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RESERVE OFFENSE SHOWS OFF

NEW MIDDLETOWN OH- Western Reserve showcased their power and dominance as they overwhelmed Springfield, securing a sweep in the MVAC with a resounding 19-1 victory on Tuesday.

The Western Reserve offense was firing on all cylinders, led by Lindsay Jones, who went 3-3 with 3 RBI and 3 runs scored. Caylee Selley was unstoppable, going a perfect 5-5 at the plate with 5 RBI and 2 runs scored. Sophia Reigle contributed with 3 walks, 3 RBI, and 1 run scored, while Maylin Hartzel and Mikayla Salonich added to the onslaught with multiple hits and runs scored.

In the circle, Hartzel was stellar, pitching a complete game, allowing just 4 hits and 1 earned run while striking out 3 batters in 5 innings of work.

Springfield struggled to contain Western Reserve’s powerful offense and was unable to keep up with their relentless attack.

With this win, Western Reserve completed the sweep over Springfield in the MVAC, showcasing their strength and determination as they continue their winning streak in conference play.

TIGERS ROLL ON TO SERIES SWEEP OF RESERVE

NEW MIDDLETOWN OH- Springfield completed a league sweep over Western Reserve on Tuesday, defeating the Blue Devils 9-4 at home.

The Springfield offense was led by Payton Novak, who drove in 2 runs on his 1-2 performance. Kolten Ruark contributed with a 1-2 showing, adding 2 walks, 1 RBI, and scoring 2 runs. Alec Fusco and Ryan Maughan each added an RBI, with Fusco going 1-3 and scoring a run, and Maughan going 1-2 with a walk and scoring a run.

On the mound, Ruark was impressive, pitching 5.2 innings, allowing 4 hits, 3 earned runs, and striking out 10 batters.

Western Reserve’s offense was led by Evan Slaven, who drove in a run and reached base twice with a hit and a walk. Hunter Taylor scored a run on his 1-3 performance, and Brock Wellman added 2 runs scored, reaching base with a hit and a walk.

Despite their efforts, Western Reserve couldn’t overcome Springfield’s strong pitching and timely hitting.

With this win, Springfield completed the league sweep over Western Reserve, solidifying their dominance in the series.

RESERVE BREAKS THROUGH AGAINST MCDONALD

Western Reserve built a 6-run lead in the seventh inning and then held off McDonald’s charge for an 8-6 victory on Tuesday.  McDonald closed the gap by scoring on a single and a double.

Chloeigh Ensdley collected three hits in four at bats in the win. Ensdley singled in the seventh inning, singled in the fourth inning, and singled in the second inning.

The Blue Devils opened the scoring in the top of the first thanks to two singles. They first got on the board when Lindsay Jones singled, scoring one run. They opened it up and scored five runs on six hits in the top of the seventh inning. Jones hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run, Katie Byers doubled, scoring one run, Sophia Reigle doubled, scoring one run, and Ensdley singled, scoring two runs.

Byers earned the win for Western Reserve. The righty surrendered 11 hits and six runs over seven innings, striking out three and walking none. Bella Obrien took the loss for McDonald. The starting pitcher went four and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, striking out six and walking two.

The Blue Devils piled up 14 hits in the game. Ensdley and Allison Jones each collected three hits. Caylee Selley, Aubrey Kutsko, and Byers each collected multiple hits.

McDonald tallied 11 hits in the game. Obrien drove the middle of the lineup, leading with three runs batted in. The pitcher went 2-for-4 on the day. Lauren Oleary went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead in hits. McDonald turned one double play in the game. McDonald was also sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Oleary had the most chances in the field with nine.

LAKEVIEW SURGES IN SATURDAY DOUBLE DIP

CORTLAND OH- Kennedy Bartlett drove in five runs on three hits to lead Lakeview past Western Reserve  12-7 on Saturday. Bartlett hit a home run to center field in the fourth inning, scoring three runs, and singled in the fifth inning, scoring two.

Western Reserve got on the board in the top of the first inning after Kaleigh Williams singled, and Caylee Selley grounded out, each scoring one run.

The Bulldogs took the lead in the bottom of the first inning after Izzy Haines singled, Paige Schwartz laid down a sacrifice bunt, Hallie Capan singled, and Makenna Werner singled, each scoring one run. They then added five more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning on three hits. An error scored one run, Kalyssa Werner singled, scoring one run, and Bartlett homered to center field, scoring three runs.

Ava Bacon earned the win for Lakeview. The right-handed pitcher surrendered 10 hits and six runs over five innings, striking out four and walking one. Katie Byers took the loss for the Blue Devils. The right-handed pitcher went six innings, allowing 12 runs (seven earned) on 10 hits, striking out one and walking three. Isabella Isenberg appeared in relief for Lakeview.

Lakeview collected 10 hits in the game. Werner collected two hits in two at bats. The Bulldogs were sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. Bartlett made the most plays with 11.

Western Reserve amassed 12 hits in the game. Allison Jones and Lindsay Jones each collected three hits. Williams and Selley each drove in two runs. Byers collected two hits in four at bats. Jones stole three bases. Western Reserve turned one double play in the game.

Game 2:

Bats were blistered as Lakeview outshone LaBrae 19-9 on Saturday. The Bulldogs collected 20 hits, while LaBrae had nine.

The Vikings got on the board in the top of the second inning after Morgan Thompsom doubled, the Bulldogs committed an error, and Rylee McDonough singled, each scoring one run. Lakeview tied the game in the bottom of the second thanks to a solo home run to left field by Hallie Capan, and an error. They captured the lead, 5-3, in the bottom of the third after Capan grounded out, and Makenna Werner laid down a sacrifice bunt, each scoring one run.

A grand slam to left field by McDonough gave LaBrae  the lead, 7-5, in the top of the fourth. Mackenzie Stowe homered to left field on an 0-2 count, which helped Lakeview answer and tie the game at seven in the bottom of the fourth.

A double by McDonough gave the Vikings the lead again 9-7, in the top of the fifth. Lakeview made the score 11-9 in the bottom of the fifth after Linnea Kovac singled, scoring one run, and Kalyssa Werner homered to left field, scoring three runs.

Lakeview then scored eight runs on eight hits in the bottom of the sixth inning. Riley Rowe induced Werner to hit into a fielder’s choice, but one run scored, Isabella Isenberg grounded out, scoring two runs, Kennedy Bartlett tripled, scoring two runs, Izzy Haines doubled, scoring one run, Paige Schwartz singled, scoring one run, and Werner singled, scoring one run.

Isenberg earned the win for the Bulldogs.  She surrendered nine hits and nine runs (five earned) over six innings, striking out nine and walking three. Rowe took the loss for LaBrae. The starting pitcher went five innings, allowing 14 runs (10 earned) on 13 hits, striking out five and walking three.

The Bulldogs collected 20 hits in the game. Stowe and Schwartz each collected three hits. Werner and Werner each drove in three runs. Bartlett, Isenberg, Haines, Kovac, and Capan each collected multiple hits.

McDonough went 4-for-4 at the plate as the infielder led the team with seven runs batted in. Thompsom collected two hits in three at bats.

RESERVE RALLIES LATE TO STEAL ONE FROM MILTON

BERLIN CENTER OH- Katie Byers collected three hits in four at bats, as Western Reserve defeated Jackson Milton 7-5 on Monday. Byers tripled in the sixth inning, singled in the third inning, and singled in the first inning.

Jackson Milton got on the board in the top of the first inning after Macayle Thornhill doubled, and Grace Johns grounded out, each scoring one run.

Jackson Milton added two runs in the third after Emma Johns scored after tagging up.

Western Reserve jumped back into the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning after Mikayla Salovich scored after tagging up, Byers tripled, and Caylee Selley singled, each scoring one run.

Byers earned the win for Western Reserve. The righty surrendered eight hits and four runs (two earned) over seven innings, striking out five and walking none. Thornhill led things off in the circle for Jackson Milton. The starting pitcher gave up 13 hits and seven runs over six innings, striking out four and walking none.

RESERVE CANT FIND A CHINK IN THE SPARTANS ARMOR

By Matt Maher 


AKRON, OH – It’s safe to say that Western reserve has seen enough of Richmond Heights over the past few days. After the girls lost to the Spartans in disappointing fashion on Saturday, the boys were looking to avenge their classmates in their district Semi-finals matchup against the Spartans. While the game was played pretty sloppily by both teams off the opening tip, The Spartans would rally together and turn on the electricity to surge past the Blue Devils 62-26.

 

Both teams had their struggles in the first but Western Reserves was that they had too many empty possessions and couldn’t put up a single basket where Richmond earned 24 points. Demaris Winters Jr. found an impressive 11 points for the Spartans to lead his team in this dominant first frame. 

 

The Blue Devils had some fight in them at the start of the second with Peyton Hartzell tossing a dime from beyond the arc to find the first score of the quarter and of the night for Western Reserve. The scoring continued for the Blue Devils and they managed to find 11 points while the Spartans stayed the course and scored 25 more points to lead 49-11 at halftime. 

 

Hartzell led Reserve with 5 points in the second quarter including that opening 3 and a layup later on while Andrew Hendricks found 4 points with two in the paint and the other two from the free throw line. Winters added another 8 points to his and his team’s total.

 

Richmond Heights scoring was slowed down by the running clock that was implemented at the start of the second half. Richmond was able to secure 10 more points and held Western reserve to 6 points in the frame. Josh Klasic would lead the Blue Devils in scoring with 4 points all from the line going a perfect 4-for-4, Hendricks added another 2-point bucket to round out their scoring.

 

The 4th quarter belonged to the Blue Devils where they outscored Richmond 9-3. While the small victory of winning a quarter against this giant finally came about, the battle itself was already lost for Western Reserve. Jackson Young would lead his team this quarter with 4 points, 2 from the paint and 2 from the line, while Gavin Thake put up a long shot from beyond the arc. 

 

The Blue Devils showed resilience in the second half but with the running clock in the half their big time scoring never came and the first half woes ended up to be too much to handle in the end. Peyton Hartzell ended with the most points for the Blue Devils with 7 points while Andrew Hendricks and Josh Klasic both earned 6 points each. Demaris Winters Jr would finish atop of all scorers with 21 points.

 

Western Reserve played some great games this postseason and were able to win their sectional against McDonald which was very impressive knowing how good those Blue Devils were this season. Unfortunately for Reserve, the Spartans were too powerful and knew how to move around the court without traveling or getting called for too many fouls. Western Reserve finished their season 9-13 in the regular season, 7-7 in conference play and 2-1 in tournament games and shocked many by advancing to the district round as a 22 seed!

SPARTANS SLOW THINGS DOWN TO GET PAST RESERVE

By Matt Maher 


ORWELL, OH – Basketball may be known for its fast gameplay and quick decision making but Richmond Heights sought to prove the world wrong on Saturday night when they beat Western Reserve by the final score of 24-20. This score was achieved by playing basketball for about a quarter and a half and then playing keep away for the remainder of the night. 

 

The first quarter saw both teams play in a well played defensive battle where Richmond Heights outscored the Blue Devils 12-11. Western Reserve saw three players tally 3 points in the frame with Quincy Miller and Angelina Cappabianca both scoring from beyond the arc and Alysia Hughes putting in a bucket in the paint and going 1-for-2 from the line. The Spartans were led by Honor Hall with 6 points and Hall would continue to be their big name player but not for the reason most would expect in a huge playoff game. 

 

The second quarter had an even lower score of 9-4 in favor of Richmond. Lisa Eichert and Hughes combined for the 4 points for Reserve with Hughes finding a layup and Eichert showing skill from the line throwing a perfect 2-for-2. Hall was huge for her team on offense because she found two triples to earn another 6 points and she held onto the ball for a good 4 minutes spread across three different occasions. While that may seem excessive just wait until you read on to the third quarter.

 

Richmond Heights began the half with possession and with a quick inbound to Hall the Spartans quickly dribbled the ball over the center court line and she set up shop just beyond the line. For 7 minutes and 35 seconds Honor Hall just stood in the offensive zone, sometimes dribbling the ball and sometimes holding it and did absolutely nothing of interest or of note other than letting the clock run out. The Blue Devils never once pressed Hall and allowed her to stand there and drain the clock and to be fair the Spartans did have the lead and in a big game as this you need to find the right strategy to win and with the OHSAAs rules being as they are this strategy did end up working very well for Richmond. 

 

The fourth quarter actually saw scoring and ball movement and everything you would expect from a basketball game. Western Reserve mounted a comeback attempt that would fall short with the Blue Devils finally outscoring Richmond 5-3. Hall continued to contribute and lead in offense with 2 of the 3 points for her team. All scoring in the frame was found from the free throw line with Hall going 2-for-6. Western Reserves free throws showed better results with Kylee Ramsey and Quincy Miller both hitting 2 free throws while Alycia Hughes went 1-for-2. 

 

Despite a well played 1st quarter and an exciting 4th what was sandwiched in between was about 4 minutes of basketball and 12 minutes of standing around. While there are many opinions on what this means for the game and what should be done to prevent this kind of behavior on the court it doesn’t help this game since the rules allow for players to hold onto the ball for long periods of time if the defense doesn’t look to pressure the offense this was a very clean game played very intelligently by Richmond who saw a Blue Devils team who could defend them and potentially beat them which is what we almost saw in the 4th. Unfortunately this game did not end the way the Blue Devils wanted and their great season came to its conclusion as their district runner up. Congratulations to Western Reserve for making it to this stage and for playing great basketball all season long!

Q THE VICTORY BELL

BERLIN CENTER OH- When talking about the plethora of young talent in the area, Western Reserve sophomore Quincy Miller stands out as a remarkable talent, defying the typical expectations associated with underclassmen. Fearless and determined, Quincy possesses a maturity and confidence that belies her age, making her a formidable force on the court.

One of Quincy’s most impressive attributes is her high-profile perimeter shooting, a skill that has propelled the Blue Devils to new heights this season. With her ability to drain shots from beyond the arc with consistency and precision, Quincy has become a key offensive weapon for her team, capable of swinging the momentum of a game in an instant.

But Quincy’s success is no accident; it is the result of countless hours of hard work and dedication. Known for her relentless work ethic, Quincy is often found in the gym, honing her craft and perfecting her shooting technique. Whether it’s shooting hundreds of shots or working on her footwork, Quincy is always willing to put in the extra effort to elevate her game to the next level.

A significant factor in Quincy’s development as a player is the unique dynamic of having her father as the head coach. With her father’s guidance and mentorship, Quincy has thrived, absorbing invaluable wisdom and insight that has helped shape her into the player she is today. Additionally, Quincy’s older sister Kennedy, who also came through the Western Reserve program, has been a constant source of support and inspiration, paving the way for Quincy’s success. In honor of her sister, Quincy proudly wears the number 30 jersey, a symbol of her deep respect and admiration for Kennedy’s influence on her basketball journey.

As Quincy prepares to lead her team into battle in the district championship game against Richmond Heights, she does so with a sense of purpose and determination. Eager to build on last year’s success and secure a second consecutive district championship, Quincy knows that the stakes are high, but she thrives under pressure. With her unwavering confidence, relentless work ethic, and unwavering support system, Quincy Miller is poised to leave her mark on the court and lead her team to victory once again.

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RESERVE WINS THIRD IN A ROW OVER MCDONALD

MCDONALD OH- In a thrilling district quarterfinal showdown, Western Reserve solidified their dominance over McDonald, securing a crucial 40-36 victory to advance to the semifinals of the tournament. With this win, Western Reserve completed a perfect three-game sweep against McDonald this season, showcasing their resilience and determination on the court.

The game began with both teams trading baskets in a closely contested battle, setting the stage for a tense and exciting matchup. As the game progressed, McDonald launched a late-game surge, mounting a formidable 9-0 run to close out the third quarter and narrow the gap on the scoreboard. However, Western Reserve refused to relinquish control, swiftly regaining the lead in the final frame and holding firm until the final buzzer sounded.

Leading the charge for Western Reserve was Josh Klasic, whose impressive performance saw him tally 14 points, guiding his team to victory with his scoring prowess and leadership on the court. Klasic’s contributions proved pivotal in securing the win for Western Reserve, as he led by example and stepped up when it mattered most.

Despite the defeat, McDonald’s Drew Zajack delivered a standout performance, finishing with a game-high 20 points in a valiant effort to rally his team. Zajack’s exceptional skill and determination were on full display throughout the game, as he battled tirelessly to keep McDonald within striking distance of their opponents.

With their ticket punched to the district semifinals, Western Reserve now sets their sights on their next challenge against Richmond Heights. Scheduled to take place on Monday at Firestone.

RESERVE ROLLS INTO THE FINALS

By Ty Bartell

ORWELL, Ohio — The Western Reserve Blue Devils girls basketball team secured a decisive
victory over the Canton Central Catholic Crusaders, emerging triumphant with a 40-19 win in the district semi-final clash at Grand Valley High School on Wednesday night.

In a slow-paced first quarter characterized by stout defensive play from both teams, Reserve managed to seize an early lead, edging ahead 6-2 after the opening eight minutes of play. Quincy Miller emerged as a pivotal figure for the Blue Devils, showcasing sharpshooting prowess with three successful shots from beyond the arc. Miller’s contributions fueled Reserve’s offense, propelling them to a dominant 19-4 second quarter, establishing a commanding 25-6 halftime lead.

As the teams returned from halftime, the pace of play intensified, with both sides displaying more balanced efforts in the third quarter. The Devils maintained their advantage, outscoring the Crusaders 10-9 in the period to hold a 35-15 lead heading into the final quarter.

Senior standout Alyvia Hughes assumed the role of closer for Reserve, delivering a stellar performance in the second half and making crucial baskets to seal the victory with authority, ultimately securing a 40-19 triumph for the Blue Devils.

Quincy Miller and Alyvia Hughes earned recognition as Players of the Game for their impactful contributions. Miller provided an explosive opening act, notching nine points in the first half, while Hughes showcased her prowess with 11 points, notably excelling in the latter stages of the contest.

With the victory, #8 Western Reserve (16-9) advances to vie for their third district championship in four years. They are set to face off against #3 Richmond Heights (18-4) on Saturday, March 3rd, at Grand Valley High School in Orwell, Ohio, with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m.

Fans can stay updated on Western Reserve Blue Devils basketball throughout the season, with access to live games, scores, stats, stories, and more on YSN.