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February 14, 2019

Lady Wolverines Earn Playoff Berth, Set To Battle Carlynton Cougars

The Ellwood City girls basketball team has earned a playoff berth in the 2019 WPIAL Class 3-A Playoffs that begin next week. The Wolverines, winners of four consecutive games, will square off against the 4-seed Carlynton Cougars next Wednesday at 6:30pm at North Hills High School. For the Wolverines (6-8 Section 1 3A, 13-9 Overall), last week’s victory over Mohawk earned the team a playoff berth under first-year head coach Marc Heil. Seniors Natalia Greco and Isabella Roth lead a hungry group of players looking to have its hard work pay off. “Our team worked really hard this year and…

February 13, 2019

VIDEO: Students Coming Together To Show Strength In Unity

Normally when the Panthers and the Wolverines are in one gym you can cut the tension with a knife, however not last week. On Friday, both schools came together in honor of the late Kaitlyn “Kait” Francis who had passed away January 28. Francis was an Ellwood City senior who lost her battle with cancer after being diagnosed back in elementary school. Students and athletes alike came together to show strength in by wearing the black shirts that read “She Was Not Meant to Break” on the front, with a gold ribbon, which stands for childhood cancer awareness, and “Kait” on the…

February 12, 2019

Riverside Varsity Swim is Making a “Splash” in Their Section

Riverside Varsity Swim team is making a ‘splash’ this season as the undefeated Panthers boys’ team will be looking to claim a section championship this week. Both the boys and girls varsity swim teams won in their Senior Night meet against Beaver Fall that had been held last Thursday. Prior to the meet the team honored their swimming seniors Tristn Schuester, the foreign exchange student, Jonas Tamme from Germany, Rachel LaRocca, Mckenna Hoyman, Wyatt Ray, and Donnie Paracca. Following their victory against Beaver Falls on Thursday, the boys’ team placed 3rd overall on Saturday at Moon High School for the…

February 11, 2019

Skating Into The Top 3, Hess Ice Rink Looks To Cash In

A local ice rink, Hess Ice Rink in New Castle, has been selected as one of the three finalists for a “Renovate the Rink” contest co-hosted by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Voting opened Friday, February 1st and runs through Friday, February 22nd. This contest was introduced in October of 2018 as a new contest. This contest is hosted by Pittsburgh Penguins and Pittsburgh Commercial Construction (PittComm). The winner will receive up to $100,000 in goods and services to renovate their rink. There were over 400 entries were received, and 16 rinks were nominated before the finalists were selected. Mark Bucci, the Parks…

February 9, 2019

PHOTOS: Riverside 3rd Quarter Surge Leads To Rivalry Victory

Riverside used a third quarter surge to pull away to its 59-47 rivalry victory over Ellwood City on Friday.  The victory capped a season sweep for the Panthers in the two- game Riv-Ell series. After a quick six point surge to start the third frame, Ellwood City responded to cut what had become a seven point lead down to a single possession. But after a Broc Boariu’s free throw cut the lead to 28-25 midway thru the quarter, Riverside clamped down defensively and held the Wolverines scoreless for the remainder of the third quarter.  The Panthers went on a 15-0…

February 8, 2019

PHOTOS: Ioanilli’s Late Steal Sparks Wolverines Rivalry Victory

Maria Ioanilli’s late steal and 3-point play sparked the Lady Wolverines to a 38-36 rivalry victory over Riverside on the road Thursday night. With her team trailing with less than 90 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, the sophomore forward collected a steal and went coast-to-coast for a layup under duress, earning a 3-point play with the earned free throw to boost Ellwood City  (13-9 Overall, 6-8 Section 3A-1) back in front of what was a back and forth game for much of the second half. After freshman Kyla Servick guard added two free throws, Riverside’s Lauren Bettencourt knocked down her third 3-pointer…

February 6, 2019

PHOTOS: Panthers Fall To Tigers On Senior Night

The Riverside Panthers boys basketball team was defeated by Beaver Falls 68-39 Tuesday night.  Senior basketball players and cheerleaders were recognized as part of senior night festivities prior to the tip-off. Junior Ben Hughes finished with 11 points for the Panthers who could not overcome a 20-point first quarter outburst by the visiting Tigers. Jalen Vaughn (22 points) and Gage McKelvey (21 points) led the offensive output for Beaver Falls (9-11 overall). For Riverside (9-10 overall, 3-8 Section 3A-1), the loss dips them just one game below .500 but the Panthers will look to rebound this Friday when they travel…

February 5, 2019

PHOTOS: Seniors Shine In Section Victory Over Mohawk

The inside-outside duo of seniors Natalia Greco and Isabella Roth combined for 29 points to lead the Lady Wolverines to 51-39 senior night victory over Mohawk Monday night. Roth collected four 3-pointers en route to her team high of 17 points while Greco battled inside earning 16 free throw attempts (10 made FT) on her way to 12 points.  The duo scored eight of the team’s 12 points in the final frame help close out the victory which marked a third consecutive victory for Ellwood City. Freshman guard Kyla Servick posted 9 points while sophomores Maria Ioanilli and Olivia Battaglia…

January 31, 2019

Two Schools, One City, One Fundraising Cause

In light of our community’s tragic loss, the two rival schools have decided to come together and show support for the grieving family and friends of the late Kaitlyn “Kait” Francis. Showing their support, four students have stepped up and took on the task of making t-shirts to sell to students in a fundraising effort for the Francis family. The two from Ellwood City that started it all are Ariana Garroway and Sydni Haswell. The idea became so well liked that two students from Riverside, Maggie Harden and Tanner Leavens, decided to also Tweet out Riversides support. Despite the long…

January 23, 2019

Wolverines Emerge Victorious Against New Brighton

After a back and forth first half and much of a stalemate in the third quarter, the Ellwood City boys basketball team used a decisive fourth quarter to emerge victorious against New Brighton 55-46 on Tuesday. Ryan Gibbons scored a game-high, and season-high, 16 points (7-12 shooting, two 3-pointers) to lead the Wolverines. The first half featured eight lead changes, settling on a 32-29 advantage for the visiting Lions.  Both teams struggled in third quarter, combining to only score 16 points before Ellwood City used a 17 point outburst int he final frame to pull away for victory. Two other…