Shepas positive over return of Steel Valley Conference

January 29, 2019 at 12:05a.m.

Chaney, East joining with parochials

BEAVER TOWNSHIP

As chief of athletics and physical development for Youngstown City Schools, Rich Shepas likes the direction his teams are heading.

The former Youngstown State University and Cardinal Mooney football standout also is excited about the newly-reborn Steel Valley Conference, a league that he has been hoping to get off the ground since his appointment nearly 20 months ago.

Addressing the Curbstone Coaches during Monday at Avion Banquet Center, Shepas said that Chaney and East will join Cardinal Mooney and Ursuline for football while entertaining expansion thoughts for its Olympic sports.

“We wanted to keep the Steel Valley Conference name, yet at the same time keep the City Series name and record book alive through our Junior High programs,” said Shepas, who will serve as initial conference commissioner. “Our four league schools are set to compete for a football championship beginning this fall, so everything is coming together in that area.”

He added the conference is seeking teams for scheduling agreements.

“We will be sending invitations out later this week to schools without solid conference affiliations, hoping they can attend our meeting on March 4,” Shepas said. “We want to discuss expansion and scheduling agreements that we feel will be beneficial for all schools in every sport.”

Under Shepas’ direction, participation numbers and grade-point averages continue to rise for its boys and girls athletic teams.

“East is back on solid ground, participation numbers continue to rise in all sports and grade-point averages of our participants [are] also up,” Shepas said. “Last spring, East won the state rugby championship in their first year of competition while six girls and one boy advanced to the state track championship.

“Three of those girls — DeShante Allen, Jahniya Bowers and Kyndia Matlock — received Division I track scholarships to YSU.”

Under the tutelage of second-year head coach Brian Marrow, the Bears’ football team advanced to the playoffs.

“Coach Marrow led our Golden Bears to the All-American Conference Red Tier championship and first postseason appearance in 21 years,” Shepas said.

East’s Chris Fitzgerald (YSU), Blaine Spires (Bowling Green) and Dawan Martin (Bowling Green) inked national letters-of-intent during December’s early signing period.

“Gei’vonni Washington has offers from both Malone and Ashland and there is more to come on signing day in early February,” Shepas said. “It’s an exciting time for the entire school system.”

Shepas said Chaney High is making great strides since returning to varsity competition.

“Chaney had a very successful cross country season in the fall and we created a freshman-junior varsity football schedule, playing a Friday night scrimmage during the season at Crestview,” Shepas said. “[Coach] Marlon McGaughey has the Chaney boys basketball team off to a 10-4 start and with an excellent young team, there’s a lot to look forward to.

“East girls basketball is greatly improved under Tanisha Franklin,” Shepas said. “They struggled two seasons ago, won a couple games last year and are hovering around .500 this season.

“She’s an excellent teacher and coach and does an outstanding job with preparation.”

Shepas added that numbers are up in the weight room with baseball and softball at both Chaney and East set to go in the spring.

“East will play their softball and baseball games at Pemberton Park on Shady Run while Chaney will practice at Rocky Ridge, playing their games at Koch Field,” Shepas said. “We’re working with the Boys and Girls Club of Youngstown, and Anthony Vross of the Glaciers with the hope of developing a 10-U baseball program.

“We already have six teams and I would love to see a summer travel team as well.”