Tag Archive for: Wildcats

COWBOY UP; CHANEY CORRALS DISTRICT TITLE

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BOARDMAN, OH – Just a few days prior to the one-year anniversary of Chaney’s heartbreaking overtime loss to the Poland Bulldogs in last year’s District Final, the Cowboys (19-6) completed their revenge tour with a 53-50 victory over the Struthers Wildcats (23-4). The Cowboys had a dominant second quarter, featuring a 14-0 run to start. The Wildcats would win each quarter beside one, proving Chaney’s 19-6 second quarter was too much.

Trailing by as much as 16, the Wildcats were able to fight their way back into the game. With just 52 seconds remaining, Struthers trailed by only 4. The Wildcats had only 5 team fouls so far in the half and as time ran down, they waited for the ball to get out of the hands of Chaney’s quality free throw shooters before they decided to foul, wasting almost 25 seconds without even sending a Cowboy to the line. With their next foul, Chaney’s Quincy Jones headed to the line for a one and one with just 26 seconds remaining. Jones would miss the front end, and Struthers’ Aidan Slocum would go coast to coast in just 6 seconds for a layup, bringing the margin to just 2. After a Struthers timeout, the Wildcats had a trap on Chaney’s Sharrod Taylor but Taylor would break free and after being fouled, would head to the line with 12 seconds remaining. Chaney would again miss the front end of the one and one, but an offensive rebound from Will Brown would keep the ball in the Cowboy’s hands and Struthers would be forced to send Chaney back to the line.

With the ball now in the hands of Travis Easterly, Chaney would miss the front end of the one and one for the third straight time and Struthers’ Carson Ryan grabbed the rebound. With only 6.1 seconds remaining, Ryan looking to push would turn the ball over on Struthers’s own end. An intentional foul sent Easterly back to the line for two shots, converting on one, putting the Cowboys ahead 53-50. With the ball still in hand due to the intentional foul, Chaney inbounded the ball off of Easterly’s foot, giving Struthers a chance with just 0.9 seconds remaining. Brandon Washington’s full-court heave would hit off the rafters, ending the Wildcats season.

 

SCORING

Chaney Cowboys: Struthers Wildcats:

Travis Easterly – 19 points /Jared Laczko – 14 points

Cameron Lawrence – 12 points /Aidan Slocum – 12 points

Quincy Jones – 10 points /Trey Metzka – 12 points

Sharrod Taylor – 10 points /Brandon Washington – 6 points

Will Brown – 2 points /Carson Ryan – 6 points

 

WHAT’S NEXT

Chaney must now face the #2 ranked team in the final D2 poll, Akron St. Vincent-St Mary. With a record of 21-4, the Saint V’s Fight Irish are ranked #23 in the Nation according to Maxpreps and have lost games only to Sierra Canyon, home of Bronny James and ranked #2 in the Nation, Chaminade of Missouri, the #2 ranked Division 1 team in Ohio, Saint Ed’s, and the #5 ranked team in Division 2, Lutheran East. The Cowboys and Irish will face off Thursday the 12th at 6:00 pm at the Civic Center in Canton.

 

 

*Story contributed by YSN’s Jamie Thomson

STRUTHERS SURVIVES SCARE FROM IRISH

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YOUNGSTOWN OH- It took everything the Struthers Wildcats has to fend off Ursuline in Thursday night’s district semifinal at Boardman. The Wildcats narrowly escaped with a 59-55 win.

The Wildcats led most of the game. After a thrilling fourth quarter comeback the Irish cut the Wildcat lead to just one 54-53, but Carson Ryan responded with a big bucket to stop the spread of momentum. Aiden Slocum also contributed key points in the final seconds. Struthers got contributions from plenty of scorers on the night. Three Cats finished in double figures.

Brandon Washington led the Wildcats to victory with a strong 20 point performance. Carson Ryan finished with 14. Trey Metzka rounded out the double figure scorers with 10.

Brady Shannon led the Irish with 18.

Struthers moves on to play Chaney in the district championship game Saturday night at Boardman High School. The tip is set for 4:00.

POLAND PUSHES PAST WILDCATS

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POLAND OH- The third matchup of the season between Struthers and Poland carried the most weight. The winner of this game moved on to the Fitch district semifinal, the loser would end their season. Poland needed every ounce of energy to beat a hungry Wildcat team 56-43.

The first half of the game was very competitive. A back and forth affair. Struthers made a statement out of the gate as Emma Elia knocked down a long two for the first points of the game. Poland would eventually grab the lead back, but not by much. The Bulldogs kept the lead for the rest of the half but Struthers never let it get over four. Poland held on to a 26-24 lead at the break. Much different than the first two matchups which were dominated by Poland.

The third quarter is when Poland began to create some separation. They got tremendous toughness inside from Kailyn Brown who finished through contact a couple times. They also got strong hustle plays off the bench from Ella Harrell. Brooke Bobbey has a key steal and fast-break layup near the end of the third to keep Struthers at bay. In the final frame, Poland’s depth took its toll as they slowly but surely pushed past Struthers. Harrell got half of her 12 points in the fourth quarter.

Jackie Grisdale became the seventh player in the Poland program to reach 1,000 points tonight. It came in the third quarter on her thirteenth point. She led the offense with 19 points in total. Three other Bulldogs were in double figures. Ella Harrell used a strong final frame to finish with 12, Kailyn Brown contributed 11 and Brooke Bobbey added 10.

Chloe Neider led the Wildcats with 13. Emma Elia put together a strong night with 10.

Poland advances to play Southeast Wednesday at Austintown Fitch in the district semifinals. The tip is set for 6:00.

WILDCATS KEEP STREAKING

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STRUTHERS OH- The Wildcats are fresh off their first league championship since 2012 on Monday night, and kept rolling Tuesday with a 72-52 win over Southern.

Struthers used a huge third quarter to run past the Indians. They outscored Southern 21-8 in the third frame. Struthers Ends the regular season with a 19-3 record.

Trey Metzka led the Cats with 18 points. Carson Ryan finished with 15, while Aiden Slocum added 13.

STRUTHERS TAKES NE8 CROWN

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STRUTHERS OH- For the first time since 2012, Struthers has found themselves at the top of their conference at the end of the year. Struthers earned their title with a 66-51 win over Girard.

It was a highly contested game for the first three frames, but a 24-11 run helped Struthers secure the victory. With their overwhelming offensive outburst the Wildcats earned their rights to cut the nets at the Fieldhouse.

The Wildcats had four players in double figures. Led by Jared Lazcko with 18 points. Aiden Slocum has 15, Trey Metzka added 12, and Carson Ryan finished with 11.

Thomas Cardiero Lee the Indians with a game-High 20 points. Christian Graziano was also in double figures with 14.

STRUTHERS ENDS DRAGONS SEASON; ADVANCE TO POLAND

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STRUTHERS OH- The Struthers Wildcats got their tournament run off to a great start Saturday afternoon beating Niles 61-34.

The third meeting between the two teams started out very competitive. With Struthers putting all eyes on Niles leading scorer Nae Fryer, her supporting cast was able to get some space. Struthers held just a 15-14 lead after 1. Niles stuck around in the second quarter even though Struthers started to stretch their lead. At the half it was an eight point Wildcat lead.

The second half was all Struthers as their defense began to clamp down on the Dragons. Turnovers led to easy transition layups. Emma Elia also showed great toughness finishing through contact multiple times. Struthers nearly doubled their first half total in the third quarter, putting up 22 in the frame to lead 47-29. Niles was only able to score five more points the rest of the way and the Wildcats came away with the 61-34 win.

Emma Elia led Struthers with 21 points. Renee Leonard also had a strong day with 15 points and 7 assists.

Nae Fryer led the Dragons with 15.

Struthers advances to the sectional final on Thursday at Poland. Tip is set for 7:00.

STRUTHERS TOO MUCH FOR FALCONS TO HANDLE

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AUSTINTOWN OH- Struthers is starting to find their stride at the perfect time. Last week they had a major upset over Western Reserve, and Wednesday night they went to Division 1 Austintown Fitch and won 57-47.

It didn’t start the way the Wildcats hoped as they found themselves quickly down 13-5 in the first. The Cats put together a run to end the first with a 17-15 lead and never looked back from that point on.

Emma Elia led the Wildcats with a game-high 16 points.

Daria Williams led the Falcons with 13.

Struthers looks to their first tournament game Saturday against Niles.

Fitch hosts Hudson in the first round of their tournament on Saturday.

STRUTHERS REMAINS ATOP NE8 WITH WIN OVER DRAGONS

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STRUTHERS- The Wildcats knew the league lead was in front of them as they dominated Niles 59-39 on Tuesday night. The win keeps the Cats secure on top of the league.

Leading the way offensively for Struthers was Brandon Washington who has 19 points. Carson Ryan was also in double figures with 16 and Aidan Slocum added 14.

Struthers returns to action Friday night as they travel to Hubbard

Niles looks to rebound on Friday as they host Poland

WILDCATS CLAW EAGLES

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STRUTHERS OH- Struthers got a big win Thursday night in their last home NE8 game of the season over Hubbard 66-29. Emma Elia paced the Wildcats with a game-High 23 points, including 11 in the first frame. Hubbard was led by Jackie Adler with 12.

Struthers improves to 11-8 (9-5) while Hubbard drops to 3-18 (1-13)

Struthers returns to action Saturday hosting New Philadelphia.

Hubbard returns to action Wednesday as they host Mineral Ridge

RANGE WINS THRILLER OVER WILDCATS

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CANFIELD, OH- The South Range Boys get back-to-back NE8 victories with a win against a tough Struthers team, 34-32. Both teams started out slow with sloppy play, but Struthers picked it up and got out to a lead. The Wildcats tremendous defense forced the Raiders to turn the ball over throughout the 1st quarter. The game went into the half with very little scoring, 24-16 Struthers leading. The game really got interesting in the 2nd half after the Raiders stormed back with great defensive play which led to each team trading blows. Nate Brown was, once again drawing charges and helped the push back by the Raiders. In the 4th quarter, the Raiders stormed back and eventually took the lead late after Dante Digaetano hit clutch free throws. Jared Laczko hit a 3 that put the game within 1 point, and again Digaetano went to the line to put the Raiders up by 2. South Range held on after a great chance by the Wildcats that could have put the game into OT.  

Digaetano led the Raiders with 13 points. Kris Scandy added 8 points and 4 rebounds for the Raiders. Chris Brooks ended with 6 points and 5 rebounds. For the Wildcats, Trey Metzka led the way with 15 points. Both Brandon Washington, and Carson Ryan added 6 on the night.

South Range will be back in action on Friday to host Niles. Struthers will also be home on Saturday, hosting Perry. Tip-off for the JV will be at 5:30. Varsity at 7:00. Do not miss it on YSN!

 

*Story contributed by YSN’s Brendan Miller