Girls Basketball Preview: Shaker Heights; Can They Elevate in Season 2 Under Conwell?

 Girls Basketball Preview: Shaker Heights; Can They Elevate in Season 2 Under Conwell? 

YEAR OF THE LADY RAIDERS? 

The Shaker Heights Lady Raiders come into this season with a renewed energy that carried over from last season as coach Carlton Conwell starts his second season at the helm.

Last season was a very good one for the Lady Raiders program as they finished in the top 3 of the conference, established a new identity, and even got a win in the OHSAA playoffs before bowing out in the 2nd round.

However the end of the season finished on a erratic note, souring how the season could have ended. 

There was a altercation at the last home game of the season, in the final seconds, against their rival nonetheless, and the Lady Raiders were never able to fully recover, as they lost players for the rest of the season and played shorthanded at the end.

Nevertheless, coach Conwell has reloaded, and is confident as ever in his team, which goes into a whole new conference this season (Greater Cleveland Conference). 

"We're extremely happy with what we did last season, turning the program around and creating some excitement and energy for the program. Now we have to continue to elevate. We have the pieces and the culture to do that." 

With the likes of sisters Lizzy and CeCi Favret back, along with guards Aryn Harris and Layla Robinson, the team is set for another good season. 

Ceci Favret has committed to Marquette for soccer while Lizzy is one of the top juniors in Ohio.

Coach Conwell also brought back his staff and added a coach, with legendary coach Leon Hines joining the staff. Hines last coached at Shaw HS a few years ago.

After some nice showing in scrimmages, the Lady Raiders will be put to the test today, as they will play in their first regular season game today. 

They will face Villa Angela St Joseph today at 2pm at Cleveland Heights. 

Coach Conwell spoke on the excitement of the new season and their expectations. 

We're ready for the new conference, the new season, and we want to be one of the top teams in Cleveland this season. Coach Conwell stated. 

"We feel like we can do that. The girls have bought in. We just have to continue to work hard every day and stick with our "WE" mentality. It's "WE" this season, not "ME".  

Look for a exciting second season for coach Conwell and his Lady Raider squad. 

For more content follow Shaker Heights Lady Raiders and SELive365 on the journey. 

 

Springfield Coach Douglass, Players Respond to "Redemption Rant" by Moeller; Teams Meet For 3rd Straight Time Tonight;

 Springfield Coach Douglass, Players Respond to "Redemption Rant" by Moeller; 

Teams Meet For 3rd Straight Time Tonight With Wildcats Winning Last Two; 

By Deon Cash

The Springfield Wildcats are no strangers to trash talk, as this era almost every team has social media banter seemingly before they play every week.

However, the statements said by Moeller players have sent a different message to the Wildcats, who are now the 5-Time Regional Champions in the southwest Ohio district. 

It was quoted that Moeller wants "Redemption" after "Barely losing at the end of the game" in the last two contests, both wins by Springfield. 

Here's the exact quote from Moeller:

"We just need redemption. We need to go out there mean and angry and kick their butts. We should be fine."

           Courtesy of the Cincinnati Enquirer 

While this isn't much to some, its a big slight and very disrespectful to the 5-time Regional Champs in the D-1 circuit.

Coach Maurice Douglass and some of the offensive line (which has been stellar this season), had some words for Moeller and their faithful. 

To see what coach Douglass and the O-Line said in response to Moeller, watch here: 

Douglass didn't mince words, stating what they said first, then giving his thoughts on Moeller and the trash talk.

Then the Offensive Line shared their thoughts as well during the S.E.Live365 Wildcat Way Series.

The game will be played tonight at Piqua HS at 7pm ET. 

Look for some major intensity as the Cats look to reach their 3rd consecutive final four and end Mr Football hopeful and Michigan commit Jordan Marshall's career and sever his Mr Football Ohio hopes in the process.

While Moeller has revenge on their mind, the disrespect plays right into Springfields wheelhouse. 

Douglass spills a venomous segment to the Moeller faithful during the show, so the energy and vengeance is there.

Listen to Douglass and his message to Moeller here

Should be a incredible game.  

And don't be suprised to see Moeller take another loss to a Springfield team who has been overlooked for far too long. 

Easter II Gives La Lumiere Early Xmas Gift as He Tears Up Indiana HS Circuit

Easter II Gives La Lumiere Early Holiday Gift as He Tears Up Indiana HS Circuit  

          Easter II is Top Prospect in Class of '25

When La Lumiere, one of the premiere Prep Schools over the last 2 decades looked at their team last year, it was filled with talent, but deviod of a star player who could re-energize the program. 

And deviod of wins as well, as they suffered a lackluster season by all accounts. 

Enter junior sensation Jerry Easter Jr, a front runner for Mr Basketball in Ohio. 

Say what?

When it was announced that Easter II would be going to La Lumiere, the Ohio sports world was shocked and not suprised at the same time.

How could a guy who was a front runner for Mr Basketball Ohio in 2024 bolt the Buckye state and end up in Hoosier land?  

On the other hand, we have seen the likes of all type of players leave their high schools and navigate towards prep school, with mixed results.  

Well after a cheeky couple of seasons with Toledo small school Emmanuel Christian, Easter II sat with his family and weighed all the options. 

Once it was over, they decided that to take the road to a prep school. 

While there were other options, Easter II and his family felt that the high level prep school in Indiana was the best move. 

Once Easter II made his move, it was reported that a couple more top level recruits would decide to take their talents to La Lumiere, giving them the firepower they need to jump back into the National Title hunt. And indeed they did, as Top 50 hoopers Jalen Harrison and Darius Adams would commit, signaling a new era for La Lumiere. 

Since his arrival, Easter has been nothing but explosive and unstoppable, continuing his development as a complete combo guard who physically looks NBA ready and mentally has had to deal with a lot of tough situations along the way. 

Coming into La Lumiere, while the headlines were filled with Easter II teammates during the pre-season, he shrugged it off and got back to work. 

Easter is ranked as a Top 25 player in the 2025 class, but truthfully, is more closer to the Top 5-10. 

He had a 30 point game recently and is averaging almost 20ppg for a nationally ranked Top 15 Team in the country. 

While his numbers across the board are nice, his physical development has him looking like his dad, who was a former boxer himself. He is chiseled and powerful, and now moves with even more speed and hops as well. 

His grades are top notch, with a 4.0 average which his parents and colleges love equally. 

Easter is a big part of why La Lumiere is still undefeated (5-0) in the early season. The road will get only tougher from here on out, so Easter II and the squad will have to raise his game, which he can and is prepared to do. 

Look out for Easter II as he continues to rack up wins and headlines for La Lumiere in the 2023-24 HS basketball season. 

Easter will play in Cincinnati on December 17th, so if you want to get ya popcorn ready, stay tuned. He also will face Cooper Flagg (#1 ranked player in 24')  and his squad later as well, as La Lumiere is apart of the newly formed EYBL Scholastic League, stemming from the wildly popular EYBL league that Easter destroyed last summer as a sophomore. 

Follow Jerry Easter II, La Lumiere, and S.E.Live365 during the 23-24 basketball season.

New Era in New Albany; Jackie Russell Leads Lady Eagles in 23-24

 New Era at New Albany as Jackie Russell Leads Lady Eagles in 23-24

By Deon Cash 

Last Season the New Albany girls basketball team was solid, but didn't hit their expectations. 

Under the direction of Phil Sikorski, the legendary coach, the girls team would be solid, with a 52-38 record over the last four seasons and a 11-13 season last year. 

Their talent indicated that they were possibly one of the better teams in the area. However, a 2nd round OHSAA Tournament exit ended their season, the wheels turned over, and as a result a new coach was hired. 

Sikorski would retire after leading the Lady Eagles team the last four seasons. He had coached for 32 years total. 

Who would be the new girls coach at New Albany? 

After a lengthy search, they decided on a coach that was already within the program. 

Jackie Russell is the new Womens Head Coach at New Albany, and after a pre-season, she will get her troops ready for the season in the Ohio Capital Conference as they tip-off this Thanksgiving weekend. 

Russell was an assistant coach under Sikorski the previous season. Russell is a former Bishop Hartley product who went to play college at Miami - Hamilton and OSU-Newark before inuries derailed her career. She is ecstatic to have the opportunity to jump in the coaching realm at this stage of her life.  

"I'm thrilled to start my head coaching career here at New Albany. I want to thank the organization for giving me a chance. Now it's time to get to work." Russell would state in a phone interview. 

Russell talked about the scrimmages, and what she has seen thus far.

"The first scrimmage? It wasn't pretty. We were not up to the task." Russell stated. 

"In the second scrimmage we got better, but it wasn't until the 3rd scrimmage (Reynoldsburg) until we seen real progress. That's when we started to see some of our key players making plays, the team playing with intensity and purpose, and showcasing how we can play effectively as a team." 

With a core group of good upperclassmen led by seniors Libby Henry and McKenna Stultz, New Albany should be ready for a "Bounce Back" season. 

Throw in a fabulous freshman Julia Evans along with a couple more "Ready To Go" underclassman in Sophomores Kira Hurst and Mary Kidwell and Russell and her troops are ready to go to war this weekend.

"We're excited for the start of the season (Friday @ Thomas Worthington) in the Newark Classic. I want our girls to compete from the jump," Russell would state.  

While Russell is a pup in the coaching scene, make no mistake; she is a hard worker, has put in time in the coaching circuit, and is ready for the challenge. She has one of the youngest coaching staffs in all of Ohio with her, but knows they are up for the challenge. 

This weekend New Albany is playing in the Newark Classic, followed by their first home game on Tuesday, November 27th.  

They lost last night to Thomas Worthington and will face a tough Olentangy Braves team tonight (6pm ET).

Congratulations to Russell and her staff on their journey. 

Follow Russell, the New Albany Lady Eagles, and S.E.Live!365 during the 2023-24 basketball season. 

Clark State Wittenberg Game Rescheduled For Next Week

 Clark State Wittenberg Boys Game Rescheduled For Next Week

Coach Alstork has Eagles at 2-2 so far

The Clark State Wittenberg JV boys basketball game that was scheduled to play this afternoon has been postponed and rescheduled for a later date, per the reports.

The game, which was originally scheduled for today at 3pm is now slated for next Monday, November 27th.

The Eagles are currently 2-2 on the season under new head coach Quinton Alstork. 

Follow Alstork, Clark State Mens Team and SELive365 on the journey!