his student-first philosophy and commitment to community building.

Shepas, who has had a storied career with many stops along the way, expressed his enthusiasm for joining the Warren G. Harding community. “When you look at what Steve Chiaro is doing with the school district, the brand new buildings, the way the buildings are kept, the pride that the community has in their traditions over at Warren Harding, I think they’re in a great place to do some special things,” said Shepas. He highlighted the school’s new center, which aims to blend athletic and academic excellence, particularly through innovative STEM programming.

At the core of Shepas’s approach is a focus on students. “Every decision is based off of what they’re doing to serve their young people in the community. That’s what I’ve always been about from day one in my career,” he emphasized. Shepas firmly believes that the well-being and development of students should drive every decision made within the educational and athletic frameworks.

Warren G. Harding boasts a rich athletic tradition, and Shepas is committed to reviving and building upon this legacy. “You have to embrace your past as you move towards the future, to maintain that standard that we’re talking about,” Shepas noted. He articulated a clear strategy for program development, one that begins with strengthening the foundation: “It starts with a top-down philosophy where you put the right coaches in place at the top of the food chain with those varsity sports.”

Shepas is known for his “velvet hammer” approach—soft yet firm. “You have an approach and you’re not going to go in and get in a bunch of people’s faces and tell them how it is. You have a velvet hammer approach,” Yokley remarked. Shepas’s method involves setting high standards while maintaining a nurturing environment. “The accountabilities on how you run your program is where the focus should be. If we’re buttoned up and we’re doing the very best that we can for our kids in the development, in the mental processes as well right now, the training process and then the nutrition process,” he explained.

For Shepas, building a successful athletic program is more than just fostering talent—it’s about creating a holistic culture that supports students on multiple levels. “You’d be surprised the esports population out in Warren. They’re getting more people involved in esports,” he mentioned, showcasing his inclusive vision that extends beyond traditional sports. He also stressed the importance of nutritional support: “I was thoroughly impressed that there’s an active kitchen, a live kitchen in each school,” highlighting how even meal times can be opportunities for growth and bonding.

Collaboration is key to success in Shepas’s eyes. “We need to share athletes. We need to share athletes without any coaches feeling either paranoid or nervous that any one of those coaches was going to try to force a kid not to play another sport,” he said. By fostering a cooperative environment among coaches, Shepas aims to provide a balanced and enriching experience for students.

As Shepas embarks on this new journey, he is optimistic about the possibilities. “I think you’re going to see a well-disciplined group of athletes come out of that athletic department. I think that’s going to have a great impact on the school,” he predicted. His goal is to instill a sense of discipline, respect, and excellence that extends beyond the athletic field and into all aspects of student life.

Shepas’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Warren G. Harding, and with his student-first philosophy and experienced leadership, the future looks bright for this storied athletic program. As he succinctly put it, “We’re going to do this the Warren way and move forward together on that with all of our coaches.”

With a commitment to honoring the past while innovating for the future, Rick Shepas is poised to help bring Warren G. Harding to new heights.

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CARDS KEEP FLYING AGAINST HARDING

WARREN, OH- The Canfield Cardinals soared to a solid 9-3 victory over Harding on Monday, showcasing their hitting prowess right from the start.

The action kicked off in the top of the first when Zain Jadallah hit a triple, quickly followed by David Murphy’s single, each driving in a run to put Canfield on the board. However, Harding wasn’t about to roll over. They tied it up at 2-2 in the second inning thanks to a timely single from Hart.

Harding then nudged ahead 3-2 in the third, with a single from Beyer marking the score. But the Cardinals were just getting warmed up. In the fourth inning, they flew ahead 5-3, sparked by triples from Enzo Cocca and Michael Patellis, showcasing their speed and hitting depth.

Patellis didn’t just shine at the plate; he also clinched the win on the mound despite giving up three runs over three innings, and managing to strike out six. Meanwhile, Harding’s Hart endured the loss after yielding nine runs across more than six innings of work.

The Cardinals collected a total of 11 hits. Tanner Stricko, Murphy, Anthony Groner, and Patellis each had a productive day with two hits apiece. Stricko, in particular, was instrumental, batting in three runs. The team also demonstrated patience at the plate, earning eight walks, with Cocca, Joey Gabriel, and Ryan Weibling each walking twice.

Defensively, Canfield turned a double play, maintaining their composure in the field.

For Harding, their bats weren’t silent either, racking up nine hits. Hart and Kuhn each managed two hits, contributing to the team’s efforts.

The teams are set for a rematch on Tuesday, and if this game was any indicator, it’s sure to be another exciting clash as Canfield looks to keep their momentum rolling.

BOARDMAN KEEPS EYES ON THE PRIZE

BOARDMAN, OH- In an action-packed showdown, the Boardman girls’ basketball team showcased their depth on the court, securing a convincing 64-46 victory over the Warren Harding Raiders. The Spartans, determined to bounce back, delivered an impressive performance in a physical game that saw them dominate the second half and seal an 18-point win.

Leading the charge for Boardman was Samantha Duble, who lit up the scoreboard with a game-high 18 points, including four three-pointers. Duble’s sharpshooting prowess was complemented by her tenacious rebounding, securing six boards for the team. Sarah Bero continued to impress, notching another double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, marking her fourth of the season.

Mikayla Rivera made a significant impact off the bench, achieving a career-high in varsity play with 13 points. Mackenzie Riccitelli added 11 points to the tally and showcased her defensive skills by leading the team with four steals. Ava Freeborough contributed five points and led the team in assists with three, while Tori Strines rounded out the scoring with two points and pulled down five rebounds.

The depth of the Spartans’ roster was on full display, with players like Amira Mousa, Jocelynn Torres, Janessa Prisby, Ava Gaps, Olivia Combis, Emma Terlesky, and Lilly Ison all making valuable contributions during their time on the court.

With this triumph, the Spartans improved their season record to an impressive 9-4, maintaining a strong 2-1 standing in the AAC. The team’s collective effort and resilience were evident, setting the stage for a confident return to home court on Wednesday night against the Howland Tigers.

 

 

SPARTANS FIGHT RUNS SHORT IN WARREN

WARREN, OH- In a wild matchup, the Warren G Harding Raiders clinched their second straight win by taking down the Boardman Spartans with a final score of 38-20.

The game kicked off with some unexpected twists. Donovan McCoy fumbled the ball after a reception, and it was quickly scooped up by Boardman’s Aiden Berg, who raced 30 yards into the end zone for a surprise touchdown, giving Boardman an early lead.

But Harding wasted no time in responding. Javonte Jones made a spectacular return on the ensuing kickoff, bringing the ball all the way to Boardman’s four-yard line. That set the stage for Antonio Smith, who, despite a tricky snap, managed to grab the ball and dart into the end zone from the right side.

Throughout the game, the Raiders displayed a well-balanced offense, mixing both running and passing plays effectively. Israel Reynolds had a strong showing, carrying the ball 16 times for 79 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Antonio Smith also contributed with nine carries for 31 yards.

The standout performance, however, came from the Raiders’ passing game. Quarterback Chaz Coleman completed nine of his 16 pass attempts, racking up an impressive 219 passing yards. Naujeat Jones emerged as a key target, hauling in five passes for an incredible 179 yards.

Jones found the end zone twice, both times early in their respective drives. On the first occasion, Coleman connected with the senior wide receiver for an 84-yard touchdown, exploiting a gap in the Spartans’ secondary. Later, following a turnover on downs by Boardman, Coleman found Jones on a crossing route, and the talented wide receiver did the rest, breaking multiple tackles in the open field for a remarkable 69-yard touchdown.

During a pivotal second touchdown drive, Boardman managed to pin Harding on its one-yard line. Antonio Smith, however, showcased his agility by gaining 12 yards on a single play and then adding another 11 yards on the next. This set the stage for a meticulous 99-yard, 12-play drive, capped off by Israel Reynolds’ first touchdown of the night.

Boardman’s quarterback, Zach Haus, completed 25 of his 49 pass attempts for 218 yards. Haus connected with Willy Torres and Jaylen Soto for touchdowns of six and seven yards, respectively. Despite numerous incompletions, Harding’s active secondary consistently disrupted passes, earning praise from Coach Arnold.

With this win, the Raiders have now notched two consecutive victories. They’re gearing up for an away game against Cardinal Mooney next Friday. On the other hand, Boardman will be hitting the road to face Dover.

 

CANFIELD PUTS ON SCORING CLINIC IN 8-0 WIN

Warren, OH- The Canfield girls soccer team put up an eight spot in Monday night’s win over Warren Harding. Maci Toporcer scored a shocking hat trick and add two more to make it 5 goals scored on the night. The other goals were scored by Carlyn McCormick and Ashleigh Haas. The Cardinals got two goalkeepers involved as Lolo Padgett and Kiara Reynolds combined for 2 saves.

Canfield improved to 6-1-0 (3-0-0) in the win over Harding. They will host Howland on Wednesday to wrap up the week for the Canfield girls soccer team.

RAIDERS END FITCH’S SEASON

AUSTINTOWN, OH- In a classic matchup between steel city foes, Fitch battled Warren G Harding for the 2nd time this year. After defeating The Raiders 25-21 earlier this year, The Falcons looked for a repeat performance.

The first half was dominated by Fitch and their defense. Highlighted by a 16-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Evans from Devin Sherwood. The Falcons jumped to a 10-0 lead at the end of the first half, giving them all the momentum heading to the 2nd half.

However, Coach Arnold of The Raiders made the adjustments needed and flipped the script in the 3rd quarter. Scoring 21 unanswered points in the quarter, backed by the running of Brysen Powell.

Adding a field goal in the 4th and the shut down defense in the 2nd half from The Raiders. Harding was able to upset Fitch by a final score of 24-10. The Falcons may have been eliminated from the playoffs, but T.J. Parker’s staff look to be consistent visitors of the post-season in the future.

*Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell

POLANDS INCREDIBLE STREAK ENDS IN WARREN

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.