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! 

Shaker Ready For Season Two Under Conwell; Lady Raiders Host Scrimmage Today

 Shaker Ready For Season Two Under Conwell; Lady Raiders Host Scrimmage Today

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 host a 8-team scrimmage today from 2-5pm ET. 

The teams that will be at the scrimmage are Organge HS, Mumford (Detroit), Youngstown East, East Tech, and Lutheran West. 

Garfield Heights and Midview also will be there, as Midview made a OHSAA State Semifinal Appearance last season.

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. 

 

Clark State Women Look To Stay Undefeated; Mens Team Win Last Night, Face UC Clermont Tonight

 Clark State Women Look To Stay Undefeated vs Clermont; 

Mens Team Win Last Night, Face UC Clermont Tonight

The Clark State Eagles have a doubleheader tonight at they face UC Clermont in Cincy.

The Lady Eagles are undefeated (4-0) and will face another road test against a game Clermont team. Under Coach Steinke, the Lady Eagles have found a groove and want to prove they are one of the best teams in the league and region.

The mens team smacked Cedarville JV team last night and will look to continue the winning ways.

Their record is 2-1 after a convincing road win but will face a stiffer test tonight.

"It was good to bounce back and get the win, but we got work to do." Coach Alstork stated after the game. 

The doubleheader series have the women playing at 530 while the boys play immediately afterwards at 730 tonight in Cincinnati. 

Follow SELive365 and Clark State men and women basketball team on the journey.

Kali Jones Returns To Old Stomping Grounds as Withrow Faces Troy in OHSAA Regional Semifinals

Kali Jones Returns To Old Stomping Grounds as Withrow Faces Troy in OHSAA Regional Semifinals 

Kali Jones, the head coach of the Withrow Tigers, will get to come back home to play for a chance to go to the Regional Finals as they take on the top team in the Miami Valley League in Troy tonight.

Jones, who was a Colonel White graduate and Daytonian, has came a long way to get to this point, as have the Withrow Tigers. 

Withrow has been one of the most dominant teams in all of Ohio this year, as the Tigers boast talent all over the board. 

The outright champions of the CMAC, the offense has set records left and right, behind the terrific trio of Chris Henry Jr (Top 5 Soph in the country), Luke Dunn (2300+ yards passing, 32 TDs, 6 INTs, 65% Completion Rate), and Terhyron Nichols, who is a 2-way stud who has a bunch of offers (over 20 D-1 offers) as well. 

The offense has been remarkable, obliterating most of the Withrow passing records, and putting this Withrow squad and its fateful into mentioning a run to the OHSAA State Semifinals.  

But it's the defense that has been truly game changing, and is why this team could be headed to bigger venues in the near future.

The defense is giving up less than 5 points a game, which is downright staggering.

53 total points allowed in 12 games, which is a 4.4 ppg clip. 

This is astounding, considering the opponents they have played. 

The only teams to score double figure were St.  Xavier (14-10 loss) and Springboro (29-10 win). 

 The defense is led by sophomore sensation Christrion Browner, who led the team in tackles (76) along with Alai Ulaisele (58) and Chris Payne (49). Nichols had 40+ tackles as well from the DB position. Wylen Gover lead the team in sacks (7) while Nichols is top 5 in the CMAC in interceptions (4). 

Photo Courtesy of Withrow Athletics 

While the Tigers feel like this could be a banner year, they are fully expecting a serious battle tonight against the ground & pound offense that Troy has exerted on its oppents all season with great success.

Troy, who's star RB Jahari Ward was knocked out later in the season, has found a way to keep the vaunted running game explosive and unstoppable, all the while using the play action pass to near perfection.  

Troy crushed Lima Sr. and have been rolling all season, using a stout rushing game and a defense that suffocates teams as well. 

"We know they will be ready. They're a well coached team and a top organization. We have watched film and we see their style of play. We have played some teams who are similar to their style. So we are prepared for that." Jones would say in a audio interview.

Jones has taken the road less traveled as he continues to elevate his coaching status and his program. 

Jones played HS football in Canada before coming back home to play football in the Marines. 

Once he got into the coaching aspect, he never looked back.

He started his career at Wayne before heading to Dayton Christian. He would be a offensive coordinator for a couple years before heading to Woodward to be a head coach. After a couple years at Woodward, Withrow put in for Jones services and was able to get him away from Woodward.

After his 3rd season, Jones was on the radar of some big programs all around the state.

 However, Withrow doubled up on Jones, backing him even more and sending the statement that the Tigers had found their guy for the current and the future.

Two years later Withrow find themselves in a great position, as Jones will come home to continue on his remarkable journey with the Tigers at Welcome Stadium, which has been re-opened to doing Tournament games (starting this year). 

After speaking with Jones, there's no question he wants to show why his Tigers are one of those squads you want to see this season.

Dayton get ready as Jones and the Tigers are headed to town to take on Troy tonight (7pm) at Welcome Stadium. 

Clark State Ladies Undefeated; Mens Squad At Home vs Kent Today; Interview of the Week

 CLARK STATE BASKETBALL WEEKLY RECAP

Here's the Recap on Clark State Basketball in this 2nd week of November:

LADIES KNOCK OFF EARLHAM IN A THRILLER; LADY EAGLES NOW 4-0 

The Clark State Lady Eagles are now 4-0 after winning a close contest against Earlham 63-61. 

In a game that close the entire game, Clark State was able to win 1st first close game from start to finish. Ayendia Kimble led the Lady Eagles with 17 points, 9 rebounds on 4-8 shooting from 3. 

Morgan Board added 13 on 3-6 from 3, while Bri Randall added 8 points, 4 assists, 2 blocks and 3 steals in the gutty win. 

Coach Steinke was happy about the win, despite the Eagles shooting a season low from the field.  

MENS SQUAD SET TO TAKE ON KENT ST TUSCAWARAS 

The Mens Squad will be resdy to take on Kent State Tuscawaras this evening, as coach Alstork and his squad look to get their second win at home. The team dominated in the season opener, and coach Alstork and the staff hopes to see the same tonight.

The Eagles will face Cedarville on Tuesday night as they rev up for the season.

INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK

Check out guard Chris Herbort as he talks about the big season opening win, the new energy and some of his goals for the season.

Click on LINK BELOW FOR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

CHRIS HERBROT INTERVIEW

Follow Clark State Athletics, SELive365, Chris Herbort on the journey! 

How Will You Vote Today on Abortion and Legalizing Marijuana? Key Issues Bring Magistrate & Judge Brandon McClain on Show

 Key Issues Bring Magistrate & Judge Brandon McClain on Show;

 How Will You Vote Today On Abortion and Legalizing Marijuana

Brandon McClain, one of the fast rising politicians in the game, came on set of S.E.Live365 recently to talk about the huge vote that happens today.

With some serious major issues such as Abortion Rights and Legalizing Recreational Marijuana in the state, McClain talked about the importance of voting.

WATCH WAT MCCLAIN SAYS BELOW:  

"If you don't vote, how can you make a change?" McClain would state in the explosive interview.

 McClain talks sports, his life as a rising politician and server of the community, his family and new baby girl, and much more in a great interview.

Which way will you vote in this crucial election? 

Are you for Abortion rights for women who are raped, beaten or severely disrespected in getting pregnant, or do you feel like its the government's choice for a person to have a baby?

Are you for legalizing Marijuana? 

LISTEN TO WHAT MCCLAIN SAYS ABOUT MARIJUANA AND ABORTION HERE

Or do you feel like its not safe or smart for Ohio to legalize one of the fastest growing businesses in the country when legalized in a state? 

The numbers reflect that each state that have legalized cannibus have made a massive financial jump over the states who haven't legalized it yet. 

With major issues, McClain came and spoke at Dayton 24-7 Now Studios. 

Check out exclusive interview below with a passionate McClain. 

Follow S.E.Live365, Brandon McClain on the journey!