Niles holds off late Liberty run for 52-50 win

Ryan Frantz paced the Red Dragons with 19 points.

LIBERTY — Ryan Frantz tossed in 19 points and Niles held off Liberty’s late rally for a 52-50 victory in boys basketball Friday night.

The Red Dragons held a 10 point lead midway in the final quarter before the Leopards rallied, but were unable to overcome the Dragons.

Larry Sussman added 14 points and nine rebounds and Vince Melillo added 10 rebounds as the Dragons outrebounded the Leopards 32-24.

Anthony Cleveland led Liberty with 15 points and seven rebounds.

Campbell 51, Newton Falls 50

CAMPBELL — Jeraime Williams hit a goal and free throw with no time left on the clock to lift Campbell from a 50-48 deficit to the victory.

Newton Falls snapped a 48-48 tie when Cameron McCleary made two free throws with 4.4 second left, but Campbell managed to push the ball down-court to get Williams’ goal before the buzzer sounded.

Antwan Dawson scored 13 points and Williams finished with 12 to lead Campbell (2-0), which outscored Newton Falls by 11-8 in the final period.

Marcus Boyd added nine points on three 3-point goals to also pace the Red Devils.

McCleary wound up with 13 points and Marcus Fowler 12 with 16 rebounds to lead Newton Falls (1-1).

Struthers 68, Lowellville 50

STRUTHERS — The Wildcats (1-1) rolled to their first win of the season with a 21-9 lead in the first quarter and a commanding 35-15 margin at intermission.

Keith Karas sparked Struthers with 20 points and he pulled down eight rebounds. R.J. Regan chipped in with 19 points and he had four steals. The Rockets lost for the second straight time.

Springfield 67, Girard 60

NEW MIDDLETOWN — Todd Kibby led the way with 24 points and 10 rebounds as Springfield outlasted Girard.

Eric Lipp added 14 points and Nate Schuler had 120 points six assists and four steals for the Tigers.

Girard (0-2) had four players in double figures, led by J.J. Simpson with 16 and Adam Charles with 14.

Crestview 69, Beaver Local 63

NEW WATERFORD — The teams combined for 16 3-point baskets in the non-league game as each team connected on eight.

The Beavers (0-2) held a 28-27 lead at halftime, but the Rebels (1-1) outscored the Beavers 20-16 in the third quarter and 22-19 in the last period.

Mark Einsiedel, who made four 3-pointers, and Nick Oliver paced the Rebels with 16 points apiece. Jakob Leon added 10.

Ethan Russell led the Beavers with 19 points, while D.J. Taylor and Zach Zelinsky each had 11.

Champion 61, Warren JFK 34

CHAMPION — The unbeaten Golden Flashes (3-0), off to their best start in five years, rushed out to a 21-7 lead in the first quarter and they were cruising 49-23 heading into the final period.

David Barnes paced the Golden Flashes’ balanced attack with 16 points.

Caleb Wright added 13. Jon Ashdown and Ryan McCollum led the Eagles (0-1) with 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Columbiana 82,
Western Reserve 64

BERLIN CENTER — Joe Blinsky poured in 25 points , including four 3-point goals, to lead Columbiana (2-0).

Andrew Tirpak and Kevin Blinsky each added 14 points and Josh Weikart 12 to aid the Clippers.

Nate Lude had 14 points and 15 rebounds to spark Western Reserve (1-1), while, Zach White and Shane Ewing contributed 13 points each, Randall Ludwiczak 10 points and seven assists and Justin Lude nine points.

Southern 72,
East Liverpool Christian 35

EAST LIVERPOOL — The Indians (2-1) put four players in double figures as they built a 61-24 lead by the end of the third quarter.

Tyler Baker paced Southern with 18 points. Ethan Blatch added 15, Nathan Melhorn 13 and Andrew Diaz 10.

West Branch 69, Carrollton 56

CARROLLTON — The unbeaten Warriors (3-0) pulled away with a 22-13 surge in the third quarter of the opening Northeastern Buckeye Conference game.

Vic Pappas scored 20 points and had 10 assists for the Warriors. Chad Butcher and Steve McNeely, who pulled down 12 rebounds, each had 12 points and Evan Campbell had 10.

Hunter Borland led Carrollton (0-2, 0-1) with 18 points.

Ravenna 50, Southeast 49

RAVENNA — The Ravens rallied in the second half to even their record at 1-1, while the Pirates lost for the second time in a row.

Nine players got on the scoreboard for the Pirates with Joe LeMon scoring 17 points. Matt Bright added seven.