Fair Or Foul? Player of Year Candidate Sits Due To Scratching Coach Off Poster

 Fair Or Foul? 

Player of Year Candidate Jerry Easter II Sits Due To Scratching Coach Off Poster 

By Deon Cash

 For Jerry Easter II, the top scorer in Ohio HS hoops and sophomore guard on one of the top teams in the State, things were going great until recently, when his head coach was suspended for some choice words he had said to Easter in a conversation. 

Lionel Armstead was the head coach, and one of the great players in Emmanuel Christian history. 

During a recent game the head coach would have a disagreement with Easter, say a few choice words, including some disrespectful cursewords, and would tell Easter "You're not coachable" which forced the front office and OHSAA to suspend Armstead.  

While Easter never made any comments or statements, it was clear that Easter was hurt by the statements that his coach said.

Armstead would be suspended by the Emmanuel Christian front office and is now being investigated by OHSAA due to some reports that he was missing the neccessary paperwork to be a head coach. 

While the head coach was out, Emmanuel Christian was undefeated. 

But, for some reason, the principal who was a former coach (Dave Regnier) decided to take over as the interim head coach, uprooting the assistant coach who was undefeated and doing a good job.

Now rewind to earlier this week.

Easter had made a poster in the classroom at the beginning of the season, and he and some friends and staff was eating in the classroom at the time.

Easter had compiled a family and friends tree on a poster that had different branches for different family and friends.

 While they were in his classroom eating, Easter would decide he wanted to scratch off the head coach from his tree, which sparked an internal investigation, and ultimately, his suspension for a game,

When his parents was asked about the situation, Easters' dad spoke. 

"It's his paper, and he can write or erase and put on and take off whatever he wants. It wasn't meant to be disrespectful.  He was hurt by what the coach said to him, and he responded. It was on his own paper, and all he did was cross off someones name. That deserves a suspension?"

While OHSAA did not suspend Easter, it was Emmanuel Christian who did, and deemed his actions "detrimental to the team." 

In a crucial game and with Emmanual Christian sitting atop the State rankings, makes you wonder. 

Easter is a elite talent, and not every organization has the ability to understand the full dynamic of what a player of Easter's talent brings.

 While it won't be perfect with having Easter on the team, the bottom line is this: 

He is one of the very best players in OHSAA basketball, no matter the class.

He is the only player in OHSAA to have a quadruple double. He is also the only player in OHSAA to have multiple 40-point games this season.

He lit up Lutheran East, a state finalist and a favorite for another trip this year, for 33. 

He scored 49 and 28 in the Holiday classic with a MVP.

So while there are rumblings throughout the Emmanuel Christian offices about Jerry Easter and his impact, there is no question that Easter is a championship type of player.

Emmanuel Christian will be headed to California to play in a prestigious showcase, and why is that?

Jerry Easter II.

No matter how this situation plays out, Emmanuel Christian will not be in the spotlight more than they are now.

So, Easter will be out tonight, but will play in California on Martin Luther King day.

But it begs to be asked.

Did Easter deserve to be suspended due to crossing out a name on a poster? 

Follow Easter,  S.E.Live365 on the Journey.

Easter is averaging 

Shaker Heights Ladies Get Back on Track, Topple Beford 63-5

 Shaker Heights Ladies Get Back on Track, Topple Beford 63-5

By Deon Cash 

The Shaker Heights girls hoops team had taken a tough loss to Solon, and had to wait a few days to try to get back on track.

Watch entire game (Full Play By Play LIVE Stream) here: 

https://www.youtube.com/live/8p2mdskQNmc?feature=share

And get on track is exactly what they did, as they knocked off Bedford by the score of 63-5 in front of their home crowd.

Led by G Aleonna and Jazmin Robinson, the Lady Raiders forced a flurry of turnovers in the 1st half and converted to the tune of 49-2 at half.

"Tonight we got back after it, and now we sit at 8-4 and 1 game out of the top spot. We took a tough loss to Solon last week, but we came back tonight and we liked the effort and execution." Head Coach Carlton Conwell stated.

With the win Shaker is now 4-1 with a key game this weekend aginst Lorain at home, who also only has 1 loss in the Lake Erie League. 

Here are the LEL standings (Courtesy of Max Preps) 

If the Lady Raiders are able to knock off Lorain, it would setup a big meeting at Cleveland Heights, as they are undefeated and atop of the LEL. 

In speaking with the Athletic Director,  he has been very pleased with the direction of the ladies program.

"We want all of our teams to be competitive and winners, and Coach Conwell has done that in his first season already. We're excited to see how the development goes in the future."  Mike Babinec stated.

To watch the full interview on YOUTUBE with the AD go here (Starts at 51 min mark) 

https://www.youtube.com/live/8p2mdskQNmc?feature=share

To watch the Full Replay of Game go here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/8p2mdskQNmc?feature=share

Video Provided By: NM Sports 

Photos Provided By: SELive365  

Its Official: Anthony Parker Becomes Newest OHSAA Dual Basketball & Football Head Coach; Becomes One of Few To Make OHSAA History

 Its Official: Anthony Parker Becomes Newest Dual Basketball and Football Varsity Head Coach For One School

By Deon Cash 

Anthony Parker, one of the greatest football and two-sport star players to come out of Jefferson High School in Dayton, Ohio, has achieved some great success throughout his playing career.

Now he will do something that has been done very few times in OHSAA history.

In a historic moment, Parker has agreed to take over the boys varsity football coaching job after Chris Mobley decided to step down after last season.

This means Parker will be the head coach for the West Carrollton Pirates varsity football and basketball teams in each teams next season. He is currently the head coach for the varsity basketball team who holds a 4-4 record. 

 Parker spoke as he shared the news with his basketball team this week. 

"I'm extremely excited about the opportunity to rebuild our football program here.  I've really enjoyed my time here at West Carrollton so we'll rely heavily on the energy and excitement and experience we have from turning our basketball program around along with the strong football coaching staff we'll put together. 

Throw in the supportive West Carrollton community and the combination of the three will give our football program a legitimate chance to experience what high school football should look and feel like." 

Parker would also thank the West Carrollton officials and community. 

"This is a great position and great time for me and my family, and this is the place to be for me. We are so appreciative of how West Carrollton, the staff and the community on have treated us during our time here.  

Football was my first love and it will be a exciting challenge to see what we can do with the Pirates program. Overall I am ecstatic to be in this position."

What might suprise you is that Parker was a all-state QB at Jefferson HS and played for a couple years in the Pro Football Indoor League. He was a assistant coach for four years as well for some elite HS teams at Trotwood. 

Evan Ivory, the Athletic Director of West Carrollton,  spoke on Parker and why they selected him.

"Coach Parker has changed the culture here at West Carrollton in his 5 years here. He has been a great coach and role model, and we want to bring in more coaches and surround him with great people to help him in this process. 

We know what he will do with or wthout help, regardless.

 We also know there will be skeptics who don't believe. But we have the utmost faith in Coach Parker and we feel like he will revitalize the football program, much like he has done for the basketball program."

Parker has no doubt changed the basketball program, which had been mired in obscurity for over 15 years.

While it will be interesting to see how he is able to mentally keep himself ready for both seasons, Parker will coach the football team in 2023, and has said all of his basketball players will be playing football.

"We have gotten committments from most of the basketball players, so it should be a completely different look next season." Parker said. 

Parker has lit a fire under the West Carrollton organization and the hope is that in the new year, the West Carrollton can get their football program going in the right direction. 

Congrats to coach Parker and his staff on the historic announcement.

Shaker Bounces Back, Readies For Key Matchup After Holidays

 The Shaker Way Series 

Shaker Ladies Bounces Back After Tough Road Loss; Readies For Key Matchup After Holidays vs Solon 

BY DEON CASH 

The Shaker Heights girls team was riding high going into Week 4 of the season, sitting at 5-2 when they took on Warrensville.  

While the game was hype to say the least, Warrensville took it to the Lady Raiders, staying undefeated in Lake Erie Conference with a convincing win at home 62-44. 

The loss ended the Lady Raiders 4-game win streak.

"We didn't play our best and you have to give Warrensville credit. We made too many mistakes and need to clean up some things. We will see them again. They're a great team, well coached, and we see what we need to do to get to the next level." Head Coach Carlton Conwell stated. 

With the loss it gave the Shaker ladies their first loss in the Lake Erie Conference. Warrensville and Cleveland Heights are the lone undefeated teams in the conference. The Lady Raiders are 3-1 and are sitting 1 game back of Warrensville and Cleveland Heights (4-0). 

The Lady Raiders would rebound last Wednesday at home with a convincing win against Euclid. With that win they move their record to 7-3 after the first month and a half of the season. 

"We are exactly where we want to be." Coach Conwell said.

"We head into a huge matchup on the road against a Top team in Solon. They're ranked in the OHSAA Top Ten State Rankings (8). We will be prepared for that matchup and the second part of the season."

In the last game against Euclid, the defense played a big part as Jazlynn Robinson privided the spark on defense and intensity with 7 steals to go with 8 points, leading to a big win by the score of 56-20. 

 Meilani Walker led the team with 10 points, while Hazel Seyou was a factor as well with 6 assists to keep the team running smoothly.

With the holiday break the Lady Raiders will take Xmas off and prepare for the big battle next Friday night.

"We want them to enjoy the holidays, but they know we got a big one coming up."

Regardless,  the Shaker Heights Lady Raiders are enjoying thir holidays on a winning note.

Merry Xmas & Happy Holidays to All! 

Local Business To Give Away Coats, Host Xmas Party Tomorrow

Local Business To Give Away Coats, Host Xmas Party Tomorrow 

B & B Grill & Lounge, a relatively new business in the Dayton and Middletown area, are donating hundreds of coats to people who will need them for the holidays this weekend.

The Lounge, which is located in Dayton (Salem Ave) and in Middletown (Cincinnati-Dayton Road) will host the Coat Giveaway and also host a XMas Party during and after the event in Middletown tomorrow.

"We want to be more involved with the Middletown and Dayton communities, and we want to give back to the families who need these coats." B&B General Manager LaToya Tellis said.  

"We have over 150 coats to give, and we need a few businesses and organizations to join us in the giveaway and party. We really want to be more involved within the community to help the people who need it." 

The event will be in the B&B parking lot and will start at 4pm ET and end around 8pm.  

"We were hoping for a few partners to provide some hot chocolate, cookies, and other small items that can help keep us warm during the cold day. We still have a few slots available, and we are hoping the Middletown community, including the Middletown HS Athletics department will join and support us in the cause." Tellis stated. 

We also could use a couple of holiday characters,  such as a Santa, Some Elves, and any Holiday characters that are available. 

For more info, go to  

B&B Grill and Lounge

Record Setting Week as Shaker Ladies Demolishes Opp 75-1; Is it OHSAA Record? Big Game Saturday vs Warrensville

 The Shaker Way Series 

Record Setting Week as Shaker Girls Prepares for Warrensville in Game of the Week

By Deon Cash 

The Shaker Heights girls basketball team has made a dymanic impact and a huge turnaround in only the 1st portion of the season under new head coach Carlton Conwell and his staff.   

After smacking a team down 59-9 a little less than 2 weeks ago, the Lady Raiders did it again. 

They defeated Shaw by the score of 75-1 which is a possible record for the least amount of points scored and biggest margin of victory in Shaker basketball history.  

Head Coach Carlton Conwell and Coach Reggie Harwell spoke after the last game, a big win on the road to North Royalton. 

"We're locked in. Our mission is to get these girls to believe that we are one of the top teams in Cleveland girls HS basketball. 

We want to go to Dayton this season for the OHSAA State Championship. We have the pieces. We (the coaching staff) need them to believe. And they (team and organization) are starting to buy all the way in." Coach Conwell said. 

"Were on our way to doing that. We gotta stay focused and locked in every day. No days off." Coach Harwell said. 

The Lady Raiders slapped North Royalton 56-32 to solidify themselves as a legit contender in the conference and put the city on notice.

After the blowout win vs Shaw the Cleveland Inquirer made some changes to the Top 25. 

"We got a few calls this week from some media outlets in the city and beyond." Conwell stated. Feels good to be able to change the vibe of Shaker Nation for the positive." 

After a thorough win on the road against North Royalton, the stage is set for this weekend's big tilt against one of the top dogs in the Land in Warrensville. 

Warrensville is lead by Coach Bryant, who has a squad and will be ready for the challenge. They also played Shaw and won 86-7, so the similarities in the scores make this tilt very interesting.

After the road win the Lady Raiders sit at 3-0 in the conference, (5-2 overall) and go into the battle with full confidence. They have defeated a solid team on a neutral court earlier this season, and now have  defeated a solid team on their own court as well. 

Can they knock off Warrensville and stay atop of the Lake Erie Conference? 

Tune in tomorrow at 2:30 pm at Warrensville for the action. Best believe The Shaker Way will be in the building. 

And if they are able to pull off the big upset win, expect them Raiders to move somewhere in the Top 10-15 of that exclusive ranking provided by Cleveland.com. 

Follow the Shaker Heights girls, Coach Conwell and his staff, and their Journey this basketball season with us! 

@SELive365  

Springfield Win Tonight Would Bring Much More Than a Title

Expect a Focused Springfield Team Tonight; Win Would Bring Much More Than a Title 

By Deon Cash 

 The Springfield Wildcats seemed to be a team of destiny last year during the OHSAA Football seaaon. 

They had a Mr. Football candidate at quarterback,  to go with a variety of elite defenders on defense. Top that off with a second to none coaching staff and you had a on the rise organization to prepare to take on one of the elite programs in OHSAA storied football history, which has been dominated by the northern portion of the state in recent years.  

Springfield would battle St Edward in the D-1 Title game last year, but a slow first half would put them in a early hole. While the Cats would have their  opportunities, it just was not to be despite a valiant effort by Star QB Tae'Sean Smoot and the troops. In watching the game, you could see that Springfield was a little bit in awe of the moment and needed a little time to settle into the atmosphere within the game. 

Coach Douglas spoke on this moment. 

"Last year I think the lights got a little too bright for some of our players early in the game. We had never been at the State Championship game before, and in the 1st half it seemed as if we were still trying to find our rhythm, which cost us. In the 2nd half we played much better but it was too late and we left some plays on the field. You can'tdo that in a Championship game."

Watch the Full Interview here: 

St. Ed would hoist the trophy, sending a wave of dissapointment to the Cats locker room. The good part: Springfield realizing that they were literally a few plays or a quarter away from being a champion.

Now fast forward to this season. 

With a plethora of guys who were back (Anthony Brown, Jaivian Norman to name a couple) who were key factors last year along with a couple of rising young talent (Aaron Scott J r, Bryce Washington, the offensive line) and a couple of key transfers (Schondelmyer, Owens), the Cats are right back in the same position they were in last year - which is  playing for a championship against St Edward this weekend back to back years.

 However this game coach and the team have taken a slightly different approach, and it shows the mentality that has been taken all season.

Coach Douglass is all about "finishing it", and this is right summarization of how dominant his team has been over the last half decade.

In the last S.E.Live show, Douglass states exactly that. (LINK BELOW): 

But, in order to be the best, you know the saying. 

And that wont be a easy task, considering they are playing the reigning D-1 champs, who: (1) are playing close to home (2) have a huge fanbase (3) have a powerful offensive line and a(4) dynamic quarterback and (5) defense shut down Moeller to 0 points for an entire game. 

The only team these two teams played is Moeller, but u got the sense Springfield could have won by 2 touchdowns. 

You can bet that this Springfield team, who went down a day earlier, won't have the bright lights vibe that they did last year. Coach Douglass would know better than anyone if his boys weren't locked in from the beginning. 

Will the Cats finish it? 

 Dont bet against this team.

If they do, they will not only bring their first ever title to "The Field" but also bring the big some respect in Southwest Ohio and the Dayton area which hasn't had a D-1 champ for a long stretch since the Trotwood and Wayne days nearly a half decade ago.

 It also would give some validity to the fact that these Wildcats have had some elite players who should legitimately been considered for Mr Football, including Tae'Sean Smoot and a few kids on the team today such as Anthony Brown, Bryce Schondelmyer and Jaivian Norman. 

Check out the All-Access pass at the OHSAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP @SELive365 

For more info 

@SELive365