LAKE MILTON OH- Waterloo and MIneral Ridge squared off Thursday looking to cement their status as one of the top golf teams in the MVAC in 2023.
It was the Vikings who garnered that status as they came away with a 167-174 victory over the Rams at Old Dutch Mill. Jackson Eichler took medalist honors posting a 38. Teammates Clayton Smith 40, Trevor Simons 44 and Drew Flarida 45 all posted solid scores in the Vikings victory.
MIneral Ridge was led by Trey Rigley who carded a 39. The Rams also received contributions from AJ Sandy 42, Jackson Geddes 45, Keaton Kucera and Cody Gongaware each shooting 48.
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/619181BB-AE94-4B03-9C64-6BC14B75E113.jpeg482809YSN Staffhttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngYSN Staff2023-08-11 17:57:242023-08-14 18:25:22VIKINGS RACK UP A BIG MVAC VICTORY
ATWATER, OHIO- Waterloo got the best of Mineral Ridge as they took the win 15-5. Waterloo’s big innings were when they scored 5 runs in the second inning and six runs in the fourth inning.
The Vikings were led by Jewel Lilley, who had a grand slam and also had a walk off 2 run home run. She finished with 8 RBI. Lilley also was the winning pitcher on the day allowing 8 hits, 5 runs, and had 8 strikeouts.
Lily Merolillo and Maddy Ylonen led the Rams in hitting as they both went 2 for 3. Merolillo was also the losing pitcher on the day allowing 7 hits, 9 runs, and had 3 strikeouts.
Waterloo will travel to Mineral Ridge on Tuesday to take on the Rams once again.
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/43C97468-34F3-4267-9138-66412158AFF9.jpeg13482438Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2023-04-04 03:14:432023-04-04 03:14:43LILLEY’S MONSTER DAY PUSHES VIKINGS FORWARD
ATWATER OH- Officially, high school tournament basketball is now in full-swing for the state of Ohio with various sectional semifinals occurring all over the state, in what hopes to be the first step of many for a large number of talented squads. Head over to Atwater on Tuesday night and you would have seen the intriguing matchup between two members of The Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference (MVAC); however, not in the same conference division. With The Waterloo Vikings (Scarlet) hosting The Crestview Rebels (Gray). Throughout the regular season, Cresview sported an 11-11 record, good enough to get them #17 in The Division 3 Northeast 1 (Canton District), while The #13 Vikings had a resurgent year with a solid 14-8 record and an opportunity to host a playoff game.
The Rebels, as their team name would indicate, cared very little who had home court, as they came out of the opening tip red hot from behind the arc. At one point, Crestview captured a double digit lead 16-6 in the opening quarter! Waterloo was able to cut into the deficit following a timeout from Coach Wise, but it was Coach Gates and company that held a 16-10 lead after eight minutes of play. It is typically said by many coaches that you lean on your seniors during this time of the year and boy did the senior leaders show up in Fred Brookover Gymnasium. Navarre Alhassan was a deadeye from distance in the second, nailing down three shots from the perimeter while also getting other players involved as four Vikings scored a three pointer in the second to push Waterloo back in front. On the other side, it felt like Kirkland Miller had a response ready for The Vikes, no matter the shot. Hitting buckets from the perimeter, the post, at the line or on the drive it did not matter, Kirkland Miller was the real deal! After both teams found their offensive rhythm, Waterloo held a slim 30-29 lead at halftime.
Out of the half, the third quarter kept the same script as the eight minutes previous. This time, it was Vikings senior Anthony Podojil who got the hot hand, hitting three of his five triples in the third quarter alone! But the ability to curb momentum was there for Kirkland Miller, as he nailed down a pair of threes to his own credit in the third. Both teams scored 11 points in the frame and The Vikings still remained in front by just a single point heading to the fourth. Crestview was tired of being on the comeback trail and managed to get over the hump down the stretch, reclaiming a lead in the final quarter. However, the lead was short lived, as Navarre Alhassan put on his Captain Clutch hat and absolutely nailed down a distance three to retake the lead for Waterloo! Working to get themselves in the bonus down the stretch, The Rebels sent Alhassan to the free throw stripe eight times in the fourth, he hit six of those shots to stretch the lead and keep The Vikings in front for good!
The loss for Crestview (11-12) will end The Rebels season, but nothing to be ashamed about from that performance. Leaving it all out on the floor, like Coach Gates teams always tend to do, The Rebels look to get back to work in the offseason and come back stronger in the 2023-24 campaign. As we here at YSN bid a farewell to the seniors and wish them nothing but the best in their future endeavors! For #13 Waterloo (15-8) they will now hit the road in a matchup with #7 Newton Falls (17-5) in a Sectional Final on Friday, February 24th set for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off. Interviews with Co-Players of The Game Anthony Podjil and Navarre Alhassan as well as winning Head Coach Jason Wise can be found below!
Scoring (Waterloo)
Navarre Alhassan: 24 PTS.
Anthony Podojil: 17 PTS.
Drew Flarida: 4 PTS.
Ryan Wise: 4 PTS.
Jackson Eichler: 3 PTS.
Aidan Hall: 3 PTS.
Scoring (Crestview)
Kirkland Miller: 25 PTS.
Jonathan Best: 13 PTS.
Matt Lindsay: 5 PTS.
Jameson English: 5 PTS.
James Best: 2 PTS.
Scoring by Quarter
Q1: Waterloo 10 – 16 Crestview
Q2: Waterloo 20 – 13 Crestview
Q3: Waterloo 11 – 11 Crestview
Q4: Waterloo 14 – 10 Crestview
Final: Waterloo 55 – 50 Crestview
*Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/63703C08-A377-4EE2-A3C2-0240B21F1909.jpeg11811895Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2023-02-22 16:20:142023-02-22 16:20:14VIKINGS OPEN THE TOURNAMENT WITH A THRILLER
ATWATER OH- As February meets its midway point and March is around the corner, that can only mean one thing. Playoff basketball! On the girls side of high school basketball, a handful of teams already tipped-off their first tournament game, with some already setting dates for their next round matchup. However, Wednesday night was a full-blown kickoff of tournament time in Ohio! Over in Atwater, YSNs own, #2 seeded Waterloo Vikings hosted a very tough, time-tested, #4 seeded Canton Central Catholic Crusaders came to town.
Defense tends to take precedence in the playoffs and this matchup was no different! As both squads struggled to find offense, prompting a carefully calculated chess match to ensue on the hardwood amongst the two programs. Rose Couts opened the scoring for Waterloo, but The Crusaders Makayla Johnson responded promptly, creating a theme for the evening. The first eight minutes saw The Vikings take a small lead 12-9 after a quarter of play. If you thought the defense was good in the first quarter, well kick up the intensity because these amps go to 11 during playoffs! The Crusaders kept trucking along and found the counter offensive run they were looking for in the second. Subsequently, The Vikes went ice cold from the field, being held without a field goal in the second quarter, leaving Waterloo to make up their points at the free throw line. Despite the offense falling out of rhythm, it did not waiver The Vikings spirit on defense, keeping it close but The Crusaders held the slim halftime lead 17-15 heading to the locker room.
Out of the half the great game adjuster, Coach Kevin Longanecker, made a few tweaks in coaching with players like Bayley English and Rose Couts facing foul trouble and Kaylee Webb out with injury. Hoping the law of averages would finally fall their way in the second half, after a cold second quarter and going the entirety of the first half without a made three point shot. Enough offense was found for Waterloo as Bayley English connected from deep to help propel The Vikings back in front 23-22 with the final quarter still to play. Rolling with momentum into the final quarter, both Makayla Johnson and Kaira English were having block parties against one another in a battle of anything you can do I can do better, effectively limiting each other’s game with great defense. Jewel Lilley played some crucial minutes down the stretch that helped ease some of the worries of players fouling out before the end of the game. Abby Mazur hit “The Mazur’s Edge” three pointer from the wing that boosted The Viking lead to seven in the waning moments of the fourth! A team performance through and through, but it was the smallest girl with the biggest heart on the court, Lilly Foster who earned Player of The Game nods for her outstanding defense through four quarters of play, creating turnovers, winning 50/50 balls and helping turn the tides in Waterloo’s favor. Rose Couts sealed it with some made free throws, winning the sectional semi-final matchup 33-26!
With nothing short of heart, hustle and determination shown by a team of just six girls, The Waterloo Lady Vikings are moving on! The win will earn #2 Waterloo (15-7) another home playoff matchup, this time against #7 East Canton (5-16) in a meeting with The Wizards on Saturday, February 18th for a 1:00 p.m. tip-off! Interviews with winning Head Coach Kevin Longanecker and Player of The Game Lilly Foster can be found below!
*Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/23F8CFA9-A729-4CB0-ADCD-160AB64EB247.jpeg10981926Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2023-02-16 17:22:062023-02-16 17:22:06A WATERLOO WINNER IN ROUND ONE
With the end of the regular season rapidly approaching, many teams are getting their final regular season games played, while also celebrating their current seniors. That was the case in Atwater, Ohio Thursday evening when The Waterloo Lady Vikings hosted their senior night. Celebrating three key players for the program the last few years with Rose Couts, Jewel Lilley and Abby Mazur all playing in their final regular season game. With emotions running high, there was still a job to be done as The Vikings welcomed a crossover matchup in The Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference (MVAC) with Gray Division representative, The Champion Flashes. Represented by two fantastic coaches in Kevin Longanecker (Waterloo) and Michael Cole (Champion), the game served as a perfect test for the two programs prior to the start of the tournament.
Playing off a distracted Viking team, Champion wasted little time scoring, capitalizing on an early three-point make and taking a 10-2 lead in a flash! Bella Meyer and Addie Warzala made up all the offense in the first for Champion, including Warzala nailing down a pair of distance shots. Rose Couts found The Vikings first field goal of the game prior to the end of the first; however, through eight minutes of play, The Flashes remained in the driver’s seat 10-4. Needing an answer and desperately looking for points, The Vikings quickly learned that English translates to offense! When junior Kaira English put Waterloo on her back and had an impressive second quarter scoring the rock, converting six shots from the field while shooting 4 of 5 from the free throw line, English scored 15 points in the second quarter alone! Couts added another bucket in the quarter, enough for The Vikings to battle all the way back and take a 22-20 lead into halftime over Champion!
Talks in the locker room went well on the defensive side of the ball in regards to halftime, as subsequently both teams went cold from the field and put up the lowest combined scoring quarter of the night. Leaving Champion with just 5 points in the third and 8 points for Waterloo, with 5 of those points being scored from Kaira English. Slightly winning the quarter, The Vikes were able to extend their lead a bit, 30-25 with the final eight minutes of play to follow. So often it is said that “basketball is a game of runs.” and that was once again the case in the final frame at Fred Brookover Gymnasium on Thursday night. With Waterloo going on a game clinching run, capped off by Portage County three-point Queen, Abby Mazur (58) hitting back-to-back triples in the fourth to push The Viking lead to double digits for the first time! Kaira English also added 9 more points of offense as she finished with 31 on the night to help Waterloo get the win 50-38!
With the loss, #19 Champion (6-17) will now look ahead to The Division3, Northeast 2 tournament bracket where they will face the winner of #2 Garrettsville Garfield (19-2) vs. #23 Campbell-Memorial (1-19). Champion is not slated to be in-action again until Saturday, February 18th for a 1:00 p.m. tip-off. The Viking victory now sets #2 Waterloo (13-6) up in The Division 4, Northeast 3 bracket, where they will host #4 Canton Central Catholic (12-9) on Wednesday, February 15th for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off! Interview with winning Head Coach, Kevin Longanecker, can be found below!
Scoring (Waterloo)
Kaira English: 31 PTS (Player of The Game)
Rose Couts: 10 PTS.
Abby Mazur: 9 PTS.
Scoring (Champion)
Isabella Meyer: 19 PTS.
Kayla Haynie: 11 PTS.
Addie Warzala: 6 PTS.
Dalaney Sclesinger: 2 PTS.
Scoring by Quarter
Q1: Waterloo 4 – 10 Champion
Q2: Waterloo 18 – 10 Champion
Q3: Waterloo 8 – 5 Champion
Q4: Waterloo 20 – 13 Champion
Final: Waterloo 50 – 38 Champion
*Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/89D388D0-5324-4C43-81C3-F490381B7306.jpeg7671264Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2023-02-11 04:06:292023-02-11 04:06:29VIKINGS SEND SENIORS OUT IN STYLE
NEW MIDDLETOWN, OH- The Waterloo Vikings went on the road to take on the Springfield Tigers. The Tigers were led by Nico Servedio, who dropped 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Seandelle Gardner also contributed 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals.
The Vikings kept up for most of the way as Anthony Podojal dropped 13 points, but the Tigers snuck away to win 57-44 to secure 2nd place in the MVAC Scarlet Division.
The Tigers will finish the season with a three game home stand that starts Friday when they take on Mcdonald. The Vikings on the other hand will finish the season with a three game stand on the road starting when they take on Lowellville this Friday.
*Contributed by YSN’s Matt Morrison
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/1D44E592-6701-4C4A-8435-71D669417D0C.jpeg6251080Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2023-02-08 04:25:442023-02-08 04:25:44TIGERS ON THE HUNT
NEW MIDDLETOWN OH- After defeating the Waterloo Lady Vikings in the previous matchup on Jan. 9, the Springfield Tigers took down the Vikings for the second time this season on Monday night.
Springfield pulled away late to take the seven point victory with a balanced scoring attack. Jacey Mullen led the way with 11 points as Mariana Tuscano was right behind her with 10 points.
For Waterloo, Kaira English tallied up 15 points and Rose Couts helped out with 11 points as those were the two main scorers for the Vikings.
Springfield will be back in action this Thursday as they hit the road for a non-conference, 7 p.m. matchup with the Labrae Lady Vikings.
*Contributed By YSN’s Michael Wolfgang
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/704FC061-0473-446E-95E4-43B6A697E35A.jpeg6841120Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2023-02-07 03:15:532023-02-07 03:15:53TIGERS END THEIR MVAC SCHEDULE UNBEATEN
North Jackson, OH- The Waterloo Vikings traveled to take on the Jackson-Milton Blue Jays in MVAC Scarlet play on Tuesday night. The Vikings used a defensive effort to get past the Blue Jays.
The Vikings defense only allowed five points in the first quarter to take a 14-5 lead after one quarter. The Blue Jays countered defensively in the second quarter only allowing 8 second quarter points to pull within 7 points at the half. The Waterloo Vikings shot out of the gates in the second half, with a 7-0 run before a Jackson-Milton timeout. The Blue Jays came alive in the third quarter but still trailed 39-25 at the end of three. In the fourth quarter, Waterloo took a ginormous lead of over 20 points and cruised to a 55-42 victory.
The Vikings were led by Navarre Alhassan’s big fourth quarter scoring 22 total points. Alhassan made 11 free-throws in the fourth quarter to ice the game. Anthony Podojil was right behind with 15 points for the Vikings. Jackson-Milton was led by Ryen Romigh who scored 14 fourth quarter points and ended up with 18 total points.
Waterloo Head Coach Jason Wise talked to our YSN crew after the win, here is what he had to say:
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Waterloo-Vikings.png720960Richie Julianohttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngRichie Juliano2023-02-01 18:11:152023-02-01 18:11:15WATERLOO GETS BACK ON TRACK IN MVAC PLAY
ATWATER OH- Rolling over to our friends in Atwater, Ohio The Waterloo Vikings girls basketball team is having another great season! One of those reasons is because Portage County sharpshooter Abby Mazur! The Waterloo senior has shown her abilities as a great basketball player and an even better person!
Learning basketball from her brothers at an early age, Abby quickly found herself falling in love with the sports. Through plenty of coaches and teammates over the years, Mazur has been through the ups and downs of the sport. Bringing an elite level of maturity to the team, Mazur is a unique individual that is wise beyond her years. Serving as a role model for younger players to follow, especially her little sister Aubrey.
This senior year came with a lot of scrapbook memories for Abby, including breaking The Waterloo record with 11 three pointers in a ballgame against Sebring! Not only a record-breaker for the basketball team, Mazur also is a member of the band while also having the intelligence to be able to code! Safe to say, Abby marches to the beat of her own drum!
Learn the full story and more in YSNs Player Profile with an incredible player, person and friend. Abby Mazur!
*Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell
Presented By:
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/D821F14C-B0BF-4AD8-A24D-2D9C4EFB79D9.jpeg12001969Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2023-01-30 16:59:002023-07-15 04:58:36DOUBTING ABBY IS A MAZUR PROBLEM
The Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference (MVAC) has plenty of premier programs that make for a number of incredible conference matchups throughout the course of the regular season. The Scarlet Division side of the conference had another night of boys conference matchups on Tuesday night. Inside The Scarlet Division, The McDonald Blue Devils made the trip up to Atwater in their second bout of the year with Waterloo. Playing in plenty of nail-biters in recent seasons, three of the last five meetings between The Blue Devils and the Vikings have been decided by a single bucket prior to Tuesday.
The first quarter looked to set the makings of another instant classic between the two programs. With guys like Wyatt Wolford from McDonald and Navarre Alhassan of Waterloo exchanging buckets in the early going. Wolford would score 7 points in the quarter while Alhassan would contribute 5 points; however, three shots from distance found the mark in the first for McDonald, allowing them to take a slim 17-16 lead into the second eight minutes of play. By the second quarter, The Blue Devils Greg Costantino started to heat up after a quiet first. With Costantino hitting a pair of triples in the second quarter alone, he would chip in 8 points before the half, which happened to be all of the offense McDonald could muster in the second quarter. The Blue Devil defense did enough to pump the brakes on The Vikings while allowing McDonald to hold a 25-24 lead at halftime.
The third quarter saw The Vikings regain momentum, capturing a lead a few times throughout the quarter. Initially taking the lead to start the quarter, before the efforts of Costantino and Kyle Crown from McDonald prying the advantage right back. Ryan Wise put on a show for Waterloo, scoring 8 of his team’s 15 third quarter points to propel The Vikings ahead 39-37 with the final quarter in sight. In an eight minute race to the finish, the final quarter of the conference battle ensued! Like two heavyweights in a championship slugfest, the two squads exchanged critical blows to one another down the stretch. Ryan Wise had a phenomenal game for Waterloo, scoring 5 more points in the fourth and finishing with 21 on the night. But it was The Blue Devils that would not be denied! Hitting three more triples in the fourth as a part of ten total distance shots that connected on Tuesday night for McDonald. Greg Costantino earned player of the game honors, finishing with 22 points total and scoring 9 in the final quarter, including a three pointer and two free throws that ended up sealing the slim 54-51 win for The Blue Devils over Waterloo!
Waterloo (10-5)(5-4) will now set their sights on Sebring (10-7)(4-5) where they will have a date with The Trojans on Friday January 27th. Also on Friday, McDonald (5-10)(3-6) will also be on the road, heading to North Jackson next as Jackson-Milton (5-10)(3-6) will entertain their conference foe in a battle of Blue Devils versus Blue Jays on Friday! Interviews with winning Head Coach Jimmy Francechelli and Player of The Game Greg Costantino can be found below!
Scoring (McDonald)
Greg Costantino: 22 PTS. (Player of The Game)
Wyatt Wolford: 13 PTS.
Drew Zajack: 6 PTS.
Shane Stoops: 6 PTS.
Nolan Agler: 4 PTS.
Kyle Crown: 3 PTS.
Scoring (Waterloo)
Ryan Wise: 21 PTS.
Navarre Alhassan: 12 PTS.
Anthony Podojil: 10 PTS.
Jackson Eichler: 4 PTS.
Kai Warren: 2 PTS.
Drew Flarida: 2 PTS.
Scoring by Quarter
Q1: McDonald 17 – 16 Waterloo
Q2: McDonald 8 – 8 Waterloo
Q3: McDonald 12 – 15 Waterloo
Q4: McDonald 17 – 12 Waterloo
Final: McDonald 54 – 51 Waterloo
*Contributed By YSN’s Ty Bartell
https://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/4E16FCED-42C1-4291-8E95-561733B08BD7.jpeg14922323Anthony Hartwighttps://ysnlive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Default-Email-Signature-2673571-300x70.pngAnthony Hartwig2023-01-25 19:56:002023-01-25 19:56:00MCDONALD SERVES UP A WIN ON THE ROAD
